HADASSAH   Youth Aliyah

Youth Aliyah, Healing Family and Community. Working in the vineyards of Mt. Carmel

Nearly a third of Israel’s children live in poverty, according to a 2014 report by the National Council for the Child in Israel. In addition, more than 450,000 children suffer from high-risk situations such as physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, learning disability without access to proper resources, or a lack of basic rights.

Hadassah founder, Henrietta Szold (front center) with children from a Youth Aliyah village. Courtesy Hadassah archives

Members of Neurim Youth Aliyah Village Robotics team makes their mark at an international competition

Youth Aliyah Child Rescue continues to play a role in the absorption of young newcomers to Israel, particularly from the former Soviet Union and Africa. In addition, the organization offers a second chance to Israeli youth who have been designated ‘at risk’ by child care authorities.  Children in the care of Youth Aliyah are housed in five youth residential villages in Israel. The villages include schools, dorms, clubhouses and playgrounds, and offer emotional support, education, developmental training and extra-curricular activity.

Photo Courtesy of Ziv Ababa. An Ethiopian Israeli woman harvests vegetables she planted with Youth Aliyah students, recreating an African village in the foothills of Mount Carmel. Article courtesy of the Christian Science Monitor

The children come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and often have serious emotional, psychological and behavioral difficulties. Many come from disadvantaged, low income or dysfunctional families, very often single-parent families. They are often at risk because of poverty, neglect, domestic violence, sexual abuse, drug or alcohol abuse, mental illness, homelessness or delinquent behaviour. Other children suffer from cancer and need respite care, while others come from families that have been victims of terror.

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