Beit-Shemesh “Gojo” Community Gar’in: Leadership & Empowerment

“Gojo (Home, in Amharic) Community Gar’in is a home to its members, from which they receive encouragement, knowledge and strength, to jointly bring tikun-olam and empowerment to the community in Beit Shemesh. The Gar’in opens its doors to anyone who believes in its goals, ideology and educational way.”

The now 25 Gar’in members, who decided to change the educational-social climate in which their community lives, have created warm relations with the English speaking community in Beit-Shemesh. The Gar’in is working simultaneously on two levels:

1. SELF EMPOWERMENT: Joining together as a group with clear vision and future. The group formed a “Multicultural Beit Midrash”, in which the members discuss their traditional Ethiopian Jewishness, in the light of Israel’s most up-to-date social activism; they go on joint weekends and hikes, to get to know each other better – as well as Israel’s land and history; and Gar’in members can go through training that makes them more professional as educational-social activists. The Gar’in wishes to continue to grow, to include 15 families and 15-20 young adult volunteers, during 2010

2. COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING: There are approximately 440 Ethiopian Israeli youth in Beit-Shemesh, aged 13-18, and a lack of sufficient programming. As a result, most either finish high school with poor results, or do not graduate at all. While in the neighborhood, these youth wander the streets, bringing with them habits of drinking, drugs, violence, promiscuity, etc. Many do not enlist in the army, thereby causing the problem to continue and worsen over the years.

1. Youth Outreach Center: The Gar’in hired and trained 2 Youth Counselors, Ethiopian Israelis from the neighborhood, who: (1) Reach out to youth on the streets; (2) Form & Lead specific youth groups (focusing on leadership, outdoor training, hikes, etc); (3) Integrate participants into additional existing programs according to individuals’ needs; (4) Visit participants’ homes and create warm relations with their parents.

The Center is open 3 afternoons weekly, and its goal is to grow from 60 to 100 youth participants during 2010.

Homework – At Home!: A unique academic program that aims to boost achievements by creating a supportive learning environment at home. The program has succeeded in affording entire families with habits regarding studies during the afternoon hours and parents’ involvement in the children’s studies. The teaching staff consists of highly motivated English speaking volunteers, residents of Beit Shemesh, who maintain close connections with the parents. The program aims to grow from 20 to 40 students during 2010.

Learn more about the Gar’in.
Learn more about the locations of the Gar’in.