April 16, 2009 / 22 Nissan 5769

On the day before Passover 5769, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bank Hapoalim, Dani Dankner, announced that the bank would be giving a special gift to the Jewish Agency’s Youth Futures program – libraries in peripheral regions where the groundbreaking project operates.

The Chairman of Bank Hapoalim's Board of Directors issued a moving statement upon announcing a special donation that the bank will make to the Youth Futures project:

“We figured that in a tumultuous year such as this, instead of personally enjoying words of gratitude from the recipients of the gift, it would be preferable for us to join hands and proactively help children and youth at risk.  We chose to work toward breaking the cycle of desperation by offering an equal opportunity to thousands of children and establishing 15 public libraries on their behalf in peripheral communities.”

He then added:

“Youth Futures is an amazing program, in which youths from throughout Israel become ‘trustees’ who accompany children whom the community had already despaired from integrating into society.  Young Israelis become role models, close, personal mentors, and a source of hope for children and youth at risk.  The program, which is run with the help of the Jewish Agency, enchanted us and captured our hearts.  We decided that for the sake of these children, and to lend assistance to those youths struggling to return them to society and actualize their potential, we would donate the tool that they need – libraries.”

This spring, he wrote, will herald the establishment of extensive, diverse libraries in Dimona, Beer Sheba, Ofakim, Yerocham, Kiryat Gat, Bet Shean, Tiberias, Safed, Hatzor, Afula, Migdal Ha’emek, Nazareth Illit, Yokne’am, Ma’alot and Acre.

“The enthusiasm of the program’s leaders,” the Chairman wrote, “and their belief that answering the call to forge the personalities of these children and create a personal experience that develops their understanding and enhances their capabilities marks a critical step in their difficult journey toward equal opportunity, captured our hearts.”