On Thursday, July 25th, the Steering Committee of the Working Together Initiative (WTI) convened.
The objective of the steering committee is to monitor whether the annual targets were met and to assess the program’s degree of success. In addition, the committee discussed monitoring the implementation of the work plan, guidance of the integrating body (Eretz-Ir organization) and the changes, if required, relating to the scope and areas of activity, the program’s target audience, deadlines or required services.

At the beginning of August, the mentors at Lamerhav gathered for two training sessions addressing two very important issues, trauma and post-trauma.
The first session was held at Lamerhav House in Hod Hasharon and included a lecture by Dr. Ronnie Simmons, a former chief psychologist at the Prime Minister’s Office and a specialist in short-term and focused treatment of adults, adolescents and children, with an emphasis on depression and post-traumatic stress.

This month, a fitness trainers course opened in the south of Israel. This is a unique internship program led by the “Working Together” Initiative (WTI). The program is subsidized and includes placement in employment, once the course is completed.WTI is an initiative operating in the south of Israel, aiming to integrate young adults in the periphery into meaningful employment and create a career path for them. The target audience is young adults aged 18-25 in the southern district, who are not integrated into employment, and need assistance and guidance due to their life circumstances.

Last week, the Stage One young adults from Lamerhav House in Hod Hasharon went on a seminar dealing with the transition from Stage One to Stage Two. This seminar is an annual highlight event, which is part of the process of providing guidance and support to young adults from the 12th grade, through the transition period until they join the IDF. Following Stage One, the young adults either join the IDF or the national service, and move to Stage Two.

Shula Mozes, Lamerhav’s Chairperson and Founder, has taken part at the International Conference of the Jewish Founders Network 2019, and told about the activities in Lamerhav, her personal acts of giving and about one young adult, who has particularly moved her. Shula takes part in various forums dealing with young adults, and is a member of JFN and “Committed to Give”. In 2012, she was awarded the Midot Seal of Effectiveness (Midot is a non-profit organization that strives to promote effectiveness and impact by rating NPOs), and in 2018 the “Presidential Award for Volunteerism”.
You are welcome to watch the video!

Can you have fun during exam time?
The Stage Three young adults of Lamerhav House in Beer Sheva have shown us that this is truly possible!
This month, the Stage Three young adults went out for a fun evening of bowling. The young adults and the staff enjoyed a fun and competitive game, along with delicious pizza and a supportive group. Then, they all went to the great nearby play room and enjoyed the experience of going back to their childhood.

The Lamerhav organization shares the grief and pain of the Ethiopian immigrant community, on the death of the late Salomon Taka and sends its heartfelt condolences to his family.
We embrace our graduates, who speak against exclusion and discrimination, and believe in a just and moral society. As an organization that advocates equality and justice, we see our young adults as agents of social change, and influential partners in our struggle for the nature of our society.
The road to change requires perseverance, but we can all choose it. What is required is action on the personal, civil and political levels, and the use of political-social tools. But most of all, it is required that young adults be active in their world. As a society, we must learn to use the right tools to change perceptions and strive for a world where we will not allow anyone, not even ourselves, to become victims.
Yet, we condemn any form of violence. Violence must not divert public attention from the struggle for an equitable and just society.
We aspire for a time when we will live together in love, respect and fraternity.

Yesterday, we held a farewell and a year’s end celebration at Lamerhav House in Beer Sheva. This occasion provides us with the chance to look back on a busy, challenging, exciting and incredibly meaningful year. Thank you to all those, who made this year memorable!