Shelley Civkin

Volunteer from your home

Looking for a new mitzvah to take on, while making a difference in the lives of Israeli teens? Consider joining Israel Connect, a program where local adult volunteers connect, one-on-one via Zoom, with Israeli high school students who want to improve their English conversation and reading skills. The program starts on Oct. 15 and is organized by Chabad Richmond, in partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Education. It entails a commitment of 60 minutes once a week.

There are currently 24 local volunteers participating in Israel Connect as tutors/mentors, and Chabad Richmond is looking to increase that number, since the need in Israel continues to grow.

“We’re looking for volunteer retirees, seniors or any adults who have some free time to join the Israel Connect program. No previous tutoring or teaching experience is necessary and the curriculum is provided,” said Shelley Civkin, local program coordinator. “If you’re an adult fluent English speaker, you have basic computer skills, and you own a computer with a camera, that’s all you need.”

Volunteers do not need to speak Hebrew and can tutor from home. Basic training and technical support are available. Time preferences of volunteer tutors/mentors will be coordinated beforehand and sessions take place in the morning between 7 and 11 a.m. Vancouver time, any day between Sunday to Thursday.

“Israel Connect asks for a minimum commitment of one school year, in order to ensure consistency for the students,” said Civkin.

“It’s a very practical way for community members to support Israel and build bridges between diaspora Jews and Israelis,” said Rabbi Yechiel Baitelman of Chabad Richmond. “You’ll be doing a mitzvah, while investing in Israel and its young people. Plus, proficiency in English will give them an advantage in accessing post-secondary education and getting better jobs.”

Israel Connect is one of the largest external providers of services to Israel’s Ministry of Education, slowly removing the most significant barrier to social and economic mobility. Partnering with the Israeli Ministry of Education, the program targets teens from less advantaged neighbourhoods in Israel.

“Most volunteers really enjoy helping their Israeli students and develop a lasting bond with them. It often goes beyond simply tutoring the curriculum, and turns into friendship and mentorship,” said Civkin. “This kind of one-on-one tutoring makes a huge difference in their lives, both educationally and personally. It gives them a feeling of confidence that they can converse in English without being judged or marked. It’s incredibly satisfying to know that you’re doing something concrete to help Israeli students better their lives.”

The curriculum consists mainly of a tour of Israel, focusing on the wealth of historical, cultural and biblically significant cities and sites. It’s not uncommon for both the students and the tutors to learn something new about Israel at each lesson.

Civkin said several tutors have visited their students on trips to Israel and keep in touch beyond the school year. “Life is all about building relationships and Israel Connect is the perfect way to do that,” she said.

To volunteer, or for more information, contact Civkin at 604-789-5806 or civie1956@gmail.com. For anyone who can’t participate as a tutor, Chabad Richmond welcomes financial support for Israel Connect, which covers overhead costs like technical support, staffing and other administrative costs. To support the program, call Chabad Richmond at 604-277-6427 or email admin@chabadrichmond.com.

– Courtesy Chabad Richmond

JI’s 3-plus Rockowers

The 39th annual Simon Rockower Awards for Excellence in Jewish Journalism were presented virtually on July 2. Given by the American Jewish Press Association – whose membership consists of newspapers, magazines, websites, other electronic Jewish media organizations, individual journalists and affiliated organizations throughout the United States and Canada – the Jewish Independent garnered three prizes and an honourable mention for its work in 2019.

The JI competes in the 14,999-circulation-and-under division and swept that division in the Personal Essay category, winning first and second place. “Reflecting on my Jewish hero” by Becca Wertman about her grandfather (April 12, 2019) won first prize, while “Folk choir celebrates 40th” by Victor Neuman about the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir’s 40th anniversary (May 10) placed second.

Neuman’s eight-part series on his life in Israel around the time of the 1973 Yom Kippur (Sept. 20 through Nov. 15) won first place in the 14,999-circulation-and-under division. And, in that division, Shelley Civkin’s Accidental Balabusta series received an honourable mention in the Excellence in Writing About Food and Wine category.

In the larger paper division, Canadian Jewish News, which closed its doors this year, won three first-place awards for its work in 2019. “A funeral for a survivor no one knew” by Zale Newman (Feb. 14) won the Award for Excellence in Personal Essay; “Navigating organ donation in Judaism” by Lila Sarick (June 6) won the Chaim Sheba Medical Centre Award for Excellence in Writing about Health Care; and “Rise of the vegan Jew” by Michael Fraiman (Oct. 3) won the Award for Excellence in Writing about Food and Wine.

To find out about all the other winners, visit ajpa.org/2020-competition.

Help out Israeli teens

Want to make a difference in the lives of Israeli teens? Consider joining Israel Connect, a program where local volunteers connect online, one-on-one, via Zoom (a video conferencing app), with Israeli high school students who want to improve their English conversation and reading skills. The program starts at the end of October and is sponsored by Chabad Richmond. It entails a half-hour per week commitment.

“We’re looking for volunteer retirees, seniors or adults with flexible schedules. No previous tutoring experience is necessary and the curriculum is provided,” said Shelley Civkin, local coordinator of the program.

“We’re looking for Jewish adults who are fluent English speakers, have basic computer skills and own a computer with a camera,” said Civkin. Volunteers can do this from home and technical support is available if needed. Time preferences of volunteers will be coordinated beforehand and sessions take place in the morning between 7 and 11 a.m. any day from Sunday to Thursday. Volunteers will be trained in how to download and use Zoom.

“It’s a very meaningful, practical way for community members to support Israel,” said Rabbi Yechiel Baitelman of Chabad Richmond. “You’ll be doing a mitzvah, while investing in Israel and its young people. Plus, good English skills will give them an advantage in accessing post-secondary education and getting better jobs.

“English proficiency is crucial to Israeli students, since it accounts for a third of their entrance exam marks for university,” he added. “Partnering with the Israeli Ministry of Education, the Israel Connect program targets teens from disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Israel. The tutoring sessions are vital to students’ upward mobility in terms of education and jobs, which is why this program is so vital.”

“Most volunteers really enjoy helping their Israeli students and make great connections with them. It often goes beyond simply tutoring the curriculum and turns into friendship and mentorship,” said Civkin. “This kind of one-on-one tutoring makes a significant difference in their lives, both educationally and personally. It’s hard to estimate the impact of this tutoring on Israeli youth, but we know it’s significant. And it’s incredibly satisfying to know that you’re doing something concrete to help Israeli students improve their lives. Several tutors have visited their students on trips to Israel, and keep in touch beyond just the school year. Building relationships is an integral and highly satisfying part of this program.”

For more information, contact Civkin at 604-789-5806 or civie1956@gmail.com.