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Our
youth is our strength! Counselors-in-training from grades 9-11 come regularly
to the Javor Center. The youth take an active and important part in the
center’s activity. They participate in activities, initiate and lead projects, participate
in ceremonies and donate their time for and together with the neighborhood’s
residents.
Last
year, a group of girls initiated and produced a birthday party for a girl whose
family could not afford a party organizer, thus fulfilling a dream for the girl
and her family.
In
addition to the work of the counselors-in-training, the center makes use of a
bomb shelter which serves as a youth club. The club is open in the afternoons
and invites youth to enjoy a variety of activities and games, guided by the
youth coordinator. The activities emphasize social and educational values,
providing a sympathetic ear, guidance and lots of love.
Nafis
League – Inter-neighborhood soccer tournament
Come
play at Javor!
The
league opens on Tuesday, January 6, 2014.
Practice
begins in early December. Those who persevere will play at the tournament.
Teams
are in age groups:
One
team for 7-9th graders and a second team for 10-11thgraders.
Inter-Generational
Groups (joint project with ELAH: Center for Psycho-Social Support)
ELAH
was established in 1979 by and for Dutch olim and was the first
organization in Israel to provide psycho-social support to Holocaust survivors.
For
many years ELAH has run writing groups which help its participants process past
experiences, deal with the present and confront the future. The rationale
behind the groups is that if a person can write about it, they can also talk
about it.
The
groups have proven that after the group process, the participants can share
what they have not yet been able to discuss with their families.
The
inter-generational writing groups, in which both Holocaust survivors and youth
participate, began to meet in 2008. Last year, an inter-generational group was
established at Javor and in light of its success, this year an additional group
has been opened. The group is guided by the professional staff of ELAH.
The
youth who participate are students at Shmuel Hanagid Middle School and the
Holocaust survivors are members of the senior citizens club at Javor Community
Center. Over the course of twelve meetings, the group members write, read,
listen and talk, laugh and sometimes even cry.
For
youth, this is a great opportunity to get to know the people behind the
stories, to see the seniors as people with dreams, wisdom and a lot of life
experience. For the seniors, the encounter with the youth gives them strength.
They see the youth of today as interested and interesting, curious and smart. This
is a corrective experience after many years in which people were less
interested in hearing their stories.
The
activity takes place on Sundays from 4:15pm to 6pm, for approximately 12 weeks.
9thGrade Counselors-in-Training Course
Together,
we will undergo a theoretical and practical training process (partnership with
the community garden). The CITs will take part in the activities, volunteer in
the community, go on field trips and hikes, and at the end of the year, undergo
a meaningful seminar at the end of which they receive a certificate and are
qualified to serve as CITs. In order to be accepted to the program, youth must
be interested in investing their time and energy, taking part in meaningful
activities, undergoing a moral and educational process, learning what it means
to be good leader, acquiring methods, and in the end becoming tomorrow’s
leaders. For more details, please contact Daniela, the Community Center’s youth
coordinator.
10thGrade Counselors-in-Training
Javor’s
CITs take part in meaningful activities throughout the year. They participate
in activities at the center, initiate projects, host ceremonies, and assist
with all requests. This is a group which is continuing with us and sees the
center as their home. Of course, all those who wish to take on these goals are
welcome to join!
11thGrade Counselors-in-Training
The
oldest group of CITs, which leads at the center with dedication!
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