Students from Ramat Hadassah Szold enjoyed a day-out at the Wella cosmetic factory courtesy of the Spirit of Israel.

Youth Aliyah has always had a small minority of female students. At Ramat Hadassah Szold only 20% of students are girls and at Kiryat Yearim 23% of the pupils are female. Parents still believe that “a girl's place is in the home” and are reluctant to ensure that their daughters have the best-possible education. Gradually the situation is changing, and the girls who do reach Youth Aliyah frequently come from the most disadvantaged backgrounds. Several programs designed for these students seek to stress female empowerment.

At Kiryat Yearim the 13 female students in 7th to 9th grades have just finished a year-long female empowerment program, funded by the Israeli Lion of Judah Women through the Spirit of Israel. The program, which was successful beyond all expectations, included weekly drama therapy workshops covering such topics as assertiveness, the role of women, femininity and sexual harassment. Additional activities were given by a volunteer from the Spirit of Israel as well as programs by the Jerusalem Rape Crisis Center.

“The girls from disadvantaged backgrounds can be more difficult and provocative,” explained Anabela Cohen, Director of the Therapy Center at Kiryat Yearim. “They get more depressed and desperate and even suicidal. But by working with them you can achieve a lot more. They can be more open and communicative. At the end of this program they have come a long way and have really gelled as a group. We will run a summer camp for them and continue the program next year.”

“Nearly all the workshops are given by women,” added Cohen, “who act as role models for the girls.”

At Ramat Hadassah Szold the Eshet Hayil program, funded by Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization of America, more open and communicative. At the end of this program they have come a long way and have really gelled as a group. We will run a summer camp for them and continue the program next year.”

“Nearly all the workshops are given by women,” added Cohen, “who act as role models for the girls.”

At Ramat Hadassah Szold the Eshet Hayil program, funded by Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization of America, completed its sixth year when 13 girls came to Jerusalem for a ceremony at Hadassah Medical Center’s synagogue with Hadassah National President June Walker. The program stresses female empowerment, Jewish identity and the key role played by women in Jewish culutre.”

This year 33 girls from Ramat Hadassah Szold traveled to Tel Aviv for a special day, which included workshops on assertiveness together with all the graduates of previous years' programs.

Tamuz 5764 - July 2004