_Yeshivat Shvilei HaTorah Chesed Program

_As an integral part of our program at Yeshivat Shvilei Hatorah, and as a way to introduce our students to the
_people of Eretz Yisrael, we have established a chesed component as a requirement for all of our students. A
_portion of two afternoons each week will be dedicated to helping our fellow Jews who are less fortunate
_than we are. Each semester, our students will have an opportunity to choose from several projects and
_organizations to fulfill their chesed hours.

_This semester, we will be working with the following organizations:

• Merkaz Harmony

  Merkaz Harmony improves the quality of life by including people with disabilities from birth through adulthood into their communities. With its Har Nof campus as a base, the goal of Mercaz Harmony is the inclusion of children with disabilities into the mainstream of life in a variety of settings - from the home to the educational institution to their community. Shvilei students assist in this process by working in the school as well as serving as a “big brother” to a child with special needs or a sibling. The goal is provide the child respite from the challenges of daily life, to show the kids a “good time,” and to develop a positive relationship.

• Amit Beit Hayeled

  AMIT enables Israel's youth to realize their potential and strengthens Israeli society by educating and nurturing children from diverse backgrounds within a framework of academic excellence, religious values and Zionist ideals. Beit Hayeled is a large institution housing about 10 “family units,” whose children were removed from homes because the parents could not provide proper care. Our students are matched with a boy as a “big brother” to provide him with a “fun time.” Students briefly help with English homework, and then play games, sports, and shmooze with the “little brother.” This is a wonderful opportunity to provide a stable, caring relationship, which can make a big difference for a child from a chaotic home environment.

• Aleh

  Aleh believes that every child has the right to benefit from the best available care and develop to his or her fullest potential. Today, Aleh is Israel's largest and most advanced network of residential facilities for children with severe disabilities. Aleh cares for children with medical conditions such as autism, cerebal palsy and Down syndrome, as well as genetic disorders including Tay-Sachs, Canavan disease and Rett syndrome. Many of them are learning how to overcome their handicaps and do the things that other children do, such as climb on jungle gyms, splash in the pool, finger paint, sing and dance. Others are learning how to eat, get dressed by themselves, and communicate with the outside world. Students meet with a severely disabled child to assist the child with walking. For many children, improving their ability to walk can be a critical step to increased independence in the future. For all children, the walking is a welcome relief and a physically refreshing alternative to their full time wheelchair.

• Yad Sarah

  Yad Sarah is an Israel-wide network of volunteers aiding disabled, elderly, and housebound people. Students work in an equipment repair laboratory, fixing walkers or electronic equipment. Students receive initial training from the lab supervisor, and then work independently. This program is particularly good for students who are good with their hands (although this is not a prerequisite).

   

• Magshimim

  Magshimim is a high school for autistic children, housed on the campus of the Chavat HaNoar. The program’s aim is to provide its students with academic knowledge, social skills, and skills of daily living that will enable them to function as relatively independent young adults. Our student volunteers are an important component of the social skills training that the kids receive. They also assist by relieving the committed teachers of some of the onus of the full brunt of this difficult population.