by Nancy Shurka
There is a place in the North – a stone throw away from En Hod – where abandoned children from Russia, Ethiopia, Brazil and elsewhere are provided a second home or better yet, a second chance. The place is called Yemin Orde. What is so unique about this village, are the children that live there.
When you walk between the simple yet charming homes set against a beautiful hilltop along the Carmel Forest, you become intoxicated by a sense of peace usually hard to find. I am not sure if it’s the guaranty of a better tomorrow or just the scenic location of the Youth Village that warms you from within. Whatever it is it’s special.
Luckily after the Carmel Fire, that sensation still exists. What has changed is that many buildings are charred and destroyed, children are not running around and laughing, the Earth is clearly blackened along with trees, leaves, flowers, toys, pots, plates… I could go on.
What is even more interesting is that very few of us Israelis, know about this wonderful place. While the fire tore apart the Carmel Forest and the media covered the tragedy that hit us all – some more painfully than others – Yemin Orde only received notice a few days later. I ask, why is it that En Hod, a stone throw away, immediately was covered by news reports and Yemin Orde (home to 500 abandoned children) was not?
Well, I think it’s time we all learn about this amazing place. For now, I only have photos of the damage that was caused. Hopefully, soon the images will be only history.
You can read more about Yemin Orde Youth Village, their philosophy and programs, in this article we published back in January: Yemin Orde Youth Village Leads by Example.
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Yemin Orde is an amazing community and I’m so glad to see you highlighting it. What Chaim Peri has accomplished there is beyond words. As a Reform rabbi, I have taken regular first time temple tours there and it never fails to inspire. I hope that your readers will take time to go to their website and give to help rebuild.
There are thousands of special stories about Yemin Orde. Dalai Lama sent students there for a long-term visit years ago to learn about peoplehood (Tibetans living in India); the finalist in an Israeli television contest to represent Israel to American youth (as a shaliach) was an Ethiopian Jewish Israeli woman from Yemin Orde — a breakthrough moment for the Ethiopian Jewish community. Orphans, teens from troubled homes, and so much more — all treated with respect and nurtured. Yemin Orde was not the place they lived, it continued to be their home through their adult lives.
Thank you again for bringing it to the attention of this community of readers.
Two summers ago, my nephew celebrated his bar mitzvah at Yemin Orde. An American, he chose Yemin Orde to honor the memory of his grandfather who had been a longtime volunteer at this amazing place. Our immediate family journeyed to Yemin Orde for the occasion and we were joined by Israeli cousins who we seldom see, as well as some of the young people who live in this community.
After the simple, joyous service we toured Yemin Orde and listened to the personal stories of children who found this haven. Tears streamed down our faces as we heard about the anguish of a girl who trekked across Ethiopia with her family to find Jerusalem. Remarkably, she and other Jewish children from all over the globe have healthy futures thanks to the inspired leadership of Chaim Peri who, using the tenets of Judaism as his guide, has truly made Israel a home for ALL Jews.
Thank you for shedding light on this incredible place so that it can rebuild and continue to deliver hope to so many.
Thank you for sharing these images–they are incredibly powerful. The havoc this tragedy has wreaked on so many lives, including those of young children, is just heartbreaking. As you note, the youth village of Yemin Orde has been completely devastated, with the children evacuated to other parts of Israel. The ROI Community of Young Innovators, in partnership with matching contributions from Lynn Schusterman, worked together to raise $20,000 for fire relief efforts and a portion of the donations made will go to Yemin Orde. We hope more people will unite to support the recovery of this community and others in Israel that have been affected by the fire.
I am happy to hear that many people are eager to help Yemin Orde, especially after the Carmel fires. The children of this amazing Youth Village need support now and for the long term from its friends far and near. It’s important that we all become aware of the fact that there are many children out there – for various reasons – abandoned and that places like Yemin Orde exist to help them grow into healthy, happy and successful adults.
The children of Yemin Orde are wonderful. It was sad to see the village burnt, but I have faith that all of us will come together to help with the rebuilding.
Thank you.