ELEM'S Newsletter, September 2016

“Those of us who have visited Israel know that it is a complicated society, very old and very young; modern and steeped in tradition,” said Ruben. “In the midst of this cauldron of old and new, many Israeli teenagers and young adults who have family and societal support are blossoming. However, thousands of teens are not handling this complex society and all of its stresses well. They have fallen through the cracks in society and feel alone, often desperate because they do not have family and community support in their lives. ELEM seeks out these young people on the streets in 43 cities and offers mentorship, job training, and ongoing support.”  

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“You can’t force a teen or young adult to change their behavior, that any parent can tell you, and especially teens who have been neglected or abused. The way to help them is to be a positive presence in their lives, a mentor, even a confidant without judgment,” said Lankin. “Israel, as a society, cannot afford to throw away thousands of kids. Discarding them like the evening trash. Every young person is precious and can make a contribution to strengthen Israel.”

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Nava Barak, former Israeli First Lady and ELEM-Israel President, keynoted. In discussing ELEM’s massive volunteer program in Israel, Barak spoke of one youth helped, “Naama came to us several years ago. We worked with her and helped her get her wings to fly. She’s now a social worker and giving back to ELEM through her volunteer work.”

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David Sugarman: “ELEM is very important to me for two reasons and I suggest to you this evening, that it should be important to you, too. First, I have a special place in my heart for Israel, said Sugarman upon accepting his award. “Since I know that ELEM speaks up for teens and young adults that often have been abandoned by their families and society, I deeply connect to its work, making me doubly honored to receive this award tonight.”

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“We can really take pride that we are making a better Israeli society, said Yanai upon accepting his award. “It only takes one evening to join our volunteers to become an ELEM member for life.”

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Vered Grossman, our volunteer of the month, transformed the life of “Naama,” a troubled Ethiopian teen who sought help at the Coffee and Small Talk – Hafuch al Hafuch Youth Center in Kiryat Yam. When Vered first met Naama she was 14 years old and did not believe in herself. Over the next three years, the two worked together to change Naama’s life. By the time Naama was 16, she became a camp counselor. Vered promised her if she kept growing, she would be present at the ceremony when she completed her officers training course in the army. Today, Naama is a Commanding Officer for basic training for men and women in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).