Category: Programs
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.
Hike-with-CFJI
Fall Guided Hike Series in Southern Ontario: Join Us!
As the beautiful fall colours emerge in southern Ontario, we are excited to announce our inaugural Guided Hike Series.
Now more than ever, we believe connecting with nature and creating community together is a vital way to well-being and envisioning a better world. What better way to do that than through guided day hikes in our beautiful backyard?
Please join us for the fall session led by Alec Diebel, an accredited outdoor adventure guide.
This is a 4-part series, taking place Sunday mornings from 9:30am to approximately 12:30pm at different locations for each hike.
dates & locations
Sunday, October 31: Rouge River Valley
Sunday, November 14: Dundas Valley Trail (exploration #1)
Sunday, November 28: Mount Nemo
Sunday, December 12: Dundas Valley Trail (exploration #2)
**rain dates will be the following Sunday for any hike
DETAILS
Hikers are responsible for their own transportation to and from the trailhead. Plan to arrive 10 minutes before we start. Trails in provincial parks may have a fee for parking, which is not covered by the series fee commitment.
Hikes are geared to a wide range of skill levels. There will not be any technical hikes for this inaugural series and all levels of strong walkers will be able to enjoy the trails.
A waiver will be emailed to each participant and must be signed and returned prior to the first hike.
What to bring:
Please wear sturdy hiking shoes and removable top layers as we will warm up as we go.
Please bring a day pack with a minimum of two 1L water bottles or a 2L bladder and light snacks.
ABOUT THE GUIDE
Alec Diebel is a graduate of Algonquin College’s Outdoor Adventure Program, 2-year professional guide training program in the Ottawa Valley. He has experience guiding bike tours and canoe trips around Ontario, as well as hiking in such diverse eco-systems as the Adirondacks, in New York State, and the Rockwall Trail in British Columbia. He is excited to help build a local hiking group series in Southern Ontario.
FEES
The fee is $100 for the series.
Payment may be made by e-transfer or Visa.
If you are interested in learning more please email: HikewithCFJI@gmail.com or call Pam Albert at (416) 271-7999.
Passover Food Drive
HELP US TO RAISE $10,000 TO FEED 100 FAMILIES AND HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS THIS PASSOVER!
Passover, a festival where freedom is celebrated, is fast approaching. While this is an opportunity for renewal and reflection, it is a challenge for those who are unable to afford Passover food items.
Help us to ensure that our children, families and Holocaust Survivors in Israel, can celebrate this holiday of freedom with plentiful food packages.
Give a single donation of $180 or more and receive a beautiful package of 5 cards depicting life at the Jaffa Institute, created by photojournalist Meredith Holbrook
Give a single donation of $500 or more and receive a beautiful puzzle set entitled “Food is Love” which includes a 1000-piece puzzle AND a 30-piece puzzle
Become a monthly donor to the Canadian Friends of the Jaffa Institute and pledge $20 per month to receive your card set now OR $45 per month to receive your puzzle set now
Conversations Over Coffee
Settle in with a cup of coffee or tea to hear Reb Steve of the Beth Tzedec Centre for Spiritual Well-Being in Toronto, with Mitch Chupak, Director of Development for the Jaffa Institute. They discuss the Jaffa Institute and the amazing work they do to assist the city of Jaffa’s severely disadvantaged children and their families.
Together We Raised $34,000 to Feed 340 Families
Thank you! We surpassed our goal. Together we raised over $34,000 to feed 340 families!
We came together as a global community, took on this challenge and surpassed our goal. Thanks to our restaurants, home chefs, generous donors and a deep and broad community who joined hands to make this a reality. We are forever grateful
As we celebrate Rosh Hashanah, we think of our community in Israel who is able to join us in celebrating the new year.
Shana tovah u’metukah to all who celebrate.
While the 18-Day Challenge has completed, you can still contribute by clicking here.
2020 Summer Camp Dreams Come True
In 2020 the Jaffa Institute will once again be operating summer camps. Even during COVID 19, these camps continue to operate along with other programs that support our families and Holocaust survivors in South Tel Aviv, Jaffa and surrounding communities.
Our Summer Camp Program provides children with the opportunity to participate in daily educational and recreational activities, an opportunity that their families would otherwise be unable to afford.
This well-structured summer experience ensures that the children continue to receive The Jaffa Institute’s therapeutic services and enjoy food security and, at the same time, learn and have fun.
Last year, The Jaffa Institute’s Summer Camp Program provided 1,000 children with the opportunity to attend camp.