OU ISRAEL TEEN CENTERS Saving Our Future,
TODAY.
OU ISRAEL OU Israel, the Orthodox Union’s branch in Israel, has been servicing the Jewish community in Israel for 45 years. For over two decades, we have been at the forefront working with at-risk Israeli teens in many of Israel’s toughest neighborhoods. In each city, we work with local government officials, the Department of Welfare and local schools to identify children who are in need of a warm and secure Teen Center to keep them out of trouble and a youth counselor to provide a listening ear, support and direction.
IMPACT OF THE WAR ON TEENS Israel as a nation is experiencing collective trauma that, unaddressed, has the potential to cause significant long-term physical, psychological, relational, and cognitive damages. At-risk teens, such as the teens from Sderot and other communities who grew up under constant rocket fire, are particularly vulnerable to developing anxiety and PTSD. Youth at risk are especially vulnerable during times of crisis, as they may lack the necessary support structures to navigate challenges effectively. Creating a nurturing environment that fosters growth and emotional and social support is paramount. OU Israel is empowering Israeli teens to overcome the trauma and obstacles they face, enabling a smoother transition back to their regular lives and long-term success as contributing citizens of the State of Israel.
WHY THE OU? u 20+ years of expertise and success working with
teens in Israel’s most disadvantaged areas. u Over 6,000 teenagers attend our
20 Teen Centers on a weekly basis. u Strong infrastructure in 20 municipalities
throughout Israel. u Active, long-term partnerships with municipal
and state government offices. u The OU’s stature and ability to engage
community leaders, donors, experts and government. u 94% of OU Israel Teen Centers alumni
enlist in the IDF and National Service.
SOLUTIONS TO OVERCOME TRAUMA OU ISRAEL’S CRISIS HOTLINE OU Israel launched a Hebrew emotional support hotline (Chaverim Makshevim *8298) which is providing support for thousands of Israeli teens and young adults who are suffering emotionally and mentally from the war’s trauma, loss of life, anxiety and more since its outbreak. The hotline is run by trained social workers and volunteers who provide a listening ear, support and care to help people cope and become more resilient as well as direct them, when needed, to receive much needed help from additional therapeutic and counseling professionals.
THERAPEUTIC WORKSHOPS OU Israel Teen Centers have proven success utilizing therapeutic workshops to help teens overcome trauma. Unfortunately, missiles and sirens are not a new experience. We know what it is like for a teenager to begin bedwetting due to trauma and the embarrassment the teens have. We know the teens are hesitant to discuss their fears with their parents and teachers because they do not want to add to their stress. We have seen these children unable and unwilling to open up in a typical therapy setting with a social worker or psychologist. We have also seen those same teens open up and thrive through therapeutic workshops we run when their counselors work hand in hand with a workshop expert and mental health professionals. THERAPEUTIC WORKSHOPS INCLUDE: u Phototherapy u Art therapy u Boxing therapy u Dog training therapy u Creative writing
PHYSICAL OU ISRAEL TEEN CENTERS NECESSARY SAFETY & SECURITY RENOVATIONS October 7th and subsequent events illustrated the need to add basic security measures to the physical Teen Centers to ensure the teens feel safe attending. There is a need to build safe rooms and add security to all 20 OU Israel Teen Centers.
REBUILDING CENTERS HIT BY THE WAR 11 of the 20 Teen Centers have been wrecked by the war and are in need of repairs and renovations. Time is critical. It is important to fix them now and have them ready for our teens the day they move back to their homes. Many teens refer to the Teen Centers as their ‘home away from home.’ They have already expressed fears associated with returning home - many to homes where they were in bomb shelters for over 24 hours on October 7. It is incumbent on us to ensure the Teen Centers are ready to provide them with the emotional and social outlet they will need when they return.
NEW CENTERS IN OFAKIM AND NETIVOT Ofakim and Netivot are two cities that were hit very hard by the war. They are aware of our model of success helping at-risk teens overcome trauma. They have already requested the OU to open Teen Centers there. These teens are in need of serious support and the guidance our counselors offer, but we need your support to fund the opening of these new Teen Centers.
OU ISRAEL TEEN CENTERS KIRYAT SHMONA
NAHARIYA AKKO
TZFAT
KATZRIN CHATZOR TIBERIAS
NOF HAGALIL
NETANYA YAFFO
ARIEL
CHOLON RECHOVOT KIRYAT MALACHI
MAALE ADUMIM YERUSHALAYIM
BEIT SHEMESH
KIRYAT GAT
SDEROT
DIMONA
20 CENTERS
$1,000
My advisor is like a brother to me. Even when we’re displaced here in Eilat he comes and takes us out.
Two weeks of group activities & outings for 15 teens
Teenagers learn how to express emotions through a single snapshot.
$1,800
Sponsor one at-risk teen to attend a therapeutic workshop series
Most of the places I was at before I got here told me I wasn’t going to succeed in school or life. Here they believed in me and gave me the confidence in myself that I can get anywhere that I want.
$5,000
Mentor one at-risk teen for one year
$10,000
If you’re in a bad mood just come, talk and take a load off. It’s the greatest feeling in the world.
Support the Zula Outreach Center for one week (approx. 2,500 teens)
The trauma these teens are dealing with will be with them for a long time.
$18,000
Train 20 advisors in assisting teens suffering from PTSD
$36,000
This is the most important activity of my week. I can’t wait to go back.
Refurbish a war damaged Teen Center with furniture and equipment
$54,000
My Zula therapist taught me it’s important to believe in the good that’s in me and to know that I can ask for help.
Sponsor a social worker for one year
The OU Israel Teen Center is a place that invests in people and gives lessons for life.
$100,000
Sponsor therapeutic and other programming for 180 teens
Wow. The Center is the most special place. My son thrives there.
$150,000
Annual sponsorship for a Teen Center for one year
$350,000
It’s a second home for me. A home with all the people you love the most.
Build a Teen Center in place of the one destroyed due to the war
Your hotline enabled me to express myself for the first time in a while and provided me with strength to keep my head up.
$500,000
Sponsorship of the Teen Crisis Hotline, operating cost for three years
$750,000
I want to go back to see my friends and all be together with our advisor.
Build a Teen Center in place of the one destroyed due to the war, including program & operating costs for three years
I want to go home, but I am scared. I don’t know who will help me.
$1,000,000
Establish a new Teen Center in the hard hit south (Ofakim or Netivot)
FOR HELPING US INSPIRE Donations made to OU ISRAEL are Tax Deductible according to Paragraph 46 of the Israel Income Tax Code Donations in the USA made to the Orthodox Union are tax deductible per the Internal Revenue Code Donations made in CANADA to J.E.S (Jewish Educational Services), an affiliate organization of the OU Israel Center, are eligible for a tax credit according to the Canada Revenue Agency
Scan to donate
www.ouisrael.org/donate/teen-centers US ADDRESS: 40 Rector Street New York, NY 10006
CANADIAN ADDRESS: 7601 Bathurst Street, Unit 207 Thornhill, Ontario L4J 4H5
@THEOUISRAEL
22 KEREN HAYESOD, YERUSHALAYIM l OUISRAEL.ORG