New Year greetings from our readers

This year’s annual ERA Golf tournament was in memory of Celle Mandel, a keen golfer, who had been a member of the ESRA Welfare Committee. The income from the golf competition was for ESRA’s “Give a Child a Future”. Sixty couples participated and Judy Reefe, herself a long-time member of ESRA and a member of the Gaash Golf Club, devoted her organizational skills and helped to make this an enjoyable and memorable day.

Why is ESRA unique? I could say because of the volunteers who truly give of themselves and they feel that helping another is the greatest reward. But it is also because of the tireless support that ESRA gives those who fall through the social welfare net. And the number of projects for English speakers is tremendous. I feel privileged, excited and a little apprehensive to follow in the footsteps of the outgoing chairpersons.

ESRA helps Gifted Ethiopian Youngsters Gain Scientific Knowledge. Ruth Heller participates in a class held at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot. The ESRA-sponsored project was created specifically for gifted Ethiopian youngsters from economically deprived homes.

The Ethiopian embroidery project is a huge success. Parties Galore were held to promote these wonderful items held at various private homes in Tel Aviv and Herzliyah. Phyllis Bloch explains how you can participate.

ESRA Ramat Hasharon adopted a local community project, Moadonit Nitzanim back in 1995. Gitty Glazer describes the enrichment program and ESRA’s participation in this successful undertaking.

Netanya students Build a Neighborhood project goes international! Jackie Edry writes about the bonding of American volunteers, part of the Masa-Israel Pathways Project, who teamed up with the Netanya student volunteers in the successful project to spruce-up, paint-up and clean-up the neighborhood.

Basketball with a Message describes the fun and excitement of the ESRA Kiryat Nordau and Hefzibah Build a Neighborhood project where basketball was the star attraction and Hoops for Kids gave away free tickets to the game. Cynthia Ya’akovi gives us the story.