Throughout the years, there have been many successful alumni born out of the Neve Hanna Children’s Home. With a nurturing and supportive family environment, Neve Hanna has offered many of these young people, the chance to grow beyond the circumstances from which they emerged. Hundreds of children have attended Neve Hanna. Many go onto building successful careers and raising healthy families. They – and we – are justifiably proud of their accomplishments. Here are some our remarkable former children of Neve Hanna.
Meny was born in 1986, in Kiryat Gat. He grew up in a family with five siblings. When he was six years old, his parents divorced. Following the divorce, the economic situation of the family was anything than easy, and in addition, his mother had a hard time functioning as a single parent, and taking care of her children. A few years later, when Meny was nine years old, he came to Neve Hanna, where he grew up in the Parparim family group. Together with him, another brother grew up at Neve Hanna. When Meny was 16 years old, he learned that he was much better with practical-manual work than academic studies. Therefore, he joined the staff of the Bakery, where he worked until he was drafted to the Israeli army. In the IDF, he served for three years in the prestigious Givati Combat Unit.
After he finished his army duty in 2007, he worked in different jobs. He was also employed by bakeries due to his experience in the field of bread baking. In 2010, the Yeladudes Bakery of Neve Hanna employed Meny. He quickly became an important backbone of the professional staff of Yeladudes. Neve Hanna itself is proud to be able to give former children an employment opportunity. For Meny, who married in 2009, and at the time, with a young daughter and son, it meant having a steady job, enabling him to support his young family. He also pointed that his job means he can give a little back to Neve Hanna, which he still considers his home and a vital part of his own life and family. Meny has since retired but is still active with his Neve Hanna family.
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Ricky was born in Ashkelon in 1980, and arrived at Neve Hanna, at the age of four, together with her sister and brother. Their mother and father had a hard time functioning as parents. Looking back, Ricky points out that Neve Hanna is her family and home — the only home she has. This was not because Ricky and her siblings arrived at a young age, but due to the fact that Neve Hanna was the only place, where they all felt secure and loved.
When Baruch arrived at 10 years of age, he was in very poor mental and physical condition. Neve Hanna welcomed him with a warm and loving embrace, and gave him not just home but also hope.
The devoted and kind care, and exceptional education Baruch received from the staff and especially the headmaster, Mr. David Veger, instilled within him life long values and lessons which made Baruch who he is today.
Thanks to the unique educational system implemented in Neve Hanna, from the start, Baruch was recognized for his artistic skills and was provided with all the means needed in order to develop his skills and grow.
If not for Neve Hanna, Baruch would probably have ended up in one of the local gangs that were part of the environment where he grew up in Ashkelon.
It has been almost 37 years since Baruch first came to Neve Hanna, and he has never forgotten that special place that was more than a home.
For Baruch, Neve Hanna is an essential part of his identity and a guiding light on his path in the world. Thanks to Neve Hanna, Baruch has lived out his dreams and does what he loves. Over the years, he has payed it forward through various volunteer and philanthropic activities for children in need.
Baruch is eternally grateful for Neve Hanna, especially to Mr. David Veger, and Mrs. Hani Ullman the founder of this special and magical place. From the bottom of his heart, he thanks Neve Hanna.
American Friends of Neve Hanna 