Bentleys in Israel: Humanitarians -- West Jerusalem & Israel

Besides humanitarian efforts per Sept., Oct. '10 & Feb. '11 posts ["Old City," "West Bank" & "East Jerusalem"], there are some very fine Jewish & other charities in West Jerusalem serving a broad populace.

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DVI. In 2010, 140 Dental Volunteers for Israel gave free dental care to over 3,500 needy children. It was named for a caring holocaust survivor.

Vols come worldwide to serve for a few weeks without pay. Many (incl. some LDS, every year) are recruited by Gordon Christensen, a prominent LDS dentist.

LDS Charities (thru BYU) has provided 3 of their 5 dental chairs.

In Sept. '10 and on 2/13/11, Michelle Levine (and on 12/6/11, an Argentine hygienist) showed how DVI gave free cleaning every 6 mos. They also taught dental hygiene in a unique classroom. Children under age 18 came -- mostly from poor Arab, ultra-Orthodox or immigrant Jewish families.

DVI facilities are small but its equipment is "state of the art." On 12/6/11, we attended the unveiling of a unique panoramic X-ray machine acquired with the participation of LDS Charities & BYU.

This is only the 2nd such machine in Jerusalem. (The 1st was at Hadassah Hospital.) It enables full-mouth X-rays and computerized records.

The expanded X-ray room actually included a 1/2 bathroom -- but was still small.

Before the "unveiling ceremony," we all heard explanations from Michelle Levine, the Dental Director and Finance Chairman.

We partnered with the Rotary and other foundations in providing this very advanced and expensive but necessary equipment.

We were impressed by the effective humanitarian care provided by this Jewish organization to children of all nationalities & creeds.

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NA'AMAT: Movement for Working Women. Many indigent women, including recent immigrants, must work outside the home to help support their families and become more self sufficient. This Jewish charity provides daycare centers for young children in or near Jerusalem and elsewhere.

On 1/30/11, Marilyn inspected their new bathroom & outside entry at the Zuckerman Day Care Center, in the town of Patt (Greater Jerusalem).

Classroom doors & windows that LDS Charities paid for in 2010 were also inspected.

All was arranged by Judy & Stu Telman. They help us with some hosting of JC concerts when the students & seniors are away on field trips.

On 10/31/10 we had visited another daycare center operated by Na'amat on the northern outskirts of Jerusalem -- serving many Jewish emigrants from Africa and eastern Europe.

Compassionate caregivers provide love and support to these needy children.

Women's Crisis Shelter & Counseling Cntr. Exactly one year after our 1st visit with them, on 10/30/11, the Telmans took us & the Chapmans to a unique facility near Tel Aviv. On 11/9/11 we returned with Eran, Sharon Eubank (new head of LDS Charities) and the Grahams from Galilee.

Only the Glickman Center has both "open" (counseling) and "closed" (shelter) functions in the same facility. Na'amat Canada funds 1/3 of its operations (govt. 2/3) but virtually all of its facilities -- like these items & kitchen, office, library, dorms, etc.

We met with Orit (right, with Na'amat for 26 yrs. & founder of this facility 16 yrs. ago) and Ruth (mgr. of its only closed shelter for the past 6 yrs.)

The shelter had several secure outside entries with no outward ID -- for protection & privacy. Women come here from police, social workers, hospitals & govt agencies.

The counseling center's front entry was nicely landscaped & attractive.

The counseling/group therapy room accommodated us well on 11/9/11.

Backyard areas were protected with high fences. After initial concerns, upscale neighbors accepted this center. (It was not for drug/alcohol addicts, prostitutes or mentally ill.)

The shelter's lobby area included an emergency call box on the wall (left).

Now, 30 women & children sleep in 5 rooms. The govt. mandated their adding 5 more rooms -- on a new 2nd level & stairs being built. More outside donations will be needed to furnish the new bedroom/bathroom units.

There were attractive dining and more group counseling rooms.

Rooms & play areas for children were especially neat & cheerful.

So were the outside playgrounds.

We left this facility with renewed awareness of the care provided to abused women & children. (There were 13 closed shelters & 84 open counseling centers in Israel.)

Afterwards, on 11/9/11, Eran & Sharon & the Grahams met with us in a nearby park to digest our day's events.

Youth Village. On 10/30/11, before the rains came, we next visited the agricultural Kanot High School for struggling & destitute teenagers.

In their front office, we met with Shirli (Overseas mgr.), Sara (housing mgr. for 6 yrs.), Aloni (Treas. 23 yrs.) & Avi (Gen'l Dir. 22 yrs.)

They care for 250 students (ages 14-18 with 230 as residents) on a 3,000-acre farm in Gedera -- just south of Tel Aviv. It was founded in 1952. The core 230 acres is surrounded by crops and farmland.

Many had nothing to live for and were referred by the Youth Welfare Dept. Soon their lives were centered here. This reminded us of Yemin Orde in the Carmel Mtns. -- much more than an orphanage.

Sports therapy is a big element, teaching teamwork & cooperation. The school has received many trophies for competitive achievement.

Creative students formed unique bench seating at their soccer field -- using old tires, chicken wire & rubberized covering. Students really loved farm work.

There were stables, barns & show rings for training horses.

These 300 milk cows required daily chores & discipline from the students.

Students have excelled in graduation rates & adapting to many disciplines. On 11/9/11 we learned that 190 of 230 residents are part of a unique police academy. Most have also excelled in the military -- the key to future employment.

En route home, we stopped at a large field with huge cauliflowers.

Next to the field was one of three Iron Dome batteries that intercepts missiles from Gaza. [See Sept. '11 post, More Political & Civil Events.] IDF men at the battery didn't mind photos -- but we omitted their faces anyway.

These were days filled with valuable learning experiences. On 10/30/11, we beat the rains home.

Na'amat in Nazareth. On 11/11/11 we drove north to this charity's brand new facilities in Northern Israel, where BYU had made a major donation for their school. It took 2 hours on Hwy 6 -- a fast, modern toll road.

Nazareth (popul. 65K) is the largest Arab city in Israel -- 60% Muslim and 40% Christian. The metropolitan area (popul. 210K) spreads over 12 hills.

Na'amat is moving its schools for cosmetology, dental asst. and preschool educ. into the first floor of this large new facility on the city's outskirts.

Rodaina (Director) and her assistant showed us around its spacious rooms and corridors.

Furnishings & eqmt. are ready as soon as electricity is installed.

We also saw the spot for the new dental chair being donated by BYU.

On the road outside, we saw a bridal party "kidnapping" the bride -- a local custom for both Muslims and Christians.

After our visit, we passed by a lovely mosque and down streets on nearly vertical slopes to our next destination. Note mosque atop the hill (left).

Mary's Well: Long the city's main water source, this may have been where angel Gabriel told virgin Mary that she would bear the son of God. Now close to the Church of Annunciation, this depicts how the spring may have looked then.

We missed seeing Mary's Well on our Galilee Field Trip (see Nov. '10 post). Nearby is a gorgeous, spreading oak tree.

We enjoyed drinks & delicious desserts together -- but, as we were walking to our cars afterwards, a juvenile on bike struck Rodaina (shown on rt., below) from behind, knocking her hard to the ground. It impaired a wonderful evening.

[See also Nov. '10 post, Galilee Church Service.]

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SHEKEL Rehab & Vocational Center

In Sept. 2010 & again on 10/27/10 (when Adrienne Dodi was there), we visited a Jewish charity that occupies this entire building. It provides a wide range of services to help many special needs persons to become more self-sufficient.

For example, the large fish tank at the main entry is not only there to be cheery & bright, setting the right atmosphere. It also teaches how to care for other living things.

Up to 200 disabled adults work at many tasks inside the center -- like assembling, packaging & mass mailing of commercial products. These include their own candles & decorations for public and private celebrations.

There are also sewing, graphics & computer-training centers here. We have provided computers & other items to this charity.

We saw athletic trophies for special olympics and wall photos of their members' participation in stage plays and film productions.

On the rooftop is a "Therapy Garden" where they grow & care for living plants.

Over the past 30 years, through these and other varied programs, this charity has helped many young & older adults achieve self-sufficiency, dignity and full participation in useful vocations, social positions & happy living.

Children's Rehab Center. Another function was helping young children (ages 0-8) with speech, physical (large motor) and occupational (small motor) therapy & rehab. On 12/10/10 we visited this Child Development Center in East Jerusalem -- since 1991, the only one there to help young children with developmental disabilities. LDS Charities has provided 4 computers to support their staff.

On 6/28/11 we visited their new rehab facility in west Shu'fat -- occupying 1/2 the ground level in a 3-story mixed use bldg., quite near the one in French Hill they had to vacate due to excessive rents.

Their space was gutted and renovated with 10 new rooms for rehab, office & consultation use by 13 licensed therapists, psychologists & social workers.

Many Israeli Arab children in East Jerusalem will be served here. Our computers are all being put to good use.

To avoid institutionalizing disabled persons, this charity also houses as many as possible in group homes largely fixturized by LDS charities.

JC Benefit Concert. On 6/22/11, we hosted a benefit reception & concert for SHEKEL at the JC. Adrienne Dodi seemed to be everywhere.

The JC hallways displayed artwork by otherwise clinically depressed persons.

Some showed signs of inner struggle while others did not.

The concert itself was terrific. The Atar Trio (+ a singer) played a fine variety, incl. French pieces and Argentine rhythms. I even bought their CD!

Adrienne and Marilyn seemed very pleased with the entire evening.

This event was nicely covered in their next publication, including this photo:

On 2/26/12, we visited Adrienne for the lsat time -- grateful for her friendship..

BEIT SAFAFA Women's Society: We first visited this charity in Sept. '10. It is near Bethlehem and employs Arab women to cook food for schools & special events in the area. Their income helps support youth summer camps, inservice teacher training and other good causes.

LDS Charities provided much of their kitchen equipment plus an audio-visual setup with tables & chairs for their inservice teacher training facility.

On 2/13/11 we met Zaydoun Subhi & their board and saw the women in action. We provided more hygiene kits & summer camp support in 2011.

On 3/2/11, about 50 teachers from 6 or 7 schools in and around Beit Safafa filled a seminar room -- one of the largest Arabic groups to attend a tour since our arrival. On 7/21/11, another 50 Arab speakers came with a tour of 150 from Starkist (tuna workers) in Haifa.

These teachers also thronged the terrace. They spoke constantly among themselves (a unique Arabic cultural trait), but mainly focused on what they were seeing & hearing. Akram is the society's Director (below).

On 7/10/11 Marilyn & Sandy Huntington led their group of 8 students here for summer camp for about 40 kids, ages 1 to 12. Their teachers were capable & caring. Their 3 groups of kids rotated thru all the activities shown below.

Sandy and Sharla took some older children for English instruction in the A-V room, where regular public-school teachers do their in-service training.

Then they led the children in some easy & enjoyable line dancing.

Maha Musa took others into the next room for table games, coloring & stories. She is an accomplished engineer & artist -- another volunteer like us.

Jarret, Fenton & Jacey did even more active games in the basement.

Erica, Joni & Ashlyn went into the courtyard for some "limbo" and other fun.

It looks like everyone had a great time!

On Sun. 7/24/11 the Women's Society held a crafts bazaar at their offices. Artwork, jewelry, clothing & needlework were displayed. I was surrounded as the first patron to come and so had to buy some place mats & a coin purse. We returned on 2/26/12 with the Schafers for our final visit.

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WIZO. Directly across from our bank on Hillel St. is a charity that takes excess clothing left by students returning to the USA. "Women's International Zionist Organization" is an umbrella that retails it or distributes it thru other organizations to needy in the Holy Land -- like Good Will Thrift or Deseret Industries.

We also provided hygiene kits for WIZO's "at-risk" children's shelter on Hebron Street in West Jerus.

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Jerusalem Rape Crisis Center. This charity was formed in 1981 and has been in the same bldg. on Ben Hillel near McDonalds since 1996 -- but was new to us.

It was named for a young Canadian psychologist who died before fulfilling her life's desire to found a rape center here -- after a young student committed suicide when the police disbelieved she had been raped. On 2/12/12 we met with Rinot (Director) & Avital Feldman (Development) -- both bright, articulate & caring.

In 2011 over 200 trained volunteers took 4,300 hotline calls, gave 500 workshops & organized 9 support groups. They counseled & gave legal aid to women in comfortable space. But their physical infrastructure suffered from neglect.

Our visit was arranged by Yasmin Confino (center), an attorney working at the JC when we first arrived. Rinot and many volunteers are also attorneys.

Perhaps the JC and our successors can provide some much-needed equipment to support the vital ongoing services being provided by this charity.

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Haifa Women's Crisis Center. On 11/13/11 we delivered hygiene kits to a very private shelter above the Bahai Gardens. Rachel greeted us outside their 3-story bldg. at the end of a long, secluded inner driveway.