September 2011

Dear Friends and Partners, On the eve of the New Year, against the backdrop of grass-roots social protests that have focused on inequality and the fair distribution of public resources, the Rashi Foundation is doubling its efforts to strengthen Israeli society with new initiatives in the fields of education and social welfare. The Yeholot Association, a new subsidiary of Rashi, is expanding its activity to prevent dropout and raise matriculation rates among high school students. In elementary schools, the Revadim initiative brings the Full School model to 50 schools in the periphery. As of September 1st, we have begun to operate a network of high schools with a new subsidiary

called Darca. This initiative is the fruit of a first-time partnership with the Alliance Israelite Universelle, which has vast experience in establishing schools of high-achieving, humanistic education, highlighting Jewish and cultural identity. In the field of welfare, treatment centers for victims of sexual assault will be expanded in the coming year into a nationwide network. 60 Warm Homes for girls at risk, half of them in the Arab sector, are already operating under Rashi's responsibility, and we aim to upgrade the physical facilities and therapeutic-educational program.

In early October, a coalition of partners from the spheres of industry, academic, philanthropy and government will celebrate the inauguration of the excellence program Future Scientists and Inventors, the culmination of an initiative of President Shimon Peres. On behalf of the Board, management and staff of the Rashi Foundation, I extend my best wishes for a New Year blessed with good tidings, peaceful days and the fulfillment of plans and dreams. Hubert Leven President

Rashi and the social protest Following the "Tent Protest" this summer, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has appointed a special committee headed by Prof. Manuel Trachtenberg, to examine proposals for lowering the cost of living such as... read more >> Gil Pereg, CEO of Darca Network of High Schools High School Network gets on the road Our new network of high schools Darca – "road" in Aramaic – opened with the new academic year in eight schools in Israel's periphery and is planned to expand to 10 more schools next ... read more >> Learning computer skills at the Migdal Or center Light for the visually impaired The Ministry of Welfare and Rashi Foundation have reached an agreement that will ensure the continuation of services for blind and visually-impaired people operated by the Migdal Or Association, which closed down due to financial... read more >> Hot lunch in the summer Summer activity for children at risk usually lasts until the end of July, leaving the children unattended until the start of the school year. Knowing that these children suffer from food insecurity year-round, we joined forces with ... read more >> Expansion of treatment for sexually abused children An agreement was signed between the Ministry of Welfare, the National Insurance Institute and Rashi for the continued operation of treatment centers for victims of sexual abuse. The Ministry will take... read more >> Warm home for Girls opened A Warm Home for 30 teenage girls at risk was inaugurated recently in the town of Migdal Ha'emek. This center, built with the generous contribution of an anonymous donor, is the first one custom-designed for the needs of girls... read more >> Activity at the Warm Home in Migdal Ha'emek

Committed to Quality and Qpportunity inEducation and Social Welfare for the Young and the Under-Served in Israel's Periphery. Please contact us with any questions or enquiries Email Address: ronittal@rashi.org.il , Office Phone: 08-9146600, Fax: 08-9219404