Category: Chanukah

Lighting Up Lives in Israel

Dear Friends,

As this holiday of lights begins, we want to wish you the very best at this wonderful time of year.

From the CFJI Family to yours, thank you for your generous contributions this year to those living below the poverty line in Israel. 

Every gift, small or large, lights up the lives of those most in need. Your light provides not just food, educational support and basic needs, most of all, it offers HOPE. 

Much as the single jar of oil lit the temple for many nights, we believe that individual acts of kindness such as yours, have the power to create miracles.

We are grateful to you for being a light for those without. 

Wishing you and your family a Happy Hanukkah,

Pam Albert, Executive Directive

Jill Meyer, Chair

DONATE LINK

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/4750

A portion of funds raised may be used to support our operations.

We are grateful to you for sharing this email with those who may interested

Lighting Up Lives: Malach’s Story

Tenth-grade student, Malach has participated in our Jump Start program for two years. Throughout his childhood, Malach struggled with attention deficit issues that interfered with his ability to focus in school. Staff enrolled Malach in his school’s remedial class due to difficulties with math. With his parents working multiple jobs, Malach often spends his evenings supervising his younger siblings. 

Since joining Jump Start, Malach has developed a trusting and comfortable relationship with his math tutor, Sabine, whose thorough, personalized instruction allowed Malach’s academic performance and confidence to improve immensely. Within a few months of tutoring, Malach’s school decided to transfer him to a regular math class. In February, his instructor further placed him in the advanced math class. Future tutoring sessions will prepare Malach for his honors-level math matriculation exam in the 11th grade. 

Malach remains driven to graduate with honors despite various setbacks, an achievement he would never have thought was possible.

ABOUT THE JUMP START PROGRAM

The second in our series of four, the Jump Start program, run by the Jaffa Institute, focuses on the educational and emotional needs of youth ages 11-18. Highly-motivated tutors assist students in core subjects such as math, science, English and Hebrew. Instruction is on a one-on-one basis. Some 50% of the students enrolled in this program have been diagnosed with special needs and many others have learning issues. Tutors are trained to address both the students’ academic challenges and to encourage them to discuss any emotional issues and social pressures that they may be grappling with.

Click here to learn more about this program.

*Names and photos have been changed to protect individual’s privacy.

Lighting Up Lives: Hanna’s Story

Hanna loves to play clarinet. Looking at this energetic, healthy 11-year-old girl practicing with her orchestra at Bat Yam After-School Center, it’s hard to imagine the shy, underweight girl who arrived at the Centre three years ago. 

Hanna is one of six siblings. Since her parents made Aliyah from the Ukraine in the late 1990s, her father has worked as a taxi driver, her mother as a cleaner. Hanna’s parents love their children, but there was never really enough food to go around. 

Hanna didn’t thrive in her first few years of primary school. She was tired and irritable, always struggling to focus on her work. But a month or so after joining Bat Yam After-School Center, her counselors noticed a change. She began to look healthier and happier as she was given daily Hot Meals. Her concentration allowed her to focus on her love for music. Without Hot Meals, Hanna would still be an underweight, underachieving student; three years of nutritious lunches later, she is a flourishing young musician, sharing her music with her community.

ABOUT THE MUSICAL MINDS PROGRAM

This program introduces students to the arts. It encourages children aged three through 12 to immerse themselves twice a week in one of a wide range of arts subjects. They can learn to play instruments. There is also vocal training on offer. Other choices include: drawing; sculpture; and photography. Instruction is by highly-trained professionals, classes are small and each child receives individualized attention.

Click here to learn more about this program.

*Names and photos have been changed to protect individual’s privacy.

Chanukah Wishes from CFJI