AMIT Summer 2014 Magazine

B U I L D I N G I S R A E L . O N E C H I L D AT A T I M E .

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SAVE THE DATE! ANNUAL DINNER

Sunday, November 9, 2014 5:30 PM Pier Sixty-Chelsea Piers New York City

For more information, please contact Robin Rothbort @ 212-477-4725 or email robinr@amitchildren.org

LONG ISLAND GALA

Monday, September 15, 2014 6:00 PM Sephardic Temple of Cedarhurst Cedarhurst, NY

For more information, please contact Robin Rothbort @ 212-477-4725 or email robinr@amitchildren.org

STAKES, STEAKS, STOGIES & SCOTCH AMIT’S 7th Annual Guys Night Out Thursday, September 4, 2014 6:30 PM The Bowery Hotel New York City

For more information, please contact Liz Klibanoff @ 212-477-4737 or email Lizk@amitchildren.org

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

summer2014

By Debbie Isaac

AS I WRITE THIS, I LEARN THAT THE BODIES of Eyal, Naftali and Gilad, the three Israeli teenagers abducted on June 12, have been found. Horrified as we are by this senseless and tragic act of terrorism, we know that decency requires us to reject vengeance and to continue to build a strong nation filled with the best and the brightest the world can offer. We hug our own families and virtually embrace the thousands of children that AMIT educates and nurtures throughout Israel as we craft a better future for them.

From the beginning, AMIT has participated in building the State of Israel, preparing the youth of the country to face the trials that will test them and, we hope, make them stronger. We are nearing the 90th anniversary of the founding of American Mizrahi Women, later renamed AMIT. Throughout the coming year, we will revisit the extraordinary accomplishments of the organization as we continue to look forward to the challenges and achievements ahead of us.

One of AMIT’s earliest innovations was the creation of the mishpachton, or family foster care method. The essence of the system is to care for children who come from neglectful, dysfunctional and, in some cases, even abusive homes, in a surrogate family setting supported by a full institution of professionals. Today, mishpachtonim carry on this vital work at our Frisch Beit Hayeled in Jerusalem and at the Kfar Blatt Youth Center in Petach Tikvah, facilities that were opened decades ago and today unfortunately show their age.

As we continue to show the hundreds of children in our care, the love and nurturing they deserve, we appeal to you, our supporters, to join in our campaign to renovate the homes in which the children live so that they may feel as loved and cared for as our own children.

In this issue of AMIT Magazine, you will read about our pilot program of inventive educational concepts at AMIT Amichai in Rehovot. We are proud of the

achievements of our principals, teachers and students at the nine participating schools, who are undertaking exciting new ways to build the skills necessary to succeed while at the same time learning to be citizens of the world and their country; aware of the needs of others around them as well as their own.

Also in this issue, is an account of a visit to the White House by eight AMIT principals, all participants in our pilot program, to discuss innovations in education with President Obama’s educational policy advisors. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the White House as we delve further into areas of new classroom dynamics and teacher training.

Like many of you, I have strived to instill in my own children a love of Israel. This September, three of them will be studying in Israel for the year. I am proud to say that my daughter Eliana will be enrolled at Midreshet AMIT, a program that was conceived of and developed by the first New Generation Board of AMIT, of which I was a member. Today, Midreshet AMIT is a highly sought after program that allows young women of the diaspora to spend one year post-high school exploring Israel, learning Torah, and most important, serving as big sisters to children at AMIT’s Frisch Beit Hayeled. The students and children forge lasting bonds that draw the students back to Israel for visits year after year and connect them to our mission upon their return to the United States. Many of our returning Midreshet AMIT students become leaders of our AFLI (AMIT Future Leaders Initiative) program and are even Young Leadership and New Generation participants.

To get a sense of the powerful impact of our Midreshet AMIT program, read the beautiful essays appearing on page 18, written by three of our outgoing students as we welcome the seventh class of Midreshet AMIT students to our fold.

I wish you all a summer of good news and happiness.  Summer 2014 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 3

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

summer 2014 –kayitz 5774 Vol. LXXXVI No. 3

features

BUILDING ISRAEL. ONE CHILD AT A TIME.

8 :: AMIT AMICHAI REHOVOT THE FUTURE OF ISRAELI EDUCATION The school, headed by Rabbi Avi Rokach, is implementing many new innovations and is a leading force within the AMIT network and the Israeli educational system.

By Michele Chabin

12 :: THE JEWISH GUILDED AGE A brief history of Jewish guilds.

By Robert E. Sutton

16 :: FROM THE SCHOOL HOUSE TO THE WHITE HOUSE A delegation of principals from the AMIT Network visit schools in New York and D.C. and visit the White House with the AMIT Leadership.

By Robert E. Sutton and Chana Shields About The Cover 18 :: A PLACE TO LEARN, GIVE AND EXPERIENCE ISRAEL

B U I L D I N G I S R A E L . O N E C H I L D AT A T I M E .

Three recent graduates of Midreshet AMIT share their experiences

By Rachel Gindi, Zoey Glaubach and Rebecca Jedwab

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AMIT NATIONAL COUNCIL OFFICES National Office 817 Broadway New York, NY 10003 1-800-989-AMIT (2648) 212-477-4720 Fax: 212-353-2312 email: info@amitchildren.org Baltimore/Boston/Washington DC 2800 Stone Cliff Drive, Unit #112 Baltimore, MD 21209 410-484-2223 410-370-9411 Call for Fax: 410-484-2223 email: robbiep@amitchildren.org Chicago 3856 B West Oakton Skokie, IL 60076 847-677-3800 847-372-8702 Fax: 847-982-0057 email: amitchicago@amitchildren.org

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Cleveland 23743 Greenlawn Avenue Beachwood, OH 44122 216-382-4441 email: amitcleveland@amitchildren.org Southeast Region 2700 N 29 Ave, Suite 203 Hollywood, FL 33020 954-922-5100 Fax: 954-922-5199 email: robini@amitchildren.org Los Angeles 1122 S. Robertson Blvd., #9 Los Angeles, CA 90035 310-859-4885 Fax: 310-859-4875 email: michalt@amitchildren.org

Philadelphia P.O. Box 342 Wynnewood, PA 19096 410-484-2223 410-370-9411 Call for Fax: 410-484-2223 email: robbiep@amitchildren.org AMIT UK Friends of AMIT Women UK 152/154 Coles Green Rd. London NW2 7HD Phone: 44-208-438-6353 AMIT FRANCE c/o: Mrs. Carole Hannaux20 Chemin des Brasseurs, 57500 Saint-Avold, France phone: +33-611-487-314 email: france@amitchildren.org

AMIT SWITZERLAND c/o: Adv. Jennifer Osborn Unter Altstadt 10 6301 Zug, Switzerland Phone: + 41-41-729-0808 email: switzerland@amitchildren.org AMIT Israel – Petach Tikvah 28 HaMaccabim Street Petach Tikva 49220 Phone: 03-912-3101 AMIT Israel – Jerusalem Hechal Shlomo Building 58 King George Street, 1st Floor, Jerusalem Phone: 02-673-8360 Fax: 02-673-8359

FIND AMIT ON

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24

DEPARTMENTS

6

:: Kfar Blatt/Beit Hayeled Capital Campaign

22

:: Highlights

38 :: Dvar Torah

6

COLUMNS

3

:: President’s Message

7

:: Impressions

24 :: Planned Giving

President

Debbie Isaac Executive Vice President Andrew Goldsmith

Vice President, Marketing and Communications

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

26 :: Honoring Sarah and Maurice Aghion 26 :: D.C. Mother-in-Israel

24

27

:: Long Island Generations-in-Israel

28 :: Miami Beach “Sip ‘n Save” 28 :: Boynton BBQ 28 :: Honoring Molly Small 29 :: Windy City NewGen Event 30 :: March Madness

28

30

30 :: AFLI Pre-Matzo Burn 31

:: AFLI Yom Ha’atzmaut

32

:: Rockland “Night of Nostalgia”

32

:: Englewood Mother-in-Israel

33

:: Israel 2014 Campaign Kick-Off

33

:: A New Era for AMIT in Israel

34 :: Young Leadership & AFLI meet AMIT Robotics Team 34 :: Crypto Jew 35

:: NewGen Family Fitness

36 :: Philly Comedy 36 :: Potomac Stop ‘n Shop 36 :: Israel Day Parade 37

:: Spanning AMITworld

34 AMIT enables Israel’s youth to realize their potential and strengthens Israeli society by educating and nurturing children from diverse backgrounds within a framework of academic excellence, religious values and Zionist ideals. Some 70 percent of AMIT students live in development towns or other “peripheral” areas of the country. AMIT approaches each child as an individual, maximizing his or her potential, and enabling our students to become vital, productive members of Israeli society. The AMIT schools promote religious tolerance, service to the state and the recognition that every child is blessed with unique talents and abilities. Founded in 1925, AMIT operates 108 schools, youth villages, surrogate family residences and other programs, constituting Israel’s only government-recognized network of religious Jewish education incorporating academic and technological studies.

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Chana Shields

Editor in Chief/Creative Director Robert Ephraim Sutton Design

Game6Media Editor Emerita

Micheline Ratzersdorfer Signed articles do not necessarily represent the

opinion of the organization. Reproduction of any material requires permission and attribution.

To view us online visit

www.amitchildren.org AMIT Magazine (ISSN 1085-2891) is published quarterly;

Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer by AMIT. AMIT National Office:

817 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10003.

1-800-989-AMIT, 212-477-4720, Fax 212-353-2312 email: info@amitchildren.org Periodicals postage paid at New York, N.Y., and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER:

Send address changes to

AMIT: 817 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10003.

AMIT, founded in 1925, has a proud history of service to Israel and the Jewish people.

Our name, in English, stands for “AMericans for

Israel and Torah.” In Hebrew, AMIT is an acronym for “Irgun Mitnadvot l’ma’an Yisrael v’Torata” (Organization of Volunteers for Israel and Her Torah).

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Help Renovate AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled And AMIT Kfar Blatt Youth Village CHILDREN HAVE BEEN COMING TO AMIT FRISCH BEIT Hayeled and AMIT Kfar Blatt Youth Village to escape from the worst possible circumstances. They leave homes where beatings, sexual abuse, mental cruelty, alcoholism and neglect are a way of life. To stay is impossible, and children as young as five no longer have a place to call home or anyone to love and help them.

So we built them a home. A home where surrogate parents and a dedicated staff protect them, shelter them and nurture their souls. We teach them to love by loving them and give each and every child the life skills necessary, so that one day they will to become devoted and loving parents, providers and model citizens of Israel.

But while our staff’s 24 hour a day, seven-day-a-week dedication to their young charges is limitless, the functions of our facilities and infrastructure is no longer up to the job.

Decades of wear and tear and an outdated infrastructure make an immediate renovation our top priority.

Be part of the solution and please consider dedication opportunities for the AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled and AMIT Kfar Blatt capital campaign.

AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled in Jerusalem Dedication One Floor Family Apartment Parents’ Suite Kitchen Children’s Bedroom Living Room/Computer Room Dining Room Builder Founder Guardian Mezuzah

Amount $ 1 Million $ 360,000 $ 100,000 $ 100,000 $ 75,000 $ 75,000 $ 50,000 $ 36,000 $ 25,000 $ 18,000 $ 10,000

AMIT Kfar Blatt Youth Village in Petach Tikvah Dedication Building Name Family Apartment Parents’ Suite Kitchen Teen’s Bedroom Living Room/Computer Room Dining Room Builder Founder Guardian Mezuzah

Amount $ 1.5 Million $ 360,000 $ 100,000 $ 100,000 $ 75,000 $ 75,000 $ 50,000 $ 36,000 $ 25,000 $ 18,000 $ 10,000

All gifts will be gratefully acknowledged and prominently displayed at the entrance of the facilities and featured in AMIT magazine.

For more information please contact Liz Klibanoff, Director of Financial Resource Development, 212-477-4737 or lizk@amitchildren.org

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IMPRESSIONS

change is the only constant.

By Andrew Goldsmith, Executive Vice President

ONE OF THE GREAT PRIVILEGES OF JEWISH COMMUNAL service is the opportunity to meet those in communities across the United States who take on the mantle of lay leadership. These are not easy jobs– they receive little acclaim, much responsibility, and lay leadership must answer to the community for…everything. Over the years I’ve met some great leaders and learned much from them.

Not very long ago a leader I greatly respected passed away. Sy Kraut z”l quietly helped lead the Newton, Massachusetts Jewish community. He spent a lifetime involved with his synagogue, his community and all causes Israel. An engineer by profession, he taught me a very important lesson: “Don’t overlook the obvious.”

When we are planning grand visions, make sure to check that the basic assumptions haven’t changed. In other words, don’t build on a shifting foundation or you’ll end up with a crooked building – or even a collapse.

Every Yom Ha’atzmaut, the government of Israel puts out statistics–some of them are quite remarkable: • Israel leads the world in the number of scientists and technicians in the workforce, with 145 per 10,000; • Israel has the world’s highest ratio of university degree holders to general population; • Israel has more startup companies than any other country in the world, except the United States; • Israel is ranked #2 in the world in venture capital funds; • Israel has the highest concentration of hi-tech companies in the world (apart from the Silicon Valley).

Israel is now a powerful nation – more self-reliant and self-confident, an economic miracle, where brains are the top export. So, the question today is not of survival – Israel will survive – but, rather, what will Israel look like five, ten, twenty years from now. And that should give us pause.

We’ve seen heated debate translate into legislation – and while I’m not here to advocate a position nor comment about new laws – I can say that the namecalling, the derision, the utter lack of respect is most appalling. An example is the repugnant rhetoric that defines a split between the secular and charedi camps; however, ironically, they share surprising commonalities.

In the secular Israeli world, an alarmingly large, growing

segment of Israeli teenagers have no sense of national unity. For them, the pride of serving in the IDF is now a burden, and national service should be avoided. Similarly, in the charedi camp, there is little regard for national unity– that is an absolute. Only in the face of the greatest tragedy do we come together-and then only for a brief moment.

Israel isn’t a gift for a select few–it’s communal shared property–a mesorah, a heritage for each of us. And since it is our mesorah, we have the great responsibility to act. At AMIT, we do this in wondrous ways. Our 28,000 students enter an educational environment unseen elsewhere in Israel. AMIT’s 110 schools reflect the core value of pride in the state of Israel and, our students, reflect the diversity of Israel. Walk into most any AMIT school and you’ll find the diversity that is Israel: Sabras, Ashkenazi, Sephardi, olim from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia. And what’s magical is that everyone gets along–color, ethnic and religious discrimination end at the door. All students, regardless of academic abilities, physical and cognitive disabilities, are educated in the same environment. At AMIT, “no child left behind” isn’t a slogan–it’s a hard-won reality.

If tomorrow’s Israel is to reflect core values of coexistence, mutual respect, social harmony, understanding of human differences–this battle must first be fought and won in our schools. It is through education where the next generation of Israeli society develops and matures.

We no longer have a case for giving to Israel based on its physical needs. We have to give for Israel’s soul, for the Zionist ideal to survive. Like Sy Kraut, z”l, said, “We can’t overlook the obvious.” Our relationship with Israel has evolved to a much stronger place–what the chair of AMIT’s Strategic Planning committee, Suzanne Doft, coined “the case for belonging”–truly an equal partnership. History judges us for our action or inaction. By being supportive of AMIT’s efforts, you’ve cast your vote for a future Israel that will continue to fill us with pride in her accomplishments.

The case for giving is outdated. But the case for belonging is just getting started.  Andrew Goldsmith can be reached at andrewg@amitchildren.org

Summer 2014 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 7

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ORNA ITAMAR

FEATURE

YESHIVAT AMIT AMICHAI REHOVOT

THE FUTURE OF ISRAELI EDUCATION

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By Michele Chabin

“For Kindness and Truth Go Before You”

Rehovot, Israel – The large monitor that hangs in the entry hall of Yeshivat AMIT AMICHAI in this university town 12 miles south of Tel Aviv announces the time Shabbat will begin this week as well as the week’s Torah portion and the times for weekly afternoon prayers. continued on page 10 SUMMER14_Avichai_p8_v4.indd 3

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continued from page 9 The flat-screen, which also informs students and faculty of other important school business, is a small but important symbol of the administration’s belief that when used correctly and in accordance with Jewish law, technology can be an important tool in and outside the classroom.

The embrace of technology is just one of the educational innovations Rabbi Avraham Rokach, the school’s affable Rosh Yeshiva and principal, has introduced since assuming his post in 2009. Committed to making education more relevant to and enjoyable for the school’s 7th to 12th graders, he and his team have transformed the way subjects are taught, and empowered the students in the process.

The result is that AMIT Amichai which opened in 2007 and offers a rich program of Judaic and secular studies, has become synonymous with educational innovation in Israel, and is a model for educators both inside and outside the AMIT network.

Instead of the frontal teaching that takes place in most Israeli classrooms, the school has embraced Project Based Learning, which is an alternative to rote memorization and teacher-only-led classrooms.

“My motivation is bringing our kids’ education into the 21st century,” Rokach said in his office, where a cookie jar sits

on the large wooden Entry hall HD announcement screen table that dominates the room and signals that everyone is welcome. His desk stands in a corner.

“The kids need to think, to be creative, to develop a sense of responsibility,” Rokach concludes. “So we’ve created a ‘learning community.”

In the past, he said, and science consultant to the AMIT teachers stood in front network, said the goal is for students to of the class and lectured. While the learn more independently, with support students learned a lot of information from the faculty when needed. this way, and the method is still “We want them to look up things employed by teachers some of the online and to consult experts in time, students weren’t necessarily the field.

And, want them to take encouraged to come up with their own responsibility for their learning.” conclusions.

To accomplish this, Jacobs said, “The knowledge is everywhere – in administration and faculty had to the world outside the classroom and change their concept of what classroom via Google,” the principal said. “Our learning is all about. students know much more than they The change has been incremental. think they know, simply by living in the The transition to participatory, studentworld they live in, and, given the right centered learning needed to start framework, they come up with ideas with the faculty.

Before AMIT could and concepts they didn’t know they distribute tablets to the students, were capable of.” for example, the teachers needed to But for this to happen, Rokach said, learn how to best utilize them in the they need the proper educational tools, classroom. encouragement and a sense of purpose.

To accomplish this, AMIT sent Jacobs Michal Jacobs, the vice principal of to a Project Based Learning educators’ Yeshivat AMIT Amichai and a math course in Napa Valley, California (see AMIT Magazine fall 2013, pg. 16). Upon her return she taught what she learned AMIT dynamic classroom with to the school’s teachers, who were eager moveable semi-circular desks to master a new skill set.

One of the first things Rokach did was reconfigure the structure of some of the classrooms. Rather than having conventional desks and chairs in neat rows standing before the board, some classrooms are now equipped with moveable semi-circular desks that encourage students to work together in small groups and not to simply focus on the writing on the board.

Another innovation was providing some of the non-homeroom teachers with their own full-time classrooms - a novel concept in Israeli schools.

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“In Israel most subject teachers go to the students’ homeroom and not viceversa,” Jacobs explained. “In our school the students usually go to the teachers, who have set up their rooms in the most functional way.”

The school also introduced forums in which students, parents and teachers have become more involved in learning and decision-making. “The students in the forum tell the principal how the student body is doing and feeling and we present our ideas for a better learning experience,” Jacobs said.

Although face-to-face learning remains the most vital component of everyday life at the school – traditional Torah study, for example, is as vibrant as ever – Rokach has transformed the technology the students use every day into an educational tool, but with welldefined limits.

One teacher teaches Gemara by using Second Life, an on-line virtual world that is popular with many teens. In science and math classes students may be asked to use their Smart phones to look up a statistic or another type of information, but are prohibited from checking their e-mail or surfing the web in class.

“Some things brought to us by technology aren’t appropriate for a halachic lifestyle,” Rokach emphasized.

The students frequently attend lectures related to internet safety, and parents are also sent reminders about the dangers of unsupervised internet use.

“It’s clear that all our students have computers and use them,” Jacobs noted. “Rehovot is a very academic city, home to the Weizmann Institute of Science, and the parents tend to be employed in tech, math and the sciences. We use technology but with a halachic way of thinking.”

The educational innovations launched by Rokach’s team take place in a beautiful and modern school building where the hallways and classrooms are bright and airy. A large, grassy outdoor space with futuristic seating areas is a favorite place for informal lectures and just hanging out. There’s also plenty of comfortable seating in the spacious hallways.

The atmosphere is structured but relaxed and there is a feeling of innovation in the air.

In Aviva Taragin Hexter’s 9th grade English class, the students spent much of this year developing a plan to expand the English-language library, which lacks many of the books teens abroad read in high school.

Seated at their laptops in the library, the students catalogued the library’s existing books, set up an application whereby a student can locate a book by either author name or subject. In addition to the high-tech approach, the students also re-stacked the books on the shelves.

“We’re building an English library and learning English in the process,” said 14-year-old Ayden Rapstein, one of the seven students in the class. “We’ve investigated how other schools have built their libraries and met with our school’s executive director, who told us to write a grant proposal to fund the expansion. We’ve started writing the proposal and are cataloging the books with a program using Google Docs.”

“Instead of the teacher reading us chapters in a book and writing essays – although we’ve done that, too – we’ve visited other schools’ libraries in order to create something of our own,” chimed in 15-year-old Adam Revel, another English student.

Fourteen year old student Amitai Jacob, noted that the school also entrusted the planning of the annual class trip to the students, which he called “a big job but worth it.”

“I feel the school gives us a lot more freedom than other schools and the trip is an example,” said 15-year-old Ziv Yeshayahu. “We feel that Rav Avi and the teachers trust us.”

In the math classroom, which was being used this day by an English for Hebrew speakers class, the students rolled around the room on the wheeled desk-chairs Rokach is experimenting with.

Seated in groups of twos and threes, the students spent the period deciding which foreign city they would most

Avi Rokach

like to visit, as well as two venues in the city.

Their teacher, Rochelle Marcus, explained that her students would ultimately deliver both a written and an oral presentation, and also write a postcard ‘home’ to Israel.

“We can move and express ourselves better using these chairs,” 15-year-old Ofek Shaanan said as he moved his chair closer to his teammates. “It helps with the learning during a long lesson.”

Dr. Amnon Eldar, director general of the AMIT Network, said Rokach and his staff have had the “courage” to implement change.

“They’ve brainstormed together and asked themselves how to give their children the skills and values to face tomorrow, the future. They’ve created a kehila lomedet – a learning community – by inviting the teachers, the parents and the professionals from the Rehovot educational system to learn together.

And we, the AMIT network, have supported them in their efforts.”

Educators from several schools, including some from outside AMIT, as well as Ministry of Education officials have asked Rokach to share his hardwon knowledge, Eldar said.

“With enough funding we could change the way children are taught in Israel. It’s a vital mission.” <

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FEATURE

Shoemakers, Circa 14th Century

THE JEWISH GUILDED AGE

By Robert E. Sutton

Mention unions and Jews in the same breath, and the first things that usually comes to mind are the ILGWU, sweat shops, long hours, low wages, strikes, and Samuel Gompers, the labor union leader. Some cynics will immediately shout, “they’re ruining the country.” Others will maintain that unions are the backbone of the middleclass worker, keeping the playing field as level as possible. Still others will invoke the history of the labor movement and the significant Jewish influence on improvements in the contemporary workplace.

When did the Jews become involved in labor organization or establish their own unions? If you answered the late 19th to the early 20th century, you’re mistaken. The first Jewish unions or guilds originated well before then. continued on page 14

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continued from page 12 HELLENISTIC APPROACH The renowned archaeologist and Biblical scholar William Albright suggested that, centuries before the Jews became part of the Hellenistic empire, associations of private Jewish citizens organized for their mutual social, religious, cultural, and economic benefits. These guild-like fellowships included artisans, merchants, and scribes.

In cities, there was a custom that different trades inhabited separate and distinct areas. Jerusalem had a bakers’ street, a goldsmiths’ district, and a potters’ street, and in the area of the tribe of Benjamin was situated the valley of the woodworkers. Even the names of the craftsmen denoted their specific trade. While the prefix ben before a surname commonly denotes son of, it also can be used to signify member.

So the name Malchia ben Ha’tzorfim translates to Malchia, member of the goldsmith’s group, and Chananyah ben Ha’rachim was Chananyah of the perfumer’s group.

During the period immediately preceding the destruction the Second Temple, the guilds held absolute monopo-

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lies in their districts. The government recognized the power of the guilds and granted them the legal right to exclude any newcomer from competing in their areas. The legal defense of the guilds continued into the rabbinic period. In the third century, for example, the wool weavers of Pum-Nehara lodged a complaint against outside wool weavers.

Rabbi Nehara, the local Judge, settled the matter in favor of the weavers. The Talmud even refers to a baker’s strike.

The guilds also encouraged training through apprenticeships, especially encouraging that sons of members be taught their father’s skills. A famous rabbinic reference in this regard states that “A father who fails to teach his son a trade virtually teaches him robbery.”

ROMAN RULES In the early part of the Roman Era, the second largest Jewish center of population was in Egypt, and Alexandria was the hub. In Alexandria, there were four major Jewish occupations: artisans, farmers, shippers, and merchants. Most all had organized guilds. During this period, the guilds began to take on a new course of benevolent care for its

members. Each guild had its separate area in the synagogue. If a guild member was in economic trouble, he could turn to the guild for assistance for himself and his family. Social service became an important and distinctive function of the Jewish guilds.

Roman law dictated all forms of commerce, trade, personal legal status and organizing. With Alexandria being a port city, many Jews worked on commercial ships that sailed the Mediterranean. Because of their numbers, the Jewish sailors petitioned the Roman government and were permitted to organize a guild of Jewish sailors as a corporation under Roman law.

BYZANTIUM AND SPAIN. From the beginning of the 4th Century of the Common Era, the Byzantine Empire forbade Jews from forming or joining existing guilds. The existing guilds, of course, were controlled by the government, which discriminated against the Jews.

But Byzantine policy changed under the rule of Manuel I in the 11th century.

Manuel adopted a more liberal approach when his adversary,

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DESIGN: MOSHE VOROBEICHIC

on Mondays and Thursdays. On Shabbat, the duty of bikur cholim was not only a mitzvah, but also mandatory. The guild took part in all family services of its members, from brit milah, to weddings, to death.

Also in the 14th Century, the Rashba, Rabbi Solomon ben Abraham Adret of Barcelona, delivered a unique response to the question of the autonomy of the guilds. He declared that any regulation instituted by a guild would be as binding upon guild members as a law of the Torah. In effect the Rashba “Be ready for the elections…”, a poster issued for the was stating, “Each eighth convention of the Histadrut guild is a city upon itself and does not require the consent of the non-guild Roger II of Sicily, sacked Athens and Jewish community…each group is perquickly moved on to the Aegean Ismitted to conduct its affairs and to prelands, where he pillaged the silk factoscribe fines and punishments which ries and carried off the Jewish damask, are not in the laws of the Torah.” The brocade and silk weavers. Roger took Rashba gave the guilds self-rule over them back to Palermo where they a broad range of issues. He supported formed the basis for the Sicilian silk his ruling with quotes from the Talmud industry. Manuel, needing to revive his and Tosephta. The Jewish guilds in its own very lucrative silk industry, deseparation of guild and the kahal were cided to entice Jewish silk workers and ahead of the times. In later years, the merchants from other foreign lands.

Christian guilds in Poland and LithuHe issued an edict granting the Jews ania would separate themselves from permission to establish guilds and selftheir town councils, which were ruled regulate in accordance with Byzantine by the church. law.

In 1336, Pedro IV of Aragon granted EASTERN EUROPE recognition to the Jewish guilds of In Prague, the Jewish shoemakers’ guild Saragossa. Besides the economic funcwas becoming more refined in their tion played by the Saragossa guild, it functions. The status of master, jouralso had many social duties. Sick care neymen, rules concerning apprentices, was vital: the guild wardens were obproduct standards, size of output, dues, ligated to visit the ailing twice a week,

and penalties were strictly enforced.

Guild members were absolutely forbidden to “steal” customers from each other and make disparaging remarks about competitors’ wares. On Fridays during the summer, work had to stop at 3 pm and 1 pm in the winter ¬– the same for the eves of festivals. One of the more fascinating regulations was that on every Shabbat, all shoemakers were required to attend a course on Jewish law given by a scholar of note.

Any member not attending had to provide half a pound of candles to the school for the poor.

In another area of Eastern Europe, the tailor’s guild of Ungarisch-Brod forbade individual guild members from accepting orders from the lord of the town or the army unless all members of the guild benefited.

Some of the secular regulations instituted by the Jewish guilds were influenced by the regulations of Christian guilds and other outside influences.

However, many important features of the guilds were taken from Jewish law and custom.

By the 18th century, the Jewish guilds were on the verge of disappearing. The relationship between the guilds and the leadership of the Jewish community had become cold and contentious. In Eastern Europe, open clashes occurred between the guilds and the community. Eventually, the guilds’ economic influence and regulations were erased.

Guilds morphed into havurot (associations) that were mainly involved with religious, cultural, and social activities.

A few thousand years have passed since the first Jewish workers banded together to form a rudimentary labor guild. The genes of those guilds are part of us still. In 1920, the Histadrut – The General Federation of Laborers in the Land of Israel – was established. The aim of the Histadrut was to organize economic activities of Jewish workers.

Today, with over 800,000 members, it is one of the most influential institutions in Israel. < Robert E. Sutton is Editor in Chief and Creative Director of AMIT Magazine.

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FROM THE SCHOOL H

By Robert E. Sutton and Chana Shields SCHOOL HOUSE This past April, eight of AMIT’s most outstanding principals came to the United States for an intellectual exchange of pedagogical thoughts and ideas and to tour a number of innovative and ahead-of-the-curve schools in the New York metro area and Washington, DC. Led by Mor Deshen, AMIT deputy director of research and development, the AMIT educators wanted to experience first hand the way these schools educate their students. Each school utilized different innovative pedagogical programs.

The School in Queens The first stop on the tour was the Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School–“The School for A Sustainable City.” The school opened in September 2010 on a beautiful new campus in Forest Hills, Queens.

M.E.L.S. empowers students by helping them understand the impact of their daily actions as well as the actions

of others. Through their authentic, project-based learning, students become critical thinkers who gather information, carefully weigh their options, and make informed, thoughtful choices that effect change.

The school follows the Expeditionary Learning model, in which students engage in learning expeditions and have multiple opportunities for handson learning, both inside and outside of the classroom. Students participate in fieldwork with civic leaders, industry figures, and environmental scientists to examine agriculture, architecture, city infrastructure, design, environmental policy, law, and planning.

A Gem on the Lower East Side Located on Delancey Street, the Innovative Manhattan Charter School is a school where pedagogy, accountability, IT technology, administration, teachers’ resources and school design were all integrated with one common purpose: to create a school centered on the recognition of each unique individual.

The school’s fundamental educational concept is that all children are different, learn in different ways and at different rates, and have the right to a personal challenge every day. The school offers its 6th-8th graders a coherent model for personalized education that is based on individual coaching, goals, and accountability combined with stateof-the-art learning technology and the international exchange of ideas and experiences.

Ingenuity in DC. Who Would Have Thought?

The next stop on the tour was Washington DC. The delegation visited Ingenuity Prep, an innovative charter school that prepares students to succeed in college and beyond as effective civic leaders. With more learning time and increased efficiency in its model, Ingenuity Prep offers an educational program that prepares students for mastery of rigorous core content and a broader set of 21st century civic leadership competencies.

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OL HOUSE TO THE WHITE HOUSE In a fascinating departure from the standard teacher model, Ingenuity Prep has resident, associate, lead, and master teacher positions. Ingenuity Prep’s teaching career ladder ensures that as teachers grow, so do their opportunities to leverage their leadership and increase their impact–all while remaining in the classroom. An experienced master teacher with exceptional content knowledge and strong instructional expertise anchors each classroom at Ingenuity Prep. As a result, early career teachers benefit from daily master teacher modeling and mentoring.

The AMIT principals came away with a deep understanding for the development and continued education of teachers in ways they never realized.

They learned about unconventional teaching techniques, how one subject is taught through various courses, and, above all, the need for technology. The principals and teachers of the schools the delegation visited learned a lot about the AMIT network in the areas of teacher evaluations, classroom design, and educating students on ethics and values.

WHITE HOUSE In addition to the school visits, the AMIT delegation from Israel along with AMIT leaders from New York and New Jersey were invited to the White House to explore innovative educational models that are being implemented in the United States.

The AMIT leadership met with high-level educational policy makers including Roberto Rodriguez, Special Assistant to the President for Education on the White House Domestic Policy Council, and Danielle Carnival, Senior Policy Advisor for STEM (Office of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Matt Nosenchuk, Director for Outreach on the National Security Council, welcomed the delegation and mediated the discussions.

Debbie Isaac, President of AMIT, said that introducing our leadership and the principals to innovative educational methods in the U.S. is essential to advancing education in Israel. “You cannot teach a child who has a smartphone in his pocket in the same manner as you taught children 30, 20 or even 10 years ago. The educational system must reinvent itself in order to reach students and connect them to the future,” she said.

The officials examined the goals of the new U.S. education policy, which include raising the levels of reading and math; narrowing the gap between high-performing and lowperforming schools; and identifying, training and retaining outstanding teachers. The group learned about the administration’s “Race to the Top” initiative, as well as its approach to developing the STEM project.

Dr. Amnon Eldar, Director General of AMIT in Israel, said the challenges facing the education system in the U.S. are very similar to those in Israel as they are both “progressive modern countries.”

“We believe the most substantial challenge today is leading the innovation field in education. This

tour is one step in a long path that our outstanding educators have taken in order to make Israeli education more relevant and meaningful,” he said.

Dr. Francine Stein, former AMIT President and a delegate to Washington indicated, “AMIT has always been on the forefront of educational innovation.

What began as vocational training institutions has grown into one of the most successful and technologically advanced school systems in the country, educating tomorrow’s scientists, doctors, lawyers, political leaders and Nobel Prize winners.”

AMIT Executive Vice President Andrew Goldsmith remarked that “building relationships with White House policymakers for education is not just important for AMIT, but crucial to Israel’s future.”

The White House meetings concluded with a discussion about the current situation with Iran. Nitin Chadda, Director for Iran on the National Security Council, described the levels of financial sanctions imposed upon Iran by the U.S. government and assured the AMIT representatives that the administration’s foremost goal is ensuring that Iran does not attain nuclear weaponry. 

AMIT Israel delegation along with AMIT leadership in front of the White House

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THE YEAR AT MIDRESHET AMIT

A

A Place to Live Torah • A Place to Live Chesed A Place to Live Israel

t Midreshet AMIT, students spend the day learning, questioning, and growing in Torah. From interesting and challenging classes to guided chavruta study, the year is packed with learning geared to help develop a lifelong connection to Torah and the land of Israel. Through adventurous tiyulim, the students travel the length and breadth of Israel, learning about our history and gaining a greater appreciation for the State of Israel.

Our home is in Beit Hayeled, AMIT’s well-known foster home for disadvantaged youth. Students spend time each day teaching, playing, and caring for some of Israel’s most needy children. As a “big sister,” the student is challenged to give of herself in a way she never experienced before and she is transformed in the process.

Here four recent graduates share their impressions of Midreshet AMIT.

MY YEAR AT MIDRESHET AMIT

LIVE TORAH Zoey Glaubach, Woodmere, NY The uniqueness of the program at Midreshet AMIT is the special combination of learning and chesed. Working with the children of Beit Hayeled is an amazing and unforgettable experience; for me, the learning at Midreshet AMIT was equally, if not even more, rewarding.

The Mechanechet Program at Midreshet AMIT is a wonderful opportunity to form personal connections with teachers and fellow students from around the world. As part of the learning structure the students are divided into four groups. Each group meets three times per week, and that’s where we bond and become one unit. We learn and debate and discover new things about each other; and a few times a week all the students have a one-on-one with their mechanechet. For me, having a mechanechet meant having a “mother” in Israel–someone who was a role model and was always there for me in times of difficulty. Knowing that there was always someone to talk to was extremely comforting. At Midreshet AMIT, all the teachers are friendly and available both in and out of the classroom.

At the beginning of the year, I thought that learning Torah for a good part of the day was going to be a real challenge. Much to my surprise, I soon realized that I was delighted to be immersed in study and could hardly wait for the next shiur (class). The topics were varied, and each teacher added his or her unique

personality to the class. If there was a subject of interest that was not covered in a class, a teacher would happily arrange for us to learn it together in a chavruta (small separate group of students).

Even during lunch breaks, there would be several chavrutas going on. It was astonishing to see students using their breaks to learn simply for the sake of learning.

Each student at Midreshet AMIT has a learning experience that is unique to her, but for everyone it is extremely rewarding.

As for me, I am so proud that I was able to accomplish goals that I had never thought were within my reach.

LIVE ISRAEL Rachel Gindi, Los Angeles, CA My experience at Midreshet AMIT enhanced my love for Israel.

Beginning in September and ending in June, we went on numerous outings and had once-in-a-lifetime experiences. We not only had the ability to travel and see this beautiful country, but we also had the opportunity to live among Israelis and immerse ourselves in their culture.

When I experienced Yom HaZikaron (The Day of Remembrance) and Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day), my whole perspective changed. Midreshet AMIT planned the programs for both these days. On the eve of Yom HaZikaron, we went to Latrun to participate in a special ceremony that included yeshivot and seminaries. It was very emotional and moving. The

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next day we went to the Gush Etzion cemetery and to Har Herzl where we paid our respects at the graves of the heroes of Israel who gave their lives so that this country may exist.

It is fascinating and somewhat confusing to witness how the entire country goes from deep sadness to happiness when Yom HaZikaron transitions into Yom Ha’atzmaut. This made me realize the passion and love the Israelis have for their country. It seems that everyone in Israel is living for something greater than himself or herself.

This past year, I was fortunate enough to meet so many inspiring people, and it is clear to me now, that this is the place I want to be! My year at Midreshet AMIT brought back that feeling.

One day in the future, I know I will return.

LIVE CHESED Rebecca Jedwab, Lawrence, NY A defining characteristic of Midreshet AMIT is that the school is located in Beit Hayeled, a foster home for Israeli children who come from dysfunctional, neglectful, and even abusive homes. These beautiful kids are in need of much love and support. I was given the opportunity to spend time with these children on a daily basis. Whether it involved helping them with homework or just playing sports in the yard, the time spent in Beit Hayeled was transformative, not only for the kids who live there, but for me as well.

In order to create some semblance of a traditional family setting, the children at Beit Hayeled are placed with a surrogate family. During the first week of school I was working with a foster family. The foster parents, Itai and Ariella Elshtein welcomed me with open arms and immediately made me feel at home. I was so thankful to be spending my year with such a friendly and energetic family.

Throughout the year the Elshteins invited me to participate in various events that took place in Beit Hayeled, such as Bar Mitzvah celebrations, Shabbat meals, birthday parties, and other events and competitions. However, some of my fondest memories in Beit Hayeled were created one day in December, when Jerusalem experienced a major snowstorm and school was cancelled for the day. We spent the whole day with the children of Beit Hayeled, making snow angels, having snowball fights, and building snowmen.

It was a great opportunity to bond with the kids and turned out to be a day that I will never forget.

Looking back, the hours I spent with these children were some of the most rewarding and meaningful experiences of my year in Israel. While I can only hope that I had some positive impact on these children’s lives, I can honestly say that they played a major role in making my year unforgettable. <

We are happy to welcome the class of 2014 – 2015 to Midreshet AMIT @ Beit Hayeled We wish them much success in their Torah learning and avodat HaKodesh with the children of Beit Hayeled.

Danya Allswang - Skokie, IL Sophia Alpert - Lawrence, NY Rachel Ashe - Englewood,NJ Shira Ben-David- Skokie, IL Sydney Bierig - Margate, NJ Sarah Brach - Miami Beach, FL Kinneret Braun - Skokie, IL Rachel Breuer-Weil - London, U.K. Samantha Bryk - Jamaica Estates, NY Florence Catton - Brooklyn, NY Michelle Catton - Brooklyn, NY Alexandra Feder - Woodmere, NY Samantha Fischler- Scarsdale, NY Miranda Flamholz - Englewood, NJ Yakira Gerszberg - Highland Park , NJ Yael Gichtin - Valley Village, CA Sarah Goodman - London, U.K. Eliana Gross - Los Angeles, CA

Lauren Ibgui - Los Angeles, CA Eliana Isaac - New Rochelle, NY Michal Jacobs - Englewood, NJ Amanda Jankelovits - Stamford, CT Leora Katzman - Englewood, NJ Shannon Kaufmann - Woodmere, NY Rebecca Klestzick - New Rochelle, NY Kimberly Kugelman - Hollywood, FL Frances Mamiye - Brooklyn, NY Nicole Mayer - Lawrence, NY Goldie Orenstein - Edgware Middlesex, U.K. Sandra Perl - New York, NY Rebecca Raab - Teaneck, NJ Orlee Rebibo - Potomac, MD Emily Rhine - Woodmere, NY Kayla Roisman - New Rochelle, NY Anna Rosenblatt - Lawrence, NY Jordana Rotenberg - Miami Beach, FL

Sarah Rubin - Potomac, MD Jordana Samson - Los Angeles, CA Elizabeth Schechter - New Rochelle, NY Rivka Schlusselberg - Monsey, NY Hannah Shams - New York, NY Lara Siegal - Los Angeles, CA Gabrielle Silbiger - Staten Island, NY Amanda Solomon - Woodmere, NY Alexa Sonnenblick - Englewood, NJ Sarah Soroudi - Beverly Hills, CA Lauren Tahari - Fort Lee, NJ Nicole Tawil - Brooklyn, NY Talia Waitman - Suffern, NY Hannah Weiner - White Plains, NY Sophia Zeitz - Scarsdale, NY Gabriella Zweig - New York, NY

At Midreshet AMIT @ Beit Hayeled, one will find the synthesis of Torah, middot, spirituality and contributing to Israel. To learn more about this special program, please visit www.amit.org.il/midreshetamit

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ACCO AMIT Rambam Religious Elementary School AMIT Kennedy Junior and Senior High School AFULA AMIT Yehuda Junior and Senior High School and Yeshiva AMIT Yeshivat Hesder ASHDOD Yeshivat AMIT Ashdod AMIT Mekif Bet Ashdod AMIT Mekif Yud Ashdod ASHKELON AMIT Fred Kahane Technological High School BEERSHEVA AMIT Rambam Elementary School AMIT Torani Madai Netivei Am Elementary School AMIT Afikim B’Negev Elementary School AMIT Hazon Ovadiah Elementary School AMIT Or Hammer Elementary School Neot Avraham Elementary School AMIT Junior and Senior High School AMIT Daisy Berman Yeshiva Dina and Moses Dyckman Ulpanat AMIT AMIT Elaine Silver Technological High School BEIT SHEMESH AMIT Shachar Junior and Senior High School for Girls AMIT Dvir Junior and Senior High School for Boys AMIT Beit Shemesh Yeshiva High School AMIT Beit Shemesh Ulpana High School AMIT Bellows Ulpanat Noga GIVAT SHMUEL Ulpanat AMIT Givat Shmuel HAIFA AMIT Anna Teich Ulpanat Haifa HATZOR HAGLILIT AMIT Honi HaMe’agel Elementary School for Girls AMIT Shevet Sofer Elementary School for Boys AMIT Hatzor Haglilit Junior and Senior High School AMIT Hatzor Haglilit Ulpana Track AMIT Hatzor Haglilit Yeshiva Track JERUSALEM AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled Reishit Yerushalayim Elementary School AMIT Nordlicht Religious Technological High School AMIT State Technological High School Midreshet AMIT

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hiva

s

THE AMIT NETWORK

More than 28,000 students in 110 schools and programs in 29 cities and towns

KARMIEL AMIT Karmiel Junior and Senior High School KIRYAT MALACHI AMIT Etzion Elementary School AMIT Harel Elementary School AMIT Netzach Israel Elementary School AMIT Kiryat Malachi Junior and Senior High School AMIT Kiryat Malachi Ulpana Track AMIT Kiryat Malachi Yeshiva Track MA’ALE ADUMIM AMIT Tzemach HaSadeh Elementary School AMIT Sde Hemed Elementary School AMIT Yaffe Nof Elementary School AMIT Wasserman Torah, Arts and Sciences Junior and Senior High School for Girls AMIT Junior and Senior High School for Boys MATEH YEHUDA AMIT Lavi Elementary School AMIT HaElah Elementary School AMIT Matityahu Elementary School AMIT Even HaEzer Elementary School Yeshivat AMIT Nachshon Junior and Senior High School MEITAR AMIT Chemdat Elementary School MODI’IN AMIT Modi’in Arts and Sciences Junior and Senior High School NETANYA AMIT Rambam Religious Elementary School AMIT Bar Ilan High School for Boys OR AKIVA AMIT Rabbi Akiva Religious Elementary School AMIT Etzion Religious Elementary School AMIT Hannah Senesh State Elementary School AMIT Rothschild State Elementary School AMIT Nechemia Tamari State Elementary School AMIT Atidim Junior and Senior High School AMIT Ofek Technological High School PETACH TIKVA AMIT Kfar Blatt Youth Village AMIT Wurzweiler Agricultural and Technological High School Yeshivat AMIT Eliraz High School Yeshivat AMIT Kfar Ganim Yeshivat HaHesder Orot Shaul Petach Tikva AMIT Junior College AMIT Menorat HaMaor Haredi Track

RA’ANANA AMIT Kfar Batya Youth Village AMIT Noam Elementary School AMIT Schiff Junior High School AMIT Gwen Straus Junior and Senior Science High School for Boys and Yeshiva AMIT Gruss Agricultural and Technological High School AMIT Bienenfeld Hevruta Yeshiva and Kollel AMIT Renanim Junior and Senior Science and Technology High School for Girls AMIT School of Society and Law RAMAT GAN AMIT Ginsburg Bar Ilan Gush Dan Junior and Senior High School for Boys RAMLE AMIT Ramle Technological High School REHOVOT AMIT Gould Junior and Senior High School for Girls AMIT Hammer Junior and Senior High School for Boys Yeshivat AMIT Amichai ROSH PINA AMIT Pre-Army Religious Studies Program SDEROT AMIT Haroeh Elementary School AMIT Torani Mada’i Elementary School AMIT Torani Chadash Elementary School AMIT Sderot Religious Junior and Senior High School AMIT Sderot Yeshiva Junior and Senior High School AMIT Sderot Ulpana Junior and Senior High School AMIT Sderot Gutwirth Junior and Senior High School Ulpanat AMIT Shirat Yeshivat Hesder of Sderot, AMIT Track SHOHAM AMIT Beatrice and Irving Stone Meysharim School TEL AVIV AMIT Eisenberg Junior and Senior High School for Girls TZFAT AMIT Florin Taman Junior and Senior High School for Girls AMIT Florin Taman Junior and Senior High School for Boys AMIT Tzfat Yeshiva Junior and Senior High School AMIT Tzfat Evelyn Schreiber Ulpana Junior and Senior High School YERUCHAM AMIT Kol Yaacov Elementary School AMIT Kamah Junior and Senior High School Midreshet Be’er Yeshivat AMIT B’levav Shalem Junior and Senior High School

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HIGHLIGHTS AND SUCCESSES

By Cheryl Shaanan and Robert E. Sutton

Because of your generous support, more than 28,000 students at 110 AMIT schools and programs are being educated and nurtured within a framework of academic excellence, traditional Jewish values and Zionist ideals. Here are a few ways your generous gifts made a difference. For more information visit www.amitchildren.org or call 212-477-4720.

AMIT STUDENTS JOIN THE TECHNION

In cooperation with The Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and YTEK, an organization that promotes technical education in Israel, computerized robotics labs were inaugurated at AMIT Kennedy Akko and AMIT Safed. Taught by lecturers from the Technion, students learn theoretical and practical robotics, build different types of robots and learn to operate computerized robotics systems. Students will compete in the Robotics Olympiad to be held at the Technion.

At the inauguration ceremony, YTEK CEO Arthur Zamshman praised the dedication of the AMIT Network and the Safed and Akko mayors to students. “Now all students have to do is believe in themselves and succeed,” said Zamshman.  (l-r) Rabbi Yoram Rosenbaum, Head of AMIT Safed Yeshiva; Nadavya Naeh, principal of AMIT Safed High School for Boys; Ilan Shohat, Mayor of Safed; Dr. Amnon Eldar, Director General of the AMIT Network; MK Avi Wortzman, Deputy Minister of Education.

ECO-FRIENDLY STUDENTS

Minister of Infrastructure, Energy and Water, Silvan Shalom; and Minister of Education Shay Piron with AMIT Reishit Yerushalayim first graders.

It is never too early to start conserving water and energy. Silvan Shalom, Minister of Energy, and Shay Piron, Minister of Education, launched a new conservation curriculum for first graders at AMIT Reishit Yerushalyim Elementary School in Jerusalem. The Jerusalem Municipality chose the school because of its unique conservation program and environmental curriculum. The school grounds include a water reservoir, organic vegetable and spice gardens, compost areas, and water-saving irrigation.

The ministers talked with the students, toured the school grounds, and learned about the various ecosystems in and around Jerusalem. As an added bonus, the ministers were presented with flowers and plants grown by the children in their eco-garden. The program was developed at the Science and Technology Center of Tel Aviv University. 

Minister of Infrastructure, Energy and Water, Silvan Shalom; and Minister of Education Shay Piron with AMIT Reishit Yerushalayim first graders.

SCIENCE EXHIBITION AT AMIT BELLOWS ULPANAT NOGA

AMIT Bellows Ulpanat Noga in Beit Shemesh recently held a science exhibition that showcased various scientific research projects carried out by groups of students. Students presented the research projects and answered questions from the audience.

A number of the projects were chosen to represent AMIT Noga in the upcoming municipal science fair. 

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AMIT HATZOR HAGLILIT STUDENTS: FARMERS FOR A DAY

Students in the AMIT Hatzor HaGlilit Leadership Program recently helped out farmers from the Golan Heights who are coping with extensive drought damage.

This year, premature ripening of produce, together with the need for artificial irrigation, has been a financial strain on farmers who are forced to seek inexpensive labor. AMIT students arrived at Avnei Eitan, a farming community in the Golan Heights, ready to harvest tangerines for a nominal wage. During the strenuous fourteen-hour workday, they learned first-hand about farming and the harsh consequences of this years drought on agriculture in Israel. After their long day of filling crate after crate with tangerines, students decided to donate their wages to charity. 

OVATION FOR AMIT ORATOR

Tal Tepper at the particle accelerator center.

AMIT PHYSICS TEACHER

Tal Tepper, physics teacher at AMIT Yud High School in Ashdod, was selected to be part of a distinguished delegation of Israeli physics teachers to tour the worlds largest particle accelerator center at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, (CERN) near Geneva, Switzerland. During the tour, the teachers met with some of the world’s leading physicists and received training in developing a new curriculum to be taught in high school physics classes in Israel. Next year Tepper hopes to take his AMIT Ashdod science class to Switzerland and visit the CERN accelerator. 

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Congratulations to AMIT Wasserman Beer Sheva student, Arik Feldman, for winning the national competition of young orators, Youth Speaks. Arik, an eleventh grader in the science track at AMIT Beer Sheva, won his local competition, triumphed in the southern district competition, and then went on to take first place in Arik Feldman accepting his award. the nationals. The topic of his award-winning speech was leadership. In his address, Arik stated eloquently and passionately that a leader who knows how to dream would lead others to dream with him.

In addition to developing his oratory skills, Arik studies advanced physics, chemistry, and biology. He is also conversant in Arabic and English, an active participant in the Starting Line Leadership Project, and volunteers regularly at Magen David Adom. 

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PLANNED GIVING

By Robert E. Sutton

.‫ המורשת שלך‬.‫העתיד שלהם‬

One of the best parts of human nature is our capacity for empathy and our resulting willingness to help Jewish children we will never meet.

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T

he AMIT Legacy Society is our new program for

planned giving. Through this initiative you have the ability to shape the future of Israel and its most important asset – the children. You become a member when you make a planned gift a contribution that has a longlasting and exponential benefit for the children of AMIT. Planned gifts are game changers for AMIT. Your planned gifts will help create cutting-edge

educational programs, build new schools and facilities, establish scholarships, and launch major new initiatives.

Planned gifts are an excellent return for relatively little cost or

AMIT LEGACY SOCIETY Judy and Ronald Aronson Barbara Barron Roslyn Besdine Elaine Brief Dr. Herman and Rosalyn Efron Esther and Joe Epstein Esther W. and Jack Goldman Bess P. Krivitsky Emma Leaf Betty Narotsky Estelle Rubin Sondra and Myron Sokal Shirley Schnidman Cathy and Chaim Schuck Drs. Aaron and Francine Stein Regina Wang-Baumann Gloria Zeisel *Anonymous (37) *Anonymous – Israel

4Add your name to the AMIT Legacy Society

upfront investment.

It requires good planning for AMIT to successfully continue providing an exceptional learning environment that prepares students for all that lies ahead in their world. And with your good planning, you can help us continue this standard and mission for years to come.

Join other supporters who share your values and expectations by becoming a member of the AMIT Legacy Society. Legacy Society members understand just how important they are to

Dear Friends, For over 50 years I have devoted my life as a passionate donor, volunteer, and advocate to the Children of AMIT. My beloved mother was an AMIT woman before me, as was my dear mother-in-law. Both taught me the importance of education and nurturing the next generation in

the continued success of our organization.

fulfilling their, mine and your dreams.

The AMIT Legacy Society honors all planned giving donors for their support of our mission.

mother-in-law started, the work I have devoted

We would be honored to include you in our AMIT Legacy Society if you have:

know you feel the same way. It takes commit-

I want to be sure that the work my mother and my life to, will continue long after I’m gone. I ment to raise and educate a child. You and I

• Provided for AMIT Children in your will or trust.

have that commitment. That’s why I strong-

• Designated AMIT as the beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan, savings bond, bank account, or life insurance policy.

ly recommend you establish a will, bequest or

• Created a planned gift that returns fixed or flexible income to you or others.

Legacy Society.

planned gift and become a member of the AMIT - Sondra Sokol Chair, Planned Giving and Endowments

Gifts that ensure $10,000 or more towards the fulfillment of our mission will be acknowledged, in perpetuity, with a plaque on our Legacy Society Wall at the Kfar Batya campus in Israel.

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For more information or to let us know that you have already included AMIT in your estate plans, please contact Robin Isaacson, National Director of Planned Giving, at 954-922-5100 or robini@amitchildren.org.

All inquiries will be kept strictly confidential and imply no obligation to make a gift.

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Maurice Aghion, Sarah Aghion

DEVELOPMENT NEWS honoring sarah and maurice aghion

O

n a blustery Sunday morning in early May, more than seventy AMIT supporters, friends and family gathered at Beth El Atereth Israel in Newton, MA to honor Sarah and Maurice Aghion and celebrate Egyptian Jewry.

(l-r) Sarah Aghion, Maurice Aghion, Moshe Sanieoff

Sarah and Maurice first met as 10th grade students in their native Cairo. After the Six-Day War, Maurice’s family arrived in Boston as refugees. Maurice and Sarah kept in touch for nine years until they were reunited and married in Boston. The Aghions’ passion for education led them to AMIT and they have been ardent supporters for over 25 years!

Those present were moved by Maurice Aghion’s inspiring speech. Maurice spoke about his gratitude to other Jews throughout the world who helped his family in their time of need. He recognized firsthand our collective responsibility to support all Israeli students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

(l-r) Esther Mangoubi, Ruth Fax, Carol Wald, Maggie Cooper, Payson Greene, Janyce Greene

(l-r) Laura Eisenberg, Sarah Okon, Naomi Lopkin, Ethlynne Brickman, Jone Dalezman, Cheryl Sisel Ruth Hamaoui, Sarah Aghion

Erica Brown

washington, dc mother-in-israel

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MIT Greater Washington, DC celebrated its Annual Mother-in-Israel event, Wednesday evening, May 21, 2014, at the lovely home of Shirlee and Steven Franco.

Ellen Werner-Shaller, Suzette Tanen

Susan Meyers, National Director of Development, spoke emotionally about her first-time visit to our AMIT Reshet.

Erica Brown presented, Unleash Your Creativity, an interactive workshop, relating historical Jewish sources to current talented artists in the fields of art, writing, music and dance.

A big thanks to Alana Isenberg, Donna Lawrence, Hope Taragin and Shirlee Franco for the delicious food and stunning décor. 

Shirlee Franco, Sima Gakner Tovah Koplow, Alana Isenberg

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(l-r) Sara Solomon, Russell Hendel, Orlee Turitz

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oubi,

per, ne, e

(l-r) Eliana Straus, Bethia Straus Quintas, Zahava Straus, Barbara Weiss, Adina Straus, Joyce Straus

amit’s past, present and future celebrated on long island by william rothchild

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he Sabra and Massada Chapters of the Five Towns celebrated Yom Yerushalayim by hosting their annual “Generations-in-Israel” luncheon.

This year’s event honored Adina Straus and paid tribute to her late mother, Gwen Straus, z”l.

Gwen Straus was a member of AMIT’s Executive Board and served as an Honorary National Vice President who was highly regarded by all of her peers. She had a vision of AMIT’s future by recognizing the importance of developing new, young leaders who could advance AMIT into the next generation. The AMIT Gwen Straus Junior and Senior High School for Science in Kfar Batya is a wonderful tribute to this exceptional woman, who herself was a special education teacher.

Adina Straus is a daughter of the late Gwen, z”l, and Joseph Straus, z”l. She holds degrees in accounting and law. And she possesses many of the same fine characteristics as her mother. And like her mother, Adina is very much an AMIT leader and philanthropist serving on AMIT’s Board of Governors and its President’s Circle.

Adina is also devoted to the future of AMIT. At the luncheon it was announced that Adina enrolled her sons, Daughters-in-law and grandchildren as Life Members of AMIT.

Debbie Moed, Anne Golombeck

Adina Straus, Rabbi Yaakov Trump

(l-r) Aliza and Benjamin Rubin, Adina Straus, Joshua and Rebecca Rubin

Rabbi Yaakov Trump, assistant rabbi of the Young Israel of LawrenceCedarhurst, and a close family friend, was the guest speaker.

Gwen Straus’ other children, Moshael, Daniel and Bethia are also major supporters of other Jewish causes both here and in Israel.

Sandy Davidoff, Helene Zisholtz

Brenda Kalter and Zipporah Marans served a co-chairs of the Generations Luncheon.  (l-r) Debbie Isaac, Adina Straus and Joyce Straus

Moshael Straus, Andrew Goldsmith Elaine Eskowitz, Erika Eskowitz

(l-r) Daniel Straus, Bethia Straus Quintas, Adina Straus, Moshael Straus

(l-r) Lorraine Kunin, Adina Straus, Laurie Huberfeld

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(l-r) Mimi Thurm, Zipporah Marans, Adina Straus, Debbie Isaac, Brenda Kalter, Joyce Straus

Summer 2014 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 27

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miami beach sip ‘n save (l-r) Sherry Werner, Michael Snyder, Alla Kotlyar, Brett Cohen, Daniel Bensoussan

(l-r) Michael Szanto, Joelle Oiknine, Adam Handelsman

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his past winter, the AMIT Southeast Region held its inaugural Young Professionals “Sip-n-Save” Happy Hour at Rare Steakhouse in Miami Beach.

The event was promoted through Facebook and with the help of our Chair, Brett Cohen, we had a huge turnout! Our guests were educated about AMIT schools, programs and, surrogate family homes. Many of the invitees were very eager to learn more about the AMIT network and how to contribute both time and money.

We hope this will be the first of many successful Young Professionals events to come in Florida. 

(l-r) Aryeh Ehrlich, Joel Greenblatt, Elya Tzvi Goodfriend

boynton bbq

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n a brilliant sunny day in south Florida, over 100 people gathered for the inaugural Boynton Beach Yocheved chapter BBQ and Family Day.

Dr. Hillary Krawatsky and Jay Kaplowitz

Jay Kaplowitz, along with his wife Eleanor Chiger and their outstanding committee, meticulously planned every detail of the event, including a perfect weather day!

The chapter is a tribute to Jay’s late wife Judy, z”l, a devoted AMIT member.

In attendance were Evelyn and Isaac Blachor and Miriam and Bernie Neuman. Jay shared his reasons for establishing the chapter and spoke of his visit to an AMIT school in Ma’ale Adumim. Evelyn gave a report on the latest statistics of the AMIT network. Susan Weider, Co-President of the AMIT Kfar Boca Chapter and Judy’s sister, also thanked everyone for attending the event and spoke of how AMIT is so much a part of their family. 

(l-r) Eleanor Chiger, Miriam Neuman, Evelyn and Isaac Blachor

honoring molly small

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gala Mother-in-Israel luncheon was held in Boca Raton honoring Molly Small. Molly retired after 13 years as President of the Dimona Chapter of Boca Raton. A fantastic meal was served. A detailed presentation of the Beit Hayeled and Kfar Blatt Renovation Campaign was delivered and “The Not Ready for Prime Time Singers” serenaded Molly with pop standards.  Photo: Rhoda Azar presenting Molly Small with an award.

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Ari and Lanie Kellman and Jessica Robinson

windy city newgen event

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his past February, more than thirty-five couples gathered at three different homes in Skokie to take part in the AMIT NewGen 2014 Progressive Dinner. The theme of the evening: A Good Party is Always in SEASON. The event included fall starters and spirits, a winter dinner fare, with truly inspired spring and summer desserts.

A special thank you to the hosts, Dani and Eddie Krule, Rachel and Brandon Gradstein, and Laura Schneiderman and Ben Friedman, for opening up their homes to us all. Thank you to the entire committee and all the attendees for making this event a huge success! ď&#x20AC;ź

(l-r) Elana Blivaiss, Rachel Gradstein, Dani Krule (l-r) Joel Gorenstein, Rabbi Menachem Linzer, Ami Robinson

(l-r) Dov Robinson, Rabbi Tzvi Engel, Simmie Chavel

(l-r) Betsy and Howard Shapiro, Laura Schneiderman, Kira Rich

(l-r) Jen Koplow, Audrey Chavel, Laurie Engel

A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME

EXPERIENCE BE A PART OF IT

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DEVELOPMENT NEWS a slam dunk for AMIT young leadership

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his past March, The Village Pourhouse Uptown was the place to be as AMIT Young Leadership gathered for the Fifth Annual March Madness Event. Event Chairs Jill Ellman, Caryn Golombeck, Ariel Koschitzky, Alex Luxenberg, Chevy Rubenstein and Rachel Saks along with a great committee hosted another fantastic event. With the Sweet 16 games playing, guests mingled and enjoyed food generously donated by Carlos & Gabby’s Queens and Riverdale, Eden Wok, Five Star Caterers, Golan Heights, Gotham Burger and Noah’s Ark. 

(l-r) Aviva and Avi Assaban, Yoni and Jill Ellman (l-r) Alex Luxenberg and Chevy Rubenstein

(l-r) Jason Abramson, Oliver Schwalbe, Michael Abramson

afli pre-matzo burn!

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efore Pesach, AFLI members gathered at Revolve spinning studio for the AMIT 2nd Annual Charity spin class, affectionately known as the “Pre-Matzo Burn.” Everyone was given a pair of socks, donated

by Cory Vines, and following the class the spinners were rewarded with a Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit sundae bar. 

(l-r) Ayelet Schabes, Ariel Schabes

(l-r) Joseph Stern, Abigail Major, Eliana Porgess

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(l-r) Dina Rosen, Racheli Bloom, Rebecca Greenspan, Lana Meyer

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afli rings in yom ha’atzmaut

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or the sixth year in a row, AFLI celebrated Israel’s independence at their signature event - the Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day) Social. As always, attendees enjoyed good friends, food and drinks as a DJ spun a mix of popular U.S. and Israeli music. This year a photo booth added to the fun, as everyone hammed it up with hats, glasses and Israeli flags. The always popular raffle offered great prizes and helped raise even more money for this year’s school of choice, AMIT Or Hammer Elementary School in Beersheva. 

Summer 2014 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 31

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Deanne Shapiro and Joan Soskin

DEVELOPMENT NEWS rockland rocks: a night of nostalgia a night to remember by william rothchild

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ith something for everyone, AMIT of Rockland County, which consists of two chapters in Monsey, NY, and surrounding communities, paid tribute to one of its own.

Joan Soskin, who in the past was a member of the staff of American Mizrachi Women (now AMIT), was honored for her many years of service as a volunteer advisor to the Golda Meir Chapter. Joan made it possible for the more senior members of the Monsey community to retain their ties with AMIT by creating programs that involved and updated the members on the growth of the organization. Debbie Moed, a native of Monsey, presented a comprehensive update on AMIT and the new programs that have been instituted over the past two years.

Another highlight of the event was the presentation of the documentary “Hava Nagila.” The film took us through the history, mystery and meaning of the great Jewish standard. The event included a silent auction, deli sandwiches and a variety of beers from New York.

Co-chairs of the program were Malki Gartenberg, Tammy Schaum, Deanne Shapiro and Suzanne Weilgus. 

Phil and Joan Soskin

Yaffi Guest of Honor Joan Soskin with her husband Phil and their children and grandchildren

(l-r) Gary Greenberg, Lenny Shapiro

(l-r) Tobe Rebhun, Fran Chesir

(l-r) Debbie Moed, Tammy Schaum

englewood mother-in-israel event

(l-r) Mollie Siegel, Beth Lipschitz, Francine Stein

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his past May, Englewood’s Shalva Chai Chapter held their Annual Mother-inIsrael Evening. This year’s very worthy honoree was Ilana Kahn, a steadfast and dedicated AMIT leader. Event Co-Chairs Aimee Ciment and Melanie Sosland, along with a great committee, organized a lovely event, featuring a fashion show by Marcia’s Attic and Marcia’s Attic for Kids.  Our Fashion Show Models!

(l-r) Aimee Ciment, Melanie Sosland, Emily Dauber

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(l-r) Leora Klein, Ilana Kahn, Aurelia Kahn, Alice Klein

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israel 2014 campaign kickoff

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otzei Shabbat February 22 marked the kickoff of AMIT Israel’s annual campaign. Over 50 top leaders and donors enjoyed a lovely evening at the Jerusalem home of Renee and Matthew Miller. Bibsi Zuckerbrot, AMIT Israel Development Chair, organized the event.

After a sumptuous buffet, Judith Schwed-Lion, Vice President of International Development, conducted an interview with Yaffa, a live-in student of AMIT Kfar Blatt Youth Village in Petach Tikva. Yaffa’s gratitude for AMIT was emotional. She spoke of how a clean bed and blanket, three meals, a surrogate mother and father are all matanot (gifts) she could have never imagined before.

Yoseph and Yaffi Shmidman

The audience was clearly moved by Yaffa’s story and her deep appreciation for AMIT, and her words were a fitting segue to a film about the new renovations campaign for AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled and AMIT Kfar Blatt.  Gitta and Richard Koppel

Judith Schwed-Lion and Yaffa, a student at AMIT Kfar Blatt

Sarah Shane, Maxine Miller, Sarah Liron, Harvey Douglen, Joakim Isaacs, Renee Douglen, Shulamit Isaacs

(l-r) David and Bibsi Zuckerbrot; Tamar and Ethan Benovitz

a new era for AMIT in israel Mission guests at AMIT Nordlicht Religious Technological High School

Mia Weiss addressing the mission at AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled. Lori Gerson is to the left of Mia.

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MIT in Israel recently hosted a select group of Anglo-Israeli women for a mini-mission to two very special AMIT facilities in JerusalemAMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled and AMIT Nordlicht Religious Technological High School. Lori Gerson of Chashmonaim and Mia Weiss of Beit Shemesh, New Leadership co-chairs of the Israel Executive Committee, organized the event. Lori and Mia are passionate about bringing in new members who will bridge the generations and expand the pool of women involved with AMIT in Israel. The morning’s highlights included tours of both facilities and presentations by an AMIT volunteer panel.

Panelists spoke from the heart about why they – along with thousands of others throughout Israel and around the world – have chosen to dedicate themselves to the children of AMIT. 

Summer 2014 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 33

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DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Assistant Principal Yair Rozenberg addresses the group

AMIT meets the robotics team

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n April, members of the AMIT Young Leadership and AFLI had the special opportunity to meet with AMIT students from Yeshivat AMIT B’levav Shalom and the Kamah School in Yerucham. These students were in the U.S. as part of a robotics team that competed in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Championship-an international competition held in St. Louis, MO. This year, FIRST challenged teams to make a robot that could throw and catch a ball. The robot designed and built by the AMIT team won the prestigious “Judges Award” for the second year in a row! But the robotics team in Yerucham does much more than make robots for competitions.

Most recently, they constructed five robotic cars (called Bimbas) for disabled children who are paralyzed or blind. 

(l-r) Aharon Deutsch, Ori Hildishaymer, Yair Rozenberg, Yaniv Frumer, Eylon Ben Hemo, Nir Hemo, Mor Doron

(l-r) Abby Rubin, Vivian Gluck, Sara Gottlieb

crypto jew who do you think you are?

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his was the theme of the SoBe NewGen event held at the Jewish Museum in Miami Beach, Florida. The guest speaker was Genie Milgrom, author of My 15 Grandmothers.

Genie, a crypto-Jew, took the audience on a journey to find her Jewish roots. She was able to trace back 22 generations of maternal Jewish lineage to pre-Inquisition Spain.

The NewGen committee led by Fancy Saka and Mati Deutsch organized the event. The evening ended with an elaborate dessert reception. A book signing was held after the event where Genie also answered many questions.

Selfie!

Fancy Saka

(l-r) Mati Deutsch, Elyse Dermer

Executive Board member Harriet Sklar welcomed everyone and made sure that the AMIT message and mission set the tone for this unforgettable event. 

(l-r) Harriet Sklar, Rebecca Kinzbrunner, Shmuel Kinzbrunner

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(l-r) Harriet Sklar, Genie Milgrom

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newgen family fitness event scores!

(l-r) Eli, Sandy and Mona Dweck

(l-r) Jessica Feingold, Melanie Kollander, Ella Feingold, Grace Kollander

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ver 150 NewGen Families came together on Sunday, May 4, at CityView Racquet Club, a state-ofthe-art tennis center located in Long Island City, for a fun-filled healthy afternoon. The event brought together AMIT families from the tri-state area and was a rousing success with the kids. Chaired by Amy and Jim Haber and Shari and Jacob Safra, NewGen Family Fitness was geared for kids ages 3-12. The event featured tennis, children’s tennis clinics, boxing, zumba, an obstacle course, Little Maestroes and face-painting.

The event was such a success that plans are underway to repeat this next year-so stay tuned. 

(l-r) Michele Jacobs, Deena Shiff, Amy Haber

(l-r) Jim Haber, Eli Dweck, Amy Haber, Dave and Elyse Efron, Julie and Reuben Kopel

Shari Safra, Amy Haber

Daniel and David Sultan Ronnie, William and Jake Slochowsky

Erica, Caroline, Lily and Gabby Schwartz

IS R A E L LIKE YOU’VE NEVER

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comedy

(l-r) Linda Garfield, Rachel Scheinmann

(l-r) Ira Sved, Naomi Sved

On a cold Motzei Shabbat in March, Philadelphia Council/Shira Chapter enjoyed an Improv Comedy Workshop & Games at Beth Hamedrosh in Wynnewood. Sharon Geller, actress and comedian, delighted the crowd with funny vignettes to keep everyone focused on learning to think more quickly, learning to listen better and learning how to think outside the box. It was one hysterical learning experience! 

(l-r) Eileen Singer, Naomi Bolts, Elchonon Berkowitz, Paul Newman, Lorna Blum, Eti Berkowitz, Tybie Resnick, Ted Resnick

Sharon Geller

(l-r) Micah Liebert, Nancy Horwitz, Sarah Rosner

(l-r) Sharon Joshowitz and Shimon Joshowitz

potomac stop ‘n shop

Ellen Werner-Shaller, Erin Goldstein

Tovah Koplow and her mom, Gloria Sherman

This past March, AMIT Potomac of Greater Washington, DC, celebrated their premier event at Nordstrom. Spring fashion and make-up trends, supercool door prizes, delicious desserts and a superb shopping experience were enjoyed by all! Tovah Koplow, President, welcomed everyone and spoke about the great work of AMIT.  Orlee Turitz, Alia Turitz

(l-r) Alanna Kotler, Heather Greenblum, Tovah Koplow, Rachel Rubinstein

Rachel Rubinstein with her raffle prize

everyone loves a parade

AMIT Potomac Chapter enjoying the fashion show

by dawn sherry

Enthusiastic marchers and spectators enjoyed a perfect June afternoon for the 50th Annual Celebrate Israel Parade. A sea of blue and white filled Fifth Avenue as 30,000 marchers representing various organizations joined together to show support for the State of Israel on its 65th anniversary.

AMIT professional staff and volunteers sang, danced, and waved to the crowd as they walked proudly behind the AMIT banner. There was a certain pride knowing that AMIT will celebrate its 90th year in 2015. Bessie Gotsfeld, z”l, AMIT’s founder, would be proud to see how incredibly thriving her 1925 grassroots vision has become.

This vibrant parade is an inter-generational benchmark that brings even the youngest supporters eagerly cheering on the sidelines. Hundreds of children waving Israeli flags and singing along reinforces their connection to our beautiful heritage.

AMIT proudly supports this annual march. Celebrations such as this unite Jews throughout the world and bring hope for future generations.

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spanning AMIT world Baltimore - It’s better late than never to highlight an AMIT event – especially one as important as this.

AMIT Sarah Ribakow/Tikvah Chapter hosted its Annual Mother-in-Israel Luncheon honoring Rena Rotenberg on Monday, June 17, 2013 in Baltimore, MD. Rena, a lifelong Jewish educator, spoke poignantly about her love and dedication for children. Rabbi Shmuel Silber delivered a moving D’var Torah. Retired Principal Bassoonist from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Philip Kolker performed a a number of beautiful pieces. The event was a delight.  Rena Rotenberg and Seth Rotenberg

LINDA MILLER

Deerfield Beach - More than 150 members of the Golda Meir Deerfield Beach Chapter attended a membership luncheon. Arline Landow received the Aishes Chayil award for her dedicated service as treasurer. The AMIT PLAYERS entertained the audience with a hilarious performance of an original playlet, Judge Judy Returns, written by Naomi Brody, a member. 

SHARON ALTSHUL

(l-r) Dorothy Raul, Arline Landow, Rita Schwalb, Israel - The annual sale of Purim cards is one way that the Jerusalem Chug Ayelet chapter raises funds for AMIT. Before Purim, the children at AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled designed cards.

The two winners, who were awarded prizes, seemed surprised but pleased that their designs were chosen. As always it was with a feeling of great pride to visit Beit Hayeled and see the progress of the children under the leadership of Motti Asraf and his dedicated staff. A big thank you to Arlene Sevrinsky and Kayla Brodkin, who have co-chaired this successful project for the past nine years.  (l-r) Motti Asraf, Director of AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeld, Meitar; the girl who created the winning design, Arlene Sevrinsky, Kayla Brodkin

Southeast - The Geula Shalvah chapter of the Southeast Region held its Annual Winter Luncheon on February 2, 2014 at Tower 14 in Miami Beach. This year we had the pleasure of honoring Elyse Dermer and Debbie Heber-Wiznitzer. Francine Katz, National Board Member and President of the Geula Shalvah chapter welcomed the attendees Sara Kahana, an AMIT graduate delivered the invocation and Sara Gottlieb, Nation VP, SE Region was the guest speaker.  (l-r) Elyse Dermer, Francine Katz, Mati Deutsch, Debbie Heber-Wiznitzer

M AY 2 0 1 5

GOT MILES?

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DVAR TORAH

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hit the road, jack

ummer is a time for getting away. Whether in the form of a family vacation, a weekend in the mountains, or just a day at the beach, it is a season of journeys.

In addition to the souvenirs and excitement of being away (“Are we there yet?”), what uplifting spiritual messages can we bring home with us from our travels?

Every summer, we read of the journeys of the Jewish people, the masa’ot. In Parshat Masei, we find the list of the 42 stops the Children of Israel made over 40 years in the desert. “Va-yis’u…va-yachanu – They traveled, and they camped.” (Bamidbar 33:5) What exactly is the travelogue needed for?

Rabbi Moshe Ha-Darshan explains that recounting the travels in the desert is meant to evoke gratitude towards G-d for His many kindnesses throughout the journey. Maimonides sees the masa’ot as an opportunity to reinforce faith. The miracles of the desert can be verified and evaluated since we know the locations in which they happened. Nachmanides views the matter more mystically. For him, the stops represent

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various elements of the human spiritual condition and religious development.

Enumerating the masa’ot teaches that a trip is more than a trip. Our travels, like those of our ancestors, should be viewed as meaningful journeys as we travel down the road of life while hitting the road over the summer. Here are a few lessons to keep in mind.

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By Rabbi Elie Weinstock

TAKE IT ALL IN. CREATE LASTING MEMORIES. From the time I was a child through last year, I visited my grandmother’s home every summer. I even had the chance to bring my own children to see what I experienced. (She just moved after 65 years on the same block!) As soon as the door opened, I would be overwhelmed by memories. The combination of memorable sights and smells transported me back to family vacations of the past, when I was the kid, instead of the parent.

Researchers at Loyola University have confirmed what many of us have found to be true for ourselves: a stroll down Memory Lane can give our spirits a significant lift. According to psychologist Fred Bryant, most people spontaneously reminisce when they’re alone or feeling down—or both—which suggests that we reach for pleasant memories as an antidote to feeling blue. Thinking of good memories for just 20 minutes a day can make people more cheerful than they were the week before, and happier than if they think of their current lives. Since memories often include important people in our lives, they may give us a comforting sense of belonging.

Vayis’u…va’yachanu – The Torah provides a gateway to Memory Lane. By appreciating the powerful and complex role of nostalgia, we can tap into our memories and recall the past to assist us in effectively stepping into the future.

WATCH THE ROAD. YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS ANYTHING. The Torah is most certainly not succinct in its presentation of the masa’ot. Each location is mentioned twice. For example: Vayis’u mi’yam suf, va-yachanu b’midbar tzin. Vayis’u mi’midbar tzin, va’yachanu b’dafkah. (33:11-12) Why the repetition? It is important to appreciate the specifics of the journey as much as the destination. These days, we are very destination focused. We rely on Google Maps, GPS, and Waze, and we tend to follow the directions without paying attention to the places we pass.

We do this at our own peril…at our own peril. A few years ago, the Daily Mail reported on a British driver being found guilty of what they call in the U.K. “driving without due care and attention.” The driver followed the orders of the soothing voice of his GPS…as he drove down a narrow, unpaved, cliffside lane and became stuck at the edge of a 100-foot drop. As the prosecutor noted, “[The

driver] slavishly continued to follow the GPS system…to such a degree he was not exercising proper control of the vehicle.” This would NEVER, of course, happen to any of us, but it is a real-life example of the dangers of overly focusing on the destination.

Vayis’u…va’yachanu – The Torah provides a very detailed record of the journey. Each stop along our journey is significant just as each stage in our lives is important in helping us reach our destination, our goal and our purpose.

Be sure to stop and smell the roses, pose for a picture or two, pay close attention–you never know when something significant may take place.

GET OUT THERE AND ENJOY YOURSELF. The only way to create a travelogue in the first place is to actually go somewhere. The journeys of the Jews were essential as we developed as a nation. Our trips today may not have such historic repercussions, but they can be quite meaningful for us and those around us.

Vayis’u…va’yachanu - The lesson of the masa’ot is, in effect, to create and seek out meaningful opportunities that will form the travelogue of our life’s experience. The 42 stages of the journey delineated in great detail in the Torah afford us an opportunity to reminisce about the past, to focus on where exactly we are in the present, and to seek out opportunities that will have a formative impact on our lives.

It is not by accident that we read Parshat Masei in the summer, a time for journeys, road trips, and family vacations. These provide perfect opportunities to relive cherished memories, step back to focus and recharge, and create new, meaningful experiences. That vacation you take may be more important than you think.

Travel safe! 

Rabbi Elie Weinstock is Associate Rabbi of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun (KJ) in Manhattan. A veteran of both formal and informal educational programs and a Yeshiva University graduate, he received his Rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and a Masters in Jewish Philosophy from the Bernard Revel Graduate school.

Rabbi Weinstock leads the highly developed KJ Beginners Program and is member of the Talmud faculty at the Ramaz Middle School.

Summer 2014 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 39

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