Five years ago, on the day after Chanuka, I got on a plane at JFK airport and landed in Tel Aviv. The courtesy taxi took me to Merkaz Klita (immigrant absorption center) Ye’elim in Ir Ha’Avos, Be’er Sheva. B’chasdei shomayim about two weeks later two teenaged brothers from India, whom I had met at Ye’elim, invited me to Shabbos dinner at a nearby community Beis Midrash called Machon Orot Israel. My feeling of connection to the place was instant, and I asked the hosting Rav if he had time to learn with me during the week. He said start coming in and we will see… Little did I know that I had found my spiritual home of at least the next several years.
What exactly is Orot Israel? In 2006, a group of young dedicated professionals and rabbis envisioned and founded an organization which would come to address the thirst for Jewish identity among young people within the broad spectrum of Israel’s southern region population. Today, the institute conducts various programs including among others a fellowship for Jewishly curious secular college students, a Bar Mitzva program for underprivileged youth and even professional certification and enrichment courses for adults.
The Beis Midrash is merely the crown jewel of an organization that gives its all for the local community’s benefit. In the five years that I’ve gotten to know the Institute, I have seen dozens of friends draw close to the place, successfully and stably strengthen their connection to Judaism, and ultimately begin raising families. The Beis Midrash is open to learners of all ages and speeds, with a focus on youth (high-school, IDF, post army, college years). The beis midrash boasts two full time rabbanim, several more part time, and a few more kollel avreichim. This means that Orot sets the table for a learner whether he is at the stage of asking a few questions about yiddishkeit, dropping in for a weekly chavrusa or shiur, making daily time to learn before or after work, or all day engrossment.
The program I wish to tell you about is called Bat Melech. Orot already conducts shiurim for high school girls. However, Bat Melech is something different. Bat Melech is focused on teens who are at high risk of becoming romantically involved with local minorities. Many of you have heard of the magnificent work of Yad L’Achim, which literally saves the lives and souls of entrapped women. The financial cost of saving a woman and her children once she is entangled is astronomical, once rescue missions, court battles and further financial support are taken into account. The focus of Bat Melech therefore differs. The focus is on reaching out to teen girls before the problem occurs and has a chance to develop. This is done through supplemental educational opportunities such as workshops and seminars on the topics of Jewish identity and the dangers of entering such potentially abusive relationships. In addition, social workers counsel girls who require help. All of the programming is conducted by trained professionals who are experienced in reaching this audience. In addition to in-school programming, Bat Melech aims to dramatically raise parental and public awareness on this issue. Also, a hotline will be setup to guide teens who lack someone to turn to. The realistic plan is to successfully reach thousands of teens each year before they are lured into local villages, to be held captive in abusive relationships. Their families will then also be spared the agony of months and years of painful separation.
The pattern has become all too familiar. Once it was different. The Bedouins and Jews stayed culturally away from each other. Today, everything has opened up. Once, the external differences were all so clear. Today, young Yusuf can easily ‘become’ Yossi in the shopping mall. Some nice complements and gifts to an unsuspecting girl with low self esteem who is having some trouble with her parents anyway. The teen soon finds herself held prisoner to the young man and his family in a village, perhaps geographically near, but very much far away from where she grew up. This is not how she envisioned entering motherhood. The relationship becomes increasingly degrading and abusive. This story repeats itself with varied nuances over and over. Statistics from the website of Yad L’Achim show that a full thirty percent of such cases involve girls aged 11-18! There are thousands of cases in Israel’s south alone, where the problem is particularly prevalent.
The problem affects all segments of the community, religious and secular, although it particularly plagues immigrant families and those of lower socio-economic status. As I sit and write, I think how we in recent weeks learned about Ya’akov Avinu’s great sorrow during the years of separation from Yosef Hatzadik. I imagine the suffering of these teens and their families today. We all know and have heard of stories where just one kind word can affect dramatically positive change in a person’s entire life. The potential to enrich and strengthen the lives of young Jews is tremendous. The alternative is bleak for those at risk. Chazal tell us that saving one life is like saving the entire world. This project is ‘hatzalat nefashot mamash’! May we be zocheh to see that in the merit of dedicated and committed organizations like Orot Israel, the Jewish pride and identity of many young Jews will be nourished, in the city which our nation’s founding fathers and mothers called home.
As an appeal for funds, tax deductable donations can be made to The Central Fund of Israel, and can be sent to Lee and Moira Graham, 3401 Pinkney Road, Baltimore Maryland 21215.
On a personal note, I have been blessed to deeply connect with the holiness and simplicity of Be’er Sheva. I invite anyone who comes to Israel to visit and experience it. Anyone wishing to further discuss the issues raised in this article should please contact me at the email address listed below. I would be happy to reference the names of Baltimore educators and rabbanim who taught me and know me well.
About the writer: Avraham Yeshaya Pinson, grew up in Baltimore, and attended Torah Institute from grades K-8. He now lives in Be’er Sheva, teaches English at a local high school, and studies (M.A.) Education Counseling at Orot Teacher’s College, Elkana. He can be reached at aypinson@gmail.com
