Trending...
- Databahn Reveals Smart Sales Agent for Strategic Account Plans
- Indie Rooftop Launches Streaming Platform Celebrating Independent Artists
- Jones Sports Announces Enhanced Leadership
CHICAGO, Nov. 8, 2024 ~ ORT America Welcomes Israeli Teenagers for Transformative Respite Program in Chicago
Chicago, IL- ORT America, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities for students around the world, recently welcomed 12 Israeli teenagers to Chicago for a two-week Respite program. The program, titled "Journey to Renewal: Empowering Emotional and Educational Recovery for Israeli Youth," aims to provide transformative healing for "first circle" trauma victims.
The devastating attack on October 7, 2023 left many of these students facing loss and displacement. In an effort to support their emotional well-being and provide enriching cultural experiences, ORT America organized this Respite program.
"Our Respite program is designed to be a transformative journey," said Allison Weinger, CEO of ORT America. "ORT's mission is to equip students with the tools and skills they need to create successful futures for themselves, but our impact extends beyond education. The work and progress the children made over these two weeks – they'll take that home. Our goal is that they will be able to better process the trauma and speak more openly about their experiences."
More on illi News
From October 16th to October 30th, the students, aged 15 to 18, participated in a variety of activities organized by ORT America's Chicago Region Director Hannah Wolod and the local Jewish community. These included a boat tour of downtown Chicago, attending a Chicago Bulls game, celebrating Sukkot, and spending a day at Six Flags. They also had the opportunity to visit a Jewish high school and attend Hebrew classes. In addition to these cultural experiences, the students engaged in restorative activities such as yoga, meditation, and hiking.
"We are so grateful to our host families for what they did for these brave and resilient kids, and to their dedicated staff," said Wolod. "The trip was beautiful and healing for everyone … and that is due in large part to these families and Chicago's North Shore Jewish community. Their flexibility, compassion, and willingness to treat this delegation like members of their own family was incredible and inspiring."
Dr. Moshe Leiba, Chief Pedagogical Officer and Deputy Director General of World ORT Kadima Mada, accompanied the students on their trip. For one member of the ORT staff who recently lost her son in Israel, this journey served as a crucial step in her healing process. "This gave her an outlet to talk with other people about her son," Dr. Leiba explained. "She really connected with her host, and they cried together. The day we left was very emotional for everyone. When I began planning this trip, this was exactly what I envisioned: bringing together kids, allowing them to be kids, and facilitating healing for both them and the adults. When you're helping one another, you're building your own resilience."
More on illi News
Two students from the Respite program, Maor and Shaked, shared their heartfelt experiences from the trip. They both emphasized the strong bonds formed with Dr. Leiba and their host families. Maor even expressed his sorrow at leaving by shedding tears on his host's shoulder. Shaked noted that both students gained a renewed sense of community and support through this experience.
ORT America is planning additional Respite trips in London and Canada following successful initiatives in Los Angeles, Mexico City, and New York. For more information about ORT America or to get involved with their programs, visit ortamerica.org.
Media Contact:
Caryn McBride
Co-Communications Inc.
Phone: (555) 555-5555
Email: caryn@co-comm.com
Chicago, IL- ORT America, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities for students around the world, recently welcomed 12 Israeli teenagers to Chicago for a two-week Respite program. The program, titled "Journey to Renewal: Empowering Emotional and Educational Recovery for Israeli Youth," aims to provide transformative healing for "first circle" trauma victims.
The devastating attack on October 7, 2023 left many of these students facing loss and displacement. In an effort to support their emotional well-being and provide enriching cultural experiences, ORT America organized this Respite program.
"Our Respite program is designed to be a transformative journey," said Allison Weinger, CEO of ORT America. "ORT's mission is to equip students with the tools and skills they need to create successful futures for themselves, but our impact extends beyond education. The work and progress the children made over these two weeks – they'll take that home. Our goal is that they will be able to better process the trauma and speak more openly about their experiences."
More on illi News
- OncoBeta reports 12-Month Results from International Phase IV Study for Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
- Alphabet Kids Series Inspires a Global Movement of Imagination and Impact
- Prospect By Buildout Recipient Of 2025 PropTech Breakthrough "CRE Data Innovation Award"
- Pure Business Capital Empowers Entrepreneurs with Innovative Funding and Business Solutions
- Chicago: O'Hare International Airport Hits All-Time June High In Passenger Traffic
From October 16th to October 30th, the students, aged 15 to 18, participated in a variety of activities organized by ORT America's Chicago Region Director Hannah Wolod and the local Jewish community. These included a boat tour of downtown Chicago, attending a Chicago Bulls game, celebrating Sukkot, and spending a day at Six Flags. They also had the opportunity to visit a Jewish high school and attend Hebrew classes. In addition to these cultural experiences, the students engaged in restorative activities such as yoga, meditation, and hiking.
"We are so grateful to our host families for what they did for these brave and resilient kids, and to their dedicated staff," said Wolod. "The trip was beautiful and healing for everyone … and that is due in large part to these families and Chicago's North Shore Jewish community. Their flexibility, compassion, and willingness to treat this delegation like members of their own family was incredible and inspiring."
Dr. Moshe Leiba, Chief Pedagogical Officer and Deputy Director General of World ORT Kadima Mada, accompanied the students on their trip. For one member of the ORT staff who recently lost her son in Israel, this journey served as a crucial step in her healing process. "This gave her an outlet to talk with other people about her son," Dr. Leiba explained. "She really connected with her host, and they cried together. The day we left was very emotional for everyone. When I began planning this trip, this was exactly what I envisioned: bringing together kids, allowing them to be kids, and facilitating healing for both them and the adults. When you're helping one another, you're building your own resilience."
More on illi News
- Prospect By Buildout Recipient Of 2025 PropTech Breakthrough "CRE Data Innovation Award"
- BEC Technologies Achieves ITxPT Certification for M600-M12-FA 5G Industrial Router
- Signature Bank Named to the 2025 Inc. 5000 List of Fastest Growing Companies in America for Fifth Year
- SentioMind Foundation Launches Revolutionary AI-Powered Autonomous Workforce Platform
- International Group Art Exhibition KALEIDOSCOPE: SMALL WORLDS at Art Mozaik Fine Art Gallery, Santa Fe
Two students from the Respite program, Maor and Shaked, shared their heartfelt experiences from the trip. They both emphasized the strong bonds formed with Dr. Leiba and their host families. Maor even expressed his sorrow at leaving by shedding tears on his host's shoulder. Shaked noted that both students gained a renewed sense of community and support through this experience.
ORT America is planning additional Respite trips in London and Canada following successful initiatives in Los Angeles, Mexico City, and New York. For more information about ORT America or to get involved with their programs, visit ortamerica.org.
Media Contact:
Caryn McBride
Co-Communications Inc.
Phone: (555) 555-5555
Email: caryn@co-comm.com
Filed Under: Business
0 Comments
Latest on illi News
- Digital Dawn Launches Revolutionary Bitcoin Copy Trading Platform With 30-40% Monthly Returns
- Letter Four Launches Design-Build Decoded™ Podcast: Demystifying Architecture and Construction with AI Hosts
- Magnificent 63-Acre Equestrian Estate in Maryland's Horse Country Lists for $5.75M
- Shaping the Future of Congresses and Conventions: Osvaldo Rivera's Double Win at LAWA 2025
- Naperville: Public Meeting Scheduled for ULI Chicago Presentation on 5th Avenue Study Area
- Mayor Brandon Johnson Statement on President Trump's Threat to Deploy The National Guard in Chicago
- Beauty Reminder: Art Opening Wed., Aug. 13, At Historic Mansion
- Naperville Police Investigate Fatal Traffic Crash at Washington and School Streets
- Naperville: Court Grants State's Motion to Detain Pre-Trial Cicero Man Accused of Pointing Gun at Motorist/Fleeing from Police
- Louisiana's First Dedicated Residential Eating Disorder Treatment Center for Women Opens Near New Orleans
- Post-Traditional Career Expert Sandra Buatti-Ramos Receives 2025 Top Career Coach Recognition
- From Unemployed to In-Demand - How WIOA Funding Opens Doors to Tech Careers
- Fastex Logistics Launches Major Hiring Drive for Drivers, Mechanics, and Recruiters
- Mid-Summer Refresh - How a Clean Pond Can Revitalize Your Outdoor Space
- Luxury Living CEO Amy Galvin Named Woman of the Year - Multifamily at REjournals' Illinois Real Estate Awards
- CCHR Calls for Audit of Forced Psychiatric Drugging and Systemic Misdiagnosis
- St. Paul, Mn Goes Ninja: Emmy-winning Naruto Star Maile Flanagan Headlines Inaugural Anime Wonder Fest
- FDA Fast Track Designation for $3 Billion Suicidal Depression Market May Soon be Accessible for Effective NRX 100 Drug Therapy: NRx Pharmaceuticals
- 4Closure Rescue LLC Urges Homeowners to Confront Foreclosure Early—Before It's Too Late
- The 35th Annual African Festival of the Arts Returns to Washington Park Labor Day Weekend