Sandra and Evan Roklen, both ardent Zionists, have been among AMIT’s staunchest supporters in the Western Region in recent years. Sandra, who grew up in Israel, had heard of AMIT’s previous incarnation, Mizrachi Women, but got involved about seven years ago, when Evan happened to be searching for charities to support and came across AMIT Children.
“I saw AMIT, and it looked interesting, so I gave a very nominal gift,” said Evan. “Then, I think a year later, Amnon Eldar [AMIT’s director general] came here to speak in Beverly Hills, and I was hooked when I heard about AMIT’s efforts to provide quality education to children outside of the main population areas that have been overlooked in the past. That really gets to the core of how AMIT speaks to both of us.”
Sandra joined AMIT’s board of directors as the West Coast’s Regional Vice President and visited Frisch Beit Hayeled on one of her many trips to Israel. That visit left a lasting impression. “You see how it can happen, how you can transform a child’s life,” Sandra said. “It really was a very meaningful trip. I think when you go to the facilities and you talk to the kids there and you hear stories, that’s it. It tells you everything you need to know. This is a really transformative organization that helps people that really are needy, and you can see it in the work.”
The couple later visited the Kfar Blatt youth village, and in 2015 they decided to dedicate a kitchen at one of the family units in honor of Sandra’s family. “Sandra and I always say we were fortunate enough to be raised in nurturing households by loving parents, and we recognize that so many of the students AMIT serves are much less fortunate. Helping them is also a way for us to honor our parents for everything they gave us,” said Evan.
Three years ago, the Roklens helped establish the Los Angeles Leadership Council, of which Evan is the Vice Chair, and they continue to spread the word about AMIT’s mission of building Israel through education to those around them—including their children, Michael, who is currently on the LA NewGen Board, Jonathan, and Molly. For Sandra and Evan, it really is a family affair. “To us, supporting AMIT goes right back to our parents and to doing our small part to really help Israel’s next generation,” he said.
