Page 16 - ebook(09-06-16)-adv_Neat

E-Tone™: Ulpan-Or Weekly News Digest

Item #3 (Advanced Level)

Too Old to Work

Elisheva Bi’el, seventy three years old, still worked with children every
day until recently. A month ago she arrived at the Hod HaSharon
municipality and asked to work as an assistant integrator for a girl with
special needs at school. “She says to me, what’s this age? You’re too old. I
told her, age is relative, it’s just what it says in (your) ID. I don’t feel old at
all.” When Shira Heiman met Elisheva and realized she could be her
daughter’s integrator, she sighed with relief. But when Elisheva and Shira
went to the municipality, (they) realized that as far as they’re concerned,
she’s just not entitled to working there. Today according to the civil
service regulations, it’s not obligatory to employ someone after retirement
age, thinking that this way will allow to avoid the high costs to the
economy that are involved in hiring older people. “What, do I have to end
my life at the age of sixty seven? I want to work, I want to earn money.
Why am I good (enough) for volunteering and I’m not good (enough) for
getting paid?” the new school year will begin in a week, and for now
Shira’s daughter won’t be able to begin her studies without an integrator.
And Elisheva, she’s also hoping that she’ll be able to walk through the
school gates on September first, and not stay home.

Page 16 - Edition 09-06-16

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