2006 School Year in Israel

Bridges THE NACOEJ/EDWARD G. VICTOR HIGH SCHOOL SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM Stories to Warm the Heart Welcome to In addition to being a high school sponsor, Mel has also recently become a “Bridges” deeply appreciated volunteer in our New York office, working on the school supplies It is our pleasure to program! introduce you to “Bridges”, the brand-new newsletter From Our Israel Staff of the NACOEJ/Edward G. Edna Shavit and Leah Barkai, the Israel Victor High School side of our high school program team, shared a story that particularly touched Sponsorship Program. them. We are calling it “Bridges” Yitzhak and his sponsor Mel Garfinkel. “Sponsoring students has developed a because your support builds Meeting his Student, warm relationship between the George and the bridges that enable and Renewing Old Ties Judith Cohen family in Rhode Island and the our Ethiopian youngsters Rata family in Ashkelon. The Cohens sup- to walk away from poverty, In November 2005, sponsor Mel Garfinkel ported Mazal Rata through high school. crossing over to excellent traveled to Israel. He spent time with our Mazal has successfully graduated and is NACOEJ staff in Jerusalem and visited many academic high schools. doing her National Service (voluntary service of our educational programs. He sent this for one to two years). The Cohens are now This strong step leads to note upon his return: supporting Mazal’s two younger brothers, university, high level voca- “My stay in Israel was doubly blessed. Not Joseph is a senior in high school and David tional training, and careers only did I meet my high school student, is a freshman. All of the Rata kids call the of distinction and success. Yitzhak (with me in the photo), but got to Cohens “Uncle” and “Aunt”. The Cohens are renew old ties with Shai, my former student. presently planning a trip to Israel in October “Bridges” will bring you Shai is presently located in Safed where he for Sukkot. On the itinerary is a visit with news and stories about the studies at a prestigious school the Rata family. These ties of warm familial High School Sponsorship of nursing. I can’t wait for my next visit to relationship are among the many wonderful Program so you can see Israel in the fall.” outcomes of this very unique program. ” and feel the importance of your participation. It gives us a chance to express our WE’D LIKE YOU TO MEET EDWARD G.VICTOR gratitude and that of your Through the generous, ongoing commitment of Mr. Edward G. Victor of California, student/s. You are changing since 2005, this program is proud to be known as the NACOEJ/Edward G. Victor the future of the Ethiopian- High School Sponsorship Program. Israeli community, one Mr. Victor’s generosity covers much of the administrative costs of the program, young person at a time. enabling even more funding to go to the students’ needs. It is surely a gift for Thank you and welcome… the present and for the future as more and more Ethiopian-Israeli girls and boys receive the education they need to assure successful lives. Thanks, Mr. Victor, for your faith in our young people. Some Fascinating NUMBERS OUR STUDENTS CONTRIBUTE We thought you would be interested in knowing the final TO THEIR COMMUNITIES figures for the High School Program in the 2005/2006 school year in Israel. INTRODUCING: Here they are: Yitzhak 1212: Number of students receiving our sponsorships. Yitzhak Tengenia has just finished ninth 47: Number of schools in which students receive support. grade in an academic high school, Yeshivat Elyashiv. He dreams of becoming 12: Cities in Israel with sponsored students – Jerusalem, a doctor. Lod, Ramla, Tzfat, Rehovot, Ashkelon, Kiryat Malachi, Under ordinary circumstances, Yitzhak’s Tel-Aviv, Bat-Yam, Netanya, Yavne, Rishon LeZion. dream might never come true. His parents are unemployed and can’t afford the 700: Number of students still waiting for sponsors. essential costs of a local academic high Can you help bring in new sponsors for these students? school. Yitzhak was afraid he would have to go to a government–subsidized voca- tional boarding school where he could not prepare for higher education. A NACOEJ sponsor, Joan D. Kleinman, There you from Potomac, MD, came to Yitzhak’s Thank you for helping rescue, as she has done for other have it! Ethiopian–Israeli students. Her gift covers pay my school fees. Our first edition of “Bridges”! the costs of Yitzhak’s education in a sup- We hope you’ve enjoyed portive school where he can prepare to You really made it reading it as much as we’ve realize his dream, while living at home enjoyed creating it. Please with his family. easier for my family, pass along the enclosed high Yitzhak adds, “Because I am here, I can and I really appreciate school brochure, and perhaps volunteer after school and do lots of “Bridges” as well, to friends things.” He tutors younger children and what you did for me, who might be interested in works with the handicapped. Yitzhak also sponsorship. You are really hopes to volunteer to assist medics on a even though you don’t an ambassador for this Magen David wonderful program. Adom ambu- know me. Don’t forget the 700 boys and lance. girls still on our waiting list. Thanks to his I and my family want Your endorsement and sponsorship, encouragement will go a long Yitzhak can to thank you, dear way toward enabling them to work toward his get the education they need. dream, achieve sponsor!!! Thank you. for himself, his And, by the way, family and his a new director has been community, and appointed for our high school strengthen all Thank you. program – Lisa S. Kovitch. Israel in the Don’t hesitate to contact process. Yaffa Sahalu Lisa with any comments or questions – 212-233-5200, Ext. 232, Tuesday –Thursday. NORTH AMERICAN CONFERENCE ON ETHIOPIAN JEWRY NACOEJ/EDWARD G. VICTOR HIGH SCHOOL SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM 132 Nassau St. • NY, NY 10038 • 212-233-5200 Ext 232 • Fax: 212-233-5243 E-mail: [email protected] • Web: www.nacoej.org.

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