Today I met Yonatan and Amir at two different AMIT programs. While each young man has his own unique story, both shared similar challenges in school. Each boy was struggling with behavior issues, their academics, and fitting in to their school.
Yonatan lives in Ra’anana at AMIT Bienenfeld Chavrutah on the Kfar Batya Campus. Now in 11th grade, he came to the Chavrutah in 8th grade after struggling at a Yeshiva where he did not have friends and was very unhappy. He always loved horses and was looking for a different type of educational environment that would allow him to be himself. He learned about AMIT Bienenfeld, which offers non-traditional learning tracks in a unique setting for high school aged boys. The school offers a less structured, more individualized learning approach. Yonatan lives at the school and is in the horse back riding/animal care track. He has learned how to connect with the horses and gain their trust and the horses look to him as their leader. Yonatan’s strong connection with the animals has helped him to open up and make new friends and express himself more easily. He feels more secure and valued as an individual Scouting/nature and music are the two other track offered. Yonatan is looking forward to serving in the army upon graduation.
Later that day we drove to AMIT Dvir Beit Shemesh where I met Amir and two of his friends. Beit Shemesh is known as a periphery town which is where 70% of AMIT schools are located. They tend to be low socio-economic areas. While Amir is in 12 grade, last year he almost dropped out of school. Somehow his teachers were able to persuade him to remain in school and since then he has become more devoted to his studies. In fact, math is now his favorite subject. Amir came from Ethiopia to Israel at age 6 and lives under difficult family circumstances. Amir has decided that it is very important for him to learn good English and do well on his Bagrut exam. So he returns to school every afternoon at 5 p.m. and stays until 9 p.m. for tutoring and to study for his Bagrut exam. He wants to be a fighter in the IDF.
While I was visiting Beit Shemesh, the Principal, Dr. Zachary Levron, a very dynamic man, showed me the new music room. It was was recently built and outfitted with musical instruments with funds raised by the students who ran an online crowd funding effort. Students created a video about the need for a music room, and made such a good case that they raised $16,000. Now there is a place for students to learn about music and how to play instruments. Dr. Levron is one of the new music students who is learning to play the guitar along with “four of his most challenging students.” Together they sit as beginners, learning to play together, learning to relate together. All of them are on the same playing field!
Shabbat Shalom!
Shelley Labiner
Director of Marketing & Communication
AMIT Children
