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Rabbi Borstein - Principal of YTA Boys High School High school girls on an NCSY Israel Event

percent of YTA’s alumni have gone on just like you are asking your teens to
to Yeshivot Hesder or Mechinot, serve in do every day! Whether by attending
the IDF after graduation, and stay in ulpan, Hebrew shiurim, working in a
Israel as dedicated and contributing Hebrew environment or speaking
Israeli citizens. with neighbors and store owners in
Many olim who grew up as part Hebrew, you are showing your teen
of Bnei Akiva worldwide feel that that you are making an effort and are
participation in Bnei Akiva is the Israeli not afraid to look foolish and make
teen’s badge of honor and “if you can mistakes (trust me – you will! But
integrate successfully into Bnei Akiva, those mistakes make the best Aliyah
then you have really made it”. But it stories!).
is important to recognize that youth #11 Stay Close with Your Teen: As
group participation in Israel ends after many of us learned through the COVID
9th grade (unless a teen is selected to lockdowns, having a close relationship
be a counselor), and so these youth with your child can give them the
movements are generally not an option strength to get through almost
for teens who make Aliyah. To address anything. If they know you believe in Yael Miller presents to parents of olim at an event in Efrat
this need, Rabbis Michael Kahn and them, they will believe in themselves.
Yosef Ginsberg started NCSY Israel,
providing Anglo teens an English The takeaway from my research: Aliyah
language religious youth movement with teens is certainly challenging, but
experience throughout all four years it is not impossible! Choosing to take
of high school (israel.ncsy.org). the Lech Lecha leap may be difficult,
but remember that in doing so, you
#8 Be Open to Changing Course: will be changing the course of history
As one family said: “We came with for future generations of your family.
a plan, and enrolled our daughter in In life, our greatest accomplishments
an Israeli high school that seemed
like the perfect fit; it was in line with are the ones we work the hardest to
our religious views and offered great achieve. To quote Ari Fuld hy”d: “If life
resources to olim. However, after the is easy, you’re living it wrong.”
first several months we realized that
it wasn’t the right fit for her, and we
made a course correction. Today, she is
enrolled at YTA, and is much happier.”
#9 Become Allies with your Teen’s
School: Let’s be honest, teachers who
work with olim have to put in extra Dr. Yael Wahrhaftig Miller made Aliyah with
work. Remember to show your teen’s her family in 2014 and has worked for the last
teacher as much appreciation as 8 years as a school psychologist in the Israeli
possible. school system. She is currently the Rakezet
Olim for the school psychology department
#10 Be a Role Model for your Teens: of Efrat, helping school age olim and their
Break your teeth and speak in Hebrew parents integrate into Israeli society.

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