Publication date: 09/06/2016
Passover 2016
Dear Friends, Alumni and Supporters, The staff, board members, students and volunteers at Keren Hanan Aynor would like to take this opportunity to wish you a Happy Passover – may this Springtime be filled with health, joy, renewal, learning and growth.
MAZAL TOV TO SARAH AYNOR!
This month our dear Sarah Aynor celebrated her 90th birthday!
Many of you have heard her name; some of you have met her. Sarah is a truly special woman – beautiful, opinionated, wise and funny. Her spirit has gained a following – family, friends, acquaintances, volunteers, donors and students, all working together for one great goal – to create a better world!
In the early years, in 1994, she ran the organization out of her home at 3 Alharizi Street, where she resides until this day. Sarah founded a governing committee comprised solely of volunteers, was responsible for resource development, outreach, administration, student coordination and even designing the main logo! With ongoing commitment and dedication she dreamed at night and implemented her dreams during the day.
Sarah knew each student by name, knew their families, their field of study, their strengths and where each one could use a helping hand. This was true when there were five students and as true, when there were as many as 270 students.
In the small world she created at 3 Alharizi Street in Jerusalem, Sarah became a matriarch, supportive, encouraging, imbued with ideas and advice, all shared with an abundance of care and love!
On this very special occasion, we would like to take this opportunity to wish Sarah a heart filled Mazal tov! May she live in good health and joy until 120! Sarah – you are a true inspiration to all!
In honour of this milestone, Sarah’s family would like to share a poignant and moving book in Hebrew about her life and work with our larger family of donors and recipients. The download (please see link below) takes a few minutes, but it is worth the read!
“A ticket to the professional and
personal world out there”
An Interview with Boaz Shpayer of Kfar Hayarok
When I interview Boaz, Director of Kfar Hayarok, he speaks with a sense of joy and passion that is truly contagious.
He describes his talk with Sarah Aynor just over ten years ago, when they discussed the challenges Ethiopian students were facing and how they could tackle these issues together. And so began a fruitful and hopeful partnership between Keren Hanan Aynor and Kfar Hayarok. In fact, Keren Aynor was so impressed by the work at Kfar Hayarok that we broadened our charter and decided to partner with Boaz, based on their unique program and amazing success rate. Needless to say that Keren Aynor’s support and involvement is needed and as much appreciated today as it was ten years ago.
Each year for the past decade, 15-25 students of Ethiopian descent hailing from all over this tiny country gather to learn what is referred to as 13th and 14th grades in a live in, loving, supportive and family like environment. The students come from various family backgrounds and socio economic statuses, all with a desire to learn and achieve.
The group comprises approximately 2% of the overall college population and according to Boaz, “integrate very successfully into campus life!” The staff and students at Kfar Hayarok are bitterly aware of racism against Jews of Ethiopian descent throughout the country and as such, work hard to ensure that each student can achieve both social and academic success in a respectful environment which promotes equal opportunities for all.
The students are recruited in high school at an informational day – where they learn about the academic programs offered, museum visits and other enrichment opportunities, the costs and so on. The students come highly motivated and graciously accept the assistance that Keren Aynor offers towards their learning.
Boaz adds that his organization called “Hochmat halev” a values based non-profit, also contributes to financially assist the students and ensure success in their futures.
Upon deferral of their army service for two years, students study and graduate the kfar Hayarok program with army related careers that provide them with skills for both military service and professional careers later on.
There are various study tracks available including: engineering, electrical studies, computerized and diagnostic mechanics and computer programming. The program is designed in such a way whereby students study three days a week and work in relevant fields (a practicum) two days a week.
Boaz states that there is an 86-90% success rate (reported from the Ministry of Education statistics) which measures their grades, test scores etc.
An additional success of the program is that graduates return to share their personal and professional success by mentoring new students at the college.
Graduates of the program are sought after in the job force following their army service and often continue working in relevant fields for years to come. The students become leaders in their communities and act as role models for their families.
As Boaz claims so poetically – “this place is home – we are one big family – we support and look out for one another – that is our success, which is our inspiration to move forward!”
On behalf of Keren Aynor, we take this opportunity to thank Boaz and all the staff and students at the Kfar Hayarok for an inspiring and fruitful partnership. Chag Pesach Sameach and Ya’shar Koach!
