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[07 Sept 10] 4,622 pupils attended this summer science camps in 16 centers and academic institutes around the country, from Kiryat Shmona in the north to Sde Boker in the south. The camps offered an introduction to a wide range of subjects as: solar energy, astronomy, aviation and aeronautics, ecology and recycling, ornithology, zoology, botany, oceanography, veterinary science, genetics, biotechnology and more.
An online feedback questionnaire filled by the participants at the end of each camp shows a high level of satisfaction with regard to the studies and the instruction, and also the social activity, accommodation and food. The answers indicate that the camp experience has increased the participants' interest in further science studies.
The science summer camps of Madarom – a joint project of the Education Ministry and Rashi – have been operating for 12 years. Over this period, nearly 45,000 pupils altogether have enjoyed a summer activity focusing on science and technology education.
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[26 Aug 10] Over 6,000 patients underwent surgery to date in the new operating rooms at the Scottish Hospital in Nazareth of, built with Rashi's support.
The 4 operating rooms in the state-of-the-art surgery wing have been active since their completion about a year ago. During this period they have served more than 6,000 patients from all sectors of the population – Jews and Arabs, Moslems, Druze and Christians, new immigrants and veteran Israelis – in the spirit of universal values that inspire the hospital's mission.
The project is an outcome of a joint initiative with the government following the Second Lebanon War in 2006. it aims to prepare hospitals in conflict zones for future emergencies by enabling them to admit and treat casualties within secure facilities, including emergency rooms, surgery and hospitalization wards.
Various partners were enlisted to support hospitals of their choice; Rashi decided to focus on the three Nazareth hospitals – the Scottish, French and Italian Hospitals – with a total investment of $3 million. Needless to say, we hope that the vital new facilities will be needed only in times of peace.
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Inside one of the new operating rooms |
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The hospital team with the new wing's first patient | |
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[07 July 2010] Once more, the Ilan Ramon Center proudly announces excellent achievements of its students in the "First Steps to Nobel prize in Physics" international competition.
Research projects of high school students from 75 countries worldwide were submitted to the competition. First prize (a diploma and a month-long program at the Polish Academy of Sciences) was awarded to 5 students – from the USA, Japan, China, Singapore and Israel. 4 more Israeli students won an honorable mention. Out of a total of 27 projects that won an award, 5 are from Israel – and 3 of these were prepared under the guidance of the Ilan Ramon Physics Center for Youth:
- 1st place – Eli Gudinetsky: "Generation of large-scale turbulence with homogeneous wind shear"
- 2nd place – Evelyn Genis: "NMR study of layered semiconductors"
- 4th place – Daniel Neimark: "Magnetic properties of nanocrystalline materials"
All three students come from the Amit High School in Be'er Sheva. The Director of the Amit School Network has said that they will get special award in recondition of their remarkable achievements, as models of excellence for young people.
Among the many congratulations received by Prof. Victor Malamud, Head of the Ilan Ramon Center, one was sent by Prof. Rivka Carmi – President of Ben-Gurion University under whose auspices the Center operates: "well done, Victor. This is fantastic! It is history in the making! Thank you so much for your enormous contribution."
Read the Ynet story
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Winner Eli Gudinetsky at the Ilan Ramon Center
Eli in the lab with his friends Evelyn and Daniel
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[20 Jan 10] Last week, a group of high school students enjoyed a day at the Hebrew University, specially designed to whet their appetite for university life.
These students are currently participating in the High School Academia program in their hometown of Ramla, and while they have their sights set on passing all their matriculation exams, gaining acceptance to university is a dream away.
Their visit to Hebrew U succeeded in giving that dream a visible and tanglible form. They enjoyed presentations and lectures from members of the faculty and students that focused on the questions: Why come to university? And what do I need to know now that wil help me there in the future?
A 7th year medical student shared some fascinating stories about the challenges and pleasures of being a student; another student revealed that she came from a distressed home and now holds a senior position at the university. The familiar slogan of "every one is able" was brought alive in front of the teenagers' eyes.
On the bus ride down from the hills of Jerusalem, the high-schoolers chatted excitedly about the costs of student dorms, admission requirement and other questions that had suddenly gained relevance during the day.
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The Rashi Foundation won the Ministry of Education tender, and will continue to operate the National School Lunch Program during 2009/10.
| Back in 1994, the Rashi Foundation introduced a hot daily lunch in school as an integral part of the Enriched School Day program which we operated. We understood that a child who is hungry cannot learn - and we soon realized that for too many children, school lunch was the only hot balanced meal they ate each day. At the outset,the cost of lunch was covered completely by Rashi. As the program grew, we gained expertise in providing meals on a national scale, and created a model for the government to follow. |
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The year 2004 was a turning point. A partnership with the National Insurance Institute allowed us to reach over 20,000 school children, with Rashi's funding dropping to 50%. This paved the way to government legislation in 2007, which assured the permanence of the program. By now, the national government, local authorities and parents covered 90% of costs. In 2009, Rashi provides 125,000 hot lunches a day under government tender.
The current tender, which is valid for three years with an option for a fourth, targets 123,000 children in elementary schools and kindergartens. An additional 45,000 children in other Rashi programs are also served a daily hot lunch.
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[09 June 09] The new gym at the Ilanot School for special education in Be'er Sheva was dedicated recently at the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Sol and Edy Freedman, our partners in the project.
The magnificent new gym was designed for special-needs children, who will be able now to enjoy varied sport activities like their peers. This is the first stage in the upgrade of the school facilities.
The school pupils and their parents participated in the cecermony, as well as the Mayor of Be'er Sheva, Mr. Rubik Danilovitch and Elie Elalouf, General Director of the Rashi Foundation. |
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Photo Gallery
[3 Nov 08] The new Tel-Hai Academic College campus project, led by the Rashi Foundation, was inaugurated on November 3, 2008 in the presence of President Shimon Peres, the Minister of Education and representatives of foundations and benefactors who partnered to establish a spacious, modern campus for this growing college.
The commencement of the academic year 2008/9 at Tel Hai was highlighted by the opening of the new campus. Of the 2,700 students studying in the various academic tracks, some 900 will be the first to study in the impressive facility that was completed just recently.
The new campus is the fulfillment of a dream that began in the Galilee area just a few years ago – to create a " Development Triangle" combining the three sectors of Israeli society that provide the impetus for development and expansion in the area:
- Academia – through the auspices of the Tel Hai Academic College.
- Hi-Tech Industry – through the auspices of the "Me'Tav", Industrial Park which also recently inaugurated new premises next to the Tel Hai Campus.
- Research – through the auspices of the Migal Galilee Technology Center which is slated to move to new premises on the campus within the next few years.
Strengthening the cooperation between the academic world, applied research institutes and Hi-Tech industry will enable maximum utilization of the expertise and capabilities existing within the area and will attract additional researchers, academics and experts both from Israel and from abroad. This will, in its wake, open up new employment opportunities and promote vital financial and economic development, thereby helping change the face of Israel's northern periphery. |
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| [27 May 09] The project to rebuild the Renanim School for Special Education in Kiryat Shmona has begun with the demolition of buildings this week. Launched through the Northern Recovery Plan, this major project will significantly improve conditions at the school after it suffered from rocket fire during the Second Lebanon War. Rather than do a "patch-up" job, Rashi and partners decided to completely rebuild Renanim to suit the real needs of its 120 pupils. |
The bulldozers on site at Renanim this week
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[21 Nov 08] New home opens in southern capital for program to prevent school dropout.
This week, the newly-completed Azrieli Institute for Educational Empowerment in Be'er Sheva was dedicated in the presence of David Azrieli, his daughter Dana and other family members, and Mr. Yaakov Terner the mayor of Be'er Sheva, Mr. Rubik Danilovitch – mayor-elect, Mr. Marc Gold – President of Montreal Federation CJA and other leaders of the community, Prof. Rivka Carmi – President of Ben-Gurion University, Mr. Meir Avitan, Director of the Azrieli Institute, and Mr. Elie Elalouf, General Director of the Rashi Foundation.
This eye-catching structure has been built under the management of the Rashi Foundation, to house an educational program for teenagers who are potential drop-outs from junior high school. The new center is reaching out to 250 adolescents, who receive within its physical "hug" close attention to their learning and emotional needs, to encourage and rejuvenate them to stay within the education system and leave school with matriculation.
The Be'er Sheva center is the flagship of the Azrieli network of institutes, with other centers in Carmeil, Acco, Ma'alot, Eilat, Kiryat, Malachi, Dimona and Ofakim, and a total of 1,000 participants this year. The program is supported by a partnership of the Azrieli Foundation, Canadian Jewish communities, local authorities and the Rashi Foundation.
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[1 Sept 10] In the press this week:
Elie Elalouf introduces major new educational initiative (The Marker 01.09.10)
Rashi is planning to open a new high school network in the periphery
Read here
New hotline seeks to combat discrimination at school (Ha'aretz 30.8.10)
At the start of the new school year, the nonprofit organization Hakol Hinuch has set up a special hotline in an effort to combat discrimination at school on the basis of religion, ethnic background, grades or the parents' financial status. The hotline, which will remain open until September 16, is operated with Rashi's support .
The full story
The Rashi Foundation contributed to the creation of new educational facilities in the north (Ha'aretz 30.8.10)
The new, upgraded facilities will be opened at the begining of the school year. They were initiated by Rashi and funded with its partners in the Northern Recovery Plan in cooperation with the Education Ministry and the local authorities. Among them are the Renanim School of special education, Hemed School in Merom Hagalil, a High School in Shlomi and three early childhood centers. |
1st grade pupils enter school accompanied by 6th graders in the opening of the school year at the new Hemed School
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[31 Aug 10] The Minister of Education Gideon Sa'ar and the Director of the Southern District Amira Haim visited yesterday the Madarom Science Park being built in Be'er Sheva, as guests of the Mayor Rubik Danilovitch and Elie Elalouf, Director of the Rashi Foundation.
The visit presented the varied activity of Madarom - a joint project of Rashi and the Education Ministry - with an emphasis on the Science Park, which is scheduled to open in January 2012. The Minister met participants of different Madarom programs, among them students and graduates of the Science Leadership program, graduates of the Ilan Ramon Physics Center for Youth who won awards in international competitions, and students in the new Cyber Skills program launched in cooperation with the Intelligence Corps.
The Minister was quite impressed with what he saw, and asked the District Director to examine ways to assist in exapnding and deepening the activity.
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The Sciene Park is presented to the Minister of Education (center) by Rashi's Director
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[29 June 2010] The Hemed School in Merom Ha'Galil celebrated this week not only the end of the school year, but also the completion of the new premises, which will be opened next September to accept up to 600 pupils.
The school design incorporates many special features: every classroom has large windows with a magnificent view of the Galilee scenery, and an exit to a landscaped yard; there are five laboratories – for science, technology, computers, English and music – as well as sport facilities, advanced communication infrastructure, personal lockers for the pupils (a rare item in Israeli schools) and more. The school has 3 special education classes and a separate wing for the youngest children, grades 1-2.
The project, implemented in partnership between UJIA Britain, Rashi, the Education Ministry and the Regional Council at a total cost of more than 20 million NIS ($5.5 M), is the first stage in the creation of the Merom Ha'Galil Campus, which is intended to raise the level of education and community services and to create a source of pride and identity for the region's residents.
Speaking at the end-of-year ceremony, the director of the local education department proved that the atmosphere of renewal is already there: "We can look forward to a new, promising age in education, giving our children from birth to higher education all the tools and learning environments they need to be able to realize dreams and aspirations. I see more graduates studying in academic institutes and becoming engineers, doctors, lawyers and other respectable occupations." |
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[27 June 2010] Honorary doctorates were granted by the Technion on 14.6.10 to several distinguished persons, among them Elie Elalouf, Director General of the Rashi Foundation. He was awarded the doctorate, among other achievements, for his role in the Foundation's contribution to Israel in general, and to the Technion in particular:
"In tribute to your vision and drive in national projects and the initiative of Aliyah to Israel in the "Oded" movement and the World Zionist Organization; in appreciation for your contribution to the State of Israel as CEO of the Rashi Foundation, expanding its activities and contributions to the advancement of education, welfare, health, immigrant absorption, and integrating and strengthening of groups from the geographic and social periphery; and for your role over two decades in facilitating contributions to the Technion by the Rashi Foundation for acquisition of advanced equipment, absorption of scientists, and projects to promote excellence and reduce gaps in Israeli society." |
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[27 June 2010] Once again, Tafnit shows that "everyone can", with impressive results.
- 356 high school students from 25 schools completed accelerated studies for the winter matriculation exams of 2009/10 in the "Last Hurdle" program. The results were announced now, indicating that 96% of them passed the exam in their "obstacle subject" – which prevents them from gaining full matriculation. 102 additional students continue their studies in preparation for the summer exams.
6 pf the schools operated the program independently this year – assuming responsibility for the teaching and funding, and relying on the Tafnit staff only for limited pedagogic guidance. The achievements of the students in this group were comparables to the other students', proving the success of Tafnit in giving the schools valuable tools to help their students fulfill their potential.
- 399 students from 12 schools completed the 3-year "Start" program in 2009. These students were on the verge of dropping out of school in 9th grade, before entering the program, with an average of 7 fail subjects. 64% of them graduated last year with a matriculation diploma. Moreover, of the boys qualified for military service, 96% joined the IDF (compared to a national draft rate of 74%) as did 75% of the girls (national rate: 54%); an additional 20% of the girls are doing civilian national service.
Based on the proven success of the "Start" model, the Education Ministry is considering now its adoption as a nationwide program starting next year. |
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[06 Jun 2010] President Shimon Peres, Mayor Nir Barkat, and Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fisher were the guests of honor at the dedication of the new High-Dependency Care Wing at Aleh Jerusalem's Hostel on May 24, 2010.
The wing, positioned on a whole floor of the building, was constructed under the management of the Rashi Foundation. A partnership coalition of the Matanel Foundation, Edmond J. Safra Foundation and Rashi Foundation funded the new wing. It contains 11 hospitalization rooms (two children per room) including special hospital-style bathrooms, and rooms for therapy, staff, physical therapy, physician and nurses and technical systems.
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The Aleh hostel serves 70 severely disabled children aged 0-22 who need round-the-clock care. |
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[09 May 10] Rashi and US giving group launch round 3 of the PPSNI, this time focusing exclusively on the northern town of Tsfat.
Amutot that directly impact Tsfat and its population are invited to submit an application for a grant from the PPSNI.
In the attachments below, you will find a very carefully crafted explanation of the process and request for concept papers; please read it very closely.
Partners summary - background and introduction
Application and guidelines
The final deadline for submission is Sunday, June 20th.
Ultimately, 8-10 finalists will be chosen by September to submit detailed proposals, which the partners will review in time for our October site visits in Israel.
This year, for the first time, we will be holding a seminar for all the potential applicants to discuss the application process and answer your questions.
The seminar will be held in Tsfat on Sunday, May 30th from 12:30-15:00, at the Chan of the White Donkey, 5 Tet Vav Street (see map). We are giving you, by design, three full weeks to strategize and formulate specific programmatic ideas prior to the meeting with the hope it will allow you to come to the meeting well prepared with specific ideas.
Please register for the seminar via an email to Anat Avital, Partnerships Coordinator in the Northern Region. |
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[4 May 10] On behalf of the Rashi Foundation, Elie Elalouf accepted the 2010 Teddy Kollek Award given out by the Jerusalem Foundation.
The award is bestowed each year on a prominent national or international figure and on leading donors who have made outstanding contributions to advancing the social, cultural, educational and physical development of the city of Jerusalem.
In 2010, the award was granted as follows:
Lifetime Achievement Award - Haim Gouri
Recipients:
David Bernstein and Paul Zuckerman (United Kingdom)
Albert (of blessed memory) and Elba Cuenca (France and Uruguay)
Dr. Michael Hauepl, Mayor of Vienna (Austria)
Samuel Josefowitz (Switzerland)
The Rashi Foundation (Israel)
Robert de Rothschild (United States of America) |
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The citatation for the award, as signed by Ruby Rivlin (Knesset Speaker), Sallai Meridor (Chairman of Jerusalem Foundation) and Ruth Cheshin (President of Jerusalem Foundation), mentions:
Your longstanding and significant contribution to the people of Jerusalem; Your dedication to the weakest populations within Israeli society and children in particular; Your support for over 35 years of special populations in Jerusalem; people with special needs, children, elderly and those most at risk: Your commitment to developing partnerships that have contributed to improving the quality of life of Jerusalemites through different projects in the city; Your contribution to raising the level of education in Jerusalem through the expansion and renovation of the French School at Ha’avat Hanoar Hazioni, strengthening the link between the French Jewish community and Jerusalem, and encouraging "aliyah" from France to Jerusalem.
The Teddy Kollek Award is granted to you, friend of Jerusalem and believer in the values and principles espoused by the Jerusalem Foundation, as laid out by Teddy Kollek: community activism, sensitivity to the needs of all populations, mutual respect, true partnership between Israel and the Diaspora and above all, strengthening Jerusalem, the capital of Israel.
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[14 Apr 10] Saligsberg High in Jerusalem heads the list of the best high schools in Israel, according to a survey published recently in a special Maariv supplement titled "The best there is". The matriculation rates in the school went up by 29% over the last 3 years – the biggest increase recorded in Israel.
The principal agrees that to a great extent, the High School Academia program can be credited with school's remarkable achievements. Not surprisingly, the change in the school – which has been deteriorating for years – coincides with the opening of the program in 2005. "The message conveyed by introducing the program to the students and staff of commitment to academic success, the willingness to invest resources to help the students and the intensive attention constitute the basis for the change that filtered through to the entire school. At present we have Academia classes in two grades (and hopefully three next year), and these classes show the unwavering road towards success and excellence", he says.
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| [28 Mar 2010] The strengths and weaknesses, problems and solutions of education in Israel - by Elie Elalouf in the Jerusalem Report |
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[22 Dec 09] The Minister of Education welcomes a new initiative of Rashi and JDC Israel to establish a support system for schools based on the Full School model.
The experience accumulated in recent years by Rashi and the JDC in conducting comprehensive interventions in elementary schools, and the successful partnership with the Ministry of Education in these ventures, has led the two organizations to initiate the establishment of a national school network. The project – under the title "Revadim" (levels in Hebrew) – will provide professional and organizational support for schools with the goal of leading broad change within the public elementary education system. Our intention is to create a broad coalition of partners for an extensive, long-term involvement.
The initiative was presented to the Minister of Education and his senior team in a meeting with representatives of the founding organizations last month. The Minister welcomed the initiative, which could help to close the gap between "strong" and "weak" schools, and said that the government will work alongside the foundations to secure funding for its realization.
Read more about the Revadim initiative
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[17 Dec 09] Whether you were there on the day or not, this movie is a wonderful memento of a beautiful occasion: the inauguration of Minkoff Desert Shanti on November 23 2009..
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[31 Dec 08] Ronit Segelman, Director of Partnerships, explains the precautions being taken to contend with the global financial crisis |
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[3 Jul 08] The matching partnership between the Rashi Foundation and a US giving group of financiers (the Philanthropic Partnership to Strengthen Northern Israel) will proceed to a second cycle of allocations, this time narrowing the focus towards projects in the fields of early childhood education, advancing children and youth at risk through education, and volunteerism and leadership. The group made the strategic decision to remain active in the northern region, so as to sustain successful programs that might be put at danger at the end of the Emergency Campaign funding.
About PPSNI Round 1
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[12 Jan 09] Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Minister of Welfare - Yitzchak Herzog, Mayor of Bat-Yam - Shlomo Lahiani, and President of Rashi - Hubert Leven, gathered in the winter sunshine to celebrate the completion of this project.
The project has been funded by the National Insurance Institute, the Municipality of Bat-Yam, and the Rashi Foundation, and managed by Rashi.
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 | The creation of this new early childhood center in the town of Bat-Yam is part of Bat-Yam 2010, a joint initiative by the municipality and the Rashi Foundation to build a strong educational continuum for the local children from birth through the completion of high school.
This new center joins the roster of other early childhood centers that have been, or are being, built in the periphery under the management and co-funding of Rashi : Tirat Carmel and Shlomi (completed), Acre, Hatzor, Kiryat Shmona and Merom Hagalil (in planning).
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[15 Jun 08] Children from the Dorset-Ashalim Children and Youth Village celebrated their Bar and Bat Mitzvah.
In a pastoral setting, under a canopy of stars, surrounded by trees and fanned by a desert breeze, the 76 children living in the Dorset-Ashalim Children and Youth Village gathered together, along with family, friends and staff, to celebrate the Bar and Bat Mitzvah of 5 boys and 3 girls.
This milestone in every Jewish child's life was made even more special as the ceremony opened to the sound of the Shofar and the beat of drums. Each child, joined by his parents, lit a candle that symbolized the light guiding them to a future that has been enriched and enhanced through the education and support provided by the Village.
The grounds of Ashalim came alive, and not only with the strings of colored lights illuminating the celebrations. The warm, proud smiles of parents, staff and guests, contributed in no small manner to the festive atmosphere. It was, however, the children, celebrating together this momentous event in their lives that made the event so special.
To mark this milestone, the children themselves prepared all the entertainment including a play entitled "A New Day Has Arrived" which included music, song and dance – all performed by the children themselves. In addition, they shared stories with the guests about a trip to Jerusalem which they took as part of their preparations for the event.
This was truly was an evening to remember! Many of these children had been removed from their families because of home conditions or circumstances and the joy and sense of achievement they felt was almost tangible.
The celebration also marked the realization of the dream of "Ashalim's" founders, the Thierry Slama Association – to provide 7-14 year old children from the Negev area, needing residential social, educational and therapeutic services with a nurturing and caring environment. |
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