Neveh Hadassah

Located near Netanya, Neveh Hadassah is home to 360 boys and girls from all over Israel, the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia. In addition to the normal problems of adjusting to a new environment, each new arrival brings his or her own emotional and social problems. Many will have suffered severe physical or psychological neglect and the loss of parents and family.

Ages range form 11 to 18, with the younger children being taught in the Village, and the older students taken daily to suitable neighbourhood high schools.

Each pupil is seen as a part of the Village community. A new arrival will find a warm welcome in the family of Neveh Hadassah. Everything is done to make them feel at home. New immigrants attend specially designed Hebrew classes to bridge cultural and educational gaps to support a rapid adjustment to daily life. In the afternoon hours homework takes priority, but most important for those children with behavioural difficulties are the extra-curricular activities the Village offers. Apart from individual therapeutic lessons, sports, art, music and drama help the children to deal with their problems.

Social workers, psychotherapists and art therapists form an integral part of the Village staff. Once a child has settled in, an individual programme is mapped out with the school counsellor, the boarding school staff and the social worker. Treatment methods differ according to individual needs. Some students will benefit from the available group therapy. Others are more suited to the art-workshops, which use creative, not verbal outlets. Working with the animals in the Village Farm has proved most valuable for youngsters in need of consistent and unconditional emotional contact and response.

The educational ethos of the Village is based on the principle that the youngsters must learn that they are not helpless. The children are therefore encouraged to channel their abilities and influence their environment. Becoming active members of the community reinforces the child’s self-confidence and self-image and contributes towards a community spirit.