I have rewritten this letter multiple times, I can’t seem to find the right mix of what I want to say, without it sounding so overly sappy, but I can’t delay any longer sending it, every day we wait is another day we aren’t helping, so please bear with me through the mush.
A little over a month ago I stood in Sderot and Ashkelon, shoulder to shoulder, with 14 other young Jewish American leaders. We witnessed the best and the worst the world has to offer coexisting in ways that are hard to believe until you see them for yourself. And even after you see them it still is hard to comprehend. For me this was a life altering trip that I have had a very hard time leaving behind. Since returning to the states there is hardly a day that goes by where I don’t think of the people we met and what they endure daily. I have struggled to make sense of it all. I have searched for ways to renew my commitment to them, to not have let my visit be just a moment in time without true meaning.
Needless to say when I heard on March 2nd that a Quassam had hit the Amit School in Ashkelon my heart sank. I needed to help. I needed for my trip to have been more than a great trip without a true purpose. I immediately wrote to Liat from the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), who I met on our trip, asking for details and information on how I could help. Her response brought more tears, but also a sense of relief that I COULD help. It was the first time since we returned that I didn’t feel helpless. There was finally a call to action…a way to convert feeling to service.
Here is her message….
“Sent: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 5:03 amSubject: RE: Ashkelon
Hi Pamela,
The most up to date information that I have gathered is the following:
The damage we are discussing happened in the Amit High School (grades 9th-12th). This school serves a special population of kids that are not able to learn in the "regular" high school in their area. There are 197 students in this school. Since the Hannukah break the school hasn't functioned regularly. At first because of the Operation Cast Lead and then again, due to the recent rocket which fell on the school. The school feels pressured as many of these students need to prepare for the matriculation exams which usually take place in the summer months. This particular group of students usually receives extra preparation hours; however, at this point in time, this seems almost impossible.
One of their main components in the Matriculation exams is the exam in Technology. Success in this exam requires the intensive use and preparation with computers. As other areas in the building have been damaged, the computer lab was destroyed with the landing of the recent kassam missile. The lab consisted of 26 computer stations, including all the additional equipment such as keyboards, printers, software, projectors, screens etc. Of course we also had damage to furniture such as tables and chairs.
This subject is a huge concern of the school administration and is eager to rehabilitate and return the students to their usual framework. The approximate costing for everything that is mentioned above stands at $35,000.
If you need additional information, please write and I will gather it for you as well.
Any assistance you and your friends can provide, will be appreciated so much by so many!
Hag Purim Sameach, Liat”
As I read it, I knew, I needed to help!!! This is where a difference can be made. This is where I turn to all of you, my friends, some who have been to Israel, some who haven’t. Some who understand why this tugs at my heart and some who are trying to. But regardless of whether you have been to Israel or not, you are the people with the biggest hearts I know.
I am sharing this story KNOWING this is a challenging year financially for everyone. We have lost investments, our homes have dropped in value, we have to do more with less. But on our worst days we have so much more than those of Southern Israel. And that is why we need to help. Will any of you join me in helping rebuild the school? Will you help me in turning the words we spoke on our trip in February into actions?
Every small amount given matters, please consider giving no matter how little you feel your donation is. While our goal is the money, our giving is as much about showing support as it is the financial. And every dollar is a reminder that these students have not been forgotten.
All donations to this cause will go through United Jewish Communities (not through me personally) and directed to JAFI and will be tax deductible. 100% of what is raised will go directly to this project and will help rebuild the school.
Donations should be sent directly to UJC using the information below, but I would love to know where we are on this projects, so if you would like to also send me a note at pamingram@aol.com I would appreciate it.
Please send donations via:
Itzik Shavit, Senior VP
United Jewish Communities
P.O. Box 30
Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 10113
on the memo line please mark your check “UJC/Amit school Ashkelon” so that it is directed correctly.
I will most likely be back in Israel in mid-June and am hoping to visit the school in person. Please help me stand there and tell them we were there for them, that we heard their cries and responded.
Hopeful to make a difference,
Pamela M. Ingram, UJC National Young Leadership Cabinet Alumni
PS…Please feel free to share this letter with anyone else you feel would be interested.
For more information on the school and the rocket damage: http://www.amitchildren.org/bnews1.asp
A little over a month ago I stood in Sderot and Ashkelon, shoulder to shoulder, with 14 other young Jewish American leaders. We witnessed the best and the worst the world has to offer coexisting in ways that are hard to believe until you see them for yourself. And even after you see them it still is hard to comprehend. For me this was a life altering trip that I have had a very hard time leaving behind. Since returning to the states there is hardly a day that goes by where I don’t think of the people we met and what they endure daily. I have struggled to make sense of it all. I have searched for ways to renew my commitment to them, to not have let my visit be just a moment in time without true meaning.
Needless to say when I heard on March 2nd that a Quassam had hit the Amit School in Ashkelon my heart sank. I needed to help. I needed for my trip to have been more than a great trip without a true purpose. I immediately wrote to Liat from the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), who I met on our trip, asking for details and information on how I could help. Her response brought more tears, but also a sense of relief that I COULD help. It was the first time since we returned that I didn’t feel helpless. There was finally a call to action…a way to convert feeling to service.
Here is her message….
“Sent: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 5:03 amSubject: RE: Ashkelon
Hi Pamela,
The most up to date information that I have gathered is the following:
The damage we are discussing happened in the Amit High School (grades 9th-12th). This school serves a special population of kids that are not able to learn in the "regular" high school in their area. There are 197 students in this school. Since the Hannukah break the school hasn't functioned regularly. At first because of the Operation Cast Lead and then again, due to the recent rocket which fell on the school. The school feels pressured as many of these students need to prepare for the matriculation exams which usually take place in the summer months. This particular group of students usually receives extra preparation hours; however, at this point in time, this seems almost impossible.
One of their main components in the Matriculation exams is the exam in Technology. Success in this exam requires the intensive use and preparation with computers. As other areas in the building have been damaged, the computer lab was destroyed with the landing of the recent kassam missile. The lab consisted of 26 computer stations, including all the additional equipment such as keyboards, printers, software, projectors, screens etc. Of course we also had damage to furniture such as tables and chairs.
This subject is a huge concern of the school administration and is eager to rehabilitate and return the students to their usual framework. The approximate costing for everything that is mentioned above stands at $35,000.
If you need additional information, please write and I will gather it for you as well.
Any assistance you and your friends can provide, will be appreciated so much by so many!
Hag Purim Sameach, Liat”
As I read it, I knew, I needed to help!!! This is where a difference can be made. This is where I turn to all of you, my friends, some who have been to Israel, some who haven’t. Some who understand why this tugs at my heart and some who are trying to. But regardless of whether you have been to Israel or not, you are the people with the biggest hearts I know.
I am sharing this story KNOWING this is a challenging year financially for everyone. We have lost investments, our homes have dropped in value, we have to do more with less. But on our worst days we have so much more than those of Southern Israel. And that is why we need to help. Will any of you join me in helping rebuild the school? Will you help me in turning the words we spoke on our trip in February into actions?Every small amount given matters, please consider giving no matter how little you feel your donation is. While our goal is the money, our giving is as much about showing support as it is the financial. And every dollar is a reminder that these students have not been forgotten.
All donations to this cause will go through United Jewish Communities (not through me personally) and directed to JAFI and will be tax deductible. 100% of what is raised will go directly to this project and will help rebuild the school.
Donations should be sent directly to UJC using the information below, but I would love to know where we are on this projects, so if you would like to also send me a note at pamingram@aol.com I would appreciate it.
Please send donations via:
Itzik Shavit, Senior VP
United Jewish Communities
P.O. Box 30
Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 10113
on the memo line please mark your check “UJC/Amit school Ashkelon” so that it is directed correctly.
I will most likely be back in Israel in mid-June and am hoping to visit the school in person. Please help me stand there and tell them we were there for them, that we heard their cries and responded.
Hopeful to make a difference,
Pamela M. Ingram, UJC National Young Leadership Cabinet Alumni
PS…Please feel free to share this letter with anyone else you feel would be interested.
For more information on the school and the rocket damage: http://www.amitchildren.org/bnews1.asp
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