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AMEN's "Youth Voluntarism 2010" Conference Prepares Tomorrow's Volunteers in Israel
When David made aliyah from his home community of Tashkent, Uzbekistan just over a year ago, he could not have imagined that he would soon be rubbing elbows with mayors, other government officials and directors of leading non-profit organizations in Israel. Yet due to his commitment to community service, on March 22nd David will be among the 500 participants in attendance at AMEN's fourth annual youth voluntarism conference, "Youth Voluntarism 2010," in Ashkelon.
AMEN, a partnership between JDC and the Israeli government is an initiative which seeks to develop a culture of voluntarism among Israeli youth. Ever-expanding, the program currently operates in 13 cities, engaging some 23,000 young people in volunteer opportunities. This year's conference will include professional lectures and workshops, as well as a panel of candidates for the position of Minister of Education discussing the socio-political role of youth voluntarism, moderated by the esteemed Israeli TV journalist, Ilana Dayan. A special forum for Mayors will also take place at the event to address the contribution of youth voluntarism to community development and the role of the municipality. During this forum, mayors of cities where AMEN operates will highlight the tremendous impact that the program has had on their communities. "This experience has had a profound effect on me and my new life here in Israel," says David. "I continue to participate in volunteer activities because it not only helps other people, but benefits me as well." David made aliyah as part of Project Sela — a program which helps young people move to Israel in advance of their parents. So while the rest of his family remained in the former Soviet Union, David began a new life, on his own, in Kfar Saba. As part of an effort to ease his transition into Israeli society, David joined Aharai (Follow Me) — a pre-army course for high-school seniors that combines physical and mental preparation for military service with voluntarism. In his new hometown of Kfar Saba, JDC’s AMEN program provides Aharai participants with volunteer opportunities, helping to place them in suitable settings as well as train them for their volunteer work. Through the AMEN-Aharai Partnership, David has come into contact with a broad spectrum of Israeli society: He has volunteered with youth, visited children in a local hospital, and distributed candy to soldiers. "I was happy to see that there are so many good people ready to help one another, and that I was able to meet them at this pivotal time," says the teen. The program has provided him with a community of fellow volunteers and transformed him from a stranger to a contributing member of society. "One year ago I knew no one; now I have a close group of friends — mostly other Aharai volunteers." Nearly every Shabbat and on holidays David is invited to another friend's home to celebrate with them. As his draft date approaches, David is ever more grateful that he has had the opportunity to give back to other Israelis. "This experience has intensified my sense of belonging and helped me to mature," says the young oleh. While Aharai has prepared David physically and mentally for his army service, volunteering with AMEN has gone one step further: It has made him emotionally ready, by helping him integrate into Israeli society. March 2006 |
