btjlogin, Author at Boys Town Jerusalem

Send a BTJ boy to summer camp!

btjlogin — Mon, 22 May 2023 18:04:28 +0000

YOUR GIFT FOR THIS SUMMER WILL TRANSFORM A LIFE!

In these traumatic times, you can give boys the sumer of their dreams!

The magic of Boys Town Jerusalem Day Camp fills kids’ days with the fun of sports, bicycling, swimming, jeep rides, camping trips, hikes, and special events.

Plus, BTJ’s Day Camp provides tutoring in math and English, and the wholesome food and loving care we give throughout the school year.

Sponsor
a Boy
$400

Day
Sponsor:
$1,800

Special Activity Sponsor
$3,600

Food
Sponsor:
$5,000

Trip
Sponsor:
$7,500

Send a boy to camp

The post Send a BTJ boy to summer camp! appeared first on Boys Town Jerusalem.

Jonathan’s One Wish

btjlogin — Wed, 03 May 2023 17:41:01 +0000

For his entire life, Jonathan,* 13, has been entangled in his parents’ endless, vicious conflict. Yet when he began seventh grade at Boys Town Jerusalem in September – where no one knew him – the young boy carefully hid his personal trauma from his teachers and classmates.

Jonathan didn’t want anyone to know his trauma

“Jonathan completed every assignment promptly and kept to himself,” recalls BTJ Junior High Principal Rabbi Yehuda Rosencrantz. When the seasoned principal’s suspicions were raised by thin scars on his new pupil’s face, Jonathan assured him that everything was “just fine.” In a violent outburst soon afterwards, Jonathan’s father punched him in the face so fiercely that he broke two of his son’s teeth.

BTJ’s staff and supporters helped him be a “regular kid”

“Once the Child Welfare Authority alerted us, we mobilized to aid Jonathan,” Rabbi Rosencrantz said. “Breaking into tears, the boy confided in his teacher that he was petrified his classmates would discover the incident. All he rightfully wanted was to be a ‘regular kid.’”

With strict confidentiality, a caring BTJ team of social workers, teachers and rabbis urgently set into action on Jonathan’s behalf. “Noting his single mother’s poverty, we immediately provided Jonathan with clothes, shoes and extra food. Generous donors covered the cost of his tuition and after-school activities as well. Simultaneously, we began working with both parents to secure their son’s welfare.”

Jonathan has made many improvements since

Rabbi Rosencrantz notes that Jonathan soon became belligerent in class, no longer able to repress his anger. With his teachers’ constant encouragement, he’s steadily gained inner strength and confidence. Best, he’s finally made good friends.

Jonathan knows his BTJ family is there for him

Back in contact with his father, Jonathan told his teacher that his parents are now arguing bitterly over his upcoming Bar Mitzvah, each demanding a separate ceremony. “My only wish is for my parents to come together long enough to give me one Bar Mitzvah I can invite my friends to,” he whispered, knowing there’s no chance. “Whatever happens, your BTJ family is here for you,” said his teacher, bringing a smile to Jonathan’s face.

*not his real name

The post Jonathan’s One Wish appeared first on Boys Town Jerusalem.

Empowering Elazar and Orel for life

btjlogin — Sun, 09 Apr 2023 12:06:23 +0000

Elazar Leynov, a new Russian immigrant, barely spoke Hebrew when he began Grade Seven at Boys Town Jerusalem. When Orel Offner entered BTJ the following year, his lack of math, English and other core subjects forced him to first repeat a semester of Grade Eight. Today, one decade later, both well-accomplished young men proudly accompanied BTJ’s Robotics Team – their “baby” – to the Regional Championship in India to reach the semifinals.

The Robotics club changed their lives

“From the start, Principal Rabbi Elimelech Yaakov urged us to join BTJ’s then-new Robotics Club,” recalls Elazar. “There, together with Yehudah Neimark, we happily morphed into a trio of robotics enthusiasts and great friends.”

Over the coming years, the three went on to advance their robotics skills, forge a champion team, prepare the “next generation” of BTJ robotics members, and serve in top IDF units. Elazar and Orel became coaches for the now-famous BTJ Robotics Team.

“When they first enrolled, both boys’ families were in dire financial straits,” recalls Rabbi Elimelech. “Thanks to generous donors, we awarded them full scholarships, tutoring, and much more. When Orel and his single mother were repeatedly evicted from rental flats, we gave him year-round dorm premises. Both boys grew to give of themselves to the next BTJ generations and the Israeli nation at large.”

They are now successful young men

After graduating high school, Orel was tapped for an advanced IDF cyber unit. Following his three-year term of duty, he was promptly hired by an acclaimed Israeli hi-tech corporation. Elazar, now a Staff Sergeant in a cutting-edge IDF Radar Unit, will advance to become an officer. Despite fatigue, the two soldiers have seized every free moment to return home to BTJ to guide the Robotics team.

“We cultivated a new, amazing generation that’s continuing to cultivate younger students and help other teams,” Elazar proudly notes. Orel adds, “We are all grateful for the generosity of BTJ supporters. The help, guidance, education, care and love I got here have changed my life.”

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Dog Training a Howling Success for BTJ Students

btjlogin — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 12:07:05 +0000

The proud collies and frisky white puppy who romp across the Boys Town Jerusalem campus each Monday afternoon for dog training sessions are not only boys’ best friends. In many cases, they’re also the boys’ best therapy to overcome emotional trauma. In all cases, they’re a generous source of love.

Dog training proves to help with emotional support

For BTJ students, the popular extracurricular sessions offer a fascinating venture where the youngsters are taught to master the art of reward-based animal training, while they themselves gain instinctive emotional support from the “therapy dogs.”

BTJ has been offering dog training for nearly ten years

Over the near-decade in which BTJ has offered the Dog Training sessions, the school’s social workers, teachers and rabbis laud its contribution towards improving boys’ self-image while boosting their self-confidence and sense of achievement. “Patience is the key to successful dog training,” trainer Moshe Daniel emphasized to his rapt audience of BTJ students. “What’s more, a positive reward is crucial to boost the dog’s confidence.” Dog yummies in hand, the youngsters then practiced ordering “Come,” “Sit,” “Stay” and “Down” and rewarding their obedient four-legged friends. Working together on a lawn of the school’s campus, the boys and dogs were soon wrapped in hugs.

“These dogs, which change from week to week, are selected for their particular character – from being playful to smart, friendly and calm – and are professionally trained as therapy animals,” explains Moshe, a team member of the Ofer Therapeutic Dog Center selected to conduct the BTJ Dog Training sessions. Their Therapeutic Treatment Director Liat Bartov notes that the staff meets regularly with BTJ social workers to discuss the progress of boys facing traumatic home situations.

On the ground, 13-year-old Levi* admitted, “I used to be afraid of dogs, but now I love them. I dream of having my own dog someday.” For now, he blissfully curled his face in the fur of the collie he cradled in his arms.

Dog training sessions are thanks to the Rosenfeld Foundation

Boys Town Jerusalem sincerely thanks the Rosenfeld Foundation for their generous sponsorship of the extracurricular Dog Training sessions.

*not his real name

The post Dog Training a Howling Success for BTJ Students appeared first on Boys Town Jerusalem.

Arabic studies go far beyond learning a language

btjlogin — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 12:07:52 +0000

A select group of Boys Town Jerusalem students has taken up a challenge that could profoundly influence their future. For two hours each week, these 8th-10th graders participate in an extracurricular program to learn Arabic. Among the boys’ goals: to best qualify for IDF intelligence units, gain insight into their neighbors in the Middle East, and prepare for intensified cooperation between Israel and her neighbors.

Eli Kessler has been teaching Arabic studies for eight years

Their instructor Eli Kessler, the son of Holocaust survivors, was driven by his own fascination with Arabic to go on to complete his MA in Arabic Language Studies. Now a seasoned high school Arabic instructor, he has been teaching extracurricular lessons at BTJ for the past eight years.

Writing, reading, and speaking are part of the studies

“My strategy is to teach both spoken as well as literary Arabic,” Kessler explains. “By giving students this basis, they gain the tools to fluency.” Beginning each session with questions and answers, the boys enthusiastically converse with one another before delving into the complexities of the 28-letter Arabic alphabet. At the blackboard, their teacher oversees the students’ careful practice in writing and reading Arabic script.

Arabic studies can help in the IDF and future

Ninth grader Yosef Chaim Gilevich, who is fluent in Hebrew and Russian, notes that he is intent on learning Arabic as well. “I’m aiming for my studies to help me in my IDF service and in future.” Eighth-grader Neorai Balulu, like many classmates, shared that he’s learning Arabic to better connect with his father and other family members who immigrated to Israel from Arabic-speaking countries.

Learning the same languages can help foster coexistence

Although instructor Eli Kessler stresses that extracurricular lessons can only give students a taste of the Arabic language, he enthusiastically urges them to pursue higher-level studies. “Fluency in Arabic lays the groundwork for understanding the culture and mindset of our Arab neighbors. That’s a key factor for achieving a military edge – and for fostering coexistence.”

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