emma stonehill dedication
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s New Yorker Emma Stonehill approached the age of twelve, she had no doubts how she wanted to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah. Like her older sister Brooke, Emma decided to mark her Bat Mitzvah with a gift for children of AMIT. Emma’s parents, Robyn and David Stonehill are dedicating a newly renovated music room at AMIT Acco. Since Emma loves listening to and playing music, she is doing her part and dedicating all the proceeds from her Bat Mitzvah towards the new and fully equipped music room. The students at AMIT Acco will now be able to enjoy music lessons, choirs, and other musical activities in a beautiful setting. This was the second time the Stonehill Family traveled to Israel to celebrate a Bat Mitzvah. With their older daughter Brooke, the family dedicated a basketball court for the children of AMIT in Sderot. In addition, the family also visited schools in AMIT Ra’anana, Shoham and the Machveh Alon IDF base, and did hands-on chesed opportunities like packing goodies and baking challah for the needy residents of Acco. According to Emma, “I had a great time meeting the students at Acco. I know that they are very excited to have this new music room”. Robyn and David Stonehill are active members of AMIT in the United States, helping to reach out to new leaders on behalf of AMIT. Robyn, a former chair of AMIT’s NewGen Board, said that “ being able to bring my family to see first hand the work of AMIT makes this celebration all the more meaningful. I am happy that my girls had the opportunity to meet with children and understand the value of supporting Israel and helping others.” David, who has chaired AMIT’s very successful Men’s Night Out event said, “For us, being involved in AMIT gives us and our children the opportunity to help direct Israel’s future by investing in its students.” Along with her parents, grandparents, siblings and cousins, Emma arrived at the AMIT school in Acco for the inauguration of the music room and a day of fun activities with students at the school, which included a tour and a celebration with an AMIT student who was also celebrating her Bat Mitzvah. Etti Zabary, AMIT Acco principal, thanked Emma and her family for their touching donation, “It is fascinating to see the light in the students’ eyes and their enthusiasm for learning. We wish to see our students experiment and flourish in various subjects, and having the new music room at the school gives our students an opportunity that they would not otherwise have.” We are so grateful to the Stonehill family and hope to host them again. <
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3/10/15 4:17 PM