| CAUTION: The following links and accompanying text have been culled from the web to illuminate the situation inIsrael. Some of these links may lead to websites that present allegations that are unsubstantiated or even false. No attempt has been made to validate their authenticity or to verify their content.
*** FEATURED ARTICLE ***
Domestic violence on the rise
Miri Hasson, Yedioth Internet-ynetnews.com, November 3, 2005
LETTERS OF APPRECIATION BS’D
Dear reb Eliezer Goldsmith “the midnight rabbi” Shlita,
I don’t know if you heard about an article in a widely read Jewish newspaper in America. The article basically was trying to discredit neveh and other similar programs catering to kids coming to have a year in Israel. The author obviously was bent against neveh and had to mention Neveh as the place where a boy ODed a few years back. Luckily she wasn’t totally ludicrous and actually quoted the Mash, Rav Blumenfeld, on some very crucial issues. He definitely saved face for the yeshiva. I wanted to let you know he mentioned you as being a vital player in the Yeshiva doing all that is possible to provide a safe and constructive environment for these kids at risk. I think you were the biggest part of saving face for the yeshiva. SEE BELOW
“Rabbi Yisrael Blumenfeld, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Neveh Tzion in Telz Stone, outside Jerusalem, says that the troubled boys who come to his yeshiva sometimes do go to Crack Square, but usually under supervision.
“The dorm counselors usually hang out with them in town, so we usually know what’s going on.”
Rabbi Blumenfeld’s yeshiva specializes in boys with known problems.
“We’re a yeshiva that takes boys that need motivation. Many were already off the derech. They need direction, incentives, inspiritation. Every student has a close relationship with a rebbe. We have a ‘midnight’ rebbe who stays with the boys allnight. . We’re constantly trying to get them to learn in the morning.”
“The boys that we’re working with, we feel they need the freedom to work things out, to take responsibility for their actions. We try not to impose things on them. We want them to motivate themselves.”
Usually, the rabbi says, the boys “were doing much worse in America than they’re doing here. Their parents know it doesn’t work to lock them up.”
Hashem should give you the strength to continue your Avoda of saving these Neshamos. I hope the Yeshiva will be able to keep you aboard. I know how much Rav Tzvi Meyer holds of what you do, he even spent TWENTY FIVE minutes on the phone with me to better understand the yeshiva and your role in it. For a normal person that would be like spending a month on the phone.
Hatloch UBracha
Bkavod Rav Ubahava rabah
D…… Sl…..
Shalom,
I’m so happy you got a chance to meet Avi ( Y….. brother). They still need a little help getting along, but they are getting there. Maybe you can speak to him and explain to him that his brother really loves him, but the way he is now- I’m also glad you had a good Chanukah with your family. I wanted to write sooner but I didn’t want disturb your festivities of Chanukah. I don’t know if you know this, but Yosi mentioned that he introduced Joy to smoking cigarettes. This is not good for any one. Yosi needs to be guided off of smoking- this is one the major areas we had difficulties with- we hate it, his brother fights with him bitterly on this and Yosi has bad Asthma. Is there anything that can be done to get him “unhooked?” Also if we can work on his overall appearance and stress the importance of first impressions. How people view others at first just on their appearance. He needs to look sharp, clean, and well kept. He needs his hair cut and styled, – and not wear a hat all the time- (if he does). Also explain to him that not everyone has to know that he doesn’t always eat kosher ( he mentioned that to my cousins- ) he should understand that they will only remember that part of the visit- ( they are not observant). I do hear that there are some changes- positive ones and I am grateful for those changes- but as you know there is still more work to be done. Yosi also has to realize that he is an adult and will be held accountable for his actions- unlike when he was younger.
Thank you again,
Hatzlacha Rabba
Hi, sorry to bother you but you are the only one I trust. Please help me with Avi he is very upset about the whole situation- not to mention his best friend is leaving tomorrow because of everything that is going on. I did speak to Rabbi B………. but I think you understand how to talk to these kids. If you can’t talk to Avi maybe you have a a friend in the school or near by that Avi can be mentored by. Hope all is well with your family – thanks again
Hello Rabbi, how are you?
How is the family?
You have no idea how much I miss you and all the other rebbeim. I can’t wait to see all of you again in the holy land! im tentatively planning on coming back this summer, and maybe for the 1st semester of next year. I want you to know that the last friday nightthat I was in Israel that I spent with you stands out in my mind as one of the most spiritual and holy Layl Shabbosim that I can remember ever having. I can’t wait to get back to Israel so we can do it again. Anyway, how do you like Neve?
Keep in Touch,
Yosi is still in the air. When he arrives I will have him email you. Yes you are correct about a lot of things about Yosi. I made the return ticket when I did because I wasn’t sure of when he should go back. At this point , I can’t change the date, but with Hashem’s help this will be a good thing. We have to remember that Hashem does everything beautifully and all is for the good . Yosi knows that we are not very excited about him coming home because we too have changed just like Yosi and we have to learn the how to get along with the “new” Yosi. Baruch Hashem Yosi has us and you and of course Hashem on his his side – a real winning team. And yes when Yosi loves someone like you he gives his whole heart!!!! I’ll keep you posted. Just keep Yosi in your prayers.
.i also want to thank the midnight rabbi cus he really brought most of the spirituality in my life i used to stay up last year talking to him for hours and he really affected my neshama and brought me a lot of ruchnius i was blown away when ever i spoke to him and he always encoureged me to do more.i disagrea with him on some things now but i consider him a tsadik who changed my life and would do any thing for another person.this year i moved on to other rabbis and i still learn with him every day But Boruch Hashem i have a packed learning schedule in ner yaakov and it is an amazing school and i’m growing so much i can’t even explain.
Dear Rabbi Eli
You are all welcome. It was an honor and our pleasure to share with your family. You and your family have made Y…. so happy that we hope we have done the same for yours. The only thing we ask of Mrs. Goldsmith is that she keeps our family in her prayers when she lights the shabbos candles. I know we pray for yours to be safe, see yiddish nachas from the children, and that the Midnight Rabbi continues to do his wonderful work kessed with all of you by his side.
Keep in touch
Have a good Shabbos
Regards, from the entire Z……. family especially “Mum”
Hello Rabbi Eli,
Sorry I did not respond sooner, but my computer is not working well and not having Jonathan here to fix it complicates a little bit.
I am very thankful for your e-mail, you have no idea how good is for us to hear such beautiful words about our son.
Jonathan always being a good kid, but like you sad the street culture of America was swallowing him, no matter how careful we parents are about who your kids are friends with, there is always a chance that they will fallow the wrong direction and you may find yourself lost.
I believe the best thing we did was to let him to go to Israel, believe me was not an easy decision financially and emotionally.
But we had faith that Hashem would show him the right path to fallow, and Baruch Hashem he is finding himself and G-d, I can not ask for more then that.
Also I want to thank you very, very much for helping him, he always talk about you and he like you very much, the connection you and him have is not only special, but also is very important and is helping him a lot to see that when you have G-d with you, you have everything.
I agree with you also about Jessica, she is one of the best things that happen to my son, she is a wonderful person and I believe that they complete each other.
Many times I found myself worry about what is Jonathan doing, if he is going to classes, if he is really taken advantage of this opportunity that he has being giving and you answer a lot off this question with your e-mail.
Again we want to thank you very much for everything, and hope we will continue to be in touch.
Eli
See a very positive comment about you below from Michael Isaacs.
Well done.
Mark
Yes.
I know your nephew very well – he is a very special person and many of
the boys ( including Benjamin) have a very good relationship with him.
Unfortunately drugs and drinking are a major problem for many boys on
their ‘year off’ and I know that 14 boys from a very well known Yeshivah
have recently been arrested for drugs in another police undercover
operation .
It’s very difficult !!
Thanks for your support in the past – I know that your nephew has a very
large family and needs as much support as he can get. He is doing a
really good job with these boys.
Michael
This is an article about Neve Zion. Is this the yeshivah we are
trustees of?
My nephew is the “midnight rebbe” referred to in the article.
http://www.thejewishweek.com/viewArticle/c40_a17661/News/Israel.html
Best wishes.
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3163867,00.html
[accessed 2 June 2011]
Ilanit Barbi, the director of the newly-founded Adi Center for Girls, explained that “there are currently no appropriate frameworks for girls in the community, which can provide both an alternative for school and for home. As a result of this, more and more girls end up wandering the streets, and their situation consequently worsens.”
*** ARCHIVES ***
Runaways – Where To Turn For Help Before You Are Homeless
Rebeccas Community — This is for anyone aged up to 13 years old who is thinking about running away
www.homeless.org.au/runaways.htm
[accessed 1 June 2011]
Here are the best phone numbers to call …They are Confidential – which means they won’t tell anyone about your call unless you want them to talk to somebody for you, or you are in danger. They are open 24 Hours – it doesn’t matter what time you call. In Israel, call 1-800-654-111
Human Rights Reports » 2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
U.S. Dept of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, March 8, 2006
www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005/61690.htm
[accessed 14 February 2011]
SECTION 6 WORKER RIGHTS – [d] The minimum employment age is 15, and there are special conditions for employment between 15 and 18. The law prohibits minors from working at night, hard labor, and travel beyond their domicile. However, many underage children worked in family farms and shops, as street vendors, or in small manufacturing enterprises.
Domestic violence on the rise
Miri Hasson, Yedioth Internet-ynetnews.com, November 3, 2005
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3163867,00.html
[accessed 2 June 2011]
Ilanit Barbi, the director of the newly-founded Adi Center for Girls, explained that “there are currently no appropriate frameworks for girls in the community, which can provide both an alternative for school and for home. As a result of this, more and more girls end up wandering the streets, and their situation consequently worsens.”
ELEM – Youth In Distress in Israel
Elem
www.elem.org/programs/outreach-vans.php
[accessed 2 June 2011]
OUR PROGRAMS -OUTREACH VANS – The “Children of the Night” vans operate in city back streets where runaway youth congregate. The vans sweep through public parks, beaches, and entertainment centers, abandoned areas and prostitution haunts where poverty-stricken children loiter. Van personnel, professional and volunteers, offer immediate help to homeless and drifting youngsters.
Live & Learn – Rehabilitating Israeli Youth
www.learnandlive.org.il/
[accessed 9 May 2012]
40% of Israeli youth live below the poverty line
More than 70,000 Israeli youth are regular drug users.
Israel has seen a 20% increase in drug-related crimes involving minors, as well as an increase in violent incidents in schools.
More than 25% of homeless youth in Israel are female, with many drawn into the sex industry as a means of survival.
Boyz in the ‘hood
Tali Heruti-Sover, Haaretz, 28.05.2009
www.haaretz.com/news/boyz-in-the-hood-1.276860
[accessed 2 June 2011]
And manage they did. ‘The daily need to survive made you develop sharp instincts,’ recalls MosheKahlon. ‘From a very young age we were forced to cope with difficulties that most people never encounter.’ Making a living was the biggest hurdle. Each day, from the time he was 14, he headed to the sea at 3 A.M., to fish or mend nets. At 7:15, he says, he would board the transportation to school. The local garbage dump was another source of income. Itzik Haddad, whose family moved in when he was 5 years old, and has lived on Hasharon Street ever since, recalls how children used to spend hours scavenging at the dump for lead or copper, which they would then sell to merchants who came by. No one asked whether that was permissible. The parents did not object. ’We were street children,’ recalls Rony Hizkiyahu. ?No one had the time or ability to invest what we, later, invested in our own children. They wanted us to grow up, to go to school and to the synagogue. As far as the parents were concerned, that was enough.’
‘The children who were in the street were not good pupils,’ Hizkiyahu says, ‘and there were no great expectations. The parents were too busy. As the teacher?s children, we had to excel, so as not to shame the family name, but it wasn’t that difficult, because the studies were, anyway, at a very low level. When we reached high school in Hadera, we had to close huge gaps.’
Since the homes had little to offer, the relations between the neighborhood children were strong and cohesive, and the open houses and family connections strengthened them: ‘There was no money, but there was friendship,’ Haddad recalls nostalgically. ‘We were all one family.’ ’No one locked anything. Everybody knew everybody else,’ recalls neighbor Haim Guetta, who recently returned after years of living in Netanya, where he felt lonely. ‘I owned one book, ?Around the World in 80 Days,? but I used to go to Haddad?s father, who had a big library. If I was hungry, I could always go to one of the neighbors, who would set a table as if I were one of her own children. There wasn’t much, but there was a zest for life.’ Moshe Kahlon does not tend to wax nostalgic. ‘From an early age, every child sensed his parents’ pain,’ he says. ‘It was impossible not to do so. They were new immigrants, they lacked the language, they were not familiar with the establishment and they heavily depended on us. It was our luck that in the 1960s the state invested in the young generation. They build centers and clubs for extra-curricular activities, and did all they could, so that we wouldn’t roam the streets.’
All material used herein reproduced under the fair use exception of 17 USC § 107 for noncommercial, nonprofit, and educational use. PLEASE RESPECT COPYRIGHTS OF COMPONENT ARTICLES. Cite this webpage as: Patt, Prof. Martin, “Street Children – Israel”, http://gvnet.com/streetchildren/Israel.htm, |
Midnightrabbi Inspires
Getting ready for the New year 5773 with kindness and wake up:)
Inspiration from September 2012<- keep thanking the one who deserves praise as we all fight/struggle on 🙂 and be kind 🙂
Feed a family on Rosh Hashana
This campaign is being run in celebration of The High Holidays.
Campaign Owner: Erez Cohen
Help us supply 50 families with food for Rosh Hashana
Every year, during the High Holidays, the Jaffa Institute supplies 1,400 families and Holocaust survivors in the greater Tel Aviv area with food parcels from its Food Distribution Center. Food packages include dry goods, fruit and vegetables to enable families to cook together and celebrate the Jewish new year with dignity.
With the rise of unemployment in the Tel Aviv area, comes an increased risk of poverty. We need your help to reach out to an additional 50 families to give them a positive and empowering holiday experience through these difficult financial times.
An average food parcel costs $50. We suggest a donation of $25 but any help that you can provide will be greatly appreciated. You can even increase your impact by inviting friends and family to match your gift.
Thank you for all your support and shana tova!
chassidusunplugged.blogspot.com
From the Ukraine 🙂
From England
Midnightrabbi on a mission to inspire Youth-At-Risk in Israel @world 🙂 <- click here for original post 🙂 thanks!
Education with inspiration
Below and <:)<-click here , is a 1st draft of the Mission statement for our new project together thanks.
Please can we begin the process of making this a working project thanks .
What’s the next step ?
Bs’d A brief account / Mission statement from Eli Goldsmith aka The Midnight Rabbi!
Is currently working as a Consultant at a very famous successful charity, the Midnight Rabbi needs your support to renew his crucial commitment to the children of today, our future tomorrow!
The Midnight Rabbi wants the children of today to know that we are here for them. Many young people are not coping with the pace of today’s society, causing drug and alcohol dependancy and petty crime.
Midnight Rabbi is ready to be on the streets at all hours providing council and friendship.
Midnight Rabbi wants to train midnight students (with scholarship funding) to follow in his footsteps so we can have more people on call to do this important work together.
Midnight Rabbi provides an address to re-address all the burdens’ that nobody has got time for, send these needy teenagers to an <what does that mean>
Midnight Rabbi will provide a free agency for troubled young people, with the placement requiring a small payment from the professional centre. <what does that mean>
The Midnight Rabbi is in touch with today’s music and social media!
We are ready to provide a platform to provide live performances, keeping the price low for large attendances and quality performance.
The Midnight Rabbi has a large social network following, from The Midnight Rabbi inspirational blog, Facebook, Youtube channels and videos.
The Midnight Rabbi, Inspires.
Help the young people lead successful lives and to be a role model of healthy family ideals, providing education, healthy living and religious inspiration.
Send your email to: umuse613@gmail.com
Youth-At-Risk in Israel
The intensity of living under the constant threat of terror attacks presents a challenge for all Israelis, but no group is more vulnerable to trauma than the nation’s youth-at-risk. Living in communities without resources, coming from families struggling to break the cycle of poverty, these children fall into patterns of underachievement and despair.
Who are Israel’s youth-at-risk? Of the 2.3 million children and youth growing up in Israel, an estimated 350,000 are considered to be “at risk,” with most coming from poor, immigrant families.
Emotional and Physical Abuse
In Israel’s at-risk community, as in vulnerable populations all over the world, one risk factor often leads to another – for example, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse can lead to lifelong battles with self-esteem, which make it more difficult to thrive scholastically and socially.
Drug and Alcohol Addiction
With little appropriate supervision at home and no constructive community activities in which to participate, these children look to peer groups for nurturing. This often leads to drug and alcohol abuse.
High-school Dropouts
While investing in educational excellence is one way out of poverty and abuse, many youth-at-risk are unable to thrive in traditional educational institutions.
Teen homelessness
Youth-at-risk who do not get assistance in dealing with the extreme stress they encounter daily often find themselves in untenable home situations, which often leads to homelessness.
Poverty
As the recession progresses, the number of youths-at-risk appears to be growing. The most dramatic rise has occurred in Israel’s periphery: the Negev and Galilee.
How We’re Helping
Dealing effectively with the situation requires a multi-faceted approach: therapy and emotional support, remedial assistance, and incentives to combat communal and family poverty. The following are just a few of the many innovative programs:
Prevalence, Abuse & Exploitation of Street Children
In the early years of the 21st Century – 2000 to 2010 gvnet.com/streetchildren/Israel.htm
*** FEATURED ARTICLE ***
Domestic violence on the rise
Miri Hasson, Yedioth Internet-ynetnews.com, November 3, 2005
LETTERS OF APPRECIATION BS’D
Dear reb Eliezer Goldsmith “the midnight rabbi” Shlita,
I don’t know if you heard about an article in a widely read Jewish newspaper in America. The article basically was trying to discredit neveh and other similar programs catering to kids coming to have a year in Israel. The author obviously was bent against neveh and had to mention Neveh as the place where a boy ODed a few years back. Luckily she wasn’t totally ludicrous and actually quoted the Mash, Rav Blumenfeld, on some very crucial issues. He definitely saved face for the yeshiva. I wanted to let you know he mentioned you as being a vital player in the Yeshiva doing all that is possible to provide a safe and constructive environment for these kids at risk. I think you were the biggest part of saving face for the yeshiva. SEE BELOW
“Rabbi Yisrael Blumenfeld, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Neveh Tzion in Telz Stone, outside Jerusalem, says that the troubled boys who come to his yeshiva sometimes do go to Crack Square, but usually under supervision.
“The dorm counselors usually hang out with them in town, so we usually know what’s going on.”
Rabbi Blumenfeld’s yeshiva specializes in boys with known problems.
“We’re a yeshiva that takes boys that need motivation. Many were already off the derech. They need direction, incentives, inspiritation. Every student has a close relationship with a rebbe. We have a ‘midnight’ rebbe who stays with the boys allnight. . We’re constantly trying to get them to learn in the morning.”
“The boys that we’re working with, we feel they need the freedom to work things out, to take responsibility for their actions. We try not to impose things on them. We want them to motivate themselves.”
Usually, the rabbi says, the boys “were doing much worse in America than they’re doing here. Their parents know it doesn’t work to lock them up.”
Hashem should give you the strength to continue your Avoda of saving these Neshamos. I hope the Yeshiva will be able to keep you aboard. I know how much Rav Tzvi Meyer holds of what you do, he even spent TWENTY FIVE minutes on the phone with me to better understand the yeshiva and your role in it. For a normal person that would be like spending a month on the phone.
Hatloch UBracha
Bkavod Rav Ubahava rabah
D…… Sl…..
Shalom,
I’m so happy you got a chance to meet Avi ( Y….. brother). They still need a little help getting along, but they are getting there. Maybe you can speak to him and explain to him that his brother really loves him, but the way he is now- I’m also glad you had a good Chanukah with your family. I wanted to write sooner but I didn’t want disturb your festivities of Chanukah. I don’t know if you know this, but Yosi mentioned that he introduced Joy to smoking cigarettes. This is not good for any one. Yosi needs to be guided off of smoking- this is one the major areas we had difficulties with- we hate it, his brother fights with him bitterly on this and Yosi has bad Asthma. Is there anything that can be done to get him “unhooked?” Also if we can work on his overall appearance and stress the importance of first impressions. How people view others at first just on their appearance. He needs to look sharp, clean, and well kept. He needs his hair cut and styled, – and not wear a hat all the time- (if he does). Also explain to him that not everyone has to know that he doesn’t always eat kosher ( he mentioned that to my cousins- ) he should understand that they will only remember that part of the visit- ( they are not observant). I do hear that there are some changes- positive ones and I am grateful for those changes- but as you know there is still more work to be done. Yosi also has to realize that he is an adult and will be held accountable for his actions- unlike when he was younger.
Thank you again,
Hatzlacha Rabba
Hi, sorry to bother you but you are the only one I trust. Please help me with Avi he is very upset about the whole situation- not to mention his best friend is leaving tomorrow because of everything that is going on. I did speak to Rabbi B………. but I think you understand how to talk to these kids. If you can’t talk to Avi maybe you have a a friend in the school or near by that Avi can be mentored by. Hope all is well with your family – thanks again
Hello Rabbi, how are you?
How is the family?
You have no idea how much I miss you and all the other rebbeim. I can’t wait to see all of you again in the holy land! im tentatively planning on coming back this summer, and maybe for the 1st semester of next year. I want you to know that the last friday nightthat I was in Israel that I spent with you stands out in my mind as one of the most spiritual and holy Layl Shabbosim that I can remember ever having. I can’t wait to get back to Israel so we can do it again. Anyway, how do you like Neve?
Keep in Touch,
Yosi is still in the air. When he arrives I will have him email you. Yes you are correct about a lot of things about Yosi. I made the return ticket when I did because I wasn’t sure of when he should go back. At this point , I can’t change the date, but with Hashem’s help this will be a good thing. We have to remember that Hashem does everything beautifully and all is for the good . Yosi knows that we are not very excited about him coming home because we too have changed just like Yosi and we have to learn the how to get along with the “new” Yosi. Baruch Hashem Yosi has us and you and of course Hashem on his his side – a real winning team. And yes when Yosi loves someone like you he gives his whole heart!!!! I’ll keep you posted. Just keep Yosi in your prayers.
.i also want to thank the midnight rabbi cus he really brought most of the spirituality in my life i used to stay up last year talking to him for hours and he really affected my neshama and brought me a lot of ruchnius i was blown away when ever i spoke to him and he always encoureged me to do more.i disagrea with him on some things now but i consider him a tsadik who changed my life and would do any thing for another person.this year i moved on to other rabbis and i still learn with him every day But Boruch Hashem i have a packed learning schedule in ner yaakov and it is an amazing school and i’m growing so much i can’t even explain.
Dear Rabbi Eli
You are all welcome. It was an honor and our pleasure to share with your family. You and your family have made Y…. so happy that we hope we have done the same for yours. The only thing we ask of Mrs. Goldsmith is that she keeps our family in her prayers when she lights the shabbos candles. I know we pray for yours to be safe, see yiddish nachas from the children, and that the Midnight Rabbi continues to do his wonderful work kessed with all of you by his side.
Keep in touch
Have a good Shabbos
Regards, from the entire Z……. family especially “Mum”
Sorry I did not respond sooner, but my computer is not working well and not having Jonathan here to fix it complicates a little bit.
I am very thankful for your e-mail, you have no idea how good is for us to hear such beautiful words about our son.
Jonathan always being a good kid, but like you sad the street culture of America was swallowing him, no matter how careful we parents are about who your kids are friends with, there is always a chance that they will fallow the wrong direction and you may find yourself lost.
But we had faith that Hashem would show him the right path to fallow, and Baruch Hashem he is finding himself and G-d, I can not ask for more then that.
Also I want to thank you very, very much for helping him, he always talk about you and he like you very much, the connection you and him have is not only special, but also is very important and is helping him a lot to see that when you have G-d with you, you have everything.
Many times I found myself worry about what is Jonathan doing, if he is going to classes, if he is really taken advantage of this opportunity that he has being giving and you answer a lot off this question with your e-mail.
Again we want to thank you very much for everything, and hope we will continue to be in touch.
Eli
See a very positive comment about you below from Michael Isaacs.
Well done.
Mark
Yes.
I know your nephew very well – he is a very special person and many of
the boys ( including Benjamin) have a very good relationship with him.
Unfortunately drugs and drinking are a major problem for many boys on
their ‘year off’ and I know that 14 boys from a very well known Yeshivah
have recently been arrested for drugs in another police undercover
operation .
It’s very difficult !!
Thanks for your support in the past – I know that your nephew has a very
large family and needs as much support as he can get. He is doing a
really good job with these boys.
Michael
This is an article about Neve Zion. Is this the yeshivah we are
trustees of?
My nephew is the “midnight rebbe” referred to in the article.
http://www.thejewishweek.com/viewArticle/c40_a17661/News/Israel.html
Best wishes.
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3163867,00.html
[accessed 2 June 2011]
Ilanit Barbi, the director of the newly-founded Adi Center for Girls, explained that “there are currently no appropriate frameworks for girls in the community, which can provide both an alternative for school and for home. As a result of this, more and more girls end up wandering the streets, and their situation consequently worsens.”
*** ARCHIVES ***
Runaways – Where To Turn For Help Before You Are Homeless
Rebeccas Community — This is for anyone aged up to 13 years old who is thinking about running away
www.homeless.org.au/runaways.htm
[accessed 1 June 2011]
Here are the best phone numbers to call …They are Confidential – which means they won’t tell anyone about your call unless you want them to talk to somebody for you, or you are in danger. They are open 24 Hours – it doesn’t matter what time you call. In Israel, call 1-800-654-111
Human Rights Reports » 2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
U.S. Dept of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, March 8, 2006
www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005/61690.htm
[accessed 14 February 2011]
SECTION 6 WORKER RIGHTS – [d] The minimum employment age is 15, and there are special conditions for employment between 15 and 18. The law prohibits minors from working at night, hard labor, and travel beyond their domicile. However, many underage children worked in family farms and shops, as street vendors, or in small manufacturing enterprises.
Domestic violence on the rise
Miri Hasson, Yedioth Internet-ynetnews.com, November 3, 2005
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3163867,00.html
[accessed 2 June 2011]
Ilanit Barbi, the director of the newly-founded Adi Center for Girls, explained that “there are currently no appropriate frameworks for girls in the community, which can provide both an alternative for school and for home. As a result of this, more and more girls end up wandering the streets, and their situation consequently worsens.”
ELEM – Youth In Distress in Israel
Elem
www.elem.org/programs/outreach-vans.php
[accessed 2 June 2011]
OUR PROGRAMS -OUTREACH VANS – The “Children of the Night” vans operate in city back streets where runaway youth congregate. The vans sweep through public parks, beaches, and entertainment centers, abandoned areas and prostitution haunts where poverty-stricken children loiter. Van personnel, professional and volunteers, offer immediate help to homeless and drifting youngsters.
Live & Learn – Rehabilitating Israeli Youth
www.learnandlive.org.il/
[accessed 9 May 2012]
40% of Israeli youth live below the poverty line
More than 70,000 Israeli youth are regular drug users.
Israel has seen a 20% increase in drug-related crimes involving minors, as well as an increase in violent incidents in schools.
More than 25% of homeless youth in Israel are female, with many drawn into the sex industry as a means of survival.
Boyz in the ‘hood
Tali Heruti-Sover, Haaretz, 28.05.2009
www.haaretz.com/news/boyz-in-the-hood-1.276860
[accessed 2 June 2011]
And manage they did. ‘The daily need to survive made you develop sharp instincts,’ recalls MosheKahlon. ‘From a very young age we were forced to cope with difficulties that most people never encounter.’ Making a living was the biggest hurdle. Each day, from the time he was 14, he headed to the sea at 3 A.M., to fish or mend nets. At 7:15, he says, he would board the transportation to school. The local garbage dump was another source of income. Itzik Haddad, whose family moved in when he was 5 years old, and has lived on Hasharon Street ever since, recalls how children used to spend hours scavenging at the dump for lead or copper, which they would then sell to merchants who came by. No one asked whether that was permissible. The parents did not object. ’We were street children,’ recalls Rony Hizkiyahu. ?No one had the time or ability to invest what we, later, invested in our own children. They wanted us to grow up, to go to school and to the synagogue. As far as the parents were concerned, that was enough.’
‘The children who were in the street were not good pupils,’ Hizkiyahu says, ‘and there were no great expectations. The parents were too busy. As the teacher?s children, we had to excel, so as not to shame the family name, but it wasn’t that difficult, because the studies were, anyway, at a very low level. When we reached high school in Hadera, we had to close huge gaps.’
Since the homes had little to offer, the relations between the neighborhood children were strong and cohesive, and the open houses and family connections strengthened them: ‘There was no money, but there was friendship,’ Haddad recalls nostalgically. ‘We were all one family.’ ’No one locked anything. Everybody knew everybody else,’ recalls neighbor Haim Guetta, who recently returned after years of living in Netanya, where he felt lonely. ‘I owned one book, ?Around the World in 80 Days,? but I used to go to Haddad?s father, who had a big library. If I was hungry, I could always go to one of the neighbors, who would set a table as if I were one of her own children. There wasn’t much, but there was a zest for life.’ Moshe Kahlon does not tend to wax nostalgic. ‘From an early age, every child sensed his parents’ pain,’ he says. ‘It was impossible not to do so. They were new immigrants, they lacked the language, they were not familiar with the establishment and they heavily depended on us. It was our luck that in the 1960s the state invested in the young generation. They build centers and clubs for extra-curricular activities, and did all they could, so that we wouldn’t roam the streets.’
All material used herein reproduced under the fair use exception of 17 USC § 107 for noncommercial, nonprofit, and educational use. PLEASE RESPECT COPYRIGHTS OF COMPONENT ARTICLES. Cite this webpage as: Patt, Prof. Martin, “Street Children – Israel”, http://gvnet.com/streetchildren/Israel.htm,
Another example of a program i would like to create Midnightrabbi style
(please be careful with viewing)
outreach vans
Mobile units travel the streets late at night in 13 cities nationwide: Kiryat Shemona, Acco, Haifa, Netanya, Holon, Tel Aviv, Ramla, Rehovot, Jerusalem, Sderot, Bat Yam, Kiryat Gat and Beersheva. Last year they made over 30,000 contacts.
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