FAQ – American Friends of Neve Hanna

Frequently Asked Questions about Neve Hanna Children’s Home and American Friends of Neve Hanna

Who are we?

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American Friends of Neve Hanna is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization associated with the Neve Hanna Children’s Home in Israel.

Since 1974, Neve Hanna Children’s Home in Kiryat Gat, Israel, has provided a loving home for children from distressed and dysfunctional family circumstances. They are the children of Russian, Ethiopian, Middle Eastern immigrants and native-born Israelis. Sadly, these children have been scarred by poverty, abuse, parental neglect and mental illness, and drug or alcohol addiction in the home. These at-risk youth come to Neve Hanna, where their physical, emotional, and educational needs are addressed. Neve Hanna is affiliated with the Masorti Movement as a Kehillah, the only one of its kind in Israel. The children’s home provides individual therapy, remedial instruction, and extensive enrichment leisure time programs to the children. Neve Hanna offers these at-risk youth the chance to grow beyond the circumstances from which they emerged. This loving, nurturing, and therapeutic environment gives the children the opportunity to heal, thrive, and become responsible, contributing adults of society. Many go on to build successful careers and raise healthy families. Neve Hanna aims to instill in its children a sense of self-worth and an attachment to Jewish Tradition and values.

What do we do?

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Neve Hanna Children’s Home strives to meet all the physical, emotional, mental, and educational needs of its children by enriching them with a wide variety of individualized therapeutic programs, projects, and extracurricular activities. The staff consists of trained educators, social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists, as well as experts in different therapeutic fields.

At Neve Hanna, we instill Jewish values in everything we do, including the mitzvah of sharing with our Bedouin neighbors. Neve Hanna is affiliated with the Masorti movement in Israel. This means that we offer a traditional religious education, but one where boys and girls, men and women, have equal opportunities for learning and participation. In meaningful ceremonies, many of the children have become bar and bat mitzvah here. Together, all of us celebrate Shabbat and observe Jewish holy days and festivals.

What’s our story?

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Neve Hanna was established in 1974, under the dynamic leadership of beloved Hanni Ullman z”l. Hanni was a veteran Israeli educator and recipient of the prestigious President’s Award for Volunteerism. Neve Hanna is named for Hanna Kaplan, a Holocaust survivor who bequeathed money to Hanni to create a family-style home for children in distress. David “Dudu” Veger, originally a special education teacher and artist, has served as its Director since 1981 and is now the President. Hanni and Dudu’s experience and enthusiasm, and the dedication of the staff, are important elements of Neve Hanna’s success.

How many children live at Neve Hanna?

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Neve Hanna is a loving home where approximately eighty children, ages 4 to 18, are in full-time residence. They live in apartments of 10-12 children supervised by a male counselor and house mother. Each apartment includes a kitchenette, dining area, living room, sleeping quarters, and a computer area. Each group functions as a family; staff and children prepare meals together, go over school assignments, relax, and play.

Are there additional children?

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Additional students who cannot be accommodated in the overnight facilities participate in an innovative day care program in the Gloria and Sidney Danziger Family Building. These children arrive after school to receive a hot meal, help with homework, and enrichment activities before returning to their families for the evening.

Is AFNH a registered non-profit?

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AFNH is a 501C(3) tax-exempt organization.

We invite donations that go towards the rehabilitation of the children as well as the facilities they use. Donations of all sizes are welcome with gratitude and are tax-deductible.

Which programs does AFNH support?

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Neve Hanna is a supportive, caring community providing individualized therapy and learning programs for every child.

Steady/Regular Funding:
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Program
Library
STREETLIGHT
Ziv Neurim
Hip-Hop Program
Masorti Noam Youth Movement Activities.
Holiday celebrations: Rosh Hashana, Sukkot, Chanukah, Purim, Pesach
Summer camp allocations.

In addition:
Remedial teaching and tutoring teenagers for high school exams
Talis and Tefillin for B’nai Mitzvah children.
Scholarships for former children of Neve Hanna pursuing academic studies.
Renovating housing at Neve Hanna and Rosh Pina.

How can I make a donation?

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If you wish to make an online donation, please visit our website: www.afnevehana.org or call our office at 347-836-8118 if you need assistance.

You may donate online here.

Or make checks payable to: The American Friends of Neve Hanna

Mail your check to: American Friends of Neve Hanna, PO Box 640685, Oakland Gardens, NY 11364-0685

Who works for Neve Hanna?

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At Neve Hanna Children’s Home, the staff consists of trained educators, social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists, as well as experts in different therapeutic fields.

At American Friends of Neve Hanna, the staff consists of Co-Presidents Janet and Irwin Tobin, Executive Director Lisa Pollack, and Administrator Marilyn Noble. There is a Board of Directors of 30+ professionals and individuals.

Can I become a Goodwill Ambassador for Neve Hanna?

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Yes, you can. Become a Goodwill Ambassador for American Friends of Neve Hanna. Be part of Young Leadership, a dynamic group of volunteers, change-makers, a network strong enough to impact positive change in the lives of children.