This year, CHW Hadassim Children and Youth Village opened the first French speaking Na’aleh Program in Israel. This program receives children from French speaking countries including France, Morocco, Algeria, and Switzerland.
Currently, CHW Hadassim is home to 25 children who have come to Israel to participate in this life-changing program. The majority of these children, aged fourteen, have left their homes and families in order to live and study in Israel. CHW Hadassim provides these children with a warm home and safe environment.
The incredible work being done at the CHW Hadassim French Na’aleh Program has caught the attention of many people in Israel, including the media. Recently, a local newspaper from the city of Netanya wrote a prominent article recognizing CHW Hadassim’s excellent efforts to establish this program as well as including interviews with some of the Na’aleh children.
The journalist, Tzipi Kapal, interviewed Na’aleh students about their decision to leave their homes and come to Israel, and how they are feeling now that they are in CHW Hadassim.
All of the children shared that they experienced at least one act of anti-Semitism against them in their respective countries. In fact, the French Na’aleh Program was established as a direct result of the increasing anti-Semitism found in Europe. In response to this sad reality, CHW Hadassim, with the support of the Jewish Agency, Youth Aliyah, and the Ministry of Education, established this program.
Eli, one of the children from the Na’aleh Program, shared that he recalls playing at recess and having other children approach him, shoving him as they called him derogatory names. He shared that the teachers watched but did not step in to protect him. It was at that moment that he, along with his parents, made the decision to send him to Israel.
Rafael, another Na’aleh student, shared that despite being in Israel during the last war, he feels safer in Israel during missile attacks than walking down a street in Paris.
All of the children agreed that while this has been a very big and challenging adjustment, they would not choose to return to their respective homes. They love the friends that they have made thus far and look forward to making more. They say that they feel loved and well looked after at CHW Hadassim.
CHW expects to have double the number of students for the French Na’aleh program for the upcoming school year. Please support us by clicking here to donate, allowing us to build more classrooms and provide a safe learning environment for Jewish French teenagers from around the world.
