K'far Hayeladim ~ The Children's Village Initiative
In the fall of 2006, the Sheirut L’eumi banot (girls), together with our Young Shlichim and a group of selected teens from across the Pittsburgh community, began working together to connect families, schools and students with the hundreds of at-risk children living at K’far Hayeladim ~ Children’s Village, in Karmiel, Israel. Jewish teens leaders have been chosen from public, private, and parochial schools to serve as liaisons with the three major project groups including families, large groups and Bar/Bat Mitzvah students.
K’far Hayeladim in Karmiel, Israel cares for 275 children and youth between the ages of 5-18. The children are referred from all parts of the country mainly for socio-economic reasons-the majority come from distressed families. There are 20 Mishpachton/nuclear family groups and three houses for the more mature students. Each Mishpachton consists of 10 girls and boys of different ages ranging from 5-15. The family group is run by a married couple residing in a Mishpachton with their own children and 10 children from the Village. The couple’s job is to conduct a normal, everyday lifestyle with an extended family, which serves as a model for the children in their future lives.
As an outreach of Partnership 2000 and the ever growing bond between Pittsburgh and Karmiel/Misgav, Pittsburgh’s Sister City, the purpose of K’far Hayeladim ~ The Children's Village Initiative is to increase the hope and meaning in each of these children’s lives through friendship and connections by sharing letters, phone calls, gifts, resources and anything which improves their self-esteem and quality of life.
You can become involved in The Children’s Village Initiative in any number of ways.
For more information contact either:
Dr. Zipora Gur at 412-521-1101 Ext. 3104
or
Carolyn Linder at 412-521-1101 Ext. 3003
