Stories and Pathways

By: Rachel Gerber ENP Volunteer Coordinator Just over a year ago I made Aliyah and I stumbled upon ENP. Well, it's more like ENP was a gift that came into my life at the perfect time. As I learned hebrew in Ulpan most mornings I spent afternoons in the ENP offices. I arrived with no hebrew comprehension, and with much patience and understanding the Staff at ENP welcomed me and took the time to try to teach me as we worked. Although the language barrier was evident, I never once felt that my Hebrew (or lack thereof) was met with anything but patience and understanding. In May I began my position as the Volunteer Coordinator at ENP, yet another blessing in my post-Aliyah life. Over the last eight months of working at ENP I have been blessed to witness the daily inspiration that is ENP's work; to hear the phone calls and read the emails for requests for assistance and watch them transform into success stories, smiles on kids faces, and good grades on report cards, is nothing ...

By: Benji Bernstein Intern, Rothberg International School My name is Benji Bernstein and I've been volunteering at a youth center sponsored by the ENP this semester. I've been having an incredible experience working with the kids there these past couple months. To be honest, I did not really know what to expect when I first walked into the underground youth facility in Beit Shemesh. However, as soon as I arrived, the staff and teens there made me feel at home. "Do you want to play me in ping pong?" I was asked in Hebrew by one of the 14 year old kids. As a huge table tennis fan, I naturally jumped at the opportunity. After we started playing, about five other kids lined up around the table. "Can I have next game?" one asked. As they determined the order of who would play after, I began to talk to the kids, and to really get to know them. I've learned a lot from them since. For instance, each time I go, I have a great time learning about new I...

By: Penina Romanek Intern,  J-Internship Program             While interning for ENP, I have learned how forming meaningful relationships can break through any type of barrier. I was apprehensive at the beginning of interning because I thought only speaking a little bit of Hebrew would hinder me in forming connections with the children. However, I have not felt that at all. Sharing a common language is not the foundation in which relationships are built upon. When I communicate with the children, I smile and show through my body language how much I care about them. They do the same onto me. One of the best parts of my day is when I enter the youth center and then hear, “Penina!” coming from the voices of the girls. The girls then run up to me and give me a hug and even the boys make a point to show me they remember the songs I taught them on the piano.                 ...