AMIT Magazine Spring Issue

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 .

GOING GREEN. BUILDING ROBOTS. Environmental studies and robotics.

Just two of the many cutting edge programs available to AMIT students.

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IN THIS ISSUE: THE REAL GOLDENA MEDINA LETTER FROM ISRAEL LEADERSHIP MISSION D E V E LO PM E N T N E W S

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2012 WALL OF

REMEMBRANCE THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS PASSED AWAY AND REMEMBERED AMIT IN THEIR WILLS DURING 2012.

WHILE WE MOURN THE LOSS OF THESE PHILANTHROPIC INDIVIDUALS, WE HONOR THEM FOR THEIR GENEROSITY AND FORESIGHT IN PROVIDING FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS OF ISRAELI CHILDREN.

ESTHER ALEXANDER, LOS ANGELES, CA MOLLIE BALLER, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL PEARL BROTHERS, BROOKLYN, NY BENJAMIN COHEN, NEW HAVEN, CT CHARLES, MIRIAM AND LILA DENKER, FL ESTHER DYCKMAN, RICHMOND HILL, NY RUTH FRUCHTER, BELLE HARBOR, NY YEHUDIT GOLDBARTH, LOS ANGELES, CA EUGENE GUTTMANN, MIAMI BEACH, FL EVA KAHN, NEW YORK, NY YACOV KIRSHNER, BROOKLINE, MA

JOAN MEYERS, NEW ROCHELLE, NY ARNOLD MICHAEL, BALTIMORE, MD SABINA PELTA, LOS ANGELES, CA LEA POLK, TEANECK, NJ LOTTIE ROTHSCHILD, SAN FRANCISCO, CA PAULINE SCHNEIDER, ST. LOUIS, MO MARY SHUSTERMAN, LOS ANGELES, CA WILLIAM SOLOMON, NEW YORK, NY JOSEPH STARR, MILLBRAE, CA REVA TWERSKY, SEATTLE, WA FELICIA WEISLIC, MIAMI FL

A bequest of any size is appreciated. If you would like to include AMIT in your estate planning or if you know anyone who would be interested in supporting our work, please contact Robin Isaacson, National Director Planned Giving at 954-922-5100 or robini@amitchildren.org

MEMORIALS ARE FOR THE LIVING! At your time of loss, AMIT will be there to provide: • Daily Kaddish for the first eleven months including memorial plaque, annual Kaddish and notification of Yahrzeit – $650 • Memorial Plaque and annual Kaddish recited, plus notification of the Yahrzeit– $500 • Daily Kaddish for the first eleven months, annual Kaddish and yearly Yahrzeit notification – $300 For more information on memorials or contact the Wall ofus Remembrance you can contact Robin Rothbort, PLEASE CONSIDER AMIT ASASYOU For more information please at 212-477-4725, PLEASE CONSIDER AMIT YOU Assistant Development Director, Events and Operations at 212-477-4725 or robinr@amitchildren.orgDO YOUR DO YOUR ESTATE PLANNING. ESTATE PLANNING. or info@amitchildren.org or visit us online at www.amitchildren.org. or visit us at www.amitchildren.org

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

spring2013

By Debbie Isaac

IN THE WONDERFUL VIDEO SHOWN DURING our 2012 Annual Dinner, Guest of Honor Laurie Bryk noted that there are so many “wows” about AMIT. (For coverage of the dinner turn to page 30; to view the video, visit our website www.amitchildren.org). She was certainly correct. Our impact on education in Israel, as exemplified by programs such as the TopTech Initiative; the special nurturing care of more than 25,000 young people; our outreach to struggling communities across the country; and our unique valuesbased curriculum that stresses leadership and service - all qualify as “wows.” But in this issue of AMIT Magazine I would like to concentrate on one specific AMIT achievement: the empowerment of women.

The education of women was intrinsic to AMIT from its very founding. In fact, the first AMIT schools, opened in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, were schools for girls. During her initial trip to Palestine our founder, Bessie Gotsfeld, z”l, discovered that there were no opportunities for religious girls to learn a skill or a trade, or to obtain practical training for a job that would be of value either to them or to the country. There was no compulsory education and no vocational schooling for orthodox girls. Bessie determined that AMIT, then known as Mizrachi Women, would fill this void.

Beth Zeiroth Mizrachi opened in Jerusalem in 1933.

About 25 of its first students were young girls from Germany, newly arrived from religious homes. They had been sent from Germany by their parents, to escape the worsening situation in Europe. Five years later, Beth Zeiroth Mizrachi opened in Tel Aviv.

From the beginning, AMIT schools taught more than practical subjects to the students. Professor Nechama Leibowitz, today regarded as a singular Biblical scholar, was hired in Tel Aviv to teach Bible, the Prophets, liturgy, customs and ceremonies. While the school lacked a headmistress, Professor Leibowitz was put in charge of its entire cultural program, and remained at Beth Zeiroth Mizrachi Tel Aviv for 20 years.

Jumping ahead to the present, we can see how AMIT has kept faith with the original vision of our founders. On page 8 of this edition of AMIT Magazine, we have a feature article on the robotics track at the Dina and Moses Dyckman Ulpana in Beersheva. In today’s world, robotics, science and technology have largely replaced sewing, typing and agriculture as the skills AMIT is imparting to its female students. We are training our young women, many of whom come from very modest homes in development towns or other areas in Israel’s periphery, to succeed academically at the highest levels and to assume leadership positions in their communities. They will complete their AMIT education with the background and qualifications to enter university, become successful entrepreneurs, and pursue exemplary careers. For many of these students, this is a path through life that would have been unthinkable without AMIT. The first fully computerized ulpana for girls in Israel, Ulpanat AMIT Givat Shmuel, and Midreshet Be’er in Yerucham, a hesder program for girls, are just two of the AMIT schools that are educating the next generation of Israel’s female leaders. I have been privileged to visit both of these schools, meeting faculty and students, and have been greatly impressed by the caliber of education and the wide range of opportunities open to our students upon graduation.

Earlier this year, I accepted The Jerusalem Prize on behalf of AMIT. AMIT was honored for its unique contribution to education in Israel and for the impressive growth of the Network over the past few years. I proudly accepted this award, presented at the annual Jerusalem Conference by the communications group B’Sheva and Arutz 7, on behalf of all our supporters in the United States, Israel and Europe. For without you, nothing that AMIT has accomplished all these years – not the founding of Beth Zeiroth Mizrachi in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, not the opening of our robotics track in Beersheva, nor the advanced technology at Ulpanat Givat Shmuel – would have been possible.

Shalom  Spring 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 3

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features

TABLE OF CONTENTS BUILDING ISRAEL. ONE CHILD AT A TIME.

spring 2013 aviv 5773 Vol. LXXXV No. 2

8 :: ROBOTICS. NOT JUST THE DOMAIN FOR BOYS

The all-girls AMIT Robotics Team gets ready for the First Robotics Competition.

Helga Abraham

12 :: THE REAL GOLDENA MEDINA

The Gold Rush, the silver screen, the blue skies. This is a history of the Jews of California.

Ellen Bari

16 :: AMIT AND THE ENVIRONMENT

AMIT Hazon Ovadiah is designated a “green school” by the Ministry of Education and offers a comprehensive environmental program.

Michele Chabin

24 :: LEADERSHIP MISSION TO ISRAEL

Snapshot of AMIT members on a special visit to Israel and the AMIT Network.

28 :: A CONVERSATION WITH DR. BARAK AVRAHAM

Reprinted with permission from the 5Towns Jewish Times.

500 !

The four month AMIT Life Membership Initiative yielded

over 500 new members and more than $60,000!

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 .

GOING GREEN. BUILDING ROBOTS.

About The Cover Environmental Studies and Robotics. Two cutting edge programs that are available to AMIT students.

Environmental studies and robotics.

Just two of the many cutting edge programs available to AMIT students.

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IN THIS ISSUE: THE REAL GOLDENA MEDINA LETTER FROM ISRAEL LEADERSHIP MISSION D E V E LO PM E N T N E W S

AMIT OFFICES

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National Office 817 Broadway New York, NY 10003 1-800-989-AMIT (2648) 212-477-4720 Fax: 212-353-2312 email: info@amitchildren.org

Chicago 3856 B West Oakton Skokie, IL 60076 847-677-3800 847-372-8702 Fax: 847-982-0057 email: amitchicago@amitchildren.org

Baltimore/Washington, D.C. 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

Cleveland 23743 Greenlawn Avenue Beachwood, OH 44122 216-382-4441 email: amitcleveland@amitchildren.org

Boston 7 Brady Road Westborough, MA 01581 Phone & Fax: (call for Fax) 508-870-1571 email: amitboston@charter.net

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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 Phone & Fax: (call for for Fax) 410-484-2223 Cell: 410-370-9411 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 Galiounghi, 16 rue de l’Assomption 75016 Paris Phone: 33-143-283-262 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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32

26 DEPARTMENTS 6

:: The AMIT Legacy Society

20 :: The AMIT Network 22

:: Highlights

26 :: Dvar Torah

COLUMNS

7

3

:: President’s Message

7

:: Letter from Israel

DEVELOPMENT NEWS 30 :: AMIT 2012 Annual Dinner

32

34

32

:: Barak Avraham tours the United States

33

:: Englewood Mother-Daughter Mission to Sderot

33

:: NewGen in L.A. Hosts Dr. Amnon Eldar

34 :: Kanarek Dedication 34 :: AMIT Celebrates Generations in Florida 35

:: Yoni Saks’ Bar Mitzvah Bake Sale

35

:: AFLI Exercises for a Cause

36 :: Spanning AMITworld 38 :: President’s Circle

35 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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President Debbie Isaac Vice President, Marketing and Communications Benay Meisels Director of Communications Barbara Goldberg Editor Emerita Micheline Ratzersdorfer Editor in Chief/Creative Director Robert Ephraim Sutton Assistant Editor Caroline Lagnado Design Game6Media 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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THEIR FUTURE.YOUR LEGACY.

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.

The AMIT Legacy Society is our new program in 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 of the AMIT Legacy Society when you make a planned gift, a contribution that has a long-lasting and exponential benefit for the children of AMIT. One of the easiest and least expensive ways to benefit AMIT and reduce your estate taxes is to include a bequest provision in your will or revocable trust. Since it is simple to update or revise your will, bequests allow you the most flexibility and security should your circumstances or plans change.

The AMIT Legacy Society ensures that AMIT programs and services that have been funded throughout the years will extend well into the future.

THE AMIT LEGACY SOCIETY Any planned gift, will or bequest entitles you to the following benefits: • Listing in AMIT Magazine • Listing on the AMIT Website • Special recognition at AMIT dinners and luncheons If you have made a provision in your estate plans for AMIT, please allow us to inspire others and list your name in our AMIT Legacy Society Roster.

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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ON MY MIND

Letter from Israel

By Dr. Amnon Eldar, Director General of the AMIT Network

I AM HAPPY TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE A few of the AMIT Network’s achievements over the past decade, and to update you on our plans for the next five years.

The Network currently has more than 25,000 students in 108 schools and programs throughout the country. Our schools, religious and state, focus on Torah education, Jewish values, science and technology. Today, AMIT has over one hundred thousand alumni from all walks of life who are productive citizens of Israeli society.

Since its establishment, AMIT has taken on the responsibility of providing quality education and care to diverse populations in Israel. AMIT continually responds to the needs of our students, ensuring that all of them are well equipped to meet the challenges that await them.

One of the most significant processes in the AMIT Network has been a change in our educational philosophy. We have transformed our schools into Batei Hinuch, centers for values education. This transformation stems from the belief that school is not only a place of study and innovation, but also a place that creates a positive atmosphere that instills moral and ethical values. The values educational process is holistic.

It affects every aspect of life: the individual, family, community, society and the country.

Key to the AMIT Network’s process of implementing Beit Hinuch in schools was setting measurable goals.

The process involves everyone in AMIT: administration, faculty and students. The goal is simple; the continual process of improving the Batei Hinuch.

Together with Beit Berl College, AMIT has created a model for evaluating the school in the form of an online questionnaire, answered each year by students, teachers and parents.

The questionnaire gathers information about each Beit Hinuch, including the quality of Jewish values education at the school, students’ sense of belonging, the overall school environment, security, and the extent to which learning is meaningful.

The questionnaire’s findings are the basis for each school’s annual work plan. We were delighted to find that the focus on values even improved student’s academic achievement.

Concurrent to our Beit Hinuch work, we developed and implemented educational excellence programs.

Here as well, we set measurable goals, both at the Network headquarters and in schools. In the last decade, matriculation success of AMIT students has improved significantly. The ambitious goal we set for our schools - 80% Network-wide success - was achieved. The percentage of AMIT students who successfully matriculate rose in the last seven years from 53% to 80%! The national average in those same years went from 54% to 62%.

These achievements required professional leadership at all levels. We believe that principals, teachers and staff are the AMIT Network’s most important asset, and a source of strength and pride. The AMIT Network is constantly working to empower principals and enhance their leadership abilities by holding regular seminars. We also provide support in the form of mentors for the principals. These mentors - distinguished men and women in the field of education were themselves, outstanding principals.

AMIT is also investing in the professional development of our teachers and staff which includes an increase in pay standards.

Our challenge now is to take the AMIT Network to the next level. Together with the AMIT USA Board, we are currently working on the new five-year plan. The main goal of this next level is pedagogical innovation and higher quality matriculation results that will prepare our graduates for the complexities of the 21st century and give them the tools to continue on to higher education and fulfilling careers.

Much remains to be done, but we are determined.

Our ability to continue to set goals and fulfill our shared vision is primarily because of you, AMIT friends and supporters in the U.S. and around the world. You make it possible for the AMIT Network to provide its students with the opportunity to achieve success and excellence. I thank you for your partnership on behalf of the children of AMIT and the State of Israel.

With G-d’s help we shall succeed.  Spring 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 7

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FEATURE

8 :: Spring 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE

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By Helga Abraham 4/19/13 5:08 PM

ROBOTICS. NOT JUST THE DOMAIN OF BOYS

I

t is 3:30 in the afternoon at the Dina and Moses Dyckman Ulpanat AMIT Beersheva. Most of the students have gone home and silence reigns on the school grounds. In the science building, there’s noticeable buzz. A group of girls filter in and quietly set about on a variety of unusual tasks. Some drag out a wooden cart on wheels and begin construction on an unusual object. Outside at the back of the building girls are seen working on a glass and metal contraption. In the lab, others work with drills, nails, screws and wires. Further down the lab two girls are scrutinizing mathematical formulas on computer screens. This is the school’s robotics class and the girls are putting the final touches to the robot they have built for this year’s national F.R.C. (FIRST Robotics Competition) which is taking place at the Nokia stadium in Tel Aviv. This year’s competition requires teams to build a robot capable of playing a game of Frisbee. The competition is only a few precious weeks away but the Robotics Team captain, tenth grader TalOr Worcman is calmly confident. “We still need to make some adjustments but our robot already plays well and it will be ready on time.” continued on page 10

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AMIT Robotics team getting ready for the FIRST Lego League Competition

continued from page 9 Tal-Or has every reason to be confident. She has been captain of the AMIT Ulpanat Robotics Team since 2009, when the school began the robotics track. Today there is a glass case full of awards and achievements to show for it. “I did not intend to learn about robotics,” she says. “I had sort of thought about psychology and law, but after a while I really got into the Robotics classes.” In 2009, seventh grader Tal-Or, along with other enterprising Ulpanat students, studied robotics twice a week at nearby Ben-Gurion University. “We learned programming, mechanics, engineering and how to use Legos to build robots.

For the first two years, the girls participated in F.L.L. (First Lego League) robotic competitions for middle schools. On reaching the ninth grade, the team wanted to advance to the F.R.C. level. The Beersheva municipality along with AMIT sponsored the Ulpanat’s project. However, they could not come up with the funding to send the girls and their project to the F.R.C. Participation in F.R.C. competitions cost approximately $11,000 per team. But Tal-Or and her friends were not to be dissuaded. They found a few of their own sponsors and in the end, the AMIT

Ulpanant Robotics Team entered the competition.

The AMIT Ulpanat Robotics Team first participated in F.R.C. competition in March 2012. The girls had to design and build a basketball playing robot, which they called “The First Lady.”

They competed in a series of matches against robotics teams from other schools. In the competition, the AMIT Ulpanat Robotics team, appropriately named “Ladies First,” won first prize in the “Inspiration” category for

their contribution to the Beersheva community. They had introduced robotics and electrical games to a school for special education.

“Ladies First” is the first and only allgirls team in robotics competitions.

This past October, competing against twenty teams from across the country, the AMIT Ulpanat Robotics Team took first prize.

“All they need in order to participate is motivation,” says Principal Noa Cohen.

Building the Frisbee throwing robot

10 :: Spring 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE

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“When they have to prepare for a competition, they stay late after school and often it’s every day.

When the program first began, the girls studied at Ben-Gurion University. Today, the robotics program takes place entirely on the school grounds with mentors from Ben-Gurion University coming to AMIT to assist the girls. “We had to purchase an entire lab for the program,” says Cohen, noting that it was the girls themselves who recommended the purchase of every item.

While the older girls work on their robot, three eighth grade students – members of the more junior F.L.L. team – maneuver a small robot across a board dotted with various Lego constructions. “This is Oliver,” explains Renana Glick. “He’s a very simple robot which we built in five minutes.” The seven-member team, who call themselves “Go Girls 7” and dress entirely in pink, have just taken part in the F.L.L. regional competition. They were awarded the “Judges Cup” for the team with the highest potential. As part of the competition, the team had to present a research project aimed at improving people’s quality of life. For this, the girls developed a device to help the memory impaired, which they named “Medi-Mind.” “It looks like a watch,” explains Hadas Ovadiah. “Medi-Mind” tells the time but it also takes a person’s pulse, alerting both the owner and emergency medical services if there is a problem. It reminds the wearer when to take medications and upcoming doctor appointments. And it does so by either beeping or by speaking to the wearer. As to what draws 13-year old girls to robotics, Hadas answers, “It’s the challenge.” “We are constantly required to solve problems and the competitions are very exciting.”

As word about the robotics class spread throughout the school, more and more girls asked to join in. Tenth grader Sapir Schecter joined the F.R.C. robotics class last year after hearing her classmates talk about it. “Now I’ve caught the bug,” she says as she fine-tunes the electrical circuit of the team’s robot. “This is the

first time I am working with electrical wiring and I’m learning on the job.” Sapir likes to build and assemble parts. “Now, I even help my father repair things at home.”

When asked how the boys react when they hear that girls are studying robotics, the girls laugh and give a unanimous answer, “We all get treated as geeks. But when they understand what we are doing, they start to admire us,” says Sapir. Mentor Yehuda Eitam, former captain of the robotics team at Yeshivat AMIT Yeruham, credits the girls with being highly motivated. “They come in with little or no knowledge of the science but they really want to learn and they pick things up very quickly,” he says.

“While boys are more technically minded, girls are more creative and seem to come up with better ideas.”

Final touches before the competition

The girls themselves say that the robotics class has made them more mature and sharpened their ability to think and solve problems. Robotics, says Noa Cohen, is “very empowering for the girls. It makes them more independent and gives them an outlet for their creativity.” The added advantage of robotics, she says, is that it offers something for everyone.

Computer science teacher, Zipi Harpanes, who heads the robotics class, says that, over and above imparting technical skills such as electronics, construction, engineering and programming, robotics teaches

the girls leadership skills, teamwork, the ability to prioritize, and a chance to realize their dreams and ideas. The girls of the Robotic track at the Dina and Moses Dyckman Ulpanat AMIT clearly enjoy the challenges posed by robotics and are proud to be at the forefront of modern technology. Most intend to take their studies further and prepare for a five-unit bagrut examination in robotics…after which the sky’s the limit. < Helga Abraham is a freelance journalist and translator based in Jerusalem. Before making aliyah to Israel, she worked as a radio producer for CBC in London and Toronto.

Spring 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 11

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FEATURE

THE REAL GOLDENA M 12 :: Spring 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE

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D

id anyone really believe the streets of New York were paved with gold? Probably not. Nevertheless, the majority of Jewish immigrants in the 19th century settled on the East Coast hoping to somehow mine their fortune in the bustling metropolis. But the real gold was out West. And for those intrepid, pioneering Jews who took a chance, California proved to be the real Goldena Medina.

According to Ava Kahn in California Jews, “Since California became a state in 1850, its Jewish history has challenged conventional assumptions about American Jewish life.

Jewish immigrants to California took advantage of its physical environment, ethnic diversity, and cultural distinctiveness to fashion a form of Judaism unique in the American experience.”

The Wild West: A Land of Opportunity for Jews The early California Jewish experience was unusual in part because there was no established Anglo-Saxon majority. In contrast to Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, and African Americans, as a small minority, Jews did not stand out as all that different from other whites. Also, by the time many of the Jews arrived in California, they had spent time away from their native countries and were not as ‘green’ as their East Coast brothers. Many already spoke English and had previous experience as merchants. Some even had the benefit of being part of a family chain on the East Coast or Europe, which made it much easier to bring things to market.

In 1848 San Francisco was a small village with less than 500 nonIndians. By 1870, the city was a thriving metropolis of 150,000, of which more than 10% were Jews—the largest Jewish population in America outside of New York City. Many of the shops were owned

by Jews, mostly immigrants from Germany, Poland and France. A few started as prospectors, but for the most part they went directly into peddling. In 1871, 11 of the city’s 100 richest men were Jewish.

A MEDINA

By Ellen Bari

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Isaias W. Hellman Transforms Los Angeles Perhaps the story of Isaias W. Hellman best exemplifies how the Yiddishe kop was able to thrive in an environment that did not restrict Jewish participation. Hellman was a young man with a small dry goods store and a safe. Miners would bring their gold dust to him for safekeeping. On nights of drinking, they might come back for more, and more. Once sober, they were often surprised, and at times quite irate, to find their stashes depleted. So, Hellman printed up passbooks, devised a banking system, and prospered. It worked so well, Hellman went on to become the founder of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Los Angeles, the president of the Wells Fargo Bank, funder of trolleys and oil, a founder of University of Southern California, and regent of the University of California for over 30 years. All this and president of B’nai B’rith too!

San Francisco’s Prominent Israelites In San Francisco, Levi Strauss is probably the most famous among the wealthy Jewish entrepreneurs, but he’s in very good company.

Mortiz Friedlander became the wheat king of the west; Adolph Sutro built the Sutro Tunnel and later became the mayor of San Francisco, the first Jewish mayor of an American city. David Livingston, Isaac Magnin and Solomon Gump were all owners of the city’s leading continued on page 14

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to California as a child, was elected to the House of Representatives from San Francisco and served 12 terms.

Following his death in 1924 his wife, Florence Prag Kahn, was elected to his seat, the first Jewish woman in the U.S. Congress. She served until 1937.

This began a long history of California Jewish women in American politics. In 1992 Dianne Feinstein was elected as one of California’s two U.S. Senators, along with Barbara Boxer of Marin County. No other state has ever had two female Jewish U.S. Senators!

8th Annual Donors Luncheon—Los Angeles Mizrachi Women’s Organization February 25, 1948 continued from page 13 department stores and M.H. DeYoung was the publisher of the San Francisco Chronicle. “As a class,” observed Isaac M. Wise, the most prominent American Reform rabbi of his time, “the San Francisco Israelites are more prominent than the Hebrews as a class in any other city I have visited.”

These early Jewish settlers formed communities and built institutions, especially expressing their Jewish pride in the synagogues they built. The two synagogues that served the early San Francisco Jewish Community named for shuls in New York - Sherith Israel and Temple Emanuel, were both consecrated by Julius Eckman, the city’s first rabbi. In March 1866, a local publication, the Daily Alta covered Emanuel’s dedication. “In point of architecture and grandeur the synagogue… is a chaste and elegant ornament to our country and does honor to the taste and liberality of our Jewish fellow-citizens.” Temple Emanuel dominated the San Francisco skyline until it burned down in the earthquake of 1906.

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Descendants of the pioneers, the Bay Area Jewry’s second and third generations, distinguished themselves in all fields, including the arts. David Belasco became a leading theatrical personality, and Isaac Stern, a musical legend. Rabbi Judah L. Magnes, the founder and first president of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, attended Hebrew School at the First Hebrew Congregation, now Temple Sinai, along with author and art critic Gertrude Stein. At the end of the 19th century, Julius Kahn, who immigrated

A Haven for Moviemakers While the 19th century attracted the adventurous with gold, 20th century California attracted moviemakers and others with its warm weather, beautiful environment and freedom. But how did so many Jewish ‘moguls’ end up in Hollywood? It seems that once they started to pose a threat to the silent film industry on the East Coast, Jewish filmmakers recognized, not unlike their prospecting ancestors, that the West Coast offered unfettered opportunity to create, without the limitations of an unwelcoming establishment.

The producers whose names are still familiar today, the Warner Brothers, Samuel Goldwyn, Louis B. Mayer, Marcus Loew, Adolph Zukor, David O. Selznick, all generally came from poor backgrounds and felt like outsiders in America because of their Jewishness. In Hollywood they were able to reinvent not only themselves, but also a vision of the American dream that appealed to the masses.

Levi Strauss logo, late 19th Century

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AMIT Los Angeles, too, has evolved, from a small group of dedicated women back in the early 1950’s to a thriving organization today with over 3000 members. Life member Marcia Josephy, an East Coast transplant, has seen tremendous change in Los Angeles over the last 32 years, and also in AMIT. According to Josephy, there was a time when AMIT luncheons took place monthly, raising over $1,000 at each event, pretty much “from nickels and dimes.”

Today, L.A. programs are created to attract participants of all ages, taking into account the schedules and interests of the different types of AMIT supporters - evening events Temple Emanuel after the 1906 earthquake for some, luncheons for others.

Partnering with other groups, like The Zionist Organization While the early Jewish moviemakers of America and The Wiesenthal Center, are well known, what is less well is also proving an extremely effective known is how Jewish communal way to expand the organization’s reach, leaders at the time were working which is growing exponentially with behind the scenes to manage the each event. image of Jews and Jewish issues in the movies. The Los Angeles Jewish Today, the Jewish community Community Committee had the ear of continues to thrive in both Northern the studio heads, and during the 1930’s and Southern California. In Los Angeles, and early 1940’s, with the rise of antikosher restaurants, Jewish schools, Semitism nationally, worked to keep community centers and synagogues Jewish stereotypes to a minimum. In dot the landscape. Over the past 30 some cases, they even prevailed upon years, a new group of migrant Jews has the studio executives to minimize joined the mix, adding their distinctive filmmaking that was too ‘pro-Jewish’ brand of Jewish life and culture. The or anti-Nazi so as not to fuel the fires Persian Jews, after thousands of years of those who were convinced that the in Iran, have found a safe haven in Los movie industry had become a tool for Angeles. The addition of this dynamic Jewish domination. and vibrant community is another An Individualistic Spirit The second half of the twentieth century saw an overwhelming movement of East Coast Jews towards the West Coast. Over time, California Jews have carved out a new and unique brand of Judaism, based in part on the same individualistic spirit that inspired those fearless adventurers over a century ago.

testament to the allure of Jews to California. Though these newest West Coast Jewish refugees arrived with much more than just a pioneering spirit and a few goods to peddle, they too have experienced the challenges of a different culture, along with the tremendous opportunities that await those who call California home.

On a visit to the America west in 1877, the Polish Noble Laureate and author, Henry Sienkewicz, described the situation as follows: “Because of their acuteness, and business initiative, the Jews fare rather well in the western United States. By their courtesy, kind words, and above all, extension of credit, they win the favor of the most dangerous adventurers.”

Ellen Bari is an author, educator and creator of award-winning multimedia, exhibits and programs for children and adults. Bari’s newest book, The Tattered Prayer Book (Gihon River Press, May 2013) is a gentle introduction to the Holocaust for young children. Bari is also the author of Jumping Jenny, a PJ Library selection, and Ten Little Houses, an ebook http://app.www.ellenbari.com, app.www.ellenbari.com

(The Autry National Center, a history museum dedicated to the diverse people of the American West, will be featuring an exhibit entitled Jews in the Los Angeles Mosaic, from May 2013 through January 2014).

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FEATURE

AMITAND THE

ENVIRONME

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AMIT Hazon Ovadiah Elementary School

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EERSHEVA – Growing on what was once a dirt soccer field, the vegetable garden at the AMIT Hazon Ovadiah Elementary School sits on dry, sandy soil that bakes in the Negev desert sun even in winter. But that hasn’t stopped Ronit Aharon, the school’s science and environment teacher, from incorporating garden work into the weekly curriculum.

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Every day, groups of elementary school students take turns tending the rectangular patch, each class with its own furrow. Thanks to the garden’s simple drip irrigation system – a hose with holes in appropriate places – the plants thrive in the inhospitable soil. Started less than two years ago, the garden is just one element of the school’s larger environmental program, which has greatly raised the level of environmental awareness and feelings of empowerment among the school’s students.

Hazon Ovadiah is one of a small but growing number of AMIT schools – and Israeli schools as a whole – that offer a comprehensive, internationalstandard environmental program. While all AMIT schools encourage students to protect the environment, Hazon Ovadiah, which the Ministry of Education has designated a “green school,” has made it one of its very top priorities.

Ram Hadad, who became the school’s principal three years ago, spearheaded the program, which combines environmental awareness with Jewish values. “At the time I started, the school was threatened with closure,” Hadad noted. “There weren’t enough students, and a very large percentage were new immigrants.” One of the first things Aharon and Hadad did was hire an artist to paint colorful scenes on the exteriors of the decades-old buildings. In parallel, the children were taught how to use discarded materials and turn them into seats that encircle the trees.

By Michele Chabin

The emphasis on the environment is equally strong inside the classroom. From a young age Hazon Ovadiah students are taught to place discarded paper, bottles and batteries into the school’s large recycling bins. Everything else is collected by the sixth-graders assigned with the task. “When the bins are filled up we call a company to collect them,” Etti Vaknin, one of the students in charge of the recycling, explained. “The Rabbi takes care of the geniza,” she noted, referring to the sacred texts that, when no longer useable, must be disposed of according to Jewish law. “They get special respect,” said Vaknin, who said the program has given her a greater appreciation for Judaism’s stand on preserving the environment. continued on page 18

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continued from page 17 Several of Hazon Ovadiah’s students attend a weekly municipal program where they learn the best ways to save electricity. Then they impart what they’ve learned to the students at their school.

Standing in the hallway, in front of posters explaining how to dispose of electronics and other refuse in an environmentally safe way, 12-year-old Yossi Buriak related what he teaches the other kids. “You should close your computers and the lights when you’re not using them. The air conditioners, too.” Capturing the water released by the air conditioners is our next project,” Aharon said. “We’ll build a pipe which will lead to small gardens, which we’ll build as well.”

Buriak said it’s “amazing” and “fun” that the school’s students “are eager to hear what we have to say, as if we were actual teachers. I get kind of emotional thinking about it.”

The kind of comprehensive schoolbased environmental studies Hazon Ovadiah students enjoy is a relatively new phenomenon in Israel, according to environmentalists, who say it’s taken Israel many years to catch up to the West’s generally higher level of environmental consciousness. In the beginning, they note, Israelis were understandably more focused on safeguarding the country’s survival and building infrastructure than on protecting natural resources.

In an article in the Israel Environment Bulletin, Shoshana Gabbay, the bulletin’s editor, wrote that during the first 25 years of statehood “the rapid growth of population, industry and agriculture led to environmental degradation.” Since then Israelis have been working hard to repair the damage and protect what remains. Gabbay called the creation of the Environmental Protection Service in 1973 “an important first step” that led to the establishment of the Ministry of the Environment in 1988.

Today, Israel is the world leader in solar energy technology and water conservation/the reuse of waste water. It is committed to desalination,

Learning the process of dying wool a hands on experience

“The earth is in our hands”

nature and landscape conservation, environmental research and safe solid waste disposal. Gidon Bromberg, Israeli director of Friends of the Earth Middle East, said it took until the mid’90s for Israelis to embrace the kind of grassroots environmental activism most Americans take for granted. He credits the change of Israeli culture as well as western immigrants to Israel for much of the progress.

Bromberg said the education system has been vital to Israel’s environmental movement. “We believe environmental change really needs to start from kindergarten up. The younger the kids, the better,” Bromberg emphasized.

“They’re open to new ideas and are excited about environmental issues, which allow them to get dirty. They can touch the ground, touch the water, and they’re able to influence their parents.”

At Hazon Ovadiah, the education begins very early. “One of our program’s goals is to serve the community, so we invite preschoolers to garden every week,” Hadad said.

At the AMIT Karov Elementary School in Tsur Hadassah, just outside Jerusalem, first-graders leave the school building every week to take part in a nature/ environment activity. “Actually, everyone is involved,” in the school’s new multi-disciplinary environment program, said Liat Barsheshet, AMIT Karov’s principal. “It’s part of the school’s culture, not merely a project, and this has always been the school’s philosophy before the program became an official initiative.”

Recycling is ongoing. Parents are told Karov is an environmentally-conscious school. Every teacher is involved, and even the teachers’ lounge no longer uses disposable products.

A unique aspect of the program is wool production. The students learn every stage of production from shearing to weaving. They learn how to use natural ingredients and tools to spin, dye and finally weave on looms.

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Ronit Aharoni, AMIT Hazon Ovadiah’s science and environment teacher with fourth grade students in the agricultural therapy garden.

The school-wide activity enables teachers to incorporate Jewish studies into the program, “specifically the Mishnah and Gemarah on Shabbat so students understand what a melakhah is and why the stage of preparation and weaving are considered melakhot,” Barsheshet said, referring to work that is forbidden on Shabbat.

“We take an interdisciplinary approach, involving literature and Jewish studies.” An example: “When we teach about building, we also teach how to build environmentally friendly buildings that are also safe and peoplefriendly, incorporating Jewish values, such as building a fence on the roof,” the principal said.

The school also uses the program to teach values in a way that students from secular homes can appreciate. “We start each day with songs and stories that relate to nature and seasons, such as on Tu B’shvat when we talk about land and environment,” Barsheshet said. “We try to teach responsibility and caring about others and to consider how what we do impacts on others.”

The Matityahu Elementary School in Moshav Tzalfon is yet another AMIT school that makes environmental studies an integral part of the learning experience. “The idea is to connect the kids through Judaism to ecology,” said

Yossi Sharbi, the school’s principal.

The school has several recycling bins maintained by the students, and instead of throwing their half-eaten vegetables into the trash, students are taught how to compost their leftovers, which they use to fertilize the vegetables and trees they themselves planted.

The water the children and teachers use for ritual washing before birkat hamazon, the grace before meals, is collected and used for watering plants and the school sells the electricity produced by its many solar panels to the Israel Electric Company.

Sharbi said the curriculum “draws heavily from the texts about keeping the world safe and that show Hashem gave the world to people but told us we must keep it safe. For example, we are commanded not to cut fruit trees, even in times of war.” The students are invariably impressed by Judaism’s strong environmental values, Sharbi said. “Knowing that we’re not promoting something trendy but that this is what’s written in the Torah, and we are doing what Hashem asked us to do, is very compelling. It adds more meaning when you know protecting the world is Jewish law, as important as any other mitzvah.”

The AMIT Network “has been very supportive,” of the environmental

program and in all other matters, Sharbi said. “There are a lot of AMIT training seminars for teachers and administrators, and the environment is an important part. We share ideas with one another and get a lot of encouragement.”

Ronit Aharon, the science teacher at Hazon Ovadiah in Beersheva, said working outside in nature brings to life the Torah and Jewish holidays. “When the pomegranates hang heavy from the trees, they know Rosh Hashanah is coming. When the almond trees bloom, they know Purim and Passover can’t be far behind.”

Aharon said the children – who generally come from disadvantaged families – learn to appreciate the Jewish law that requires farmers to put aside food for the poor. “They see the Torah’s pragmatism and compassion, and that its values are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago,” Aharon said.

“That’s an invaluable lesson.”  Michele Chabin began her career editing women’s magazines in New York. In 1987 she moved to Israel, and has been a reporter there ever since. An award-winning journalist, Michele frequently contributes to the New York Jewish Week, Religion News Service, USA Today and many other publications.

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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

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THE AMIT NETWORK

More than 25,000 students in 108 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 Because of your generous support, more than 25,000 students at 108 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.

PRESIDENT SHIMON PERES VISITS AMIT TORANI MADA’I ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN SDEROT

President Shimon Peres visited AMIT Torani Mada’i Elementary School in Sderot just a few hours before Operation Pillar of Defense began. After a tour of the school, the young students and the president gathered in a fortified concrete shelter, where he sat on the ground with students as they shared with him their fears and anxieties of living under the constant threat of rockets. After listening intently to the students, President Peres told the AMIT students that they were the country’s true heroes for continuing to thrive and carry on with their daily lives. 

President Shimon Peres with AMIT students in a concrete bomb shelter

AMIT SCHOOLS WIN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AWARD

Congratulations to Yeshivat AMIT B’levav Shalem in Yerucham and AMIT Florin Taman Junior and Senior High School for Girls in Tzfat. Both schools were recipients of the Ministry of Education’s Religious Education Award for the 2012-2013 academic year. The decision was announced after the prize committee toured religious high schools, yeshiva high schools and ulpana high schools throughout the country.

Dr. Amnon Eldar, director general of the AMIT Network, congratulated the winners. “We are especially pleased because both of these schools are exemplary educational models. Both schools accept a diverse population of students and were still able to achieve excellence and thus fulfill AMIT’s vision of Torah, Zionism, educational excellence, and a sense of responsibility toward society.” 

AMIT ANNA TEICH ULPANAT HAIFA STUDENTS LEND A HAND

AMIT Anna Teich Ulapanat Haifa students recently helped farmers harvest tomato and pepper crops at Bnei Netzarim, a settlement established by former Gush Katif residents. Every year, farmers face the problem of lack of farm hands to harvest crops, which can result in huge monetary losses. Upon learning of this impending crisis, AMIT students took to the fields. The Bnei Netzarim farmers praised the girls for their willingness to help out and their industriousness.  AMIT students harvesting the crop

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By Caroline Lagnado, Cheryl Shaanan and Robert Sutton AMIT STUDENT MEETS PRESIDENT OBAMA

Kol hakavod to Nicole Uzlaner, 16, a student at AMIT Beersheva High School, who met President Barak Obama and President Shimon Peres at the Israeli President’s Residence in Jerusalem.

AMIT student Nicole Uzlaner asks President Obama a question

At the event, Uzlaner spoke with President Obama in flawless English and told him about the advanced science program at her school. As part of her education at AMIT Beersheva High School, Nicole studies advanced physics at the Ilan Ramon Youth Physics Center which is hosted by Ben Gurion University. Nicole told President Obama that Israel views science as the key to a better life for all of us in the future. 

AMIT SDEROT RELIGIOUS JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL HOSTS BIRTHRIGHT GROUP

It was a special moment when students from AMIT Sderot Religious Junior and Senior High School hosted a Birthright Israel group from the USA. The American students were very impressed by the emotional strength of the school’s students, were interested to know how teachers handle the anxiety and frustrations of life in Sderot, and wanted to know the secret for motivating students to succeed under such circumstances. The highlight of the visit was a lecture by two students, Avishai Ben Shoshan of the yeshiva track; and Esther Cohen, an 11th grader in Ulpanat Shirat. They spoke about the realities of their experiences and their feelings as teenagers living in Sderot, with all its serious security issues and dangers. There was immediate chemistry between the Americans and the Israelis, contact information was exchanged and promises were made to keep in touch and meet again. 

EDUCATING FOR EXCELLENCE AT YESHIVAT AMIT ASHDOD At the beginning of January, Yeshivat AMIT Ashdod students attended the initiation ceremony of new IDF pilots at the Hatzerim Air Force Base in the Negev. “My students believe that the best soldiers in the IDF become pilots. And we, who strive for excellence, decided to bring our students to Hatzerim to meet with pilots and pilotsin-training to find out how one gets to the top,” said Principal Rabbi Eli Idelberg.

“My dream is to be a pilot. I want to be like you,” AMIT student Daniel Siboni told a commander at the base. “If you want it and believe in yourself you will succeed,” said the commander. “Everyone is able. The question is how much you want it and how much you are willing to invest in yourself,” he added. “What does it mean to be a pilot? A lot of hard work and that’s much more than all the honor and glory.” 

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AMIT students meeting with an IDF Pilot

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For expanded coverage of this event log onto: www.amitchildren.org

FEATURE

AMIT’s 2012 mission to israel

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he November Leadership Mission to Israel, chaired by Joyce Straus, was not deterred by the rocket attacks that had been raining down on Israel that month. In fact, the Mission arrived on November 26, only three days after the attacks had stopped. The Misson’s theme centered on AMIT’s role in creating innovative solutions to some of Israel’s most pressing issues: religious divisions, and the need both to raise the bar in education and to advance the role of women in Israeli society. What the Mission learned by meeting with students, rabbis, teachers and ministers of education was that AMIT is more than just a network of schools: AMIT is truly an innovative leader of change.

The AMIT delegation began by meeting with Minister of Internal Affairs, Eli Yishai, who discussed AMIT’s involvement with a landmark new math and vocational program for the approximately 100 Haredi students at AMIT’s Kfar Blatt campus. According to Yishai, providing educational opportunities to members of the Haredi community is a high priority for Israel. Indeed, the Haredi students whom the Mission met spoke of how thankful they were to AMIT for giving them the opportunity to remain true to their religious values while preparing for employment. And many of these students expressed their desire to serve in the IDF. According to Dr. Neri Horowitz, chairman of the Agora Policy Think Tank and a leading expert in strategy and policy concerning Haredim in the modern world, of the twenty new Haredi educational tracks, only AMIT’s approach has succeeded. Only AMIT had evaluated the students beforehand in order to assess their needs, a crucial process in the program’s acceptance.

The delegation then traveled to Netanya to see how AMIT was raising the bar in education at the AMIT Rambam Religious Elementary School which is 100% Ethiopian. The AMIT Network has enhanced the educational and economic opportunities for Rambam students by adding a special science enrichment program. Graduates who had gone through this program credited AMIT with enabling them to create financially independent lives. AMIT’s hope is that Rambam will become a magnet school in the area.

One of the highlights of the visit to Netanya was a tour of the Ethiopian Museum and a special Ethiopian cultural event at Kiryat Malachi where the delegation, and students of Midreshet AMIT, sampled Ethiopian delicacies, listened to music, viewed Ethiopian art and ended up spontaneously dancing together. A solemn pilgrimage was then made to the Amsalam family in Kiryat Malachi, whose son Itzik was killed in a missile attack. AMIT President Debbie Isaac stated that the leadership in America also felt as if they had lost a son. Debbie announced that AMIT was committed to providing Itzik’s younger brother, who attends the AMIT Fred Kahane Technological High School, all he needs for his studies.

A panel discussion the next morning concentrated on the political, religious and army leadership challenges facing Orthodox women. The panel discussion members were Rachel Azaria, Jerusalem Councilwoman , Esti Lichtenstein-Rosenberg, Rosh Beit Midrash of Migdal Oz, Brigadier General Rachel Tevet Wiesel, Women’s Affairs Advisor to the IDF, Yifat Selah, Director of the Alumah Organization, and Rabbi Dr. Benny Lau of Rambam Synagogue in Jerusalem. The entire panel praised AMIT for offering “out of

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Hadassah Bienenfeld with student from AMIT Bienenfeld Hevruta Yeshiva and Kollel, Kfar Batya

Hattie and Arthur Dubroff, Jenny Michael, Daniella Moffson, Myra Mitzner

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Mission Group Photo Midreshet AMIT Girls with Ethiopian children of Kiryat Malachi

the box” empowerment opportunities such as Sherut Leumi and army service for Orthodox women. The afternoon was spent in Yerucham visiting the AMIT Kamah and Midreshet Be’er schools for girls. At Kamah, young women spoke to the delegation about how they are taught to become leaders, both in their careers and in their communities. Principal Tamar Biton and Toni Mittleman of Midreshet Be’er pointed out that their school is a Hesder Yeshiva where women can learn Torah while committing to army service.

Debbie Isaac at Yeshivat AMIT Amichai in Rehovot with students using computers donated by AMIT’s TopTech Initiative

The last day was spent visiting Yeshivat AMIT Amichai in Rehovot where the group had the opportunity to see the AMIT TopTech in action. TopTech encourages an innovative way of learning by having students use tablet computers, work in teams and collaborate on their research in order to solve problems in a creative way. We heard directly from the students how excited they were to be a part of this unique AMIT program.

Debbie Isaac with Minister of the Interior, Eli Yishai

Leaders and supporters left the mission with a new found sense of pride and understanding about AMIT’S role in Israeli society. AMIT is truly helping to change the course of Israel’s future by being proactive in creating programs which deal with Israel’s social and educational challenges.  Selma Dyckman with children from AMIT Rambam Religious Elementary School in Netanya Barak Avraham with Joyce and Danny Straus

Rambam Religious Elementary School in Netanya

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Jenny Michael, Daniella Moffson

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DVAR TORAH

To Number Our Days “T

each us to number our days, and we will create a heart of wisdom,” we read in Psalms 90:12. A contemporary Israeli commentary reads this as a plea: “Teach us to number our days with honesty.” Help us remember that our days, says Rashi, are ultimately few and that we cannot waste them in any way. If we can make each day memorable, then time will teach us to have a heart of wisdom.

Rabbi David Altschuler, in his commentary the Metzudat David, connects the two parts of our verse in observing that we ask God for the wisdom to maximize our time since it is so limited. To put this in today’s idiom, we ask God to grant us the emotional intelligence to use our time well.

But we don’t need to learn how to number our days. We do it instinctively, and we have many tools to assist us. We buy watches and clocks and calendars. We have electronic devices that ring 15 minutes before meetings to remind us to be on

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by Dr. Erica Brown

time. If anything, we have become a society obsessed with numbering our days. When researching a book about dying better, I came across the death calculator – generally used in the life insurance business – that can help you approximate how many days you actually have left once you have punched in your critical details. Smoking will take away days in this estimate; a positive attitude will add years. It’s educated guesswork, and it’s available as an app, of course.

Time has become a form of currency that, once spent, seems to be irretrievable.

We slow down time when we translate years into days, and this pause helps us create a more accurate and specific life retrospective. In fact, we have this somewhat odd semantic circumlocution in the personal accounts of Abraham’s time on earth and in the way Jacob perceived his time on earth.

“These are the days of the years of Abraham…” (Genesis 25:7) is the way the text helps us understand that even though Abraham faced many life challenges, his “days of his years” were ultimately a blessing.

Later in Genesis, we find the reverse. When Jacob meets Pharaoh he shares his summation of his own life as a patriarch who could not meet some of his difficult challenges: “…few and bitter have been the days of the years of my life…” (47:9). We understand that the switching of the fraternal blessing, the bitterness of life in Laban’s house, the “death” of Joseph and the rape of Dina must have all colored the way that he looked back on time. And yet, the Hizkuni cites a midrash that says that Jacob’s life was reduced in years by the number of words in this verse. In other words, since he could not sufficiently recount the blessings of his life, his life was literally shortened. We need not go the literal route to understand the message. How we look back at the days of the years of our lives is ultimately a choice we make. We can use the optimist’s lens or not.

But it is not enough to number our days. We must make them count. The act of counting them helps us make them count. And this turns us to Sefirat Ha-Omer. Leviticus 23:1516 reads: “From the day after the Sabbath, the day you

brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord.” We count 49 days between the 16th of Nissan when an omer of barley, a biblical measurement, was offered as a sacrifice at the Temple until the day before Shavuot when a wheat offering was brought. According to the medieval compendium of mitzvot based on weekly Torah readings, the Sefer Ha-Hinukh, the Jewish people were redeemed from slavery in Egypt for the express purpose of receiving the commandments at Sinai. In that sense, the act of counting each day is one of inner mental preparation and anticipation for our ultimate life’s work.

Today, because we conflate the biblical counting between Passover and Shavuot with the rabbinic time of the plague befalling 24,000 of Rabbi Akiba’s students, we tend to view this period of the Jewish calendar overlaid with a lining of sadness. We do not celebrate happy occasions or buy new clothes. We take on a posture of mourning. But, unfortunately, this rabbinic overlay results in a dampening of what must have been the more original biblical sentiment: joy. Knowing that you were a slave but that God granted you your freedom for a higher purpose, one which was soon to be revealed, must have led to happy anticipation. In Temple days, knowing that you marked your harvest in a way that lent spiritual significance to the months leading to success, must also have spelled out everyday joy.

We can count our days the way Abraham counted his. We can count our days the way that Jacob counted his. Sefirat Ha-Omer helps us appreciate the very human, mental need to make calculations. How we make those calculations and the spirit we bring to them is a decision we make. We can make every day count. < Dr. Erica Brown is the scholar-in-residence for the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and the author of Happier Endings: A Meditation about Life and Death (Simon and Schuster) and the forthcoming, Leadership in the Wilderness (OU/Koren).

Spring 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 27

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4/19/13 5:19 PM

AS APPEARED IN THE FEBRUARY 28TH ISSUE

It Takes A Village: A Conversation With Dr. Barack Avraham

By Rochelle Maruch Miller

“A

MIT saved my life,” Dr. Barak Avraham says as he begins telling his compelling story. It is the evening prior to AMIT’s annual dinner and the brilliant and personable young man, a true AMIT success story, is the scheduled guest speaker.

Born in Ethiopia, Barak was nine years old when he emigrated to Israel with his parents, two brothers, and two sisters. He grew up in Netanya, where his mother still lives, and now resides in Petach Tikva. As a student, he was floundering until he began studying at AMIT Kfar Blatt Youth Village.

He is currently a partner in an Internet startup company and previously spent a month in the United States in Boston on a full scholarship from AIPAC. “I have always attended dati, religious schools, but there was a long period of time when I was not doing well, “ he recalls. “As I entered my teen years, it became clear that I was floundering, going nowhere. The situation got to such a point that my mother sat and cried, sobbing uncontrollably. Her heart was breaking and I was responsible for causing her so much pain and aggravation.

It was then that I decided I was going to change and that if my mother would cry for me, they would be tears of pride and joy, not of sorrow.”

“I came to live in the AMIT Kfar Blatt Youth Village in Petach Tikva, the city where I live today. At AMIT Kfar Blatt I was given direction. I was given hope. When you are at an AMIT school, everyone is happy; it feels like you are part of a family.

If you have a problem, you are given the tools to find the solution.”

Although he says AMIT will always be his second home, Barak readily admits his time spent at AMIT Kfar Blatt was “not always smooth sailing” and that he was almost expelled at one point. Indeed, he credits Amiran Cohen, the Kfar’s director, for helping him choose the right path. Amiran became Barak’s role model and mentor; they remain close friends to this day.

“Amiran gave me a second chance and finally, with his help and guidance and with

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the support of others at the Kfar, I turned myself around. So when I tell you that AMIT saved my life, these are not just words.”

Today, Dr. Barak Avraham is himself a source of inspiration to the village’s young residents. Maintaining a lifelong connection with AMIT, the 30-year-old entrepreneur often returns to the Kfar, inspiring and encouraging them to remain on the right path. He says it is very important for him to continue to work with young people and to do his best to transmit to them the values that he learned from Amiran as well as from his other mentors at Kfar Blatt. “AMIT

gave so much to me during my years at the Kfar, and I am now committed to passing those values to other young people,” he passionately declares.

Located in Petach Tikva, AMIT Kfar Blatt Youth Village has over 500 students, half of whom are Ethiopian. mishpachtonim afford students in grades 9-12 the opportunity to live with a young married couple, together with the couple’s children, in a warm and nurturing stable family unit.

Recalling his promise to his mother, and with his priorities clearly in order, Barak graduated from high school at Kfar Blatt and entered the Israel Defense Forces soon thereafter. When he was selected to serve in an elite special intelligence unit, his mother was so proud, she cried tears of joy. And when

Barak went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in government and was valedictorian at the commencement, and continued on to receive his master’s degree in public service—all at the Interdisciplinary Center at Herzliya, Israel’s prestigious private college—his mother proudly cried tears of joy again.

Dr. Barak Avraham is a true source of nachat to his mother, to all of his mentors at Kfar Blatt, and to AMIT. Deeply committed to giving back to the village and to AMIT, he lauds AMIT’s recently launched AMIT TopTech Initiative. “I understand how important it is to get a good education and for our AMIT schools to keep pace with the modern world. Children today don’t learn the way even people my age once did and it’s so important that AMIT is bringing this new thinking into education. AMIT gave me the educational foundation to succeed in the army, in my advanced studies, and now in my business career.”

AMIT Kfar Blatt Youth Village teaches Torah, religious Zionism, and mutual respect and aims to help each student reach his or her full potential. In addition to the mishpachton staff, the village has a support staff, including social workers, a psychologist, and an adviser.

There is also a program for students who do not live on campus but receive all the services throughout the day that on-campus students receive. When foster children “age out” of Beit Hayeled and still cannot return to their own parents, they will often continue at AMIT Kfar Blatt. Of paramount importance to Kfar Blatt’s administrators is each student’s participation in extracurricular activities.

Students are involved in planning and determining the way of life in the village.

The student council, which is elected in a democratic process, is active in various areas.

Students are encouraged to serve on student committees. Additionally, there is a wide range of electives to choose from, including music, sports, drama, dance, computers, hair styling and choir, as well as performing instrumental and drama groups. <

4/19/13 4:54 PM

chai society members Anonymous, IL

Anonymous, MA Phyllis and Edward Berkowitz, NY Elissa and Seymour Chesir, NY

Lillian and Sherwyn Weiss, FL

Beth and Michael Gottesman, IL

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$1,800-$2,499

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Myrna and Charles Alpert, NY Roslyn Besdine, NY Adrianne and Leon Brum, FL Capstone Equities, NY Carol Clapsaddle, Israel Hedy and Morris Cohen, PA Esther and Harvey Felsen, NY Estelle Fink, Israel Linda and Norman Garfield, PA Darryle and Michael Gillman, IL Eudice Greenfield, IL Grunberger/Cohen Family, MD Carole and Didier Hannaux, France Barbara and George Hanus, IL Ellen and John Hellman, Israel Donna and Robert Hoenig, NJ Robin and Mark Hoenig, NJ Nancy and Lloyd Karp, NY Riki and Mordecai Koenigsberg, NY Debbi and Lee Krantzow, NJ Shelly and Stanley Kroll, IL Malka Lozowick, Israel Elsa Macks, IL Esther Miller, FL Judy and Albert Milstein, IL Galina and Mark Moerdler, NJ Vera and Robert Moreen, PA Miriam and Bernard Neuman, IL Bobbie and Jerry Nussbaum, IL Hedy and Paul Peyser, MD Penny and Claudio Pincus Foundation, Israel

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Pia and Stuart Pollack, PA Daniel B. Post, FL Karen Presser, MD Daphna and Daniel Raskas, MD Susan and Fred Raven, NY Shlomo Reutlinger, Israel Ronni and Elliott Robinson, IL Shulamit and Avi Rockoff, MA Judith and Rabbi Marvin Rosen, NJ Rachelle and Eyal Rosenthal, NY Marilyn and Larry Rubin, Israel Betty Atlas-Rumelt and Owen Rumelt, NY Michelle and Mark Saks, NY Nechama and Daniel Saks, NJ Shirley and Leo Schachter, Israel Shirley and Matthew Schein, Israel Rachel and Ian Scheinmann, PA Barbara and Irving Schnipper, MI Julie and Jacob Schorr, MD Dassie and David Schreiber, NY Keryn and David Schreiber, IL Michelle and Dov Schwartz, NJ Judith Schwed-Lion and Philippe Schwed, Israel

Marilyn and Jamie Sohacheski, CA Marilyn and Moish Stadtmauer, NY Naomi and Gary Stein, NY Lillian and Milton Steinberg, NY Helen Stoll, NY Chaya Bressler Subar, Israel Naomi and Ira Sved, PA Gil Taieb, France Hope and David Taragin, MD Sandra and Israel Teitelbaum, MD Arielle and Aton Teitelbaum, MD Deena and Jonathan Thurm, NJ Orlee and Joey Turitz, MD Judy and Mark Tykocinski, PA Rachel and David Vorchheimer, NY Jenny and Max Weil, Israel Barbara and Michael Weiss, NY Audrey Whitman and Paul Newman, PA Sharon and Joseph Wiesel, NY Lucy and Leon Winchel, NY Carrie Zlotnick Woldenberg and Roberto Woldenberg, NY Marilyn and Noah Wolff, IL Mona and Marc Yudkoff, PA

As of February 20, 2013

$3,600+

4/19/13 4:55 PM

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

(l-r) Joyce Straus, Debbie Isaac, Barak Avraham, Debbie Moed

AMIT 2012 annual dinner

A

fter some delay due to Hurricane Sandy, AMIT’s 2012 Annual Dinner was held this past January at the Hyatt Hotel in New York City. A large and diverse crowd paid tribute to our deserving honorees and heard a moving story from one of AMIT’s alumni, Barak Avraham.

The theme of the evening, “Tomorrow’s Education…Today,” started with a high-tech check-in. Guests were instructed to flash specially coded bracelets to a computer in order to obtain their table information.

An interactive school map displayed in-depth information about AMIT’s diverse network.

Guests ordered hors d’ouevres on a computer screen and moments later they were delivered by a robot. The evening launched AMIT’s TopTech Initiative which will create a dynamic educational environment with innovative learning by using the most advanced technology.

The evening paid tribute to three outstanding AMIT couples: Presidential Leadership Honorees, Francine and Aaron Stein, Guests of Honor, Laurie and Eli Bryk, and Young Visionary Honorees Allie and Alexander Luxenberg. Their leadership is an inspiration to everyone and their dedication to AMIT is immeasurable.

The dinner was spearheaded by chairs, Joyce and Daniel Straus, with the assistance of co-chairs, Harriet and Heshe Seif, Judy and David Lobel, and Jillian and Daniel Miller.

The evening’s Master of Ceremonies was Alan Kalter, the voice of Late Night with David Letterman. 

(l-r) Alex and Allie Luxenberg

(l-r) Melvin Lubin, Mollie Siegel

Bryk Dedication In celebration of being honored at the AMIT Annual Dinner, Laurie and Eli Bryk have generously dedicated the atrium at Ulpanat AMIT Givat Shmuel. The funds will be used to ensure that young women have the opportunity to study math, science and computers at a high level and ensure that students are trained to become the next business leaders and entrepreneurs in Israel. The beautiful atrium, which is the focal point of the entire school, is being dedicated in loving memory of Laurie’s father, Cyrus Wolf and Eli’s mother, Doris Bryk. Givat Shmuel, one of the newest additions to the AMIT Reshet, is the centerpiece for the AMIT TopTech Initiative, which is already transforming the process of learning by bringing educational innovation and technology to the entire Reshet.

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(l(l-r) Eli and Laurie Bryk (l to r): Peggy Masterson, Alan Kalter

(l-r) Caroline Bryk, Alyssa Kapito, Jacki Bryk, Diana Straus, Laurie Bryk

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Stein Dedication (l-r) Lawrence and Adina Garbuz, Debbie Isaac, Michael and Sheera Moffson

(l-r) Debbie Moed, Peggy Danishefsky, Emily Dauber

(l-r) Aaron and Francine Stein, Harriet and Heshe Seif

Robot Top Tech Food Bar

In honor of Dr. Francine Stein’s commitment to the students of AMIT—especially during her tenure as president— a model apartment suite at the Stone Meysharim School in Shoham is being dedicated and will be known as the Dr. Francine Stein Center for Life Skills. We thank the many friends and family of the Steins who made this dedication possible. Our school in Shoham is a very special place for teenagers and young adults who face serious physical and developmental challenges. This dedication holds special meaning to Francine, a developmental pediatrician. The Dr. Francine Stein Center for Life Skills is where these young people will learn how to take care of a home and of themselves so that they are prepared for independent living.

(l-r) Laurie Bryk, Florence Wolf, Stefania Gable, Joyce Straus

(l-r) Jennifer Agus, Stacey Kanbar

(l-r) David Baruch, Julia Straus, Suzanne Doft

(l-r) Natalie Klapper, Allie Luxenberg, Cara Kleiman, Elana Grauer

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Spring 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 31

4/19/13 4:38 PM

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Florida: (l-r) Jeff Willis, Sue Willis, Elaine Brief

barak avraham tours the united states

A

MIT graduate Barak Avraham, head of the Ethiopian Students Union, master’s graduate at IDC Herzliya and founder of Just Click It, an internet start-up company, recently traveled the United States. He began his trip in New York, where he was the guest speaker at the AMIT Annual Dinner. After New York, Barak traveled to Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami, where he met with AMIT members and shared his personal story of overcoming obstacles with AMIT’s help.

Florida: (l-r) Mark Orlinsky, Marty Perdeck, Ben Rottman, Rob Kofsky

AMIT L.A. hosted “The Story of Ethiopian Jewry” at Temple Emanuel Day School. Over 200 people were able to meet Barak at an exclusive screening of the award-winning film, “Live and Become.” After the film, the audience participated in a Q&A with the lead actor, Sirak Sabahat.

Barak spent a day and half in Chicago where he went to his first Super Bowl party and learned about football from AMIT members. The next morning he had brunch at Emma’s Restaurant with Rita and Howard Geller and a spent an afternoon with 20 lay-leaders at the home of Shira and Yechiel Gordon. Barak’s last Midwestern engagement was an evening coffee event at the Skokie Central Traditional Synagogue.

Barak’s stay in Florida began with an evening event in Golden Beach at the waterfront home of Jennifer Harris Kay and Dr. Matthew Kay. Along with their committee, Ronni Litz Julien, Orit and Jack Osman, and Stefanie Grife, they greeted more than 40 young professionals who listened to Barak talk about his wondrous AMIT experience. The next morning Barak attended a thank you brunch for the Southeast Region Council, Chai Society and President Circle donors at the Hollywood home of Marilyn and Edward Kaplan. Barak’s final Florida event was a party at the home of Sue and Jeff Willis in Davie. Their committee, Mary and Steve Haskins and Pearl and Marty Perdeck, warmly welcomed a standing room only crowd of young couples. 

Chicago: Top row (l-r) Howard Geller, Beth Alter, Aviva Lichtenstein Bottom row (l-r) Rita Geller, Barak Avraham

Florida: (l-r) Rebecca Kay, Jennifer Harris Kay, Barak Avraham, Matthew Kay, Steven Kay

Los Angeles: (l-r) Jim and Judy Farley, Barak Avraham, Daniel Jankovic

Chicago: (l-r) Justin Gordon, Barak Avraham, Nate Rubenstein

Los Angeles: (l-r) Kevin Homan, Tracy Kwiker, Steve Stiglitz, Marni Friedman Stiglitz

Chicago: (l-r) Esther Sabo, Janice Waldman, Barak Avraham

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Los Angeles: (l-r) Larry Gill, Alan and Elisa Schoenfeld, Karen Halaszi

4/19/13 4:38 PM

englewood mother-daughter bat mitzvah mission visits sderot

Hafrashat Challah with Rabbanit Chana Reichman

by karen americus

T

his past February, the seventh grade class at Ulpanat AMIT Shirat in Sderot welcomed 34 mothers and daughters from Englewood, New Jersey, as part of the group’s annual Bat Mitzvah Mission to Israel.

After a brief stop at the school, the Mission – accompanied by their effervescent Rabbanit, Chana Reichman – joined their counterparts from Sderot for several hours at a nearby field, enjoying the beautiful red kalaniot (poppies) that bloom throughout the country during the winter months. Together, all of the girls sang, danced, performed the mitzvah of separating challah, made pita, toasted marshmallows, and exchanged gifts with one another.

rlinsky, eck, n,

Making pita Key to Eretz Yisrael

The students from Sderot presented their new friends from Englewood with a symbolic key to Eretz Yisrael, as well as beautifully wrapped hafrashat challah cards. The girls from New Jersey gave a small siddur or tehillim book to each of the AMIT girls, along with a pledge to keep their new friends from Sderot in their thoughts and prayers.

According to Judith Schwed-Lion, AMIT’s Vice President for International Development, “It was a beautiful morning for all of the girls. We were thrilled to welcome the Englewood group to AMIT in Sderot. How lucky they are to have such a fantastic Rabbanit who infuses every moment with meaning and joy – joy of being Jewish and being connected to Israel. We all benefited from her enthusiasm and wisdom.” 

NewGen in los angeles hosts reception for amit delegation from israel

O

PHOTOS: MILLA COCHRAN - THEROSEWEDDINGS.COM

(l-r) Sharon and Dr. Morris Silver (l-r) Suzie and Sam Porgess

(l-r) Enid and Dr. Dan Lieber

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ver 100 people joined AMIT LA on a rainy November evening to enjoy poetry, hors d’oevres, a wine tasting and live music. The highlight of the evening was a presentation by Dr. Amnon Eldar, Director General of the AMIT Network and Israel’s Educator of the Year on “Revolutionizing Education in Israel.” 

(l-r) Andrew Lustig, Dr. Amnon Eldar, Liz Klibanoff, Dr. Mor Deshen, Michal Taviv-Margolese, Carolyn Ben Natan

4/19/13 4:38 PM

DEVELOPMENT NEWS place of prayer and study

M

iriam and Shopsy Kanarek of Hillcrest, Queens, New York have dedicated the shul, a makom tefillah v’talmud Torah, a Place of Prayer and Study of Torah at the AMIT Nordlicht Technical School in Jerusalem. Both Miriam and Shopsy were raised in homes that strongly emphasized love of Israel and the giving of tzedakah. Miriam grew up in Washington Heights and Forest Hills, and holds a B.A. from Hunter College. A former engineer, Shopsy is a native of Manhattan’s Lower East Side. He received his B.S. from C.C.N.Y. and an M.S. from Columbia. They have been active in the Young Israel of Hillcrest where Shopsy has served in various official capacities including Gabbai, vice president and chairman of the board. Miriam has served as co-president of the Sisterhood. They are very proud of their son Dr. Shimmy Kanarek, a cardiologist, and his wife, Dr. Pnina Kanarek, a pediatrician, of Teaneck, New Jersey, and of their daughter, Chani Kanarek, a teacher, of Manhattan. Miriam and Shopsy also take great joy in their grandchildren, Chaim, Yair, Yehoshua, Betzalel, Yaffa and Nava, of Teaneck. “Dedicating the shul at the Nordlicht Center is a perfect charitable expression for our love of Israel and its children, helping them to secure their future. We are very happy to be able to help AMIT carry out its mission,” said the Kanareks.  (l-r) Rachel, Dana, Michael and Kayla Petrover

AMIT southeast celebrates generations in florida

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n a sunny December Sunday in Florida, the AMIT Southeast Region held its annual Gala Luncheon and honored three families. The Brum/Petrover, Mark/Gordon and Willis families exemplify a commitment to AMIT that began in the past, continues in the present, and has laid the foundation for the future.

Bestselling author Barbara Taylor Bradford, Order of the British Empire, was the afternoon’s guest speaker. Robin Isaacson, Southeast Regional Director, delivered news from the recent solidarity mission and the latest AMIT information. Elaine Brief, Southeast Region President, shared her “State of the Region” remarks. 

Top row (l-r) Eva Weinberger, Esther Miller, Susan Wieder, Shiela Prince Bottom row (l-r) Judy Poretsky, Sheryle Spar, Barbrara Taylor Bradford

(l-r) Sue Willis, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Mara Willis, Jeff Willis

(l-r) Leon and Adrianne Brum

( (l-r) Robin Isaacson, Randi Gordon, Jeff Gordon, Sheila Mark, Elaine Brief

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4/19/13 4:38 PM

yoni saks’ bar mitzvah bake sale

Y

oni Saks from New Rochelle, New York, is a fourth generation AMIT donor, following in the footsteps of his great-grandmother, Gladys Neustadter, grandmother,

Miriam Neustadter, and his mother, Michelle Saks. In honor of his Bar Mitzvah, Yoni recently ran a bake sale to raise money for the athletic department at the AMIT Hatzor HaGlilit Junior and Senior High School. “In my family, I was taught that celebrating my Bar Mitzvah would not be complete without doing chesed for others,” Yoni said. “I realized that every day I use sports equipment and I was trying to figure out a way to help other children who might not have access to sports equipment like I do. My brother and my sister also did chesed projects for their Bar and Bat Mitzvah to benefit AMIT.”  (l-r) Yoni Saks, Gladys Neustadter, Michelle Saks

(l-r) Samantha Horowitz, Yoni Saks, Joshua Edelstein, Solomon Weiser, Spencer Tropper (in the background) Debbie Isaac, Benay Meisels

Elliot Pines getting tips from an instructor

AFLI spins for a cause

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his past February the AMIT Future Leaders Initiative held their first ever charity ride at Revolve, a new spinning studio in NYC. It was a great way for members and their friends to raise funds for our children in Israel and get a workout. Following an intense class, the spinners enjoyed healthy snacks as they cooled down. 

(l-r) Allie Luxenberg, Cara Kleiman, Elana Grauer

(l-r) Arielle Struhl, Lizzy Markovitch, Rachel Muller, Kyra Mae Garber, Randi Alenick

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Mati Grauer getting pumped for the ride

Talia and Alexandra Thurm signing in

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spanning AMIT world This past Thanksgiving weekend, AMIT Israel’s Chug Ayelet held a Shabbaton at the Almog Vacation Village.

Activities included a stop at Ein Gedi followed by an allyou-can eat turkey Shabbat dinner. Rabbi Moshe Gorelik delivered a drasha and Dr. Henry Hashkes presented a midafternoon lecture. 

This past December, The American Zionist Movement held its Biennial Assembly in New York where former AZM President Bill Hess was honored. A number of AMIT leaders were in attendance including Evelyn Blachor, Sondra Sokal, Jan Schechter, Rochelle Stern Kevelson, Debbie Isaac and Francine Stein. 

French Visit to Beersheva Recently, a group of over fifty French-speaking AMIT donors from Jerusalem traveled to Beersheva to visit two AMIT schools. The first stop was the AMIT Junior and Senior High School in Beersheva where the guests were entertained by a group of students in French. Next, they visited The AMIT Elaine Silver Technological High School where they were treated to a tour of the school’s synagogue which houses a 310 year-old Sefer Torah.  French teacher Olga Sobovitch with students

The AMIT Israel Annual Campaign Kick-Off was held at the Jerusalem home of Debbie and Barry Eisenberg. The program, which was organized

by Bibsi Zuckerbrot, focused on the AMIT Menorat HaOr Program at the AMIT Blatt Youth Village in Petach Tikva. The school was represented by Joseph Badichi, the principal, and Rav Ariel Yitzhak, the Rosh Yeshiva, as well as several students.  (l-r) David and Bibsi Zuckerbrot

36 :: Spring 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE

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This year, The Jerusalem Prize, which recognizes a special contribution to Israeli society and the State of Israel, was awarded to the AMIT Network and AMIT President Debbie Isaac. The prize committee based its decision on the unique educational work performed by AMIT and the impressive growth of the Network. Israel Education Minister Gideon Sa’ar awarded the prize in a special ceremony at the Jerusalem Conference. 

A New Ner Tamid for Sde Hemed This past December, a Ner Tamid was dedicated in memory of Dr. Simon Lopata, z”l, at AMIT Sde Hemed Elementary School in Ma’ale Adumim. Dr. Lopata’s daughter, Rena Hurwitz, who travelled from New York, attended this special dedication along with the Lopatas’ great-granddaughters who are students at Sde Hemed. 

Over the month of Adar, Midreshet AMIT participated in a number of joint activities with the children of AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled including a Candyland-themed mishteh where mishpachtons dressed up together as groups.

The Midreshet AMIT students held a carnival along with the Bnot Sherut-young women performing voluntary national service in Israel- where the children played games and won tickets that they later redeemed for prizes. Everyone enjoyed festive music, dinner and mishloach manot. 

AMIT’s Chocolate Heaven This past February, Tamar Raskas and Tani Benovitz of Jerusalem hosted a gourmet chocolate-making event in memory of Tamar’s mother, Sheri Raskas z”l. The event was held to raise funds for the cooking track of AMIT Ramle Technological School. Over thirty NewGen members from across Jerusalem were able to perfect their chocolate-making skills and take home delicious treats. The event was a fitting memorial for Mrs. Raskas, who was an active AMIT supporter who loved to cook and bake. 

Spring 2013 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 37

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$100,000+

Mollie Baller, z”l, FL Debbie and David Isaac, NY Ellen and Meyer Koplow, NY Matanel Foundation, Luxembourg Barbara and Jules Nordlicht, NY Dahlia Kalter Nordlicht and Mark Nordlicht, NY Robyn Price Stonehill and David Stonehill, NY Ellen and Stanley Wasserman, NY

Randi

$75,000 - $99,999 Laurie and Eli Bryk, NY

$50,000 - $74,999

ING

A TIME • AT

M I T • B UI LD

A

ISRA E

L

NE CHI LD •O

An Invitation To Join Me In

President’s Circle As a parent and a long time devoted AMIT donor, I know how important a good education is to the development of children.

Many of the 25,000 students at AMIT in Israel do not have the advantages that our own children enjoy and which we may easily take for granted.

President’s Circle gifts provide the foundation upon which our network of schools is built. These annual gifts are sustaining funds that we rely on to support our excellent programs. In order to guarantee the continuation of programs which nurture Israel’s children and instill within them strong values and academic excellence, we rely on our members whose annual donation ensure Israel’s future by providing these opportunities.

All successful endeavors require a strong foundation. Please join me. The circle will not be complete without you.

Co-Chairs: Brenda Kalter and Deena Shiff For further information regarding President’s Circle, please contact Robin Rothbort at 212-477-4725, 1-800-989-AMIT (2647), or email robinr@amitchildren.org.

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Joan and Shael Bellows, IL Hadassah and Marvin Bienenfeld, NY Suzanne and Jacob Doft, NY Eric Herschmann, NJ Ellen and Emanuel Kronitz, Israel Leon and Gloria, Edward, Sari and Howard Miller, NY Ingeborg Petranker, z”l, CA Harriet and Heshe Seif, NJ Adina Straus, NY Joyce and Daniel Straus, NJ Zahava and Moshael Straus, NJ Bethia Straus-Quintas and Paul Quintas, IL

$36,000 - $49,999 Anonymous, Israel Michele and Ben Jacobs, NY

$25,000 - $35,999 Anonymous, NY Anonymous, Israel Thelma, z”l, and Harvey Berger, MA Mozes Borger, Israel Sherry and Neil Cohen, NY Ike, Molly and Steven Elias Foundation, NY Michael Foley, NY Mitzi Golden, NY Mildred and Alvin Hellerstein, NY Brenda and Albert Kalter, NY Stacey and David Kanbar, NY Gitta and Richard Koppel, Israel Millie and Lawrence Magid, NY Debbie and Samuel Moed, NJ Micheline and Marc Ratzersdorfer, Israel Shirley and Morris Trachten, FL

$18,000 - $24,999 Nicole Schreiber Agus and Raanan Agus, NY Sara Beren, z”l OH Jewel and Ted Edelman, NY Pnina and Jacob Graff, CA Amy and Jimmy Haber, NY Russell Jay Hendel, MD Sarah Liron and Sheldon Kahn, CA Amy and Todd Kesselman, NY Sharon and Solomon Merkin, NJ Adrianne and Avi Shapira, NY Marilyn and Herbert Smilowitz, NJ Carrie and Ilan Stern, NY Trudy and Stanley Stern, NY

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Anonymous, Israel Anonymous, Israel Anonymous, NY Anonymous, NY Anonymous, Switzerland Trudy and Ted, z”l, Abramson, FL Leah and Jonathan Adler, NJ Ann and Hy Arbesfeld, NY Myra Balinson, CA Rachel and Martin Balsam, NY Yael Balsam, NY Lee and Louis Benjamin, NY Tamar and Ethan Benovitz, NY Bea Berger, NJ Vivian and Stanley Bernstein, NY Dahlia and Arthur Bilger, CA Laurie Bilger and Eli Epstein, NY Sandra and Howard Blank, NJ Devorah and Melvyn Bleiberg, NY Sari and Stuart Braunstein, NY Adele and Jules Brody, NY Tamar and Hillel Bryk, NY Carol and Arnold Caviar, KS Margaret and Chaim Charytan, NY Beth Chiger, NY The Philip Citron Charitable Trust, MA Trina and Paul Cleeman, NY Sara Clemons, TN Florence Cohen, z”l, NY Shevi and Milton Cohen, NY Diane and Howard Cole, NY Peggy and Philip Danishefsky, NJ Elaine and Lewis Dubroff, NY Hattie and Arthur Dubroff, NJ Susan Ederson, NY Linda and Barry Eichler, PA & NY Sherry and Aaron Eidelman, NY Judith and Allen Fagin, NY Vivian and Bernard Falk, NY Ruth and Gene Fax, MA Iris and Stephen Feldman, NY Sheila and Kenneth Fields, NJ Saradee and Stanley Fortgang, NY Gwen Buttnick Francis, NJ Gabriella and David Fridman, NY Sura and Burt Fried, NY Rena and Michael Friedman, IL Marisa and Andrew Gadlin, NY Randi and Alan Gelman, Israel Shifra and Perry Garber, NY Esther and Arnold Gerson, NY Leelah and Joseph Gitler, Israel

Abigail and Ari Glass, NY Ilana and Stuart Goldberg, NJ Paulette and Max Goldberg, NY Esther and Jack Goldman, NY Judith and Matthew Goldsmith, NJ Zelda and Sheldon Goldsmith, NY Anne and Sheldon Golombeck, NY Louis Gordon, TX Judith and Gabriel Gross, France Sharon and Melvin Gross, NY Phyllis Hammer, MA Nicole and Jacques Hanau, France Felicia Hanfling, NY Debbie and Robert Hartman, IL Laura and Jonathan Heller, NY Debbie and Eddie Herbst, CA David and Barbara B. Hirschhorn Foundation, MD Gail and Larry Horowitz, NY Aviva and Fred Hoschander, NY Peggy and Robert Insel, NY Elaine and Robert Jacobs, NY Malky and Bezalel Jacobs, NY Barbara and Manfred Joseph, NY Connie and Alan Kadish, NJ Chavie Kahn and Heshy Kofman, NY Ilana and Mitchell Kahn, NY Robin and Simon Kahn, Israel Danna and Gilad Kalter, NY Ruth and Jerome Kamerman, NY Miriam and Shopsy Kanarek, NY Ruth and William Kantrowitz, NY Harriet and Joel Kaplan, NY Karen Kaplan, IL Marisa and Daniel Katz, NY Gloria and Harvey Kaylie, NY Rona and Ira Kellman, NY Rochelle Stern Kevelson, NY Diane and Barry Kirschenbaum, FL Susan Alter Klaperman, NY The Klibanoff Family, NJ Jane Klitsner, Israel Laurie and Robert Koppel, NY Evelyn and Lawrence Kraut, NJ Rochelle and Seymour, z”l, Kraut, MA Dorothy Kreiselman, NY Bertha, z”l, and Henry Kressel, NY Seryl and Charles Kushner Family Foundation, NJ Debra and Dov Lando, NJ Esther and Stanley Landsman, NY Linda and Murray Laulicht, FL & NJ Donna and Jeffrey Lawrence, MD Sara and Moishe Leifer, NY

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Aliza and Steven Major, NY Zipporah and Arnold Marans, NY Etella and Haim Marcovici, NY Marilyn and Leon Moed, NY Nataly and Steve Neuwirth, NY Judith and Daniel Ottensoser, NY Regina Peterseil, NY Lauren and Mitchell Presser, NY Jerald Ptashkin, CA Barbara and Joel Rascoff, NY Joyce and Stanley Raskas, NY Shari and Jacob M. Safra, NY Jan and Sheldon Schechter, NY Charlotte Schneierson, NY

$5,000 - $9,999

Diane and David Lent, NY Ellyn and Alan Lerner, NJ Kari and Joshua Levine, NY Sylvia and Norman Levine, FL Dorothy and Robert Lewis, NY Ruth and Robert Lewis, NY Liz and Ben Klibanoff, NJ Sharona and Michael Loeffler, FL Audrey and Haskel Lookstein, NY Naomi and Carl Lopkin, MA Rita Lourie-Galena, PA & NY Marie-Nicole and Georges Lumbroso, France Randie and Arthur Luxenberg, NY Rhonda and Jeffrey Luxenberg, NY Meira and Solomon Max, NY Manette and Louis Mayberg, MD Benay and Ira Meisels, NY Caroline and Marcelo Messer, NY Joan, z”l, and Leon Meyers, NY Lois and Jonathan Mills, IL Myra Mitzner, NY Galina and Mark Moerdler and Family, NY Chani and David Moss, NJ Jessica and Jason Muss, NY Miriam and Bernard Neuman, IL Gloria and Burton Nusbacher, NY Reva and Martin Oliner, NY Bea and Irwin Peyser, NY Suzy and Paul Peyser, NY Esther and Donald Press, NY Tzippi and Ira Press, NJ Judy and Jerry Pressner, NY Robin and Jules Reich, NY Evelyn Reichenthal, TX Sheila and Sidney Rimmer, NY Shelley Rindner, NY Fritzie and Sheldon Robinson, IL Sandra and Evan Roklen, CA Kristina and Len Rosen, Israel Vivian and Solomon Rosen, FL Miriam and Howard Rosenblum, NJ Elizabeth Rosenkrantz and Steven Lancman, NJ Maks Rothstein, NY Michele and Barry Rubin, NY Herbert Rudnick, NY Ellen Scheinfeld, NY Iris Schneider, NY Esther and William Schulder, NJ Debbie and Daniel Schwartz, NY Miriam Seltzer, NY Esther, z”l, and Jacques Semmelman, NJ Renee and Elliot Schreiber, NY

Rita and Eugene Schwalb, NJ Erica and Rob Schwartz, NY Deanne and Leonard Shapiro, NY Judy and Isaac Sherman, NY Ronnie and William Slochowsky, NY Sondra and Myron Sokal, NY Francine and Aaron Stein, NJ Jody and Ari Storch, NY Audrey and Chaim Trachtman, NY Ina and David Tropper, NY Paula Yudenfriend and Arlin Green, PA

Sharon and Rony Shapiro, MA Chana and Daniel Shields, NJ Deena and Adam Shiff, NY Nechi Shudofsky, NY Mollie Siegel, NJ Sharon and Morris Silver, CA Karen and Roy Simon, NY Ruth Simon, NY Lorraine and Mordy Sohn, NY Sara and Gabriel Solomon, MD Mahla and Hilton Soniker, NY Melanie and Matthew Sosland, NJ Sheryle and Theodore Spar, FL Sydelle Spero, Israel Kaaren Staschower, CA Shirley and Bruce Stein, TX Deborah Stern-Blumenthal and Michael Blumenthal, NJ Richard Stone, NY Edith Sussman, MD Ethel and Lester Sutker, IL Lilly Tempelsman, NY Sandra and Max Thurm, NY Eva and Evan Torczyner, NY Bertie and Fred Tryfus, NY Judith and Morris Tuchman, NY Audrey and Max Wagner, NY Joseph Walder, IL Stephen Waldner, NY Paula and Leslie Walter, NY Anne and Mark Wasserman, NY Suzanne and Stuart Weilgus, NY Tova and Howard Weiser, NJ Judy and Morry Weiss/Sapirstein-StoneWeiss Foundation, OH Marion and William Weiss, NJ Linda and Steven Weissman, NY Roselyn and Walter Weitzner, NY Diane and Michael Werner, NY Joyce and Jeremy Wertheimer, MA Booky and Jerome Wildes, NY Phyllis Wind, NY Florence Wolf, NY Mireet and Joseph Wolf, Israel Stella and Samy Ymar, MD Hilde and Benjamin, z”l, Zauderer, NY Esther and Dov Zeidman, NY Tamar and Benjamin Zeltser, NY Helene and Gerald Zisholtz, NY Corinne and Neil Zola, NY

*As of February 20, 2013

Selma and Jacob Dyckman, NY Chaiki and Ziel Feldman, NJ Lilly and Alfred Friedman, NY Joseph and Rae Gann Charitable Trust, MA Miriam and Felix Glaubach, NY Harwit Charitable Trust, CA Norma and Emanuel Holzer, NY Suzanne and Norman Javitt, NY Kirkland & Ellis LLP, NY Nancy and Joshua Korff, NY Sylvia and Leon Korngold, NY Ruth and Daniel Krasner, NY Esther and Motti Kremer, NY Mindy and Seymour Liebman, NY

president’s circle of honor

$10,000 - $17,999

Anonymous, NY Randi Schatz Allerhand and Joseph S. Allerhand, NY Joseph Anmuth, CA Jonathan Art, NY Lolly and Harris Bak, NY Zelda and Solomon Berger, NY Daisy Berman, NY Anne Bernstein, CA Evelyn and Isaac Blachor, NY Beth and Reuben Blumenthal, NY Ethlynne and Stephen Brickman, MA Lotte and Ludwig Bravman, NY Marion Crespi, NY Jone and Allen Dalezman, MA

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TOMORROW’S EDUCATION . . . TODAY The AMIT TopTech Initiative aims to create a dynamic educational environment using innovative learning models and the most advanced educational technology.

AMIT TopTech pilot programs are in progress at schools in Givat Shmuel, Modi’in and Rehovot, Petach Tikva and Ra’anana.

HOW YOU CAN HELP In recognition of AMIT’s standing at the vanguard of contemporary education and pioneering teaching methods, the Ministry of Education of the State of Israel has committed an initial matching gift of 2 million NIS per year for five years to implement The AMIT TopTech Initiative. We invite you to partner with AMIT and the State of Israel in this exciting venture. Please consider the following gift opportunities.

DEDICATION & SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES School in Givat Shmuel $3,000,000 Implement TopTech in One School $600,000 Teacher Enrichment Program $500,000 Implement TopTech in One Grade $150,000

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Tablets for One Class $25,000

Scholarships for One Class Tablets for One School $25,000 $100,000 Upkeep and Smart Classroom Maintenance of $50,000 Technology for One School Teacher Training for $10,000 - $18,000 One School $50,000 SCAN WITH

Mobile Computer Lab $50,000

BARCODE SCANNER

Specialty Track in Gemarah, Science, Math, History or Physics $150,000

Research and Development for TopTech $100,000

TO DONATE NOW

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