Sydney rabbi tells Boys Town Jerusalem students: let’s help each other
During his recent stay in Israel, the rabbi of Sydney’s Australia’s Mizrachi congregation made his first visit to a high school in Israel, Boys Town Jerusalem, where he won the hearts of its youngest students.
Rabbi Shua Solomon meets students at Boys Town Jerusalem
Rabbi Shua Solomon strengthened the growing bond between students and the newly established organisation of Australian Friends of Boys Town Jerusalem.
Taking a firsthand look at the BTJ’s state-of-the-art technological education facilities, Rabbi Solomon also learned of the difficult home situations facing a great majority of the school’s students. When asked to speak to a class of eighth graders, the rabbi delighted students by speaking in fluent Hebrew. In his message, Rabbi Solomon stressed the Biblical admonition that human beings must help one another and not “go it alone.” Applying this to the relationship between Israel and the Australian Jewish community, Rabbi Solomon assured the students that despite the distance, there was close interaction and mutual assistance. “We want to help you and your school, and you, in turn, help us continue the existence and the success of Israel,” he said.
“Please tell your community that we want them to come to Israel,” said 14-year-old Yaron Cohen. “We know it can take time, but we’re waiting for them to join us.”
BTJ International Development Executive Yoni Strimber noted that a new “Adopt a Homeroom” program is being considered by the Australian Friends of Boys Town Jerusalem to enable the Australians to adopt and follow a class of students from seventh grade through graduation. “There’s a great deal of good will on both sides of the globe,” Strimber said.
For more information about the Australian Friends of Boys Town Jerusalem, please visit us at www.btj.org.au
