By: Laurina Driesse

As part of our ministry of blessing and comfort to Israel, the Christian Embassy in Jerusalem is thrilled to see disadvantaged children flourish in a loving and supportive environment, which encourages their growth and development. 

During Hanukkah in December, Nicole Yoder, ICEJ Vice President for AID and Aliyah, visited an Israeli youth village we support which is home to 141 young people. Most of these children are between the ages of 6 to 18 years and have been removed from their homes for their own well-being. Though most of the youths at the village can spend time at home with their families occasionally, some are unable to visit at all as it is not safe for them.

Meanwhile, there is a small group of children who participate at the youth village programs but still live at home. The hope is that with support, their families will be strengthened so that these children will not need to be removed.

The youth village has embarked on an educational and therapeutic project to open a bakery operated by the children. An instructor familiar with working with at-risk children is teaching them life-skills alongside learning to bake and cook. This initiative has taken off like hot cakes, proving to be immensely popular with the youngsters.

Anxious to get started, but with little resources to purchase essential equipment, a room was designated for the new bakery to be. With a few giveaways like used mixers, a second-hand oven, and a small refrigerator, the project kicked off with great enthusiasm. However, to turn this dream into a reality, they still need more equipment to get the project fully up and running.

“The ICEJ is so excited to support this initiative, as over the course of the next few years, these at-risk children will build their skills and learn to develop business and marketing plans which will drive this initiative into becoming a real business in the community” explained Nicole.

During Hanukkah, when baked treats are plentiful in Israel, there was a lot of excitement about being able to get out of school a few hours early to use their new skills to bake for the village Hanukkah party! Nicole was there to witness a hive of activity as the joyful youths worked energetically to bake 170 delightfully delicious sufganiyot (doughnuts)! Later, during the party, the young bakers had a stand with a selection of colorful toppings to give each guest’s taste buds a unique flavorful treat!

The whole village was abuzz as preparations for the Hanukkah party were taking shape. One young man, who struggles with stuttering, could be heard practicing a beautiful song to perform at the party. Somehow when he sings, the stuttering fades into the background and he can sing clearly and beautifully.

Meanwhile, guests were beginning to arrive at the front gate. Shlomi*, a boy of about 11 years old, was alive with anticipation for the party, and even more so when he spotted his parents arriving. He called out to the director: “Maya, look! My mom and dad are here!”

“He looked like a pent-up bundle of emotion and energy, all wound up and so sweetly shy at the same time, as though he did not know exactly what to do with himself,” noted Nicole. “I was so touched to hear that the parents received a special taxi, paid for by the village, so that they could make it to the party. It was their first visit there although their son has lived in the village for four years already. No wonder he was a bundle of pent-up emotion.”

The director quickly suggested that he go and choose a gift for his mother from a nearby table. “You should have seen him shoot off at a run to get that gift for his mother. What a special day for him and so many other children who welcomed their parents to the village for Hanukkah,” shared Nicole with much emotion herself.

Warm thanks to the ICEJ’s Canadian friends who gave the first donation towards purchasing equipment to get this project going. The donation will enable them to purchase an industrial oven.

Please also consider giving to the ICEJ’s ‘Future and a Hope’ fund, which helps the disadvantaged Israelis towards a brighter and more hopeful future. And, in this case it is enabling Israeli youth-at-risk to heal and to develop new vocational skills in a loving and safe environment. You can join with us in offering new hope at: give.icej.org/givinghope

* Name is changed to protect privacy.