Charities Supported By The Israel America Foundation, Inc
(More Detailed Descriptions Below)
1. STUDIES for MEDICAL RESEARCH on CONDITIONS OF THE AGING: Ben Gurion University & Soroka Hospital in the Negev.
2. Holocaust Museums: LoHamei HaGhetaot(The Ghetto Fighter’s Museum)& Yad Yaeled (The Museum of the Child) for Educational Projects on the Holocaust in Poland.
3. Teaching College: ORANIM.
4. Repatriation of the Jews of Argentina To Israel: The Chayim Finkelstein Association.
5. Securing the life of a historic HISTADRUT Kibbutz: KIBBUTZ GINOSSAR in Tiberius.
6. RAISING FUNDS to pay bills of ORTHODOX MALE ORPHANS living in Relatives’ Homes: DISKIN ORPHAN’S HOME, JERUSALEM .
7. Need and merit-based Student Scholarships: AMAL –(Top Technological High Schools & Colleges in ISRAEL).
8. MISHAN Retirement Communities and’ Children’s Villages’: The HISTADRUT
9. HELP FOR PSYCHOTIC & DRUG- ADDICTED TEENS ,YOUNG ADULTS & Developmentally, disabled children: Shalvat Chayim.
10.Programs & Seminars for Senior Citizen’s in the Tri-state Area, legal solutions & medical- help: The Israel America Foundation, inc.
More Information On The 9 Charities:
1. Ben GURION UNIVERSITY & Soroka Hospital
The Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging’ & Soroka Hospital (The largest Hospital in the Negev).Studies in the name of one’s family is established here. Ben Gurion University is the only Academic Center in Israel that contains one Campus where all the Faculties in which research, relevant to aging, is being carried out, including the Faculty of Health Sciences as well as a comprehensive Medical Center (Soroka” ) that has a department of geriatrics headed by Prof. Sara Carmel, Director, M.Ph., Ph.D.
The Center does research as per the following:
Health & Welfare Services: Models of Medical Services for the elderly are examined & Socio-demographic, and ethnic differences in geriatric rehabilitation in Day-Care Centers and Nursing Homes are explored. Survivors of the Holocaust make up a sizable amount of the Senior Citizens of Israel.
Physical & Cognitive Capabilities of Senior Citizens: Learning cognition and Memory, visual and special attention, hearing, etc.
Frailty & Disease: covering the medical conditions of the senior citizen, such as hypertension, osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis, etc.
Nutrition: Study of dietary habits of different ethnic and racial groups of elderly in the Negev Area, and the factors for nutritional deterioration in the elderly
Physiology and biology, etc: Topic covers the physiology of the aging brain, and the regulation of body temperature, etc.
Policies: such as the way – Pension Reform in Israel occurs, political parties made up primarily of elderly persons, policies and services for the aging, etc.
Sociology of health and psychology: Coping with loss, coping with hip-fracture, stroke and death, etc.
Research has to be funded. In the Department of The Aging of Ben Gurion University. Senior Citizens benefit by research in the aforementioned subjects. The senior citizen is becoming a growing Israeli political force; and these studies on aging are vital to the health of the Israeli people for years to come.Which of the above-mentioned projects, do you want to fund?
2. BEIT LOHAMAI HAGHETAOT: (Ghetto Fighter’s House) The Survivors of the Warsaw -Ghetto crawled through the sewers to link up with the Partisans and from there onward to ISRAEL. They established a Kibbutz and two Holocaust Museums. Contributions here are used for teaching soldiers & children about the Holocaust perpetrated against the Jews of Poland. Rami Hochman is the General Director.
3. The Histadrut: NETWORK OF ten OF THE BEST RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES of the Histadrut in Israel, and three ‘CHILDREN’S Villages (housing orphans, Children in need & Disabled children)
4. THE CHAIM FINKELSTEIN ASSOCIATION: is an Archive and Research Center for Jewish education in Israel and its implications for the future.
The organization has its origin in the Jewish Education system in Argentina and specifically in the Scholem Alehem school system established in 1934, a Center for Jewish life and education for over 75 years. The Scholem Alehem School today is the largest Jewish School in Argentina.Parents send their children to this school. {Youngsters decide to make Aliya following the development of their Jewish Consciousness through education in the schools and youth movement. All work is done by retired professionals in Israel and all are volunteers. Asher Porat, MD. Is the Founder & Director. They find a way to integrate professionals into Israeli Life, and the Professionals bring over their families. CFEHC helps with the absorption of all Diaspora Jews, Russian Jews in particular. CFEHC Volunteers know that extricating a people from a country where there is no violent anti-Semitism is more than allowing Jews open migration simply because they are Jewish. Older Jews do not come alone. They are too entrenched, to make a change. They are also too afraid, since they have more to lose. Young professionals are more mobile and come on Visitor Visas” to Israel. However, these young professionals have to be assured that they will get comparable positions in Israel or they will not leave the Country of their birth. It is hard even for younger people to give up the ‘known’ for the ‘unknown’. Jobs have to be found for these people, roughly commensurate with the position that they are leaving, and this is not easy in a competitive atmosphere like Israel to find a ready-made job! This is the mission that the C. F.E.H.C. has carved out for itself. If young professionals leave the country, their elders will follow; and the Jewish community can be saved. It takes time and patience but CFEHC needs increased funding to carry out the ‘nitty-gritty’ of getting a job-fit: 1) The new immigrants may have to learn Hebrew ; 2) Get additional money for traveling to find a job; 3) Job-Training; 4) Living -expenses etc. This takes funding. Most of the burden of funding falls on the volunteers, who privately pay these expenses with their out-of-pocket contributions. They get some funds from the Government. However, they need additional funds. This is a great Mitzvah; the saving of Jewish Souls
5. ORANIM: (Largest Teaching- College in Northern Israel) known for its outstanding academic training, granting bachelor and master degrees. It was Founded in 1951 by the Kibbutz -Movement. The College is fully accredited by the Israeli Council for Higher education and ranked the #1 Institution for studying Education in Israel. )
COURSES OFFERED INCLUDE:
1. Judaism and Jewish People-hood—Past, Present, Future
Students interested in understanding and affiliating with the tradition and religion of their ancestors, preserving importance and relevance of Israel- Diaspora synergy and mutuality.
2. Global Jewish Leadership
Students interested in becoming leaders in their communities. This course deals with Leadership, in theory and practice, promoting dialogue between students from diverse backgrounds.
3. Jewish Education for the Next Generation
Students in education, teaching in different educational settings. This course provides educational -tools, while acquainting students with issues and dilemmas in the field of Jewish education.
*SEEKS AMERICAN GRADUATE STUDENTS
*Cost of the Program Includes: Tuition, food, Social, educational activities, and field -study.
6. Diskin orphanage: In Israel IAF raises funds to help orphan boys who continue to live at home being cared for by relatives until they are grown and married. Diskin is in Jerusalem & its properties are rented out for celebrations and the funds distributed to pay the bills of the Orphans’ relatives.
7. MISHAN Center: Mishan: *Is the Hebrew Word for “Support” Mishan was founded in 1931 (75 years ago) by activists of the Histadrut to help 200 unemployed workers
Mishan Maintains Children’s Villages
Some of the children who come to Mishan were physically or emotionally neglected or abused, some were removed from their homes by Court Order. Some children have disabilities or behavior problems.
*Alumni Village-Kfar Saba, Israel-
(Last chance for Children at risk) was established in 1942 (64 years ago) . It is the home for 250 children and youth (aged 2-18 )with traumatic family backgrounds. Some children were abused, neglected or orphaned,. Others children have parents who are mentally- ill. Alumni also operate a ‘Day-Center’ which allow youths a chance to receive the necessary help while living at home at the same time attending regular school.
*Onim Village-Kfar Saba, Israel
Established in 1947, (59 years ago), It is now home for 200 children & youth for whom assimilation into society poses difficult challenges. Some have hearing loss, learning disabilities, adjustment problems & behavior problems, Some children are victims of abusive or neglectful homes. Onim helped absorb the wave of immigrants from Ethiopia in the 1980s.
*Apple House- Gan Yavne, Israel
Gan Yavne was established in 1954 (52 years ago) now home for 200 children and youth (age 2-18) who suffer from domestic violence and hostility. Through the years, thousands of Apple House graduates have served in the army and gone on to lead normal, stable lives as productive members of society.
For Israel’s seniors: Mishan Maintains
3,950 Israeli seniors are spending their senior years in Mishan’s network of 10 Residences for the elderly. The average life- expectancy in Israel has been increasing; it now stands at 80 years for women and 76 years for men. The rapidly growing senior population makes for geriatric problems, MISHAN contributes to the study of age-related diseases and lobbies vigorously for the rights of seniors
* Avot Hanegev Be’er Sheva
Most of the 384 residents of the above-mentioned Facilty are Holocaust survivors. Habayit Bagan was built more than 3 decades ago
* Mishan Holon (Herzfeld)
The first Nursing -Home of Mishan was built in 1948. It houses 610 Senior Citizens. The original residents were veterans of the Pre-State Jewish Defense organization. Since then, it has been home to thousands of independent seniors.
*Carmel Haifa
Established in 2956, Carmel is home to 304 retired residents from Haifa and Northern Israel, many of them are from the Country’s pioneering generation.
* Gonen- Jerusalem
Gonen was established after the Six Day War in 1967 and renovated in 1993. Most of the 104 independent residents are from the Jerusalem area.
8. Kibbutz Ginossar
Kibbutz Ginnosar is in Tiberius, Israel. Yigal Nagar, Moshe Awes and Alex Barak are contact persons. Tiberius is the oldest settlement of Jews in Israel. The Romans vacationed in Tiberius in summer. Kibbutz Ginnosar is located parallel to Lake Kinneret. The scenery is breathtaking. Walking to the land that the Kibbutz owns, you have a view of the beautiful, Lake Kinneret. They have the best view, but they are short of funds. Most of the Kibbutzim today are in financial difficulties. Kibbutz Ginnosar owns and manages the largest Hotel of the Kibbutz Movement, “Hotel Nof Ginnosar”. Tiberius is very close to Lebanon; and in the most recent war with Lebanon, the children of the Kibbutz were forced to stay in the bomb- shelters for the entire length of the Lebanon war. And the bomb-shelters are not “child friendly’. It was very difficult for children to remain there.
Kibbutz Ginossar needs contributions to make the shelters livable for children. Unfortunately, for weeks after the Lebanon war, Israelis avoided Tiberius as a tourist -spot. As you can well imagine, this hurt Kibbutz Ginnossar financially.
Hotel Nof Ginossar & Yigal Allon Museum: Tourists vacationing in Tiberius stay at Hotel Nof Ginossar. The Management of Hotel Nof Ginossar is the main industry of Kibbutz Ginossar. The Executives of the IAF, through contributions of the Late Hadassah Zweig, a past-member of the IAF Board, who established two synagogues at the Kibbutz Ginossar, some 15 years ago, one in the Kibbutz, and the other in the Hotel.
The Yigal Allon museum is on the premises of Kibbutz Ginossar. In addition to displaying the papers of Yigal Allon, a great patriot and Member of the Labor Party; the Museum houses the “Oldest Boat”. This boat is sometimes called the “Jesus Boat”. It was dredged up from Lake Kinneret after a storm. It dates from the time of Jesus some 2007 years ago.
Tree Planting The IAF has an arrangement with Kibbutz Ginossar in Tiberius regarding tree -planting. Friends of the IAF can plant trees in the’ Palmach- Grove ‘(where a battle for the Independence of the State of Israel was fought in 1948) for $50 and another $50 to inscribe:” in Honor of”, and” in memory of “the designated individual in Hebrew and in English on a Collective Plaque. The trees are tagged in the name of the individual, and should a tree die, another tree is planted in its stead. A few benches surround this area, contributed by the Late Bella Markowicz, a Survivor of the Holocaust, and a Friend of the IAF . She contributed the benches so that people can sit and reflect on the trees and life.
Omanit is the craft-shop in Ginossar where Senior Citizens get bussed in from surrounding Kibbutzim. Seniors work there making crafts which are sold to tourists who visit Hotel Nof Ginossar. When the crafts are sold, the profits are divided between the workers. The Craftspeople of the Kibbutz treasure the money they earn which allows them independence in their elder years.
There is a “Nursing-Home” in Kibbutz Ginossar where the elderly of the Kibbutz reside. The Kibbutz takes care of its own.
9. Shalvat Chayim: located in Jerusalem helps those suffering from mental illness, children, youth, teen-agers, those suffering from substance abuse,. Shalvat Chayim provides a home for those who come from everywhere in the world who never felt at home within themselves. Mental -disease is the most cruel robber of mankind. It hits the young as well as the old; the rich as well as poor. It strikes at all religions and all races. Shalvat Chayim is an Organization that manifests kindness as well as the latest Psychological and Psychiatric treatment.
Shalvat Chayim was founded by Rabbi Nissim Edery, an IDF Army Officer and professor at Bar Ilan University, who worked with soldiers injured both mentally and physically in the Yom -Kippur War. Soldiers, suffering from severe Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome were languishing in mental hospital. Rabbi Edery pioneered the concept of transferring soldiers from the hospital to residential environments. The program enjoyed great success as the soldiers healed in their warm therapeutic settings.
A beautiful Group -Home in Ramot, overlooking the Jerusalem- Hills, today takes in people from Israel and abroad. This Facility houses 15 men (18-40 years). These men suffer from a variety of mental disorders: schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), paranoia,clinical -depression, disabling- anxiety, and personality -disorders. Shalvat Chayim manages an additional number of Group Homes as well as Assisted-Living Apartments,and Foster- Homes throughout Israel.
An apartment was recently opened in Jerusalem to help teenage substance abusers and youth-at- risk, and return them to their normal lives. Staffs are composed of a team of Psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, a head-nurse, a chef and other professional counselors who assist the patients in their recovery. Each patient is treated with a personally tailored program, under the expert guidance of Tamar Shefer, Chief Resident Psychologist. Many of these man have been in and out of mental Hospitals.
In the largest of Shalvat Chaim’s Group- Homes, a majority of the patients are from overseas,. Individual sessions are conducted in English and Group -Sessions are conducted in Hebrew and English. Shalvat Chayim is the only program bringing people from New York and New Jersey to Israel. WHILE SOME AID IS AVAILABLE FOR ISRAELI CITIZENS, overseas -patients receive little or no government assistance. SHALVAT CHAYIM must raise funds to provide the desperately -needed care these men, women and teens are not able to get at any other place. Now, they and their families have a better chance for a more viable future. YOUR CONTRIBUTION WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!
10. Israel America Foundation: in the United States, raises funds to help the elderly remain independent by helping with Estate & Financial Planning.
*Contributions to any of the charities listed can be made by calling Israel America Foundation at (212) 869-9477 or from the link below
