It’s a wrap integrating people with diverse cultural backgrounds and varying degrees of education and occupational training. Few immigrants are initially prepared to step into the high-tech industries of modern Israel and have little hope of completing matriculation exams necessary for entry to college or university without outside support and guidance. With its restless youth often seeking larger cities after their service in the Israeli Army, keeping talent within its own city is a constant challenge, say the visitors from Kiryat Yam. Today, 20 percent of the town is comprised of senior citizens, including 2,000 Holocaust survivors. Thirty percent require social service support, taxing a city budget squeezed by the need to supplement merger pensions. American Jewish partnerships Seeing obstacles as opportunities, World ORT, another UJFT overseas partner, and JDC identified Kiryat Yam as a city at risk. The organizations initiated ambitious plans for partnerships, actively working with the UJFT, government agencies, local officials and generous donors to bring resources, education and relief to the city. In only a few short years, 2010 saw the opening of the Lipson Ethiopian Heritage Center, part of the Alex and Betty Schoenbaum Science, Educational, Cultural and Sports Campus, aimed at preserving and protecting the rich cultural heritage of the Ethiopian Jews. The larger Schoenbaum campus, also part of the ORT initiative in Kiryat Yam, boasts a science lab, a planetarium, an aquarium, library and an athletics stadium. Kiryat Yam’s Youth Orchestra adds yet another cultural dimension to the changing city landscape. Kiryat Yam Center for Young Adults (CYA) Young, passionate and dedicated people such as the five visitors from Kiryat Yam
Asher Itah, Eric Miller, Gal Yanoshevitz and Ethan Heben at Green Flash Brewing Co.
are impacting the mindset of hundreds of their peers and families through the many social services offered at the CYA. Skillful at adapting to the changing needs in Kiryat Yam, Meital Raz says, “Everything is built from the voice of our community.” David Namer adds, “If we see a problem, we just fix it.” Their center has been completely renovated thanks to Tidewater donors and UJFT, which has also funded an Early Childhood Center addressing the needs of the younger children. When asked about the most memorable part of his earlier visit to Kiryat Yam CYA, Eric Miller, a member of the Kiryat Yam Young Adult committee says, “ It’s the people, it is very cool to see how they (CYA) help the students with their resumes and help them find professions.” Miller will be part of the YAD mission to Kiryat Yam in December to get insights on what else can be done to improve the well-being and prosperity of the residents there. The missions to and from Kiryat Yam inspire dialogue, offer insights and new tools for its leadership, ensuring that the social and economic tides will soon be rising for Tidewater’s sister city in Israel.
Erica Kaplan, Rabbi Levi Brashevitzky and Rashi Brashevitzky, Monique Werby and Sharon Debb at YAD Chabad Havdallah.
Kiryat Yam delegation touring Beth Sholom Village: Gal Yanoshevitz, Leah Abrams, Laura Gadsby, Sima Buhbut, Meital Solomon Raz, David Namer, David Abraham and Asher Itah.
David Namer, Asher Itah, Scott Kaplan, Gal Yanoshevitz and Shawn Lemk.
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