ICEJ Helps Israeli At-Risk Youths Develop New Skills

B Y LAURINA DRIESSE ICEJ MEDIA & PUBLICATIONS DIRECTOR

delicious sufganiyot (doughnuts). Later, during the party, the proud bakers offered guests a selection of colorful toppings to give their taste buds a unique, flavorful treat!

T he whole village was abuzz as preparations for the Hanukkah party took shape. One young man who struggles with stuttering practiced a beautiful song to perform at the party. When he sings, the stuttering somehow fades into the background, and he can sing clearly and beautifully.

Meanwhile, guests were beginning to arrive at the front gate. Elevenyear-old Shlomi was alive with anticipation for the party, and even more so when he spotted his parents arriving. He called out to the director: “Maya, look! My mom and dad are here!”

“He looked like a pent-up bundle of emotion and energy, all wound up and so sweetly shy at the same time, as though he did not know exactly what to do with himself,” noted Nicole. “I was so touched to hear that the parents received a special taxi—paid for by the village—so that they could make it to the party. It was their first visit, although their son had lived in the village for four years. No wonder he was a bundle of pent-up emotion.”

T he director quickly suggested that he choose a gift for his mother from a nearby table. “You should have seen him shoot off at a run to get that gift for his mother. What a special day for him and so many other children who welcomed their parents to the village for Hanukkah,” said Nicole with much emotion.

Warm thanks to the ICEJ’s partners who gave the first donation toward purchasing equipment to get this project going. The donation will go toward purchasing an industrial oven.

Please consider giving to ICEJ AID, which helps disadvantaged Israelis have a brighter and more hopeful future—and in this case, is enabling at-risk Israeli youths to heal and develop new vocational skills in a loving and safe environment.