amit 2012 fall magazine

f a l l 2 0 1 2 : : s t a v 5 7 7 3 : : V o l . L X X X I V N o . 4 I N T H I S I S S U E :

A M I T A R R I V E S I N A S H D O D

E A R LY Z I O N I ST E D U C AT I O N

E S H E T C H AY I L

D E V E LO PM E N T N E W S

AMITTOPTECH

INITIATIVEBecause a child’s

education should notbe set in stone.

B U I L D I N G I S R A E L . O N E C H I L D A T A T I M E .

High-tech teaching tablet 2012 C.E. and a Hebrew alphabet tablet with ten letters, found near Hebron,

Israel. 10th-6th century B.C.E

ShanahTovah!

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2012 ANNUAL LEADERSHIP

Dates: Monday, November 26 – Thursday, November 29, 2012

JOIN US AS WE ADDRESS THE KEY ISSUES FACING ISRAELI SOCIETY!Leading dignitaries and government officials will brief us on the timely issues facing Israel today in

this jam-packed four-day mission to Israel. Discover how AMIT is addressing these challenges, providing critical solutions to advance Israeli society.

MISSION HIGHLIGHTS• Exclusive meetings and panel discussions with representatives

of Israel’s political, educational, and intellectual leadership

• While based in Jerusalem, we will visit Petach Tikva, Beersheva, Yerucham, Kiryat Malachi, Netanya and Rehovot to meet with AMIT faculty and students

• Experience the exotic: A special cultural evening with the foods, music and dances of Ethiopia

• Festive opening and closing dinners

• Wine tasting in the Jordan Valley

For more information contact Liz Klibanoff at 212-477-4737 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Itinerary subject to change

SPEAKERSRabbi Eli Yishai, Minister of the Interior

Rabbi Eliyahu “Eli” Yishai is an Israeli politician and head of the Shas party. He currently serves as both Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior.

Rachel Azaria, Jerusalem City Councilwoman AMIT graduate Rachel Azaria is a member of the Jerusalem City Council and head of the Yerushalmim Party.

She has been leading campaigns for a pluralistic city, such as the campaign against segregation in the public sphere.

Esti Lichtenstein-Rosenberg, Migdal Oz Esti Rosenberg established the Migdal Oz Beit Midrash for Women in 1997

and has served as the Rosh Beit Midrash since its establishment.

Dr. Aliza Lavie, Lecturer in the School of Communication at Bar Ilan University Dr. Aliza Lavie’s work focuses on communications, multi-culturalism, and the world of feminine Jewish knowledge

and wisdom. Her best-selling work, “A Jewish Woman’s Prayer Book,” won a National Jewish Book Award.

Dr. Yossi Vardi, High-Tech Entrepreneur Dr. Yossi Vardi is one of Israel’s first high-tech entrepreneurs. He has founded and helped to build over

60 high-tech companies. Dr. Vardi has acted as an advisor to the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program on issues of energy policy and strategy.

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http://amitchildren.org/connect-to-israel/missions-to-israel/

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

WHAT AN EXCITING FALL THIS IS FOR AMIT! We began the new school year by welcoming more than 25,000 students to a record number 108 schools and programs in 29 cities and communities. Two new cities have joined the AMIT Network this year – Ashdod and Netanya – and the faith these municipalities have placed in AMIT is emblematic of the

critical role our organization has come to play in Israeli society.

As the article in this issue of AMIT Magazine illustrates, municipalities are coming to AMIT to turn around – if not totally renovate – failing school systems because of our academic expertise and innovative approaches to education. This is what we have done in Sderot, where two failing high schools are now recording bagrut success rates above the national average and this is why the city of Ashdod has turned to AMIT to take over the administration of its two religious high schools, as well as to establish a yeshiva high school as a further enhancement to Torah education in the city. In Netanya, our mission is more complex: to turn an elementary school whose population is composed totally of children from Ethiopia into a science and technology school that will appeal to a diverse segment of the population. Needless to say, we have formulated plans and an innovative curriculum that we expect will do just that.

Together with funding and support from the Israeli government, we have begun to launch our ambitious TopTech Initiative, the seed money for which was supplied by several generous and visionary AMIT donors. TopTech has as its goal nothing less than to revolutionize the way in which education is approached in Israel. Through the TopTech Initiative, we are striving to create a new educational model which will provide Israel’s youth with the skills necessary to succeed in the modern era.

We are devoting signifi cant resources to this program as we fi rmly believe that the economic security of Israel and its people depends upon a citizenry that has been educated to take its place as leaders in the modern high-tech marketplace. A detailed description of how we are beginning to implement TopTech in our schools can be found on page 16.

An earlier innovation in which we take great pride is Midreshet AMIT in Jerusalem (see article, page 26), which this fall welcomed its largest incoming class since the program’s opening in September 2007. Unique among all the “gap year” programs offered to high school graduates from abroad, Midreshet AMIT is housed at AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled, our home for children in foster care. Beit Hayeled serves as a home for

children who have been removed from their families by social services because of serious issues of abuse or neglect. The young women who come to study at Midreshet AMIT for the year not only are immersed in Jewish learning to better themselves, but also serve as big sisters to Beit Hayeled’s charges, helping to put them to sleep at night, taking them on trips around the city, planning parties and other fun activities, and doing homework together. I do not believe there is another program in Israel comparable to Midreshet AMIT, and its success year after year has been tremendously gratifying.

The start of the new school year coincides, of course, with the coming of Rosh Hashana and the fall holiday season. It is a time of new beginnings, of refl ection, of spending time with family and friends. At this special time of the year let us keep in mind that we also are part of the AMIT family and that we have a magnifi cent mission to carry forward in 5773. There are 25,000 youngsters counting on us; together I know we will succeed.

Shanah Tovah!

fall2012

Fall 2012 :: AMIT MAGAZINE :: 3

By Debbie Isaac

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AMIT NATIONAL COUNCIL OFFICES

Fall/Rosh Hashanah 2012 stav :: 5773Vol. LXXXIV No. 4BUILDING ISRAEL. ONE CHILD AT A TIME.

37

National Offi ce817 BroadwayNew York, NY 100031-800-989-AMIT (2648)212-477-4720Fax: 212-353-2312email: [email protected]

Baltimore/Washington, D.C.2800 Stone Cliff Drive, Unit #112Baltimore, MD 21209410-484-2223 410-370-9411Call for Fax: 410-484-2223email: [email protected]

Boston7 Brady Road Westborough, MA 01581 Phone & Fax: (call for Fax) 508-870-1571email: [email protected]

Chicago3856 B West OaktonSkokie, IL 60076847-677-3800847-372-8702 Fax: 847-982-0057email: [email protected]

Cleveland2195 South Green RoadUniversity Heights, OH 44121216-382-4441email: [email protected]

Southeast Region2700 N 29 Ave, Suite 203Hollywood, FL 33020954.922.5100Fax: 954.922.5199email: [email protected]

Los Angeles1122 S. Robertson Blvd., #9Los Angeles, CA 90035310-859-4885 Fax: 310-859-4875email: [email protected]

PhiladelphiaP.O. Box 342Wynnewood, PA 19096Phone & Fax: (call for for Fax) 410-484-2223Cell: 410-370-9411email: [email protected]

TABLE OF CONTENTSfe

atu

res 8 :: AMIT ARRIVES IN ASHDOD

AMIT takes over the management of two state religious comprehensive high schools in Ashdod.Helga Abraham

12 :: EARLY ZIONIST EDUCATIONBerl Katznelson and Israel’s founding educational ethos. Micha’el Tanchum

16 :: AMIT TOPTECH INITIATIVEAMIT’s innovative educational program.Robert E. Sutton

26 :: MIDRESHET AMIT ARRIVALAND DEPARTUREA recent graduate writes about her experiences andan incoming student writes about her hopesand expectations. Paula Moskovitz and Susan Isaacs

The Jewish communities of Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, and Rockland counties have chosen AMIT as the top National Non Profi t.We are thrilled to be the Readers’ Choicefor 2012!

f a l l 2 0 1 2 : : s t a v 5 7 7 3 : : V o l . L X X X I V N o . 4 I N T H I S I S S U E :

A M I T A R R I V E S I N A S H D O D

E A R LY Z I O N I ST E D U C AT I O N

E S H E T C H AY I L

D E V E LO PM E N T N E W S

AMITTOPTECH

INITIATIVEBecause a child’s

education should notbe set in stone.

B U I L D I N G I S R A E L . O N E C H I L D A T A T I M E .

High-tech teaching tablet 2012 C.E. and a Hebrew alphabet tablet with ten letters, found near Hebron,

Israel. 10th-6th century B.C.E

ShanahTovah!

FALL12_cvr_p1_v5.indd 1 9/11/12 7:39 PM

About The Cover Part of a Hebrew alphabet tablet. Found near Hebron, Israel. Stone, Early Iron Age. Reuben and Edith Hecht Collection - University of Haifa, Israel.

30

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32

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DEPARTMENTS20 :: Highlights

22 :: Dvar Torah

24 :: Chai Society Listing

25 :: Eshet Chayil

COLUMNS3 :: President’s Message

6 :: Impressions

DEVELOPMENT NEWS28 :: Do a AMITzvah

29 :: July 4th BBQ – L.A. Style

29 :: L.A. Celebrates Generations-in-Israel

30 :: Dedication of the Rena Kent Educational Wing

30 :: Midwest Mezuzahs

31 :: Asher Zuckerbrot Twinning

32 :: Brooke Stonehill Holds Court

33 :: Our Peruvian Member

33 :: A Quest for Fun

34 :: Chicago Mother-in-Israel

35 :: Philadelphia Story

35 :: Five Towns Generations-in-Israel Luncheon

36 :: Our Delegates in Jerusalem

37 :: SPANNING AMITworld

38 :: President’s Circle

PresidentDebbie Isaac

Executive Vice PresidentDavid A. Moss

Vice President, Marketing and CommunicationsBenay Meisels

Director of CommunicationsBarbara Goldberg

Editor EmeritaMicheline Ratzersdorfer

Editor in Chief/Creative DirectorRobert Ephraim Sutton

Assistant EditorCaroline Lagnado

DesignGame6Media

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 Offi ce:

817 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10003. 1-800-989-AMIT, 212-477-4720, Fax 212-353-2312

email: [email protected]

Periodicals postage paid at New York, N.Y.,and additional mailing offi ces.

POSTMASTER:Send address changes to

AMIT: 817 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10003.

AMIT, founded in 1925, has a proud history ofservice to Israel and the Jewish people.

Our name, in English, stands for “AMericans forIsrael 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).

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 Israelisociety. 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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The Jewish communities of Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, and Rockland counties have chosen AMIT as the top National Non Profi t.We are thrilled to be the Readers’ Choicefor 2012!

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HONOR the past

SUPPORT the future

Memorials are for the living!For more information please contact Robin Rothbort at 212-477-4725,

[email protected] or visit us online at www.amitchildren.org

PLEASE CONSIDER AMIT AS YOU DO YOUR ESTATE PLANNING

At your time of loss,AMIT will be there to provide:

• Daily Kaddish for the � rst eleven months,including memorial plaque, annual Kaddishand noti� cation of the Yahrzeit - $650

• Memorial Plaque and annual Kaddish recited,plus noti� cation of the Yahrzeit - $500

• Daily Kaddish for the � rst eleven months,annual Kaddish and yearly Yahrzeitnoti� cation - $300

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http://www.amitchildren.org/gifts/memorialize-loved-p-50.html

IMPRESSIONS

I WAS IN BALTIMORE RECENTLY WITH MY WIFE AND daughters for a family simcha. I had forgotten to pack a toothbrush, so we stopped in at a Rite Aid in the city’s Inner Harbor area. Also in the store, speaking Spanish to each other, were a mother and son.

The boy, perhaps fi ve or six years old, was the one who asked a store employee for directions to the school supplies aisle. Evident in this brief encounter was the boy’s excitement about the start of a new year, perhaps his fi rst grade in a new school. Also evident was the mother’s pride in her child’s ability to articulate their shopping needs. I also sensed, in this brief and quickly unfolding scene, a mother’s aspirations for her child – a quiet prayer for scholastic success, for opportunities for growth and advancement she could not dare dream for herself.

My thoughts turned to my own children and their new academic year, but also to the more than 25,000 students preparing to enter new classrooms and meet new teachers in AMIT’s schools throughout the State of Israel. I imagined that the scene I witnessed in Baltimore would be playing itself out in places like Kiryat Malachi, Sderot, Or Akiva, Beersheva, Jerusalem and, for the fi rst time this year, in Ashdod and Netanya. Mothers and fathers, some with command of Hebrew and some without, would be taking their own sons and daughters to local stores to get them ready for the challenges of a new school year.

Many of the children in AMIT’s schools will have school supplies because of the support provided by our donors. Many of the children will progress and succeed academically because of the extra help they will receive during and after school. Their own parents are unfortunately unable, for a variety of reasons, to assist with homework or test preparation. The potential for success that our 25,000 students bring into the new academic year will be nurtured and sustained by our talented and devoted educators.

We begin this new school year with a notable record of success that we are eager to maintain. Currently, more than 72 percent of our students are graduating their AMIT high school with a full bagrut diploma. This is a remarkable achievement under any circumstances – and even more so, given the diffi cult backgrounds and challenges so many of our children face.

The importance of the bagrut diploma cannot be overemphasized. It opens up a world of opportunities to children from struggling immigrant families, for youngsters in development towns and impoverished urban neighborhoods. These students, once having completed their term in the Israel Defense Forces or National Service and armed with the bagrut, will be able to continue their education at one of Israel’s universities

or colleges. They will be able to fi nd good jobs and will break out of the cycle of poverty that in some caseshas entrapped their family for far too long. Truly anew beginning.

During this High Holiday season, our thoughts turn to fresh starts and new beginnings. We sense the opportunities we have for growth and improvement – to become better people, better Jews.

But during this season of introspection and teshuva, we also pray for our children. If we have been blessed with children of our own, we pray for their success and happiness. As supporters of AMIT, we all pray for the success and happiness of all the children in our care. We pray that each and every one of our children in Israel will have a wonderful and successful year, and that the spark of enthusiasm and optimism that they bring with them to school on the fi rst day will be maintained and nurtured throughout the year.

Shanah Tovah U’Metukah.

Back to School for25,000 AMIT StudentsBy David Moss, Executive Vice President


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FEATURE

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When Israel’s Ministry of Education and the Ashdod Municipality realized that the city’s state religious high schools were stuck in a chronic downward spiral of low standards and loss of students to secular schools, they turned to

AMIT. The mission: to take over management of Ashdod’s two state religious comprehensive high schools and to further bolster religious education in the city by establishing a yeshiva high school for boys.

“We see our entry into Ashdod as a major challenge,” says Dr. Amnon Eldar, director general of AMIT, “both in terms of raising scholastic standards and enabling religious children to continue their studies in a stimulating, religious framework.” This is not the first time that AMIT has entered a city on a large scale, explains Dr. Eldar. “It is precisely because of our experience and our ability to enter a city ‘holistically’ that the Ashdod Municipality turned to us.” Ashdod Mayor Dr. Yehiel Lasri affirmed that AMIT was chosen after extensive study of AMIT’s institutions across Israel.

AMIT ARRIVESIN ASHDOD

By Helga Abraham

continued on page 10


10 :: Fall 2012 :: AMIT MAGAZINE

continued from page 9

Ido Aharonowitz

AMIT PRINCIPALS IN ASHDOD“We were extremely impressed by AMIT’s skilled staff, its pedagogic proficiency and experience in promoting academic excellence.”

While Ashdod is known primarily for its port and its beautiful beaches, it is also a rapidly developing city with a mixed population of 210,000 residents. In addition to its traditional population of Sabras, immigrants from Morocco, Georgia, and Romania, the city has absorbed a massive influx of Russian immigrants – who make up practically thirty per cent of its population – Ethiopian immigrants and more recently new immigrants from France.

The main concern of Ashdod’s Municipality derives from the significant gap in standards between the city’s secular high schools and its state religious high schools. The numbers speak for themselves: 85% of students in the city’s secular high schools graduate with a Bagrut certificate compared to 68% in its state religious high schools. The low standards of the latter have led to a situation where almost half the students from the city’s state religious elementary schools leave the religious network at the end of the 6th grade, a situation which AMIT has set itself to rectify, as it takes over management of the city’s two state religious comprehensive high schools.

The approach will be two-pronged, explains Dr. Eldar. “First and foremost we have brought in new, dynamic principals assisted by the professional backup of the AMIT Network, and we are encouraging students in the city’s state religious elementary schools to participate in enrichment classes in the new AMIT schools. In this way, they will be exposed to the AMIT Network from a young age. But the main key to turning around the religious education in Ashdod will lie with our principals.”

Ido Aharonowitz Taking over the reins at AMIT Yud, a state religious comprehensive high school of 800 students and 105 teachers is 32-year-old Ido Aharonowitz, himself an AMIT high school graduate. Aharonowitz grew up in Rishon LeZion, but because his family wanted him to receive a good academic and religious education, they sent him to the AMIT high school in Rehovot. “I had to take two buses and travel 45 minutes each way but it was worth it,” recalls Aharonowitz. “I studied in a school that imparted moral-religious

values and scholastic excellence and I can say today that I am proud to be a graduate of AMIT.”

Aharonowitz’ taste for education began in the army when he was appointed head of the IDF’s religious boarding school in Or Etzion. “Working with youth made me realize that I wanted to educate the next generation.” After gaining a BA and MA in education and history, he helped found the Masa Israel Bereshit program for Israeli students and taught history in a secular high school in Rishon LeZion. When the position of principal at AMIT Yud in Ashdod came up, Aharonowitz jumped at the chance of returning to the state religious network and to his home territory - AMIT. “My goal,” he says. “is to raise the standard of the school, bring in a new spirit and attract more students.”

While AMIT will contribute to a general renovation of the school, its main contribution will be at the management and pedagogic levels. To improve the level of studies, Aharonowitz has assigned additional study hours to religious studies, math, English and physics and he himself will be mentored throughout the year by an experienced AMIT educator. With an increase already in registration at the school, all the signs are that he will achieve his goal of raising the school

population to 1,200 students within three years.

Boaz Chen Zion At the other end of the city, at AMIT Bet, 48 year old Boaz Chen Zion is grappling with the twin task of transforming a school physically and qualitatively.

As Chen Zion surveys the renovations being carried out on the antiquated structure in which the school is housed, he explains the challenges involved. “Currently there is little demand for this school. Families only send their children here when they have no other choice because the level of studies is so low.” With an attendance of 900 students from a low socioeconomic population, the challenge, he says, is to turn the school into a “bet hinuch” (educational institution) that will impart the


THE GROWING AMIT NETWORK

In addition to three schools in Ashdod joining AMIT, seven other schools and programs will also become part of the network this September. AMIT is proud to now educate more than 25,000 students in 108 school and programs in 29 Israeli cities.

As of fall 2012 AMIT will have:

- 32 elementary schools

- 29 high schools

- 13 yeshivot or yeshivot tracks

- 11 ulpanot or ulpanot tracks

- 8 post-high school programs

- 6 technological high school

- 3 youth villages and residences.

We wish all AMIT students a good year!Boaz Chen Zion

Rav Eliahu Eidelberg

values of Torah, Zionism and academic excellence.

With his 25-year army background, no one seems better placed to take up this challenge than Chen Zion. After studying in a yeshiva high school, Chen Zion pursued an army career in the air force, during which time he gained a BA in political science and an MBA from Ben Gurion University. When it was time to leave the army, he opted for education. “My colleagues laughed at me at the time, because the pay is so low in education. But today, when we meet up, they are jealous because they see how rewarding a career in education can be.”

At AMIT Bet, Chen Zion aims to raise standards by giving students greater attention and offering them a range of possibilities in which they can develop their potential. “I want to make education meaningful for every student.” He admits he has no expectations of quick results. “I am looking at a six-year plan, starting from one 7th grade class and taking it through junior and senior high school. Only then will I be able to say whether we have succeeded.”

Rav Eliahu EidelbergIn another neighborhood of Ashdod,

43-year-old Rav Eliahu Eidelberg is facing an entirely different challenge. Working out of two rooms in an old school building, Rav Eidelberg is building a school from scratch – he is establishing the city’s first yeshiva high school to cater to the growing demand for academic studies combined with a high level of Torah studies.

The new school will begin with one7th grade class and will add a newgrade each year until it reaches thefull six-grade complement. The curriculum is a heavy one – 23 hoursof secular studies and 22 hours of religious studies a week. The establishment of a yeshiva highschool in Ashdod is part of the city’s overall attempt to keep religious students within the centristreligious Zionist school network. ForRav Eidelberg, it is also an opportunity to apply his vision of an ideal education. “My ideal is to impart the values of Torah, academic studies, army and work. I want all my students to fulfill their individual talents, whether this means

becoming an officer, a doctor or rabbi… the important thing is for them to be leaders of their community and peopleof the Torah.”

After serving in the hesder program, which combines military service with yeshiva studies, Rav Eidelberg pursued rabbinical studies, obtained a BA in education and a teaching certificate and served as a Jewish Agency educator at the Silver Spring Hebrew Academy in the United States. Back in Israel, he completed his rabbinical studies and received

an MA in Talmud from the Hebrew University. As head of the new Yeshivat AMIT Ashdod, Rabbi Eidelberg has set high standards for the school. As in the other two schools, AMIT is contributing to the school’s management, computerization, renovation and pedagogic programs. “Without AMIT,” says Eidelberg, “I wouldn’t be able to run this school.”

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.


FEATURE


“The Pioneer” by Pesach Ir-Shai, 1935

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EARLY ZIONIST EDUCATIONBerl Katznelson and Israel’s FoundIng educatIonal ethos By Dr.Micha’el Moshe Tanchum

Berl Katznelson, who arrived in Eretz Yisrael at the age of twenty two

was typical of the many young halutzim (pioneers) who worked on

the fledgling Jewish farms in the Galil. Like many of them, Katznelson

was inspired by the venerated philosopher/farmer Aharon David

Gordon. Gordon initiated the development of a unique Zionist ethos of

mentoring and youth education. Katznelson took up the challenge: “a

world of virtue must be created within our spirit,” and emerged from

among the halutzim to become the cherished theoretical and moral

guide to Labor Zionism. Like the educators who followed in his footsteps

Katznelson instilled the national character of the reborn State of Israel in

countless young men and women. That national character would come

from a blending of religious tradition with modernity, a philosophy that

integrated personal self-realization with community responsibility.



Katznelson followed Gordon’s view that the Zionist movement must seek to “awaken within the educated being a feeling of respect for himself, an awareness of the human value that is within himself.” The pioneers of the Second Aliyah expressed this ideal with the phrase hagshama azmit (self-realization), espousing a concept of the individual that entailed a moral imperative for a public-spirited sense of responsibility. In his pedagogical discussions with educators and youth guides, Katznelson identified the goal of education as cultivating each individual toward this ideal. In his view, at the center of the Zionist movement was the individual, “who thinks and works, a person of culture and freedom and responsibility.” Moreover, this ideal of hagshama azmit could best be instilled by the personal example set by teachers. A lifelong learner himself, Berl adamantly enjoined the Zionist

movement to continuously strive to improve its educators’ capabilities. “A movement that is concerned for its teachers,” remarked Katznelson, “is obligated to persevere in the education of its teachers.” Constantly inquiring into the conditions of schools and youth villages, Katznelson would listen to students’ accounts to ensure that their education genuinely facilitated their personal growth.

As the founder and editor of the influential newspaper Davar and as the eminent mentor of the next generation of Zionist activists, Berl Katznelson powerfully and persistently championed the cause of the individual in the Zionist movement. David Ben-Gurion referred to Katznelson, his friend and political partner, as “The teacher of the generation, one to enlighten all of the future generations; the mind, the conscience, and the voice of the movement.” Katznelson and Ben-Gurion collaborated closely in

forming Ahdut HaAvoda (Unity of Labor), the general organization of the Labor Zionist movement from which emerged the major economic, political, and military institutions that would bring Israel to statehood and independence.

Katznelson worked to make sure that the fledgling institutions of Israeli society would honor the Jewish religious tradition and its cultural values. “We will not achieve our destiny except by both a great spiritual drive and the perseverance in the acquisition of worldly knowledge – by both efforts of mind and soul,” proclaimed Katznelson. When one of the Zionist youth organizations planned to open its summer camp on Tisha B’Av, Katznelson vehemently objected. He insisted that Jewish religious tradition was the anchor of the project of national restoration and advocated for its central role in Labor Zionism. “A generation that renews and creates things from scratch must


S.Y. Agnon and Berl Katznelson


under no circumstances reject the legacy of past generations,” cautioned Katznelson, who was known to respect the laws of kashrut and fast on Yom Kippur and Tisha B’Av. Katznelson was one of the few voices in non-religious labor circles to press for the observance of Shabbat and festivals, and kashrut in Histadrut kitchens. “What is needed is to restore the ancient tradition of life and use it to strengthen this progressive generation. If in the life of our people there is something very old and deep, which has the power to educate . . . would it not be a tragic mistake to reject it?”

Like Katznelson and his fellow pioneers of the Second Aliyah, AMIT founder Bessie Gotsfeld was a woman of purpose inspired by the Zionist vision. She arrived at the Yishuv with her husband in the late 1920s to supervise the establishment of a series of schools and youth villages. As one of the first powerful career women within Israeli Orthodox society, Gotsfeld was a model of the Zionist ideal of hagshama azmit. Like Katznelson and Gordon, Gotsfeld maintained an unshakable belief in the importance of Jewish spiritual guidance and Jewish values in cultivating inner strength among Israel’s youth. AMIT’s current network of 108 schools and programs evolved from the institutions she established. Implementing Bessie Gotsfeld’s vision and exemplifying the educational ethos of Israel’s founders, AMIT’s teachers and principals educate more than 25,000 students in 29 cities, towns, and communities across Israel.

One such educator is Yaffa Farjun, an alumna of AMIT Florin Taman Junior and Senior High School for Girls in Tzfat, who as a student was driven by her “desire to exert an influence within education and lead the system in a new way.” To fulfill her mission, Farjun became the principal of the school she had once attended. A recipient of the 2011-2012 Award for Outstanding Principal of the Northern Region, Farjun strives to promote values of excellence and personal responsibility. Echoing Israel’s founders, she sees her mission as enabling “the ability of each and every student to advance herself in bringing forth her talents and abilities.”

The principal of AMIT Daisy Berman Yeshiva in Beersheva, Rav David Hatuel, is driven by a similar passion to provide education embodying Jewish religious values, Zionist ideals, and academic excellence. Sensitive to the individual element within education, Rav Hatuel emphasizes

being attuned to the needs of the newer generations in order to prepare young men for army service and professional accomplishment. After serving as a paratrooper and completing his graduate degree in education, he dedicated his career to bringing quality education to the Negev. Like Israel’s founders, Rav Hatuel believes that “we are a nation whose main asset is its people.”

A similar spirit can be seen in Dr. Tzachi Lev Ran, principal of AMIT Dvir Junior and Senior High School for Boys in Beit Shemesh. A Givati Brigade veteran, Bar Ran took on the battle to improve Israel’s public high schools, particularly in the religious sector. He earned a B.A. in education and a Ph.D. in Tanakh, but views his greatest accomplishment as providing quality education to all students regardless of their socioeconomic background.

Berl Katznelson and his fellow pioneers began their careers on the shores of the Kinneret making the barren wastelands bloom. Ultimately, they were driven by the knowledge that the future of Israel depended as much upon raising new generations of educated citizens as it did upon raising towering forests and bountiful fields. The Zionist ethos of mentoring and youth education that they developed is being carried forward by AMIT’s teachers and principals, providing Israel’s next generation with the skills and values to contribute to the building of Israel’s future and their own. <

Dr. Micha’el Moshe Tanchum is a scholar of

Zionist thought and the history of Israel’s

founding period. He earned his doctorate

at Harvard University and is a fellow at the

Shalem Center in Jerusalem, Israel, where

he is writing a book on the ideals of Israel’s

leading founding father, David Ben-Gurion. Dr.

Tanchum would like to express his gratitude to

Meir Dardashti, and especially to Dara Marans,

for their assistance.


“Katznelson followed gordon’s view that the zionist movement

must seek to “awaken within the educated being a feeling

of respect for himself, an awareness of the human value

that is within himself.”


FEATURE

“Try not tobecome aperson of

success buta person

of value.”-Albert Einstein

AMIT is a leading catalyst and

collaborator for dynamic,

innovative change in education

in Israel and is committed to provide

opportunities to all its students,

regardless of background or income

level. This year AMIT has embarked on

a new initiative which aims to prepare

students to graduate from high school

equipped with the skills and knowledge

necessary for success in post-secondary

education and in the 21st century

global economy.

FALL12_toptech_p16_v6.indd 2 9/11/12 7:38 PM

For the past twenty years, Israel has been at the forefront of

the technological revolution with hundreds of start-up companies, new inventions, and major contributions in biotech, software, pharmaceuticals, and advanced defense systems. Today, Israel has the highest concentration of technology companies in the world outside of Silicon Valley. Yet despite all this accomplishment, recent international student assessment exams have shown that Israeli students rank 36th in literacy and math and 41st in sciences out of 64 industrialized countries. This has to end and the AMIT TopTech Initiative will begin the educational renaissance in Israel.

Through partnerships with the Ministry of Education and local municipalities, the AMIT TopTech initiative unites schools, communities, businesses, universities and policy-makers to create substantial and measurable advances in educational paradigms. And, in recognition ofAMIT being in the vanguard of educational models and ahead-of-the-curve teaching methods, the Ministry of Education has committed 5 million shekels (over five years) to implement the AMIT TopTech Initiative.

AMIT TOpTEcH OVERVIEWAMIT TopTech can be considered nothing less than an educational

revolution. With new ways of learning and teaching, this innovative approach will transform education across Israel. Abandoning the idea of “traditional schooling,” the AMIT TopTech Initiative (ATTI) provides students with unique opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills to survive and succeed in the 21st century global economy.

ATTI will include collaborative, game-based learning and flip learning (flip learning encompasses any use of internet technology to leverage the learning in a classroom, so a teacher can spend more time interacting with students instead of lecturing). At an ATTI school, you will see students working in groups, deeply engaged in projects that encompass multiple disciplines. Classroom teachers act as leaders and guides who interact with their students for academic exploration, while ultimately helping students become directors of theirown learning.

BUILDInG On THE BASIcSThe ATTI model pairs core academic standards with 21st century skills to develop well-rounded, lifelong learners prepared for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

TopTech integrates four elements as a foundation for student learning:

• Real-world experiences to develop 21st century skills

• Technology-rich design with a project-based learning focus

• Integrated courses offering enriched, learning opportunities

• Instructors that create self-directed learning environments for students

TEcHnOLOGY AS A TOOLThere is a noticeable absence of textbooks in ATTI classrooms, which have been replaced by technology. The AMIT TopTech Initiative provides every student with a personal computer or tablet. The computers come equipped with the latest software. AMIT students truly become “connected” to their learning in new and fascinating ways that help them grow academically and personally.

RE-TOOLInG THE TEAcHERIn many traditional classrooms, the teacher is the leader standing at the front of the room conducting content-based lectures and assigning textbook reading. Students sit in rows answering questions when called upon. This method often leaves both the teacher and the students disengaged from the learning process. In ATTI classrooms, rather than imparting information, teachers help students engage in a discovery process for new knowledge. AMIT TopTech Initiative teachers spend more time sitting next to student teams



By Robert E. Sutton

AMIT TOpTEcH InITIATIVE:

MISSIOnEstablish AMIT as the model for educational excellence in Israel.

VISIOn To improve student learning by leading innovation and transformation within the AMIT Network.


AMIT has received generous seed gifts to launch TopTech at Ulpanat AMIT Givat Shmuel

from the Moed Family: Marilyn and Leon Moed, Anne and Sheldon Golombeck, Debbie

and Sam Moed and Sandra and Howard Blank. According to Sam Moed, “We now have

a singular opportunity to harness 21st century technology and provide AMIT children

with the most advanced education and skills possible. There is no question that TopTech

will dramatically enhance the impact AMIT students will have on Israel and the world.”

In addition, a generous gift was presented by Judge Alvin Hellerstein and family in honor

of Mildred Hellerstein’s special birthday this past year. The program will honor Millie’s

love for math and science. This seed gift enabled TopTech to be launched at AMIT Modi’in

this past year.

Debbie and David Isaac helped launch TopTech with a generous contribution upon her

becoming president of AMIT. “We must prepare the children of AMIT for today’s world,

not yesterday’s,” says Debbie.

asking questions to guide learning rather than lecturing at the front of the classroom. Using the team teaching approach, teachers work together to integrate course content to design projects that incorporate multiple areas of learning along with 21st century skills. The teachers design real-world projects and require students to present their work to external audiences that provide unique insight and feedback.

AMIT TopTech Initiative teachers receive in-depth training to transition to the project-based learning environ-ment. Teachers participate in seminars, and virtual and real-time classroom training sessions. They also receive on-site coaching throughout the school year to improve teaching practices.

No other school-related factor impacts student learning more than the effectiveness of classroom teachers. Yet, work conditions, lack of support, and compensation often constrain effective teaching. In Israel, far too many high-quality teachers leave the classroom and others lack the support to develop long-term academic growth among their students. AMIT operates differently from other school networks by making teacher excellence the cornerstone of increasing student achievement. AMIT takes a multi-faceted approach to developing and retaining talented teachers able to advance student academic growth and close achievement gaps.

AMIT believes that quality education is about people, not programs and focuses on enhancing teacher quality through professional development, career advancement, and meaningful accountability. Using its ground-breaking comprehensive approach, AMIT provides the training, support, evaluation, and compensation to help teachers improve student learning.

FOR THE YOUTH OF ISRAELAMIT TopTech Initiative is a truly inspired approach to education. It will inspire students across the AMIT Network. It will inspire educators who have transformed the way they teach to ensure that every AMIT student graduates with 21st century skills. It will inspire communities and businesses who are working together and finding resources to support this educational innovation. But most importantly, it will inspire those who are investing in the Israeli youth of today to ensure the potential of Israel tomorrow. <

Robert E. Sutton is Editor in Chief and Creative

Director of AMIT Magazine.

For more information on how you can support the AMIT TopTech Initiative please email

Liz Klibanoff, Associate Director of Development at [email protected] or call 212-477-4737



AMIT is offering dedication and sponsorship

opportunities to donors interested in

funding the AMIT TopTech initiative.

TopTech pilots have been implemented

in Givat Shmuel, Modi’in and Rehovot.

Later this year, TopTech pilots will be

implemented at schools in Yerucham,

Or Akiva, Petach Tikva and Ra’anana.

DEDIcATIOn OppORTUnITIES

campus in Modi’in or Or Akiva

$3,000,000

School in Givat Shmuel

$3,000,000

School in Rehovot, Modi’in or Or Akiva

$1,500,000

SpOnSORSHIpS

Implement TopTech in One School

$600,000

Teacher Enrichment program

$500,000

Implement TopTech in One Grade

$150,000

Specialty Track in Gemarah, Science,

Math, History or physics

$150,000

Research and Development for TopTech

$100,000

Tablets for One School

$100,000

Smart classroom

$50,000

Teacher Training for One School

$50,000

Mobile computer Lab

$50,000

Tablets for One class

$25,000

Scholarships for One class

$25,000

Upkeep and Maintenance of Technology

for One School

$18,000 - $10,000


http://www.amitchildren.org/gifts/amit-tech-initiative-hellerstein-honor-p-87.html

Here’s What You’ve Been Missing:•TheAMITbi-monthlye-newsletterwithallthe latestinfofromourschoolsandstudents.•Invitationstoeventsandspecialprograms.•Breakingnewsbulletinsandcampaignupdates.•VideosfromIsraelandholidaygreetings.•Specialmessagesfromourpresident.

And much more!

®

Don’tbeleftout!Pleasevisitourwebsite,www.amitchildren.org,andsignuptoday(upperrighthandcorner)tojointheAMITe-list.And,fromnow untiltheendofOctober,everynewmemberofoure-listwillbeenteredinadrawingtowina$25Amazongiftcertificate.

WHAT! YOU’RE NOT ON THE AMIT EMAIL LIST?

FALL12_ads_p19_v1.indd 1 9/11/12 9:29 PM

http://amitchildren.org/gifts/subscribe.html

HIGHLIGHTS AND SUCCESSESAM

IT 2

012 By Cheryl Shaanan and Robert E. SuttonBy Cheryl Shaanan and Robert E. SuttonBy Cheryl Shaanan and Robert E. Sutton

AMIT Tzemach HaSade Elementary School Wins Religious Education AwardCongratulations to AMIT Tzemach HaSade Elementary School, Ma’ale Adumim, for winning the Religious Education Award for the 2011-2012 school year. Minister of Science Rabbi Professor Daniel Hershkowitz presented the award to Principal Yoel Werzberger at a special ceremony held at Bar-Ilan University. Speakers at the ceremony included Director of Religious Education, Dr. Avraham Lifshitz; Member of Knesset, Zvulun Orlev; and Ma’ale Adumim Mayor, Benny Kashriel. “We consider this award a credit to the education system and to the entire city of Ma’ale Adumim,” said the mayor.

AMIT Tzemach HaSade Elementary School has more than 420 students. The school runs an achievement assessment program designed to challenge students academically and spiritually, and a special program in Judaism, Zionism and democracy. The school also has a unique science program.

Gold Medal Awarded to AMIT Kennedy Junior and Senior High School StudentCongratulations to AMIT Kennedy Acco High School student, Almog Bretesh on winning the European Jiu Jitsu championship. Almog competed in the open weight division at the competition that took place in Portugal. He has also been the Israeli national champion in his age category…eleven times!

AMIT Kennedy serves the Acco and Western Galilee area and has more than 335 students. The school prepares students for full matriculation at the highest level in academic subjects, including physics, biology, computers and literature. Contribution to the community is emphasized, and students engage in a wide range of communal activities.

High School Seniors Win Physics AwardsFour AMIT Beersheva Junior and Senior High School seniors, Oleg Katz, Naomi Moskovitz, Danny Noiman and Anastasia Omelik, were among

the nine winners of Israel’s first Southern Region Physics Competition. The competition, sponsored by the Ministry of Education, the Beersheva Municipality, Ben Gurion University, and the Rashi Foundation, provided an opportunity for fifty students from the Negev to present their final physics research projects to a panel of expert judges. Twenty-nine students reached the finals, and nine students won the top awards in three categories: theoretical physics, experimental physics and biophysics.

The AMIT Junior and Senior High School in Beersheva has a school population of more than 1300 students in grades 7 to 12. Students include native Israelis, immigrants from the former Soviet Union and immigrants from Ethiopia.

The special science program is a selective program at the school that offers high level science and mathematics courses. Students in this program, such as our four winners discussed in this article, regularly win prizes in national and international science competitions, thus earning publicity and honor for the school itself and for the entire AMIT Network.

Yaffa Farjun Chosen as Outstanding PrincipalCongratulations to Yaf fa Farjun-Shemesh, principal of AMIT Junior and Senior High School for Girls in Tzfat, on being selected as the outstanding principal of the Northern Region by the Ministry of Education. Yaffa was herself a student at AMIT Tzfat and returned to the school years later as principal. Yaffa has infused the school with a revitalized spirit and restoredTzfat residents’ confidence in the school.The results are dramatic: 85% success in the bagrut exams!

AMIT Florin Taman Junior and Senior High School for Girls offers two tracks: a regular academic track for girls and an intensive Jewish studies ulpana track. There are a total of almost

FALL12_highlights_p20_v7.indd 2 9/11/12 7:37 PM

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. And, did you know that an end-of-the-year donation to AMIT may help lower your taxes? Talk to your accountant or financial advisor and please use the attached envelope to send in your donation.

For more information visit www.amitchildren.org or call 212-477-4720.

400 students in the school who come from Tzfat and the neighboring communities of Marom HaGalil and Hazor HaGlilit. The school’s philosophy is that all students can succeed, with learning facilitated by teachers who believe in their students and are committed to their achievement.

Congratulations to AMIT Ginsburg Bar IlanGush Dan StudentAriel Frankental, an AMIT Ginsburg Bar Ilan Gush Dan student, won first prize in the National Public Speaking Competition for high school students. Students from all over Israel who had won the Public Speaking regional competitions competed at the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot for the title of National Champion.

Ariel won first place for his speech Road Rage: Reasons and Ramifications. Ariel developed and perfected his public speaking abilities in a special public speaking club at school.

AMIT Gush Dan, a Torah, science and technology junior and senior high school, is unique in Israel’s school system. Founded in 1978, the school has over 525 students and is run cooperatively by the AMIT Network and by Bar-Ilan University. The school offers high level science and technology courses of study, such as electronics, biotechnology, program engineering and communications. Excellent students have the option of getting university credits by integrating their high school studies with academic university courses at Bar-Ilan.

Looking for a gift that is timeless and has true meaning?

Struggling with what to give the person who has everything?

Consider making a dedication to benefit the children of AMIT!

Classrooms, laboratories, computer rooms and many other options can be dedicated

to mark any significant event.

®

for more information please email liz klibanoff, associate director of development, major gifts & annual campaign, at [email protected] or call 212-477-4737.

Celebrating a special birthday or anniversary, Bar/Bat Mitzvah or other milestone occasion?

FALL12_highlights_p20_v7.indd 3 9/11/12 7:37 PM

DVAR TORAH

That Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of the Jewish year should be a truism. Its very name translates as the head of the year. Yet the Bible never directly

connects Rosh Hashanah to the start of the year. In Vayikra (23;24) when it is first mentioned, the Torah describes a nameless holiday on the first of the seventh month that contains a mitzvah to listen to the sounds of the shofar. In contrast to the three festivals of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot, which are related to both specific Jewish experiences during the beginning of our national existence and the agricultural cycle of the year, this holiday does not have a particular context.

In our prayers the name of the day is not Rosh Hashanah; it is the day of remembrance. This is the name in the conclusion of the middle blessing in the amidah, in yaaleh veyavo and in the kiddush. Elsewhere in our prayers we refer

to it as the day of the judgment of humankind and the day commemorating the creation of man (which is the sixth day of creation). Only in the Mishnah (Rosh Hashanah 1;1) is it called a rosh Hashanah, but as one of four.

There is one place where the Torah (Vayikra 25; 8-13) explicitly discusses the start of a year. During yovel (the jubilee year) when all Jewish slaves are freed and ancestral lands are returned to their original owners, these changes occur on the tenth day of the seventh month, Yom Hakippurim. According to the Talmud and Maimonides (Hilchot Shmittah V’Yovel 11;14) on Rosh Hashanah the slaves stop working for their masters but are not freed until Yom Hakippurim when the transfer of ownership of the land also takes place. The implication is that there is a process beginning on Rosh Hashanah and concluding on Yom Hakippurim that initiates a new year.

FALL12_dvar_torah_p22-23_v2b.indd 2 9/11/12 7:47 PM

By Rabbi Yosef Blau

This perspective explains what is missing in our response to the judgment on Rosh Hashanah. We neither confess our sins nor ask for forgiveness. Teshuvah, the great gift that enables us to survive being judged and will ultimately lead to redemption, is absent from our prayers. Maimonides (Hilchot Teshuva 3;4) explains the mitzvah of shofar as awakening us from spiritual slumber; this is the first stage in actually confronting our condition. The shofar’s pure sounds, without words, create individualized associations that can be later verbalized.

The three themes of the day, malchiyot (acknowledging Hashem as supreme ruler), zichronot (Hashem’s remembering all our actions but also connecting them with all of Jewish history and the merits of our forefathers), and Shofrot (His listening to the sound of our shofar blowing) are necessary elements in clarifying our relationship with Hashem. They create a framework from which the repentance and atonement of Yom Hakippurim can follow. Historically, on Yom Hakippurim the second tablets were brought down to the Jewish people by Moshe. There was no specific event that occurred ten days earlier.

Paradoxically, on a day whose historical significance is universal in the creation of human beings and has no particular Jewish association, our prayers are focused on the unique Jewish relationship with Hashem. Our tradition is that despite Rosh Hashanah being a day of judgment, it is also a day when we dress up to express joy. When seen in isolation this makes little sense. But if we see Rosh Hashanah as the beginning of a period of

time that will culminate with our sins being forgiven on Yom Hakippurim, then focusing on the special Jewish component follows.

We can not actually start a new year with our fate not resolved. A time of the strict application of Divine law is one where few humans can emerge free of punishment. Only after repenting and being cleansed of our sins can we begin anew. Yet we do not refer to Yom Hakippurim as the real start of the year.

Clearly it is the combination of the two, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Hakippurim, that enables the failures and mistakes of the old year to be confronted and overcome; together they lead to renewal. The forgiveness of Yom Hakippurim that had not been earned through first being judged on Rosh Hashanah would not have changed the individual. This two-step process resembles the two stages of the freeing of the Jewish slaves on yovel. The old year ends at Rosh Hashanah. Listening to the shofar stirs us to awaken our latent abilities to confront our sins. Rosh Hashanah connects us to our ancestors and their merit and reminds us that Hashem is both our father and king. Ten days of reflection conclude with our repentance and atonement on Yom Hakippurim. At this point we are ready to start a new year. <

Rabbi Yosef Blau serves as senior Mashgiach Ruchani at Yeshiva University and is the president of the Religious Zionists of America. He and his wife Dr. Rivkah Blau, a prominent educator and lecturer, are the parents of three sons who are rabbis and Jewish educators.

IS ROSH HASHANAH THE START OF THE JEWISH YEAR?


FALL12_dvar_torah_p22-23_v2b.indd 3 9/11/12 7:47 PM

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$2500Anonymous, IsraelAnonymous, MARoslyn Besdine, NYAdrianne and Leon Brum, FLCarol Clapsaddle, IsraelHedy and Morris Cohen, PAEsther and Harvey Felsen, NYEstelle Fink, IsraelLinda and Norman Garfield, PAEudice Greenfield, ILGrunberger/Cohen Family, MDCarole and Didier Hannaux, FranceEllen and John Hellman, IsraelDonna and Robert Hoenig, NJRobin and Mark Hoenig, NJSue and Jordan Klein, ILRiki and Mordecai Koenigsberg, NYDebbi and Lee Krantzow, NJ Shelly and Stanley Kroll, ILMalka Lozowick, IsraelJudy and Albert Milstein, ILGalina and Mark Moerdler, NJVera and Robert Moreen, PAMiriam and Bernard Neuman, ILBobbie and Jerry Nussbaum, IL Hedy and Paul Peyser, MDHuti and Jay Pomrenze, IsraelCarina and Henry Rascoff, CTSharon and Bill Rothchild, NYGale and Ricky Rothner, ILMarcia Ruderman, MABetty Atlas-Rumelt and Owen Rumelt, NYDoris Russo, NYRoz and Marvin Samuels, NYSharon and Scott Seligsohn, PAMarion Talansky, IsraelLillian and Sherwyn Weiss, FLRachael and Jonathan Wernick, CALibby and Moshe Werthan, Israel

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FALL12_chai_p24_v3.indd 1 9/11/12 7:54 PM

ESHET CHAYILROSALYN BRAMSON, SILVER SPRING, MDRosalyn Bramson has been a Life Member of AMIT for 52 years. Her tenure started at the Ra’anana Chapter in Boston where she took on the responsibility of president, treasurer, and social secretary for 23 years. After the Bramsons moved to Maryland, Rosalyn wasted no time in becoming active in the local chapter. She is still going strong as a past president and current social secretary and treasurer of the Birah Chapter located in Silver Spring, MD.

On August 23, Rosalyn celebrated 53 years of marriage to her husband Arnold, a retired advisory programmer in the Federal Systems Division of IBM. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Howie, z”l, Janet Spector, and Rabbi Michael Bramson. Rosalyn and Arnold have eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Janet is a Life Member of the Massada Chapter, one of AMIT’s Long Island chapters. She attended the AMIT Monte Carlo Night and

was pictured with other Five Towns guests in the Summer 2012 edition of AMIT Magazine. Rosalyn and Arnold always worked as a team, both in life and for AMIT. While she diligently collects

donations from her chapter members, Rosalyn also sends out mazel tov and memorial cards. When Rosalyn collects for Mother-in-Israel, she hands out pushkes to all the women in her chapter and instructs them to fill them up.

Asked how she manages to maintain such accurate records, Rosalyn said, “Arnold does all of the computer stuff for me. He maintains the membership list and breaks down the payments. Arnold also creates charts that assist in keeping track of each campaign, event and designated donations.”

Four years ago, the Bramsons decided to visit one of our AMIT schools. Rosalyn contacted the Israel office and the AMIT staff took the couple to AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled in Jerusalem – our child haven. Rosalyn recounts with excitement, “To see the children coming off the bus with smiling, happy faces made the whole trip worthwhile.”

ROSALYN BRAMSON, SILVER SPRING, MDRosalyn Bramson has been a Life Member of AMIT for 52 years. Her tenure started at the Ra’anana Chapter in Boston where she took on the responsibility of president, treasurer, and social secretary for 23 years. After the Bramsons moved to Maryland, Rosalyn wasted no time in becoming active in the local chapter. She is still going strong as a past president and current social secretary and treasurer of the Birah Chapter located in Silver Spring, MD.

advisory programmer in the Federal Systems Division of IBM. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Howie, have eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Janet is a Life Member of the Massada Chapter, one of AMIT’s Long Island chapters. She attended the AMIT Monte Carlo Night and


EVA DAVID, FLUSHING, NYEva David’s first contact with AMIT was in 1989, when a friend suggested she attend a chapter meeting. Shortly after participating in a few meetings, Eva inquired if she could be of assistance to the chapter. She was given the responsibility of membership chair. The following year she became co-president of the Ilana Rena Chapter in Queens.

Eva worked very closely with Regional Area Director Phyllis Pollack, z”l. As Phyllis planned the chapter’s popular annual Fresh Air Luncheon, Eva worked on securing honorees. Eva currently is involved with the annual New Year booklet and has been working on this project for the past nine years. In 1993, she was honored as the Eshet Chayil at the Queens Fresh Air Luncheon.

Eva’s pride in her chapter is evident. “Meetings are scheduled every other month in coordination with Co-President Reba Weiner and together with different host women

who help make the chapter run smoothly because of their involvement. Our women are very gracious in opening their homes for the meetings.” The chapter meetings are well planned. The first meeting before the fall holidays features a motivational speaker (sometimes a rabbi) who delivers an uplifting and spiritual lecture.

Co-Presidents Eva and Reba Weiner work together in securing speakers and homes for their chapter meetings. For example, the chapter is very proud of the following meetings: The annual Maot Chittim Chinese Auction hosted by Beverly Landau; the June Family in Israel Supperette chaired by Toni Gordon and Bernice Plitnick; and the Book Club hosted by Annette Mandis and chairs Miriam Peskowitz, Rita Lifton, and Reba Weiner.

“From the beginning, I was impressed with the work AMIT was performing in Israel, and for 23 years I have felt a tremendous connection to its mission,” Eva proudly states.

by Dawn Sherry

FALL12_eshet_chayil_p25_v5.indd 1 9/11/12 7:43 PM

I smile whenever I look back at my year in Midreshet AMIT. A rush of memories fi lls my head as I realize how extremely fortunate I was to spend a year abroad at Beit Hayeled in Jerusalem, a place that I can now call

home. Throughout my year I formed unique relationships with my teachers, peers and “mishpachton” - foster family. By creating these strong bonds, my love for Israel was able to grow and I ultimately established a stronger connection to the land.

I learned about Eretz Yisrael through my teachers who taught me new approaches to Torah and Judaism. We had deep and insightful conversations during which every girl felt comfortable voicing her opinion. Teachers also invited students for Shabbat and some of my favorite Shabbatot were at their homes. We also went on different Shabbatonim throughout the year. One of my favorites was Kochav Hashachar where I stayed with a welcoming family and met inspirational people. It was wonderful to see different parts of Israel and experience Israel through other people’s homes. In addition, we had many tiyulim and touring Israel with friends was such a blast! Hiking in the Golan, swimming in Eilat and doing chesed for various organizations, above and beyond Beit Hayeled, such as Hazon Yeshaya and Yad Eliezer, made me feel as though I was helping Israel at large.

However, my favorite way that we experienced Israel was at Beit Hayeled. I loved that we lived in the same building as the mishpachtonim – (foster families of children from troubled homes) since this allowed me to better absorb the Israeli lifestyle. I assisted children with homework during “learning hour.” This was a structured hour in which all of the children were at their desks and focused on work. It was a time that they knew I was available to help them. Since I want to be an elementary school teacher, this tutoring greatly enhanced my future teaching abilities. I also adored tucking the children into

bed and singing Shema together. Even just sitting and talking to a child in Hebrew while they ate lunch would make my day. All of these small acts developed into a unique bond with each individual child.

I was very fortunate to have a relationship with Golan and Limor Amar and their children. Golan is the assistant director of Beit Hayeled. Golan and his wife volunteered to head a mishpachton many years ago and returned to Gilo this past year. They were extremely hospitable and welcomed me with open arms. I was constantly in their home, connecting with the family and playing with the children. As a result I had not one mishpacha at Beit Hayeled, but two.

Whenever I spent Shabbat in Beit Hayeled, I felt that the mishpachton was a remarkable unit. They instilled joy in the lives of these children who are from broken homes

and have difficult lives. Shabbat was special to them. Beit Hayeled strives to create the family environment that these children have lacked - and Beit Hayeled succeeds!

Overall, through my interaction with teachers, peersand my mishpachton, I emerged from my year at Midreshet AMIT with a deep passion for Eretz Yisrael. It is incredible to know that whenever I come to Israel, whether to visit or make aliyah, I will always have a family at Beit Hayeled. Thank you Midreshet AMIT for a fabulous and meaningful year! <

Paula Moskovitz is from West Orange, NJ, and will be attending Barnard this fall.


THE DEPARTURE – Paula Moskovitz, Class of 2011-2012

MIDRESHET AMIT – ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES

FALL12_midreshet_p26_v4.indd 2 9/11/12 7:55 PM


Gabriela Attias - New York, NYSimha Barrocas - Boca Raton, FLChana Leah Batt - Boca Raton. FLAlexandria Bell - West Orange, NJNicole Berlin - Great Neck, NYAbigail Blinder - Englewood, NJMiriam Boim - Jamaica Estates, NYDevora Braun - Skokie, ILMarcelle Breitbart - Great Neck, NYArielle Brenman - Thornhill, ONRebecca Cherson - Woodmere, NYJillian Cumsky - East Brunswick, NJHannah Emalfarb - Lincolnwood, IL

Carly Factor - Toronto, ONIlana Falick - Hollywood, FLSamantha Felder - Stamford, CTMichele Freund - Bal Harbour, FLOrly Geduld - University Heights, OHAmanda Gordon - Miami Beach, FLAliza Grant - Deerfield, ILSarah Isaacs - Chicago, ILGemma Levart - Teaneck, NJMaya Levy - London, U.K. Tami Liebman - West Hempstead, NYAbigail Major - New Rochelle, NYSusan Menashe - Brooklyn, NY

Sarah Mendlowitz – Cedarhurst, NYDaniella Moffson - New York, NYRachel Montag - Flushing, NYJordana Mostel - Woodmere, NYEliana Porgess - Los Angeles, CAJenna Reich – Scarsdale, NYNicole Reich - New Rochelle, NYRachel Robbins - Clifton, NJDeena Rothman - Woodmere, NYStacy Schlesinger - Woodmere, NYRena Sidlow - Mount Vernon, NYRachel Silver - Los Angeles, CAErica Silverman - West Orange, NJ

Naomi Silverman - Newton, MALauren Silvermintz - Suffern, NYHannah Socol - West Hempstead, NYElisheva Spellman- Sharon, MAAriella Spievack - New York, NYSarah Veltman - Scarsdale, NYDanielle Wachs - Narberth, PAMeora Weingarten - Belle Harbor, NYTzivia Wise - New Rochelle, NYDebra Zauderer – Teaneck, NJ

Midreshet AMIT is a post high school seminary which combines challenging Torah study, meaningful volunteering and an unforgettable Israel experience. To learn more about Midreshet AMIT go to www.midreshetamit.org

We are proud to welcome the class of 2012-2013 to Midreshet AMIT @ Beit HayeledWe wish them much success in their learning of Torah and Avodat HaKodesh with the children of Beit Hayeled.

A s the summer comes to an end and my year at Midreshet AMIT fast approaches, I am increasingly

excited and curious as to what the next ten months hold for me. I know that this coming year in Israel, learning Torah and performing acts of chesed will be one of the most memorable times of my life.

Midreshet AMIT was my top choice throughout the application process because of all the interesting and varied opportunities it has to offer. Since my acceptance, my expectations have been high, but I know that by immersing myself in learning and chesed at Beit Hayeled, all those expectations will easily be met.

I hope to achieve in many areas this coming year. I am looking forward to working on my own personal growth. I plan to learn from my teachers as well as my peers as we embark together on this year long journey. In particular, I am hoping to learn to “love to learn” so that I can continue studying Torah after I graduate Midreshet AMIT. Finally, it is my hope to develop a closer connection to my heritage and to absorb all there is to know about Israel.

At Midreshet AMIT, I know that I have the potential to achieve all of these goals and I can’t wait! <

Sarah Isaacs is a 2012 graduate of the Ida Crown Jewish Academy in Chicago, IL.

THE ARRIVAL – Sarah Isaacs, Class of 2012-2013

FALL12_midreshet_p26_v4.indd 3 9/11/12 7:55 PM

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


This July, a new type of vacation attraction was introduced in Israel. Instead of lining up at the

amusement park or the zoo, many families chose to spend a day of their vacation helping others through the AMIT Network.

Every Wednesday this past July, tourists and locals were invited to come to AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled to take part in family fun volunteer activities. Each

session started with a tour of the children’s home during which the families learned about this very special place. After the introduction, the volunteers got down to work. Their activities included stuffing pencil cases with school supplies for the Beit Hayeled children, painting cartoons on the walls of the children’s home, tie-dying “Shalom Kita Alef” shirts for the AMIT first graders, and packaging candy bags to wish the AMIT kids a sweet school year.

“I was looking for an opportunity like this,” said Tamar Nelkenbaum, a tourist from Panama. “I wanted the chance to show my daughters that there are children who are less fortunate than them and to give them the opportunity to help out.”

“We are so pleased to see how happy people were to come out and help,” said Motti Asraf, director of Beit Hayeled. “It is so heart-warming to see children giving up their free time to help other children.”

The plan is to continue offering AMITzvah events during vacation and holiday times, allowing tourists and local vacationers to spend their free time in a productive way.

To find out about future AMITzvah events, please email Zemira Ozarowski at [email protected].

Do AMITzvah…The Meaningful way to Vacationby zemira ozarowski

Janice Kaufl er,David Moss,

Lisa Kay

less fortunate than them and to give them the opportunity to help out.”

“We are so pleased to see how happy people were to come out and help,” said Motti Asraf, director of Beit Hayeled. “It is so heart-warming to see children giving up their free time to help other children.”

The plan is to continue offering AMITzvah events during vacation and holiday times, allowing tourists and local vacationers to spend their free time in a productive way.

session started with a tour of the children’s home during which the families learned about this very special place. After the introduction, the

FALL12_dev_p28_37_v8.indd 2 9/11/12 7:35 PM

http://amitchildren.org/photos/amitzvah/

Susan Farkas, June Brenner


Lisa Kay

Susan Farkas, June Brenner


Lisa Kay

Nora Schwartz,Anne Samson

Shirley Dunkelman, Hedy Kaufl er, Roz Linderman

Janice Kaufl er, Irina Schaeffer, Helen Sassover,

Ruthie Kellerman

Janice Kaufl er, Rachel Teller,Lisa Stern

Janice Kaufl er,Gertrude Fox, Anne Bernstein,

Millicent Marks

Kaufl er, Roz Linderman

Janice Kaufl er, Rachel Teller,

Shirley Sweetbaum, Judith Garshofsky,

Janice Kaufl er

Nora Schwartz,

Ruthie Kellerman

Seventy-fi ve women attended AMIT LA’s hugely successful Generations-in-Israel event this past June at the New Young Israel of North Beverly Hills. The event was co-chaired by

mother-dauther team Gertrude Fox and Janice Kaufl er. Attendees enjoyed live jazz music, an elegant lunch and shopping at an on-site boutique. David Moss, executive vice president of AMIT, was present to discuss the growth of AMIT and its recent accomplishments.

PHOTOS: DJAMILLA COCHRAN - WWW.THEROSEWEDDINGS.COM

L.A. celebrates generations in israelby michal taviv-margolese

Pegi Medioni, Nora Schwartz, Janice Kaufl er, Susan Birnbaum

AMIT co-sponsored LA’s largest July 4th event for Jewish young adults. Three hundred people mixed, mingled and celebrated in Beverly Hills.

A DJ, magician, all you can eat BBQ and beer as well as “kosher” astrology were the featured entertainment of the afternoon gathering.

PHOTOS: DAVID MILLER STUDIOS

july 4th BBQ - L.A. style

Helen Sassover, Gertrude Fox,Irina Schaeffer


http://amitchildren.org/photos/la-bbq/

http://amitchildren.org/photos/la-gen-il-lunch/

T his past May former AMIT Executive Vice President Marvin Leff had the opportunity

to revisit the AMIT Fred Kahane Technological High School in Ashkelon to dedicate a plaque in memory of Rena Kent, z”l. Rena was a generous and dedicated member of AMIT from Forest Hills, New York. Joined by AMIT Israel Director of Development Judith Schwed-Lion and Principal Yitzhak Abargil, Marvin toured the school and met with current students. He witnessed for himself how the school has improved over the years, and has expanded its different tracks of study. The tour included a stop at the hotel management track, where Marvin sampled a fresh souffl é made by the students, took a look at the new auditorium and viewed a movie about the school, showing how it looked before and after a rocket hit it in 2009. Principal Abargil gave Marvin a picture book of the school, illustrating the tracks of study. AMIT in Israel was thrilled to welcome Marvin back for this memorable day.

AMIT Cleveland sponsored a mezuzah making event at “Spirit of Clay” in Mayfi eld Village, OH, in July. The event was a fun ladies night out to raise money for and

awareness of AMIT among young women in Cleveland. Everyone enjoyed exploring their artistic side and showing off their creative skills. Additionally, Executive Vice President David Moss was in town and was able to express his appreciation to the group and further describe the activities of AMIT. He encouraged the women to get involved in furthering the goals of AMIT in Cleveland. The event was a great success and will hopefully lead to similar events in the future to further involve the younger generation in AMIT Cleveland.

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

in memory of Rena Kent, generous and dedicated member of AMIT from Forest Hills, New York. Joined by AMIT Israel Director of Development Judith Schwed-Lion and Principal Yitzhak Abargil, Marvin toured the school and met with current students. He witnessed for himself how the school has improved over the years, and has expanded its different tracks of study. The tour included a stop at the hotel management track, where Marvin sampled a fresh souffl é made by the students, took a look at the new auditorium and viewed a movie about the school, showing how it looked before and after a rocket hit it in 2009. Principal Abargil gave Marvin a picture book of the school, illustrating the tracks of study. AMIT in Israel was thrilled to welcome Marvin back for this memorable day.

dedication of the rena kent educational wingby liz klibanoff

different tracks of study. The tour included a stop at the hotel management track, where

dedication of the rena kent


midwest mezuzahsby chagit ruskin


http://amitchildren.org/photos/mezuzah-making-in-cleveland/

Asher (“Ash”) Zuckerbrot, a 7th grade student at Yeshivat AMIT Nachshon in Mateh Yehuda, recently became a Bar Mitzvah. Asher is the son of New Generation Board Members Bibsi and David Zuckerbrot

and grandson of longtime AMIT volunteers, friends, and generous donors, Gitta and Rachmiel Koppel. As part of his Bar Mitzvah experience, Asher was “twinned” with Lidor, a boy from AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled. Because Asher lives in Israel, he was able to celebrate with Lidor at a few different events and create a long-term relationship.

Asher and Lidor fi rst met at Beit Hayeled, where they participated in a special staff vs. kids soccer game. Lidor showed Asher around his home at Beit Hayeled, and took him to his family unit there, where they discovered a mutual interest in computer games.

Next, Asher invited Lidor and another boy from AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled (who actually had gone to elementary school with Asher) to attend his Bar Mitzvah party in Beit Shemesh. The boys had a great time. Lidor reciprocated and invited Asher to attend his Bar Mitzvah at Beit Hayeled. At the event, Lidor put on tefi llin (which Asher and his family donated) for the fi rst time. Lidor has four siblings who live at Beit Hayeled and they had not seen their father in two years. After much persuasion by Motti Asraf, the director of Beit Hayeled, Lidor’s father fi nally agreed to attend his son’s Bar Mitzvah. It was a very emotional day.

Over the course of these past few months, Asher and Lidor have developed a special relationship. Asher has learned to appreciate what he has and is proud that he was able to help another boy his age.

To fi nd out more about how your child or grandchild who lives in Israel can celebrate his or her Bar or Bat Mitzvah with an AMIT twin, please contact Zemira Ozarowski at [email protected]

AMITMITZVAH PROGRAM

Building Israel.One Child at a Time

Your mitzvah today ensures a brighter future for a child tomorrow.

AMIT invites you to extend your generosity into the lives of those less fortunate by participating in the AMIT Mitzvah Program. Our Mitzvah Program gives young people the opportunity to grow in character and spirit through the act of tzedakah (charitable giving).

AMIT’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah Twinning Program of fers your fami ly the opportunity to profoundly impact the life of a young Israeli student, while at the same time enriching the experience of your own family’s simcha.

For more information on ways to get involved in the AMIT Mitzvah Program please contact Laurie Georgeou at 212.792.5025 or e-mail [email protected].

sabra twinningby zemira ozarowski


www.amitchildren.org/gifts/mitzvah-program-p-47.html

Brooke Stonehill, a Ramaz student from New York, wanted to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah in a meaningful way, so she participated in the AMIT Twinning Program. This past April the

Stonehill family traveled to Israel for three days of chesed, fun and touring.

After weeks of corresponding by email, Brooke was fi nally able to meet her AMIT twin, Avigail, a student at the AMIT Sderot Religious Junior and Senior High school. Together they packed food for the needy, participated in rock climbing and bungee jumping, and celebrated their Bat Mitzvahs at a festive lunch.

Brooke and her family are raising money to dedicate a basketball court and outdoor play space at Avigail’s school to commemorate the special occasion. Their time in Sderot was made even more special when Shimon

Amsalem, a former resident of Sderot and a current member of the Israeli basketball team, paid a visit to welcome the Stonehills. He said how proud he was that they chose Sderot for their Bat Mitzvah project. Afterward, everyone played a game of basketball together.

The Stonehill family visited eight AMIT schools on this trip, experiencing the diversity of the AMIT Network. At the Fred Kahane Technological High School in Ashkelon, the Stonehills participated in a special “Iron Chef Competition” along with the AMIT students. The school has a special culinary arts track that prepares students to enter the food industry after graduation.

The Stonehills made sure to include a number of chesed volunteer projects in their itinerary. They enhanced the beauty of the grounds of the AMIT Harel Elementary School in Kiryat Malachi by planting fl owers and helping with the gardening. They also collected produce from farms to donate to hungry Israelis through Leket. The Stonehills spent their last night in Israel bowling and enjoying ice cream with the children of AMIT’s youth home, AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled.

For Brooke’s parents, David and Robyn, a member of the Board of Directors, having the opportunity to share their passion for AMIT with their children was an incredible experience. “We think that by bringing Brooke

to Israel to meet the students of AMIT, it gave her a real understanding of how we work to help these children in Israel. That is reallywhat a milestone occasion should be all about, teaching your children the importance of tzedakah and giving back.”


DEVELOPMENT NEWS

a visit to welcome the Stonehills. He said how proud he was that they chose Sderot for their Bat Mitzvah project. Afterward, everyone played a game of basketball together.

The Stonehill family visited eight AMIT schools on this trip, experiencing the diversity of the AMIT Network. At the Fred Kahane Technological High School in Ashkelon, the Stonehills participated in a special “Iron Chef Competition” along with the AMIT students. The school has a special culinary arts track that prepares students to enter the food industry after graduation.

The Stonehills made sure to include a number of beauty of the grounds of the AMIT Harel Elementary School in Kiryat Malachi by planting fl owers and helping with the gardening. They also collected produce from farms to donate to hungry Israelis through Leket. The Stonehills spent their last night in Israel bowling and enjoying ice cream with the children of AMIT’s youth home, AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled.

brooke stonehill holds courtPHOTOS BY ORNA ITAMAR

work to help these children in Israel. That is reallywhat a milestone occasion should be all about, teaching your children the importance of and giving back.”


http://www.amitchildren.org/gifts/brook-stonehills-mitzvah-page-p-162.html

T his past June, Jone and Allen Dalezman of Newton, MA, were honored at an AMIT Tribute Brunch in

the presence of their family as well as over 90 AMIT supporters. Liz Klibanoff spoke on behalf of the AMIT National Office and the latest AMIT video was shown. The highlight of the morning was when Barton Zwiebach, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, gave a talk about the history of Peruvian Jews. Jone is originally from Peru. At the end of the brunch, Jone spoke of her passion for AMIT and offered a heart-felt thanks to all.

our peruvian memberby rana rappaportPHOTOS BY CLIFF LASSER

On the first day of summer, NewGen and Rae Koenigsberg Chapters in Baltimore held a “Summer Quest” event at

Oregon Ridge Park. This dynamic family evening was co-chaired by Ellyn and David Dannenbaum and DeeDee and Aaron Shiller, featuring Letterboxing (a combination of hiking and navigational skills in a treasure hunt style), an activity that was greatly enjoyed by all ages. A delicious BBQ, complete with refreshing snowballs, was served up by chef Jon Kaplan. Avraham Rosenblum and Friends (founder of the Diaspora Yeshiva Band) spoke and sang soulfully of our connection to Israel and Torah.

a quest for funby robbie pearlsteinPHOTOS BY DAVID STUCK

Technology, gave a talk about the history of Peruvian

Diaspora Yeshiva Band) spoke and sang soulfully of our connection to


http://amitchildren.org/photos/boston-tribute/

Metropolitan Chicago turned out in force for the annual Mother-In-Israel Event, held at the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie this past

May. Guests had exclusive after-hours access to the museum and enjoyed a gourmet buffet dinner.

Edy Kupietzky welcomed everyone and got the evening underway. AMIT President Debbie Isaac attended the event which was chaired by mother/daughter teams of Barbara Hanus and Edy Kupietzky, Linda Weissbrot and Keryn Schreiber and Susie Robinson and Mimi Stein. Debbie shared some of the many exciting recent developments at AMIT schools, highlighting the importance of AMIT’s unique educational approach.

Internationally renowned author Barbara Taylor Bradford was the event’s special guest speaker. She shared some of her inspirations for her newest novel, Letter From a Stranger, which has a Holocaust theme, and regaled the audience with anecdotes from her many years as a writer.

DEVELOPMENT NEWS

chicago mother- in- israelby beth gottesman

educational approach.

Internationally renowned author Barbara Taylor Bradford was the event’s special guest speaker. She shared some of her inspirations for her newest novel,Letter From a Stranger,and regaled the audience with anecdotes from her many and regaled the audience with anecdotes from her many

SAVE THE DATE MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2012

INAUGURAL

GOLF TOURNAMENT

AMITSOUTHEAST REGION

WESTON HILLS COUNTRY CLUB 2600 COUNTRY CLUB WAY WESTON, FL 33332 954-384-4653

For more information on sponsoring or to play call Robin Isaacson at 954-922-5100 or

e-mail [email protected].

REGISTER ONLINE AT WWW.AMITCHILDREN.ORG/NEWS-AND-EVENTS


http://amitchildren.org/photos/btb-in-chicago/

AMIT Philadelphia Council/Shira Chapter enjoyed its 2012 Mother-in-Israel event at the home of Monica Rasch in Merion in June. Honoree Dr. Nancy Isserman

Horwitz spoke eloquently and elaborated on her and her family’s deep and ongoing love for the State of Israel. A delicious dinner was catered by Circa of Lakewood and the Torah Academy Girls Choir provided the musical interlude.

philadelphia storyby robbie pearlstein

Rebbetzin Chava Gross andDr. Nancy Isserman Horwitz

Mima Kohn

Rachel Scheinmann, Monica Rasch, Joan Betesh,Dr. Nancy Isserman Horwitz, Rebbetzin Chava Gross, Eti Berkowitz and Tybie ResnickMarguerite Werrin and Edith Appel

Mima Kohn, Monica Rasch,Sara Bleier, Naomi Sved

T he annual “Generations in Israel” luncheon was held on May 21 at the Sephardic Temple in Cedarhurst, NY. This multi-generational event was planned to coincide with Yom Yerushalayim and is the signature

event of the Sabra and Massada Chapters of the Five Towns.

This year Sara Leifer was honored as the chapters’ Inter-Generational Woman of the Year for her caring and devotion to the work of AMIT. Sara has been a loyal member of the Sabra Chapter and she, along with her wonderful family, were present as guest speaker, Rebbitzin Shirley Pelcovitz, told the audience about the wonderful acts of chesed that the Leifer family has performed over the years.

5 towns generations-in-israel lunchby Bill Rothchild

Paulette Goldberg, Helene Zisholtz,

Brenda Kalter

Moishe Leifer, Sara Leifer, Blanche Lerer, Laura Levovitz

Sylvia Kain,Booky Wildes,

Sandy Davidoff

Jamie Leifer, Yoni Leifer, Mordechai Leifer,Astrid Leifer, Rachel Rosen, Malki Rosen, Miriam Rosen, Deena Klein, Kayla Leifer, Chani Klein Seated: Moishe Leifer, Mimi Leifer,Sara Leifer-Guest of Honor

David Moss, Zipporah Marans, Rebbitzin Shirley Pelcovitz, Jean Gluck, Sara Leifer, Rabbi Arnold Marans

Mima Kohn

Paulette Goldberg,

Jamie Leifer, Yoni Leifer, Mordechai Leifer,


http://amitchildren.org/photos/sabra-massada-luncheon/


learned a lot from the many very educated speakers, the visit defi nitely had the biggest impact on me.JC: My visit to Beit Hayeled was a highlight of the conference and truly a highlight of my month-long visit to Israel.MW: The most signifi cant moment of this trip was when I fi rst met all the women that were part of this conference and realized that as Jewish women, no matter where we come from we all have the same ideas, values, and views in life.

Please describe your overall experience at Beit Hayeled:YB: I had no idea what to expect when I went. However, I was blown away by what I witnessed there. The love that the staff has towards the children and the way the school is run is just unbelievable.JC: I loved meeting with the director who clearly plays an integral role In the Beit Hayeled community, and I enjoyed walking through the apartments and learning about the day-to-day activities within the family structure.MW: We were able to visit with some of the foster parents and the children staying with them. They were some of the most extraordinary people I have ever met. It taught me to look at my life and my way of living so differently and to appreciate everything I have. I am so thankful that the children in Beit Hayeled have found their haven.

Q&A:

T hree young AMIT women were awarded scholarships by the American Zionist Movement to attend the

Women in Zionism Conference in Jerusalem this past June. Yael Bindiger, a student of social work at Fordham University, Julie Casper, a graduate student at Columbia University, and Mara Willis, an insurance agent from Florida, were also able to attend Shimon Peres’ Presidential Conference. The trio concluded their stay in Jerusalem with a visit to AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled.

Please describe your overall experience at the conference:YB: I attended the conference not knowing what to expect and ended up gaining so much from the experience.JC: The Women in Zionism Conference is a great idea and could be tweaked into a wonderful leadership opportunity for women around the globe. MW: The women involved, the speakers, and the Presidential Conference were amazing. To see Jewish professional women from all around the world come together with a common bond was astounding.

What was the most signifi cant moment of this tripfor you? YB: The most signifi cant moment of the trip for me was the trip to Beit Hayeled. As much as I enjoyed the conference and

our delegates in jerusalem by Caroline Lagnado and Amy Oppenheim

Julie Casper

Yael Bindiger

Mara Willis

far right -Yael Bindiger and

Mara Willis

far left Yael Bindiger; far right Julie Casper


discussing h e r l at e s t n ov e l

Letter From a Strangerw h i c h f o c u s e s o n j e w i s h

& h o lo c au s t t h e m e s

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2012

B’NAI TORAH CONGREGATION BOCA RATON, FL

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION BY PHONE

PLEASE CALL ROBIN ISAACSON AT 954-922-5100 OR EMAIL

[email protected].

AMIT SOUTHEAST REGIONAL GALAfeaturing international bestselling author

BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORDdiscussing

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2012

spanning AMIT worldSoutheast Region - This past February the AMIT-Geula-Shalvah Chapter of the Southeast Region held their Annual Winter Luncheon and Boutique. The event was hosted by Chapter President and Board of Governers member, Francine Katz. This year Ellen Averbrook and Dr. Mona Abramowitz were honored with the Aishes Chayil Award. The Dvar Torah was presented by Debbie Haber Witnitzer. In addition, AMIT graduate Sara Kahana talked about her life story and the education she received at AMIT.

Seattle - Meta Buttnick, z”l, passed away on April 24th; she was 99. Meta started Seattle’s fi rst AMIT chapter after meeting Bessie Gotsfeld in 1939. AMIT in Seattle became known for its active member participation, monthly meetings, and donor luncheons where AMIT luminaries such as Dina Dyckman delivered eloquent speeches that inspired and impacted the audience. Meta’s grandchildren, Gabriella and David Fridman and Samantha Francis continue in her footsteps by supporting the work of AMIT.

Chicago - Chicago’s 4th annual Eleanor Levitansky Greenberg Memorial Shiur took place this past July at the home of Gina and Yossi Gottesman. Rabbi Reuven Brand was the guest speaker. With over 75 people in attendance it was a beautiful tribute to Eleanor’s memory. Eleanor was part of AMIT’s fi rst Young Leadership Mission to Israel over 40 years ago when the group was privileged to meet with Golda Meir.

Norman and Raquel Schwab, Sherwin Greenberg, Louis Kolom, Moshe and Fegi Deri, Joyce Avers, Sarit Deri and Miriam Kolom

Rockland County - As part of this year’s chesed initiative, students at the Adolph Schreiber Hebrew Academy of Rockland County collected 150 sets of pajamas and sent them to AMIT Frisch Beit Hayeled in Jerusalem.

The program culminated with the "Parshat Vayechi Pajama Read-In." Nursery school through 2nd grade students came to school on Motzei Shabbat in their pajamas. The children made pillows to send to Israel along with the pajamas, and then enjoyed ice cream sundaes.


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 net-work 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 regardingPresident’s Circle, please contact Robin Rothbort

at 212-477-4725, 1-800-989-AMIT (2647), oremail [email protected].

$100,000+Mollie Baller, z”l, FL

Debbie and David Isaac, NYEllen and Meyer Koplow, NY

Matanel Foundation, LuxembourgBarbara and Jules Nordlicht, NY

Dahlia Kalter Nordlicht and Mark Nordlicht, NYRobyn Price Stonehill and David Stonehill, NY

Ellen and Stanley Wasserman, NY

$50,000 - $99,999 Joan and Shael Bellows, IL

Hadassah and Marvin Bienenfeld, NYSuzanne and Jacob Doft, NY

Leon and Gloria, Edward, Sari and Howard Miller, NYIngeborg Petranker, z”l, CAHarriet and Heshe Seif, NJ

Adina Straus, NY Joyce and Daniel Straus, NJ

Zahava and Moshael Straus, NJBethia Straus-Quintas and Paul Quintas, IL

$36,000 - $49,999Anonymous, Israel

Michele and Ben Jacobs, NY

$25,000 - $35,999Anonymous, NY

Anonymous, IsraelThelma, z”l, and Harvey Berger, MA

Sherry and Neil Cohen, NYIke, Molly and Steven Elias Foundation, NY

Michael Foley, NYMitzi Golden, NY

Mildred and Alvin Hellerstein, NY Brenda and Albert Kalter, NYStacey and David Kanbar, NY

Gitta and Richard Koppel, Israel Millie and Lawrence Magid, NYDebbie and Samuel Moed, NJ

Micheline and Marc Ratzersdorfer, IsraelShirley and Morris Trachten, FL

$18,000 - $24,999Nicole Schreiber Agus and Raanan Agus, NY

Sara Beren, OHJewel and Ted Edelman, NYPnina and Jacob Graff, CAAmy and Jimmy Haber, NY

Russell Jay Hendel, MDSarah Liron and Sheldon Kahn, CA

Amy and Todd Kesselman, NYSharon and Solomon Merkin, NJ

Adrianne and Avi Shapira, NYMarilyn and Herbert Smilowitz, NJ

Carrie and Ilan Stern, NY Trudy and Stanley Stern, NY

An Invitation To Join Me In

President’s Circle

AMIT • BUILDIN

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• , 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

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,

Anonymous, NY Randi Schatz Allerhand and Joseph S. Allerhand, NY

Joseph Anmuth, CAJonathan Art, NY

Lolly and Harris Bak, NY Zelda and Solomon Berger, NY

Daisy Berman, NYAnne Bernstein, CA

Evelyn and Isaac Blachor, NYBeth and Reuben Blumenthal, NY

Ethlynne and Stephen Brickman, MALaurie and Eli Bryk, NY

Marion Crespi, NYJone and Allen Dalezman, MA

FALL12_pres_circle_p38-39_v3.indd 2 9/11/12 7:50 PM

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

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

Talia and Andrew Day, NY

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

Evelyn and Larry Farbstein, 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

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

Ruth and William Kantrowitz, NY

Harriet and Joel Kaplan, NY

Gloria and Harvey Kaylie, NY

Rochelle Stern Kevelson, NY

Diane and Barry Kirschenbaum, FL

Susan Alter Klaperman, NY

Tobi and Joel Klein, NY

Jane Klitsner, Israel

Laurie and Robert Koppel, NY

Evelyn and Lawrence Kraut, NJ

Rochelle and Seymour, z”l, Kraut, MA

Dorothy Kreiselman, NY

Bertha 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

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

Sharona and Michael Loeffler, FL

Audrey and Haskel Lookstein, NY

Naomi and Carl Lopkin, MA

Rita Lourie-Galena, PA & NY

Randie and Arthur 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

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

O’Melveny & Myers LLP/Ilan S. Nissan, 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

Evelyn Reichenthal, TX

Sheila and Sidney Rimmer, NY

Shelley Rindner, NY

Fritzie and Sheldon Robinson, IL

Kristina and Len Rosen, Israel

Vivian and Solomon Rosen, FL

Miriam and Howard Rosenblum, NJ

Elizabeth Rosenkrantz and Steven Lancman, NJ

Maks Rothstein, NY

Herbert Rudnick, NY

Ellen Scheinfeld, NY

Iris Schneider, NY

Esther and William Schulder, NJ

Miriam Seltzer, NY

Esther, z”l, and Jacques Semmelman, NJ

Sharon and Rony Shapiro, MA

Chana and Daniel Shields, NJ

Deena and Adam Shiff, NY

Nechi Shudofsky, NY

Mollie Siegel, NJ

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

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-Stone-Weiss Founda-tion, 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

$10,000 - $17,999Anonymous, NY

Randi Schatz Allerhand and Joseph S. Allerhand, NYJoseph Anmuth, CA

Jonathan Art, NYLolly and Harris Bak, NY

Zelda and Solomon Berger, NY Daisy Berman, NY

Anne Bernstein, CA Evelyn and Isaac Blachor, NY

Beth and Reuben Blumenthal, NYEthlynne and Stephen Brickman, MA

Laurie and Eli Bryk, NYMarion Crespi, NY

Jone and Allen Dalezman, MA

Selma and Jacob Dyckman, NYChaiki and Ziel Feldman, NJ

Lilly and Alfred Friedman, NYJoseph and Rae Gann Charitable Trust, MA

Miriam and Felix Glaubach, NYHarwit Charitable Trust, CA

Norma and Emanuel Holzer, NYSuzanne and Norman Javitt, NY

Rona and Ira Kellman, NYKirkland & Ellis LLP, NY

Nancy and Joshua Korff, NYSylvia and Leon Korngold, NYRuth and Daniel Krasner, NYEsther and Motti Kremer, NY

Mindy and Seymour Liebman, NYAliza and Steven Major, NY

Zipporah and Arnold Marans, NY Etella and Haim Marcovici, NY

Marilyn and Leon Moed, NYNataly and Steve Neuwirth, NY

Judith and Daniel Ottensoser, NYRegina Peterseil, NY

Lauren and Mitchell Presser, NY Barbara and Joel Rascoff, NYJoyce and Stanley Raskas, NYShari and Jacob M. Safra, NY

Jan and Sheldon Schechter, NYCharlotte Schneierson, NY

Rita and Eugene Schwalb, NJErica and Rob Schwartz, NY

Deanne and Leonard Shapiro, NYJudy and Isaac Sherman, NY

Ronnie and William Slochowsky, NY Sondra and Myron Sokal, NYFrancine and Aaron Stein, NJ

Jody and Ari Storch, NYAudrey and Chaim Trachtman, NY

Ina and David Tropper, NYPaula Yudenfriend and Arlin Green, PA

$5,000 - $9,999

president’s circle of honor*As of August 9, 2012

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®

JOYCE AND DANIEL STRAUS

A N N U A L D I N N E R C H A I R S

DEBBIE ISAAC

P R E S I D E N T

DEBBIE MOED

V I C E P R E S I D E N T, F I N A N C I A L R E S O U R C E D E V E L O P M E N T

DAVID MOSS

E X E C U T I V E V I C E P R E S I D E N T

FRANCINE AND AARON STEINP R E S I D E N T I A L L E A D E R S H I P H O N O R E E S

LAURIE AND ELI BRYK G U E S T S O F H O N O R

ALLIE AND ALEXANDER LUXENBERG Y O U N G V I S I O N A R Y H O N O R E E S

PIER SIXTY-CHELSEA PIERS 2 3 R D S T R E E T A N D T H E H U D S O N R I V E R

N E W Y O R K C I T Y

F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N C O N TA C T R O B I N R O T H B O R T AT 2 1 2 - 4 7 7 - 4 7 2 5 , 1 - 8 0 0 - 9 8 9 - A M I T O R R O B I N R @ A M I T C H I L D R E N . O R G .

Building Israel. One Child at a Time

AMIT 2012 ANNUAL DINNER

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2012, AT 6 :00 PM

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http://www.amitchildren.org/gifts/amit-2012-annual-dinner-p-67.html

amit 2012 fall magazine

Documents

amit network

amit faculty

d i n g

israeli society

o n e c h i

amit arr ives

issue of amit magazi

israeli politician