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A number of years ago, UJA Federation’s Israel and Overseas Committee determined that the primary focus of UJA’s future investments in all three partnership regions - Sderot, Bat Yam and Eilat/Eilot - should be in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. The aim of the initiative was to increase the number of high school students who graduate with a full diploma in Sciences, and then proceed to study STEM subjects in university. Since its inception, more than 5,000 children have participated in various STEM programs.
Over the past couple of years, specialized programs have been developed to improve the performance of students from kindergarten age all the way through college. Through STEEM (Science Technology Engineering English and Math) Education Program:
Teachers have been trained with special emphasis on STEM and counseling is offered regularly to thousands of young people through the Netivim program. The Netivim Young Adults Center provides educational guidance and job counseling to thousands of young people. To date, 250 students have received full college scholarships.
In the most recent matriculation reports, Sderot ranked as the #1 city, within the southern region of Israel, with the highest number of students who graduated.
The Eilat/Eilot region, similar to other remote areas in Israel, continues to experience difficulty keeping up with the demand for high level education services, healthcare services and employment opportunities.
Through STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) Education Program:
Nearly 40% of Bat Yam’s residents are immigrants from Ethiopia, the former Soviet Union, Ukraine and France. Despite its close proximity to Tel Aviv, Bat Yam is set within Israel’s socio-economic margins. With almost no industrial or commercial base, Bat Yam is solely dependent on government funding.
UJA Federation partnered with the city of Bat Yam to advance this community and accelerate its integration.
In 2016, 1,000 students participated in STEM programs. In addition to supporting STEM education in Bat Yam, UJA Federation also invests in: vocational training in various fields (nursing, early childhood education, bookkeeping, bus driving and more); afterschool educational enrichment for children and youth.
Through STEEM (Science Technology Engineering English and Math) Education Program:
The Jewish Agency for Israel inspires Jews throughout the world to connect with their People, heritage, and homeland, and empower them to build a thriving Jewish future and a strong Israel. For more than 80 years, the Jewish Agency has served as the link between Diaspora Jews worldwide and Israel. Some of UJA Federation’s investments in the Jewish Agency include:
UJA Federation has helped over three million Jews relocate to Israel since Israel’s inception. Through JAFI, Jews from areas such as Ukraine, Iran, Tunisia, and France are able to fulfill their Zionist dreams, often leaving behind growing insecurity.
The Masa Israel Journey is the leader in immersive international experiences in Israel for young adults (18-30). Its diverse portfolio of study abroad, internship, service learning, or Jewish studies programs help young adults grow as professionals and leaders. Since its founding in 2004 over 120,000 young people from more than 60 countries have participated in Masa Israel programs.
JAFI offers specialized Aliyah absorption programs designed to help young olim (ages 18-35) and students take their first steps to a lifetime in Israel. Programs are located in every region of Israel and offer diverse services such as Hebrew language courses on kibbutzim and in cities; preparation for college or graduate studies; guidance for employment; and preparation for IDF enlisting.
Amigour, JAFI’s leading sheltered housing company, operates 57 sheltered housing projects throughout Israel, serving more than 7,500 vulnerable senior citizens, the majority of whom are Holocaust survivors along with others who participated in World War II as soldiers and as partisans. For a nominal monthly fee, residents enjoy independent living in their own apartment within a tight-knit community. In addition to meeting the physical needs of this special population, Amigour provides a wide variety of social and cultural services that enhance the quality of life of its residents.
Youth Futures is a nationwide program that provides youth at risk with comprehensive, tailored intervention to enable them to take their place as independent, productive members of society. At the heart of the program are professionally trained mentors - some 300 young adult Israeli social pioneers - who work full time to build a strong relationship with children and their parents. The program serves nearly 10,000 youth in 32 localities, primarily in the Negev and Galilee.
JDC is the world’s leading Jewish humanitarian assistance organization, impacting millions of lives of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable Jews in more than 70 countries. Their efforts help revitalize Jewish life in remote communities, build tomorrow’s leadership among Jewish youth, and rescue victims of global emergencies. In 2016, the JDC provided relief from global disasters to 68,000 direct beneficiaries from the following countries: Afghanistan, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Macedonia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Turkey.
UJA's partnership in Bat Yam offers hundreds of Ethiopian Israelis, like Meytal, an opportunity to study in a 3-year nursing program, uplifting their spirit and socio-economic mobility.
Youth Participants
in Masa Israel programs since 2004
Direct Beneficiaries
of global disaster relief from the American JDC
Children
enrolled in various STEM initiatives across Sderot, Eilat/Eilot, and Bat Yam.