In these days of ongoing warfare and uncertainty, Boys Town Jerusalem students are gaining not only education but also remarkable emotional survival skills for life, reports BTJ social worker and therapist Hadas Knopf.
Growing up in a reality on constant stress
“Naturally, it’s nearly impossible for students to stay ‘normal’ in Israel after two years of Corona followed by over two years of war,” she explains. “Today, every boy knows someone directly involved in the fighting, and each student is affected in different ways. Yet the ongoing care of our teachers, rabbis, and social services staff strengthens the boys with coping skills and confidence.”
When home becomes another source of struggle
Ari,* 16, who faces constant struggles of poverty and stress at home, has violent anger outbursts when his single mother leaves for work. When the desperate mother recently reached out for help, Hadas braved ongoing missile threats to bring Ari for proper medical care and medication to help stabilize him.
Staying connected through distance learning
“Once this war broke out, BTJ made a smooth transition to distance learning via Zoom,” Hadas notes. “While many students still struggle to keep up with their lessons, they are communicating – and they are not totally alone.”
The hidden toll
Not surprisingly, these difficult years of disrupted schooling have taken a toll on many boys. “There’s no schedule. They can sleep all day and stay up all night on the Internet. Parents are losing control. Yet life can give its own strength to carry on. Some families come together, taking walks and bicycling while staying close to safe areas. While students may have missed learning certain areas of math, English, and other subjects, many are gaining critical coping skills and confidence.
Tools, support, and lifesaving impact
“Very thankfully, BTJ supporters have made laptops and extra emotional support funding earmarked for the social services staff. These are lifesaving gifts for our boys.”
*Name changed for privacy reasons