2022 Impact – Youth Villages | The Jewish Agency - U.S.

YOUTH VILLAGES

Providing at-risk youth, especially those with emotional or behavioral issues, with a safe and supportive boarding school setting where they can thrive

YOUTH VILLAGES

Providing at-risk youth, especially those with emotional or behavioral issues, with a safe and supportive boarding school setting where they can thrive

Across Israel, five Jewish Agency youth villages offer 1,114 at-risk kids a place they can flourish. One such village is Hadassah Neurim, located near Netanya, which houses and educates youth ages 12–18 who suffer from severe emotional and behavioral problems or come from difficult familial situations at home.

 

A joint program of The Jewish Agency and Hadassah – The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, in partnership with the Jewish Federations of North America, Hadassah Neurim offers its students the support they need so they can be contributing, valued members of Israeli society.

 

Hadassah Neurim Youth Village students

Hadassah Neurim Youth Village students | Photo: David Salem for The Jewish Agency for Israel

In 2022, 300 students were enrolled at and lived in
Hadassah Neurim.

Nehoray youth village

Nehoray with a dog he’s training | Photo provided by Nehoray

Born and raised in Jerusalem, Nehoray has been a student at Hadassah Neurim for three years now and has loved his time at the youth village. He’s grateful to have caring teachers and staff, and appreciates the amazing opportunities and activities offered after school, like the chance to work with dogs at the village’s Dog Rehabilitation Center.

 

At the therapeutic kennel, students learn to care for and train the dogs, most of whom have various behavioral problems, so they can be adopted by families.

 

“I’ve learned patience, responsibility, how to deal with frustration, how to look at problems from different angles…” shared Nehoray. “I’ve worked with all types of dogs over the years and for each, you have to figure out their own special treatment program in order to help them be the best version of themselves and ready for a new loving family.”

 

Meet more of the students at Hadassah Neurim – and the dogs – participating in the canine rehabilitation program:

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Based in Tel Aviv, Gabi Shani is the Head of Philanthropy at the Menmon Foundation, which promotes animal welfare and focuses on rescuing and recovering injured animals as well as animal rights advocacy and the development of educational and legal programs to change our treatment of animals. Under her leadership, the Menmon Foundation partnered with Spirit of Israel to establish the therapeutic dog kennel at Hadassah Neurim as well as a farm animal rehabilitation center in Nitzana, another Jewish Agency youth village. These programs create magical and mutually beneficial opportunities for human-animal bonding and empowerment.

 

Gabi Shani donor spotlight

Gabi Shani is the Head of Philanthropy at the Menmon Foundation, which has partnered with Spirit of Israel on a number of initiatives at Jewish Agency youth villages

 

“The dog rehabilitation center in Hadassah Neurim is one of the students’ most beloved places and a highly effective program. It gives both the kids and dogs an exceptional opportunity for rehabilitation, empowerment and restoration of trust in the world,” added Mickey Dahav, the CEO of Spirit of Israel (which was founded by The Jewish Agency).

 

Noga, right, with another Hadassah Neurim student about to surf

Noga, right, with another student | Photo provided by Noga

Noga, a 12th grader from Be’er Sheva who is also a student at Hadassah Neurim, takes part in two other special activities only offered at her specific youth village: surfing and the Spirit of Israel mentoring program.

 

“Through the Spirit of Israel mentoring program, I’ve been paired with a really cool mentor who I connected with very quickly. She’s like my friend and very special to my heart even though she’s 20+ years older than me,” explained Noga. “Knowing there’s someone who will continue to support me and help me even after I graduate means so much.”

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