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NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2023

Greetings from Our COO

Happy summer, everyone!

It is our pleasure to share this newsletter with you which includes some very exciting 40th anniversary gala-related announcements.

We’ve been busy introducing ELEM to new regions in the US and around the world with the United Nations these last few months. We are thrilled to see the fruits of our labor and your support as ELEM becomes more sought-after due to our extensive experience and unique approaches.

I personally invite you all to join us this October to celebrate 40 years of critical, lifesaving work.

Enjoy your summer and follow us online as we share more and more news ahead of our 40th Anniversary Ray of Hope Gala.

In friendship, Liora Attias, COO

ELEM USA Updates

Start Spreading the News

ELEM’s 40th anniversary celebration will take place on Thursday, October 12th, 2023, at Lavan on 42nd street in New York City.

Our guests can expect special visitors from Israel, moving tributes, electrifying entertainment, and a trip down memory lane.

We’re excited to announce this year’s LifeSaver Award recipients, our long-time friends and supporters Rabbi Sara and Daniel Sapadin, and none other than a true Wonder Woman - Gal Gadot!

For all tickets and sponsorship opportunities, click here.

Making a Splash

In early May, ELEM’s team visited Florida, where we recently opened a branch and established an Advisory Council. Our staff participated in two events, one in Aventura and one in Cooper City, where we spoke about ELEM’s work and impact. Advisory Council members and community leaders in attendance asked many questions and showed great interest in ELEM’s work. We have no doubt this is just the beginning of a great new relationship in the South, and we look forward to working closely with our new friends in Florida!

If you wish to get involved with our work in Florida, email Alan Frent at afrent@elem.org

On the Global Stage

We were recently invited by the United Nations’ Youth Delegates of Romania to participate in “Global Perspectives: Youth & Mental Health”a session which was held in tandem with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum, addressing critical issues from within the mental health sphere of young people.

The speakers at this fascinating round-table debate included representatives from UNICEF, the Permanent Mission of Mexico to the UN, the Permanent Mission of Romania to the UN, and our very own President Lenore Ruben, who discussed ELEM’s work. The event was held in-person, as well as on Zoom. It was attended by representatives from additional missions who were very impressed with ELEM’s impact and were keen to discuss our models and their potential ﬁt in their countries. Visiting the Romanian Mission

Advisory Council Member Spotlight

Amit Eisinger

Amit (Amy) Eisinger, a native of Israel, currently resides in Wellington, Florida. She is married to Daniel Eisinger and is the proud mom of Ethan, Micah and Benjamin.

She serves as the South Florida Vice President of Field Consulting Services at Mutual of America, and is ELEM’s Advisory Council Chairwoman.

Amit actively supports Israeli causes, directing donations for maxi-

Staff and Council Members at Temple Beth Emet

mum impact. Additionally, she is involved in various Jewish non-proﬁt organizations in South Florida, showcasing her commitment to Israel and the Jewish people.

Her commitment to ELEM has been particularly notable. Her leadership style is characterized by leading by example, demonstrating passion, and fostering dedication and enthusiasm among Council members.

News from Israel Breaking Bread

ELEM works with youth of all backgrounds, so we get to celebrate different cultures and share special moments together.

Our staff and youth at The Heart/Halev Center in Haifa celebrated both Passover and Ramadan this past April. We absolutely loved to, quite literally, mix it up!

The center provides assistance to youth and young people engaged in prostitution.

Our Staff and Youth Celebrating Together

Up for a Ride

Tatti, a coordinator at our The Heart/Halev Center, also works in therapeutic riding. She invited one of ELEM’s girls for a riding lesson. The lesson provided her with a unique and meaningful experience to add to the care she already receives at ELEM.

As Tatti said of riding, “Connections heal the soul.”

Mazel Tov Corner

The Young Mothers At Risk Program provides at-risk young mothers with personal mentors to help develop independent living skills. These include preparing for the job market, securing housing, and maximizing government beneﬁts. The program was launched in 2020 and our mothers are already doing incredible things!

Aim High Tech

Tzipora is a young mother who faced various hardships as a teenager. When Covid hit, her income decreased, and her hardship deepened. She was able to ﬁnally turn her life around when she met Tzlil of ELEM’s Young Mothers Program. Tziporah has been part of the program for two years and changed the course of her life. With ELEM’s support, she even got a job at Amdocs mobile department!

"My dream was to work in high-tech and thanks to good people at Amdocs and ELEM - I made that dream come true! I got the ﬁrst push, the launching pad to get to where I am today."

Power Through

Nesia also struggled as a teenager. Two years ago, shortly after giving birth, she found herself alone with no partner or family to support her.

She found her path after taking part in ELEM’s Young Mothers program for a year and a half, joining an employment support program and taking an entrepreneurship course. Nesia is now studying to become a ﬁtness trainer.

She dreams of one day opening a business for women that will combine ﬁtness and healthy living.

“It’s the ﬁrst time that someone really values me for the way I am, that someone believes in me. I found my inner strength.”

Policy Work

ELEM recently held a special conference focused on minors who committed sexual offenses. The conference brought together senior representatives from the youth probation and youth protec-

Discussions with Our Partners

tion services with group leaders from ELEM. We shared different perspectives striving to promote and improve the treatment we provide.

This is not an easy topic to discuss, but one of vital importance. Tackling the issue of sexual violence means taking responsibility for the act, understanding the consequences, and striving to avoid repeated harm in the future by treating minors who commit sexual offenses.

Tziporah’s First Day at Her New Job!

A Blast From the Past

ELEM has employed many unique and innovative models and programs over the course of 40 years. Our program, Liliyot, comes to mind.

Liliyot, which was an award-winning restaurant in Tel Aviv, operated for nearly two decades and offered staff jobs for ELEM’s at-risk youth.

Not only did working at Lilyot keep youth off the streets and out of trouble, but it provided them with structure, training, and skills for a profession. To our youth, it meant a future, and the notion of a future gave them hope.

Join “Friends of ELEM”

We know you love seeing our great work helping Israel’s distressed youth. We would be honored if you became a “Friend of ELEM,” by becoming a yearly donor of $1,000 or more. Friends receive "in the know" information, exclusive direct information from Israel, participation in quarterly Zoom calls with Israel and more.

Get Involved

Consider making a donation. No amount is too small. Our children greatly appreciate anything you can give. If you want to volunteer in the USA or if you’re visiting Israel and want to see us in action, contact us at info@elem.org. Get your child involved in a mitzvah project or create a fund to honor someone special.