by Victor Ronis-Tobin

Last May, I volunteered for two weeks at Neve Hanna. It has been a very meaningful and engaging experience. I will definitely do it again and will bring my entire family and get my congregation interested in Neve Hanna. I am a Russian, Israeli American psychologist, and professor in an American university. My friends and family in Israel were affected by the events of October 7th and I felt helpless to assist. When the academic year was winding down, I decided to travel to Israel, and volunteer. My mother who lives in Israel told me about her experience of visiting Neve Hanna and how impressed she was with the work done there. NH is a lush oasis of blooming flowers, beautiful walkways, playgrounds, and well-maintained buildings. The staff and leadership were welcoming and supportive, and I had a tour of the place and an explanation of how it works.

Neve Hanna works like a family. Kids from tough backgrounds live in family-like groups. Up to 14 kids live in a flat with two kids in a room. Such a foster family group is managed by a house mother and father and two volunteers at all times. Adults provide a corrective experience very similar to parenting (good parenting). They have a strict schedule and do chores, have activities, have pocket money, do homework, engage in extracurricular, and work for example in the in-house bakery, Yeladudes. Older kids live with younger kids. Everyone gets individual attention from multiple adults, everyone gets mental health care, and they have fun, goof off, and celebrate. Kids engage in sports, and arts, have ceremonies, follow religious traditions, and have a bar/bat mitzvah. A very normal home environment for those who come from nothing.

As a native Hebrew speaker, I joined the family in cooking and chores. I helped kids with homework and played games. Kids, who choose to, ask for individual time, to play or talk. And some of the conversations were with staff. Overall, I was the grandpa who came to help. The highlight of my stay was when one of the kids shared that he received an ‘A’ on an exam thanks to me helping him prepare. I also was fortunate to attend the Holocaust memorial ceremonies, which were coordinated and conducted by the kids. It was moving beyond tears, and very well done. When one of the kids struggled with their lines, the entire community rallied to support him and praise him for his perseverance. What can I say? Neve Hanna is a paradise of sanity in a crazy world. It provides kids what many households do not — a safe and loving supportive structure that allows kids to thrive. You need to come visit.

“My Neve Hanna Volunteer Experience” can be found in the AFNH Rosh Hashanah 2024 Newsletter