Migdal Ohr at a GlanceA Quarterly Update

Summer 2017 ~ Tammuz 5777

www.migdalohrusa.org

The American Friends of Migdal Ohr (AFMO) recently held its annual Gala Dinner at Convene, a new state of the art event space in mid-town Manhattan. With over 350 people in attendance, the occasion celebrated Migdal Ohr's nearly 45 years of providing a first-rate education and loving home to 12,000 children at-risk across Israel. Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Grossman, Founder and Dean of Migdal Ohr, attended this momentous event, offering blessings and well wishes to all.

The 2017 Gala recognized mother and daughter honorees Marilyn Sopher and Lisa Sopher-Deutsch (Midor L'Dor Generations Award), long-time supporters Dr. Chaim and Anne Bernstein (Tower of Light Honorees), and Young Leadership honoree Tzvi Solomon. The evening also inaugurated the first ever Bayit Ne'eman B'Yisrael - Bridal Fund Award that was given to Shalom and Megan Auerbach.The gala theme reflected Migdal Ohr's recently launched print advertising campaign, Un-Risk An At-Risk Israeli Child,

American Friends of Migdal Ohr News:2017 Gala Dinner

Honorees Marilyn Sopher & LisaSopher-Deutsch Honorees Dr. Chaim & Anne Bernstein

which was also the focus of the live "Text To Pledge" appeal. This appeal raised $223,302 to enable 44 students on the Migdal Ohr waiting list to attend the 2017-2018 school year. Another highlight of the evening's program was a special guest speaker, Shira Zafir. Shira was a student at the Migdal Ha'Emek campus 15 years ago and she spoke poignantly and emotionally about how Migdal Ohr "saved her life" and is responsible for guiding and assisting her to become the self-assured, accomplished and happy woman, wife, and mother that she is today.

The event was emcee'd by NY1's Breaking News Reporter Michael Herzenberg. On behalf of the AFMO Board of Directors and staff, thank you to all of the honorees, the Gala committee, our terrific emcee, and all of the supporters and friends in attendance who helped to make this year's Gala a fun and successful event! To see even more photos from the Gala, please visit our Facebook page to view the photo album.

The American Friends of Migdal Ohr (AFMO) recently held its annual Gala Dinner at Convene, a new state of the art event space in mid-town Manhattan. With over 350 people in attendance, the occasion celebrated Migdal Ohr's nearly 45 years of providing a first-rate education and loving home to 12,000 children at-risk across Israel. Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Grossman, Founder and Dean of Migdal Ohr, attended this momentous event, offering blessings and well wishes to all.

On June 15th, twenty-two young men graduated from the Zoharim Agricultural-Educational Youth Village. Seventeen of the graduates have been at Zoharim for all four years of high school. Each graduate has exciting plans for the fall - four will be going to Hesder Yeshivas (a program that combines yeshiva studies and army service), five will be going into Mechina (a pre-army program), two will be continuing

The 2017 Gala recognized mother and daughter honorees Marilyn Sopher and Lisa Sopher-Deutsch (Midor L'Dor Generations Award), long-time supporters Dr. Chaim and Anne Bernstein (Tower of Light Honorees), and Young Leadership honoree Tzvi Solomon. The evening also inaugurated the first ever Bayit Ne'eman B'Yisrael - Bridal Fund Award that was given to Shalom and Megan Auerbach.The gala theme reflected Migdal Ohr's recently launched print advertising campaign, Un-Risk An At-Risk Israeli Child,

On CampusZoharim Graduation 2017

which was also the focus of the live "Text To Pledge" appeal. This appeal raised $223,302 to enable 44 students on the Migdal Ohr waiting list to attend the 2017-2018 school year. Another highlight of the evening's program was a special guest speaker, Shira Zafir. Shira was a student at the Migdal Ha'Emek campus 15 years ago and she spoke poignantly and emotionally about how Migdal Ohr "saved her life" and is responsible for guiding and assisting her to become the self-assured, accomplished and happy woman, wife, and mother that she is today.

The event was emcee'd by NY1's Breaking News Reporter Michael Herzenberg. On behalf of the AFMO Board of Directors and staff, thank you to all of the honorees, the Gala committee, our terrific emcee, and all of the supporters and friends in attendance who helped to make this year's Gala a fun and successful event! To see even more photos from the Gala, please visit our Facebook page to view the photo album.

with their studies, and eleven will be going straight into the IDF. Many of Zoharim's students have strayed from their families' ultra-Orthodox lifestyle which often creates a divide and sometimes abandonment between the young men and their families. One of the goals of the Zoharim staff is to mend the relationships between the teens and their families. Of this graduating class, 90% of them are in touch with and have a positive relationship with their families. Mazel tov to the graduates and their families on this wonderful milestone!

Honorees Shalom & Megan AuerbachHonorees Tzvi & Erica Solomon

Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Grossman held a Passover Seder for 100,000 students in Israel and around the world! This educational Seder took place prior to the actual Seder night. One class of students at the Migdal HaEmek campus participated in person, while the Seder was broadcast to 100,000 students in 2nd through 6th grade in real time. This Seder was a shorter version than the actual Seder celebrated on the first night of Passover and it included stories, songs, and blessings for the upcoming holiday. The activity was run on an advanced digital platform for management and learning that is part of the "Password for Every Pupil" Project. This program aims to allow students from around the world to meet and learn together.

The students who viewed the Seder, each at his/her own school, sat around a long table and ate the traditional Seder foods. Each class was asked to post a photograph of the class during the Seder so all of the schools could see the other participants and strengthen the communal learning experience. Eighty schools participated in this initiative! In addition to schools all over Israel, there were select Jewish schools in the United States, Russia, Mexico, and Great Britain participating as well. Prior to the Seder, children were invited to send the Rabbi questions. Among the questions asked were: "Why is the Hagadah written in Aramaic?", "Why must we burn the chametz rather than just burying it or throwing it in the garbage?" and "Why do we use a special plate on Passover?"

American Friends of Migdal Ohr

1560 Broadway, Suite 708 • New York, NY 10036 • Phone:212.397.3700 • Fax:212.397.8515 • migdalohrusa.org • facebook.com/MigdalOhrUsa

Community Events:Passover Seder for 100,000

Following the event, Rabbi Grossman shared: "I am delighted to take part in this innovative project that connects thousands of children from Israel and overseas to the story and historic past of the Jewish nation. These children are the future generation and investment in their education will serve as the basis for a better future for them and for Israeli society." To view the Seder, please visit this URL: https://youtu.be/xS9_ashAyz8