Diller Teen Fellows

Diller teen fellows, one of our partnership flagship projects - a year long leadership program for 11th graders! The Diller teens from Baltimore leave tonight after 3 intensely busy weeks in Israel. They have toured and volunteered, they have worked and played, and laughed and cried. This last week they spent in Ashkelon, home-hosted by their Ashkelon Diller partners, working in the Ashkelon community.

climbing the snake path up to Masada at dawn

Welcome dinner

Volunteering at Bet Canada new immigrant absorption center

Volunteering at Bet Canada new immigrant absorption center

Volunteering at Bet Canada new immigrant absorption center

Fun time at the pool and the beach

Volunteering at Bet Canada new immigrant absorption center

Volunteering at Bet Canada new immigrant absorption center

Volunteering at Bet Canada new immigrant absorption center

Volunteering at the Teen  Center

Completed seating area built by the Diller teens

Final Circle at the Retreat

"Hands on Tzedakah" donate supplies

After a relative quiet 24 hours, this morning seemed to be calm. It's a beautiful sunny day out side. We recieved a generous donation form "Hands on Tzedakah" ( Boca Raton , Florida ), an organization that already funded 2 other teens projects in Ashkelon. The money is designated for supplies ,toys and games that our teens volunteer are using to keep children busy , in shelters while their parents go to work. The first day 9 shelters were opened , and today, a week later- 39 !!! So, Dafna Biton , the Amen coordinator and I went to buy kits for the children at the shelter that was just renovated by "Hands on Tzedakah ".( Boca Raton, Florida ) The other part of the shelter was turned into a music room , funded by the "Arlene and Sheldon Bearman family foundation". You know me, I can't say no to shopping. Well, we had 2 sirens when we left the shelter , and when we got back ...But our mission was completed, all the stuff will be there this afternoon. Whlie I was there a company from Tel Aviv sent 6 counselors with animals- rabbits, hamsters, mice , so the kids can play with them. Sakal , and Lev Ohev sent 30 kits of musical instruments to amuse the kids and games that will be distributed to the shelters. It'a amazing to see our Teens, Amen volunteers , take such a role in making sure the home front is functioning , the kids are taken care of, and children are happy and smiling and most important - safe .

On 17th Dec 2008, the Youth Council held a festive event at the Teen Center, to celebrate the close of a successful year of youth activity in Ashkelon, while looking forward to 2009, to another even better year !

Mayor Benny Vaknin was there to greet the youth. Mayor Benny Vaknin told the youth that he too had been a member of the Youth Council. Avner Maimon (Head of Culture Dept), Yakov Attias (Head of Youth Dept) and of course Sigal Ariely, were also there to celebrate the occasion.

The Youth Council is composed of about 60 teens, with representatives from every school in the city. They are active in many different spheres and initiate many volunteer activities and events for the benefit of Ashkelon youth, and all the residents of Ashkelon.

The Chairman of the Youth Council - Asaf Suissa, welcomed the new Mayor on behalf of the youth. He gave a presentation showing the activities of the Council over the year, and outlining the plan of action for the 2009. Nicole

Asaf Suissa, Chairman of the Youth Council