Daughters at a turning point
TAKE A group of preteens on Emunah’s mother and daughter Israel Tour and the impact it makes can change their lives forever. The experience was “so profound” that Lucy Rome, who went with her 12-year-old daughter Tehilla in 2018, is going again later this month, this time taking younger daughter Tali, age ten.
“We go to Israel every year but the trip showed Tehilla a different side of life,” says Rome. “Going to Emunah centres and hearing about children who have had difficult situations took Tehilla out of her comfort zone. It made her appreciate how lucky she is to have a family and a nice home. She was very grown-up about it and wanted to help. It was a turning point in her life.”
Returning home, Tehilla, who attends JFS, teamed up with some friends from the trip and baked cakes, which they sold, raising an impressive £600 for Emunah. Girls taking part included Liora Dewinter, Liat Ezekiel, Yael Goldberg, Katie Hilburn, Ella Isaacson and Shelby Matlock. Tehilla says: “We talked about the tour so much that now my sister Tali wants to go. Seeing girls of a similar age at Emunah Afula was something I can relate to, although I can’t imagine sleeping in a dormitory or sharing my home with so many people. I took part in a baking session [in Afula] and that was fun and I liked being taken around the centre. I also enjoyed visiting the Emunah boys’ home in Neve Landy. It was all very interesting and being part of a group gave me the confidence to ask lots of questions.”
Rome adds: “I’m a teacher, I have two other daughters and I lead a busy life so it was very special for me to spend time with Tehilla. The Emunah tour was well-organised; it was a pleasure. Tehilla enjoyed hanging out with her friends and making new ones. Shlomo Kessel (the World Emunah director) British Emunah mother and daughter Israel Tour 2018 (Tehilla second right) was at each project and when he spoke about the children’s experiences, it was really moving. Some were affected by domestic violence, poverty, neglect or abuse, yet the outcomes were so positive for children who have experienced so much trauma. Emunah can turn around their lives.”
The trip was led by Sharon Dewinter, co-vice chairman of British Emunah, and events executive, Alison Cohen.
“Emunah’s mother and daughter tour is aimed at pre- and post-batmitzvah girls,” says Dewinter. “It’s a chance to connect with Emunah’s work in Israel, while enjoying being part of a group and we hope it will encourage more people to support Emunah.”
Mother and daughter participants who have been inspired to help Emunah include Raffaella Rubens, who gave a talk at Highgate School and Eden Rubin, who collected dance wear as part of her batmitzvah project. Barmitzvah boys can also get involved — Jacob Selwyn completed a Rubik’s cube challenge, raising £2,300 for Emunah.
In Israel, Emunah has more than 200 projects and services, including residential children’s homes, high schools, day care, counselling, therapy and family intervention centres; 37 of these projects are supported by British Emunah and visits can be arranged. British Emunah also runs Israel missions and challenges, such as the Yam l’Yam trek scheduled for October 2019.
020 8203 6066 info@emunah.org.uk, emunah.org.uk Registered charity 215398