Believing in Ometz Akko Believing in Ometz Akko

‫בע"ה‬
♦♦ 14 years of activity ♦♦ 25 projects
♦♦ 90 young families ♦♦ 3,000 participants
♦♦ 14 years of activity ♦♦ 25 projects
♦♦ 90 young families ♦♦ 3,000 participants
At the request of the local community, five families from all over the country came to Akko in 1997 and founded Garin
Torani Ometz Akko, with the intent to alter the harsh reality of the city, to lead a dramatic change and bring new
growth and development to Akko and the Galilee region.
14 years after its establishment, the Garin Torani is comprised of 90 national-religious young families (over 250
people) which, together with the community and the local authorities, have established over 25 projects, directly
affecting the lives of 2500 people, mostly children, youth and young adults. Thanks to a wide scope of activities and
their substantial impact on the region, Garin Ometz Akko has become one of the most influential organizations in the
North of Israel. The organization is recognized, appreciated and supported by all the local authorities and collaborates
with businesses and many national organizations.
Among the goals
of the organization:
♦♦ City and community
advancement.
♦♦ Community involvement:
reducing social-educational
gaps of children and youth in
educational institutions and
improving welfare services in
the city.
♦♦ Creating value-enriched
cultural activities for Akko's
residents.
The operating principles:
Garin Ometz Akko creates and operates projects out of a desire
to meet the needs of the community and, together with the local
authorities, provides a real solution and response to inquiries
and requests coming from the field. The Garin is interested
in cooperation with national authorities and organizations, in
general, and local organizations, in particular, and collaborates
with many other organizations. Some of them, influenced by
the Garin activity, specialize and develop their own projects in
the city and the region. Members of the Garin are families are
from the national-religious sector, but most activities involve all
city residents, religious and secular alike.
♦♦ Establishment of an active
young community and
encouraging young families to
join the city.
Believing in Ometz Akko
Thanks to a wide scope of activities, and their substantial
impact on the region,
Garin Ometz Akko has become one of the most influential
organizations in the North of Israel.
The organization is recognized, appreciated and supported
by all the local authorities and collaborates with businesses
and many national organizations.
Believing in Ometz Akko
52 Ben Shushan St., PO Box 2766, Akko Israel - ‫ עכו‬,2766 .‫ד‬.‫ ת‬, 52 ‫רח‘ בן שושן‬
52 Ben Shushan St., PO Box 2766, Akko Israel - ‫ עכו‬,2766 .‫ד‬.‫ ת‬, 52 ‫רח‘ בן שושן‬
52 Ben Shushan St., PO Box 2766, Akko Israel - ‫ עכו‬,[email protected]
.‫ד‬.‫ ת‬, 52 ‫ רח‘ בן שושן‬- Fax: 972-4-981042 :‫ פקס‬- Tel: 972-4-9550127 :’‫ טל‬- omezakko.co.il
[email protected] - Fax: 972-4-981042 :‫ פקס‬- Tel: 972-4-9550127 :’‫ טל‬- omezakko.co.il
[email protected] - Fax: 972-4-981042 :‫ פקס‬- Tel: 972-4-9550127 :’‫ טל‬- omezakko.co.il
Garin Ometz's projects include:
The Network of Learning Centers and After-School
Child Care Facilities was established to provide a comprehensive and genuine service
to the local disadvantaged population and to reduce social gaps. It serves hundreds of students with social and
educational difficulties, children from families in distress, who need educational activity frameworks in the afternoon, as
well as dozens of youths at risk of dropping out of the educational system.
In the past school year Garin Ometz operated 8 after-school child care facilities in Akko: a Safe Home - intensive center
for children ages 6-12; the Big Brother D'Orayta center for youngsters at risk; an educational center for junior high school
students; Place in the Heart (Makom Balev) (for boys and girls) and an adults club.
Activities include:
♦♦ Safe Home - three intensive welfare after-school centers for children ages 6-12.
♦♦ Big Brother - two after-school facilities for youth at risk.
♦♦ After-school educational facilities - two facilities for middle school students in the city.
♦♦ Programs for adults - after-school educational facility for women in the Caucasian community, for woman
empowerment and development.
♦♦ After-school Garin Ometz learning centers - to promote educational and social subjects.
Garin Ometz Educational Centers
The activities of Garin Ometz Learning Centers take place in the afternoons, in 7 primary and high schools in Akko (Ort
Vocational, Miftan, Gordon, Rambam, Noam, Amit Kennedy - Girls, Amit Kennedy - Boys), through learning center for
educational and social advancement. A total of 220 children and 38 counselors participate in these activities.
Partners - The Municipality of Akko - Department of Education, Department of Welfare, The Jewish Agency for Israel,
the "Yedidim" organization, the Oren Fund, the United Israel Appeal of Canada, the Israel Center, the Authority for the
Development of the Negev and the Galilee, and the Ministry for Development of the Negev and Galilee.
♦♦ At Noam-Herzog school 217 children enjoy a unique program of activities conducted by students and professionals.
In addition, a personal mentoring project and pedagogical content center provide aid to the teaching staff.
♦♦ For the second year in a row Gordon school is operating the project "Transitions – Beginnings", which provides
training and mental preparation for junior high school, as well as a learning center to prepare homework and to
study for tests in small groups of five students. Rambam School boasts the unique project "Kol Rambam," where
students act every week as radio operators and interview people and celebrities from the community, interview as
well as "Oneg Shabbat" programs that include the study of the weekly portion, Mishnayot studies, all accompanied
by music.
♦♦ Students from the Midrasha lead exciting educational activities on the deepening of Jewish identity in the city
schools, covering the topics of Midot (personal attributes), values and Jewish holidays.
♦♦ From the variety of summer camps that were offered to children by the city, Garin Ometz and Tikvateinu summer
camps stood out, as they attracted 300 children and “proved it is possible to offer a pleasurable and entertaining
summer camp to children, without impoverishing their parents" (Yishai Rubin from Garin Ometz).
Believing in Ometz Akko
The Chesed Center
was established in 1999 by members of Garin Ometz and acts as an aid
center for food distribution to needy families, the sick, elderly and disabled home-ridden residents of Akko. Based entirely
on volunteers, it is managed, also on a volunteer basis, by David Abady who received the title of "Notable of Akko" for his
important contribution to the city.
The center's activities cover:
♦♦ Weekly distribution of 400 food packages to families and individuals.
♦♦ Distribution of over 600 sandwiches on school days to needy children in 12 schools in the city.
♦♦ Food distribution operations in the city before Rosh Hashanah and Passover; over 900 food parcels are distributed
with the help of soldiers, students and dozens of volunteers.
♦♦ Financial counseling and a social assistance program for needy families.
Ometz Akko Torah Center
Ometz Akko Torah Center is a prominent project in its scope and success among the local population. Each week
700 people attend various projects at the Torah Center, composed of religious centers and programs operated by
the Garin members. The center's projects include the High Yeshiva and Kollel "Mevakshei Hashem”; the morning Beit
Midrash for pensioners and adults; evening Bet Midrash, open to the public; the Midrasha to promote Jewish identity in
elementary schools and high schools; children's afternoon Talmud Torah, Torah classes for children and youth; Yeshivat
Bein Hazmanim for junior high school and high school students; Torah classes throughout the city and community
Shabbats; and the institute for Bar Mitzva training.
Partners - the Municipality of Akko, O.U., private donors, the Aguda L'Hitnadvut (Sherut Leumi), the Estates Committee,
the Authority for the Development of the Negev and Galilee, the Ministry for Development of the Negev and Galilee.
Garin Ometz Akko as a source of employment - The Garin employs 42 residents of Akko, while hundreds others
engage in project work through the partner organizations. The Garin operates more than 100 volunteers in all its projects.
Garin Ometz Akko during vacation - The Garin increases its
activities during school vacations, and operates summer camps (for
300 children), nursery schools, care centers, learning centers, study
groups for matriculation, new year programs, etc.
Garin Ometz Akko at events - Garin Ometz provides cultural
assistance to hundreds of families during Jewish holidays, with
programs, joint meals, marches, dances, prayers, etc.
Garin Ometz Akko as a dynamic force - The Garin is a dynamic force
in encouraging the participation of youngsters from Akko, Nahariya,
Tiberias, etc. in its programs: Mishol (JDC), community garden, care
centers, etc.
Garin Ometz Akko as an umbrella organization - The Garin, together
with the authority, coordinates the activities of 15 voluntary organizations:
Ayalim, Ha'noar Ha'oved Vehalomed, Bnei Akiva, parachuting instructors,
the urban kibbutz, Dror Habonim, Mechina Gal, etc.
Projects of the Ometz
Akko Torah Center
Mevakshei Hashem high
yeshiva and kollel
Center for Jewish identity at
state schools
Torani learning center at Amit
Kennedy School
Beit Midrash for Pensioners
Talmud Torah for children
Bar mitzvah program
Participants
30
1,000
40
18
35
250 a year
D'Orayta program for youngsters
Events before Jewish holidays
Weekly Torani booklet
70
120-500
700 copies
Believing in Ometz Akko