At the end of the 1990s, Jean Lavie immigrated to Israel from France and, like many other immigrants, suffered the difficulties of absorption. “I tried to envision my future, where I might be in 10 years’ time, and I saw nothing good”, he said. “A lot of uncertainty”. In 2007, Jean arrived at the Ramat Hadassah Youth Village, where he felt secure for the first time. “This was my home, I am happy that I came to this place. The things that it gave me – like a bed, four walls and a roof, food and the chance to study – may appear trivial to most people. But these were things I never had. I understood that the village was giving me everything I needed to succeed – from here on, it was up to me”. Jean studied machine engineering, joined the army and then began to work in a high-tech company. Today he hopes to complete his doctorate.
Ramat Hadassah is one of four youth villages supported by Keren Hayesod, together with Ben Yakir, Hadassah Neurim and Kiryat Yearim. These villages continue a tradition that began in the days of Youth Aliyah, which was strengthened in the 1950s with the support of Keren Hayesod. Over the years, more than 300,000 at-risk youth completed their studies at the youth villages, among them well-known figures like Maj. Gen. (res.) Aharon Ze’evi Farkash. He studied at Ben Yakir and became, among other things, commander of the elite 8200 Intelligence Unit and commander of the Intelligence Branch of the IDF. Every year, some 800 youngsters study at the four youth villages. The majority of them finish with a
Photo: Jean Lavie, 2017