Letter from Chaim Peri
March '10, Nissan 5770
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The jolly "One Little Kid" song HadGadya which concludes the Passover Seder meal is really a quite serious allegory about human destiny. For the growing number of children’s caretakers from throughout the country that are being retrained by us, we aim to make use of every ‘trick in the book’ in order to stir profound change. A sheep-herding workshop, for example, can generate a great discussion about educational dilemmas, such as balancing between the needs of an individual child and those of the group. Even the Talmud tells us that Moses could only lead the Israelites after ‘passing the test’ of compassion and humility with a flock of sheep. It was with these qualities that he approached that burning bush, setting into motion the story of Passover and the birth of a people.
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New arrivals…Ohana, Ebenzur and Ben Shimol are ancient Sephardic Jewish family names belonging to three of the 14 new children who have just arrived from Brazil. We are indebted to a local Jewish community welfare agency, Comitê Israelita do Amazonas, for connecting these children with us, in hope for a future of Jewish continuity and well being. One cannot but marvel at the amazing phenomenon of young boys and girls who begin a new life here with zest and will to rediscover their original roots, after three generations of isolation and assimilation.
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Light unto the nations…
Yemin Orde graduate Ethiopian–born Shimon Solomon (left), successfully serves as Director of Educational Guidance in the “Agahozo Shalom” youth village in Rwanda. The success of Yemin Orde inspired the creation of this village and continues to serve as its model. The dissemination of our methodology outside Israel by our graduates is a source of pride for us. We were moved to learn how our approaches have inspired an orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico (Casa Hogar Sion)-how incredible! San Pasqual Academy in California also adopted major elements of our methodology, and we now expect a mission of South African educators to visit here. Needless to say we wholeheartedly welcome opportunities to inspire, guide and support (not financially!) whenever and wherever there is a chance for our knowledge to help advance the well-being of children.
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Just married – Mazal Tov!
Of the recent graduate weddings, allow me to share with you Leonid and Ella's story. I first met young Leonid at a Jewish community center in Moscow, and was immediately impressed with the young man’s outgoing character and stamina. Later at Yemin Orde, he definitely proved these qualities, setting new standards in navigation and leadership at the traditional cross country hike (Etgar). Ella and her younger sister came alone from a children’s home in Russia, to start a new life here. Whenever we are challenged for being co-ed, I remind myself of all those graduate couples of ours who have over the years built homes and lives together. My belief that young loves can ripen into beautiful, long lasting relationships has never weakened against all odds.
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Sisters: Volunteer Caroline Mendelsohn (left in picture) and Avsent (right) have much more than braids in common. Caroline, on her way to become a student at the University of Texas-Austin spent the winter here, giving of herself to the Yemin Orde family. No doubt, her interaction with children from such diverse cultures has laid excellent foundations for her plans for a future career in behavioral sciences and languages. Caroline was taken by the Jewish Ethiopian heritage, which she believes every young American should be exposed to. “Being here was transformative, and I’ll definitely come back”, she says, while preparing to return home to celebrate Passover with her family in Washington, DC.
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A Love Story.
An amazing love story linked with the origins of our village has just resurfaced. An unknown b/w picture from Yemin Orde’s history has found its way to us, together with warm regards from a 95 year old lady, Helen Sinclair Thomson. Her late husband Peter was a British military commander and spiritual twin to legendary Orde Wingate (“Lawrence of Judea”) after whom Yemin Orde is named. Drawn to Palestine by Zionist beliefs and love of the Jewish people, Peter found the love of his life in nearby Haifa – young, Jewish Helen… Their love, which crossed boundaries, was fueled by belief in the destiny of Israel and its people.
We were profoundly moved to receive the picture of Helen's late husband greeting Ben Gurion and Lorna Wingate at the historic opening of our village, and promised to share it with you - our partners – who make it possible for Yemin Orde to heal lives of children in Israel from four corners of the world to this very day.
Pesach Greetings,
