Established two and a half years ago, after a model of over 40 similar organizations throughout Israel, Midreshet Beit Shemesh is the home for creatively instilling Jewish values in the young minds of local school children in this Partnership 2000 city connected to the Jewish communities of Washington and South Africa. This Midrasha, as well as the others in Israel serve as Institutes for Enrichment through Jewish Values. It was founded by Ilan Gal Dor along with various other educators, lawyers and rabbis in the community, working together to secure such an institute in Beit Shemesh. Currently, two salaried employees staff Midreshet Beit Shemesh, along with 15 post-high school volunteers. These dedicated volunteers, compromised of seven Sheirut Leumi (National Service) Orthodox young ladies who choose to volunteer instead of participating in the army, and eight volunteers from Garin Ma'ayan northern kibbutzim, who are postponing their army service for a year, and volunteering for their country. Together these devoted and energetic young staff members plan a variety of programs, from educational sessions in classrooms to walking tours of Beit Shemesh.

Midreshet Beit Shemesh stresses creativity in their education of Jewish values, especially in the presentation of ideas. For example, for this past Hanukah holiday, Sheirut Leumi girls, who spend their mornings teaching weekly classes in local secular and religious elementary and high schools (mostly the 2nd through 5th grades) introduced a new accent to the Festival of Lights. The volunteers twisted the familiar focus on the miracle of the oil and light to exemplify bravery, a concept each student could related to in his or her own life. Is Superman a brave person? What about an Israeli soldier? Or a member of government? This is how Midreshet Beit Shemesh carefully focuses on not forcing religious ideals, but relating Jewish concepts to social values in unique and creative ways, therefore catering to all of their students.

Together all of the volunteers also contribute to their Beit Shemesh community in their afternoons, for programs that they choose under the umbrella of Jewish values. This includes anything from Enosh, a social club for mentally ill adults, to a school for special education children, to a club for Ethiopian children. This last program in particular was taken on by the Garin Ma'ayan volunteers. Before they begun, this club was just a shelter locked and unlocked in the afternoon for these children, to make sure they had a place to go to away from the streets, but with little program or supervision. The volunteers tackled the difficult task of "reinventing" this mo'adon, from a room full of screaming, young children without supervision, to a daily, scheduled program. This program consists of one hour of homework help, and one hour of activity, which includes education (such as a program on winter) and/or recreation (such as a sports day). Additionally they painted and beautified the shelter. Their success can be evaluated by the fact that participation has more than doubled, from 20 to 50 children.

Midreshet Beit Shemesh also coordinates programming through the help of Partnership 2000, with a program called Multiple Strands In Society. This project consists of eight to ten meetings in classrooms, once again in a creative manner. These programs takes a new look at some of the stresses in Israeli society, particularly in Beit Shemesh. One specific program involved the topic of olim chadeshim (new immigrants). The program attempts to breakdown the stereotypes of new olim by having individuals from different ethnic groups come to the class rooms to talk. In addition, creatively, through plays, games and discussions, 4th and 5th graders are provoked to think about the fellow people in their community, and about respect, tolerance and diversity in a new light. One of the highlights of the program was when a local Ethiopian woman come to speak about what it is like to be a black person in Israel, and more specifically, in Beit Shemesh.

In fact, according to one of the Midreshet Beit Shemesh employees, Michal, this institute "stresses the importance of having community speakers and counselors working with their program. Therefore, at the end of the day, the person does not simply leave the community, but rather serves as a role model, and is easier for the children to relate to as well." Project planning, weekly meetings, social gatherings for the volunteers are all held in the premises of Midreshet Beit Shemesh, located in Shevila Eshet, the first synagogue built in Beit Shemesh. This shul still holds weekly Shabbat services with its small male congregation, but thanks to the donations of Beit Shemesh residents, the Midreshet was able to fix up this historical building and include a mini-museum of the early days in Beit Shemesh.

This reinforces their goal of strengthening the community's attachment to Beit Shemesh and its history, which leads all the way back to the days of the Tanak. This is furthered with walking tours of Beit Shemesh. Parents are also included in various projects with Midreshet Beit Shemesh to continue the education into the home and broaden the education in the community. Midreshet Beit Shemesh, shows the success of what happens when a community comes together to promote change and education in an agreeable and unique manner. The difference made by this institution and its volunteers will leave an indelible impression on their audiences. For more information on Midreshet Beit Shemesh, please visit their website at www.shemesh.co.il/midrasha , or email Michal at midrasha@shemesh.co.il .

Tammuz 5762 - June 2002