Tikva Program Overview Mission Statement Tikva's core mission is to care for the homeless, abandoned and abused Jewish children of Ukraine and neighboring regions of the former Soviet Union. Tikva provides a warm, compassionate home, essential social services and a quality education, while revitalizing the growing Jewish community of Odessa. In addition, Tikva offers its youngsters the opportunity for a brighter future through university education in Odessa or immigration to Israel, where Tikva continues its educational and supportive services. A Brief History The origins of Tikva date back to 1993 with the arrival in Odessa of Rabbi Shlomo Baksht and the creation of the Ohr Dessa Project. Rabbi Baksht pioneered the revival of the Jewish community of Odessa through community outreach, education and programs focusing on religious and cultural identity. But in the course of working to reach that goal, Rabbi Baksht faced an unforeseen challenge: the plight of hundreds of Jewish children who were living in unsanitary and inhumane state orphanages, who suffered abuse and neglect at home, or who had no home and were living on the streets. Unable to ignore their pressing needs, Rabbi Baksht turned his attention toward rescuing the Jewish children of Odessa when he established the Children's Homes in 1996. In 1999, the Children's Homes and the Ohr Dessa Project were combined into one organization called Tikva Corp. How children come to Tikva: 1. Identifying Children in Need: Sasha Zechev is in charge of locating orphans and other children in need. "Need" is defined by the same definition the Ukrainian government uses for admittance into the State orphanage, which is a child who is either form an abused home, a home where there is a imminent danger for the child (e.g., drugs or alcohol), no home (e.g., living on the streets) or children with no parents. 2. Intake Process: After the child arrives at the home, a doctor and a psychologist evaluate the child and a nurse and caretaker help the child adjust to the home and school. After admission, most children stay in the home until they are 15 - 16 years old (end of the 8th grade) or when they are emotionally ready to leave. (see Israel below). 3. Leaving to Israel: Either at 15-16 years old or at the end of the 8th grade, when the children are emotionally and physically ready, they are given the proper documentation to obtain a visa to Israel where they continue their education. In Israel, Tikva employees serve as guidance counselors and assist the children through their transition in Israel. Children typically arrive at Tikva for one of three reasons: 1. Orphans These children do not have parents. They are usually found in state orphanages, separated from their brothers and sisters. 2. Social Orphans These children have parents, but they are neglectful and/or abusive child caretakers. The children often come to Tikva of their own choice and the family usually relinquishes custody of the child. 3. Extreme Poverty These children have at least one parent, or a family member that would like to take care of the child, but simple cannot afford to give the child the basic necessities needed for survival. These children often stay in contact with their family even after arriving at Tikva, and continue to see them on weekends and holidays. Tikva Staff: Odessa: Tikva employs over 400 people who help run 3 children's homes, 2 university dormitories, 6 schools, a Jewish university and a wide range of community outreach and welfare programs. Rabbi Baksht is the Chief Rabbi of Odessa and the Founder of Tikva Refael Kruskal is the Tikva International Director Contact Information: +380-50-395-2539; orphans@te.net.ua Julia Shanina is the Development Director Contact Information: +380 50 316 2953 or jshanina@tikvaodessa.net New York: The fundraising and development office for Tikva is located in Tikva's corporate sponsor's office, Ecko.Unlimited, in New York City. Emily Lehrman is the Vice president of Strategic Development and Operations Contact: 917.262.1119 or emilyl@tikvaodessa.org Miryam Reinitz is the Director of Marketing and Special Events Contact: 917.262.1818 or Info@tikvaodessa.org Lori Donza: Controller Contact: 917.262.1159 or lorid@tikvaodessa.org Israel, International Relations Department Fleur Hassan-Nahoum is the Executive Director of International Relations Contact 972 545 283 683 fleur@tikvaodessa.org.il Brigitte Casper, Director of Development Contact 972 546244555 brigitte@tikvaodessa.org.il Tikva Homes: 1. Boys' Home Founded in 1996. Current facility is rented. Enrollment, originally 23, has grown to 79, ages 5-18 years old. Average cost per child: $7,500 for first year and $5,000 per year thereafter Highlight: Land has been purchased for a new facility to house the boys. The Capital Campaign is slated to be launched in Summer 2004. 2. Girls' Home Founded in 1996. Current Facility is owned by Tikva and is newly refurbished. When second facility is ready, girls will be split into two groups for more age-appropriate care. Enrollment originally was 26, but is currently 72, ages 5-18 years old. Average cost per child: $7,500 for first year and $5,000 per year thereafter Highlight: The Capital Campaign for the New Girl's Home & School has begun. The building is slated to be completed by December 2005. 3. Infants' & Toddlers' Home: Founded in 2001. Enrollment is 26, ages 1 month- 6 years old. Average cost per child: $7,500 Highlight: The new building for the New Girl's Home and School will also house a separate floor devoted to the infants and toddlers. 4. University Homes: 34 young men and women who are orphans and former residents of the homes now live in rented, chaperoned apartments while attending the Jewish University of Odessa. Tikva Homes: 1. Kindergarten: Founded in 2000. Facility is owned by Tikva. Enrollment, originally 55, has grown to 150, co-ed. All children are served breakfast, a hot lunch and snack. 2. Elementary School Founded in 1996. Facility is rented. Enrollment originally was 70 but has grown to 180 and is co-ed. All children are served breakfast, a hot lunch and snack. Highlights: A Holocaust memorial is located inside of the school. 3. Girls' High School Founded in 1995. Facility is rented. Enrollment, originally 60, has grown to 180. All children are served breakfast, a hot lunch and snack. Highlight: A new building has been purchased and a Capital Campaign is underway. 4. Boys' High School Founded in 1994. The facility is owned by Tikva. Enrollment originally was 75 but has now grown to 161. All children are served breakfast, a hot lunch and snack. After-school Program: In 2004 Tikva launched two after school clubs Anaviv and Sababa in order to provide children with additional enrichment programs. Currently the clubs serve over 70 children four days per week and provide supervised activities in drama, English language, art, homework help, sports, and games. These clubs are vital for ensuring that Odessa's children have a safe and fun place to go that is free from the drugs, crime, prostitution, and other illicit activities occurring in their neighbourhoods. Community Outreach Programs:Community Outreach Programs: 1. The Great Choral Synagogue Originally built in 1790, it was destroyed and rebuilt 1840. In 1938 the Synagogue was ambushed and twelve Rabbis were gathered in the courtyard and shot to death. Today the synagogue has a large plaque memorializing them. In 1997 the Jewish community in Odessa reclaimed the Synagogue with the help of Rabbi Kolitz, the chief rabbi of Jerusalem, who wrote a petition to the President of Ukraine. Today the Synagogue belongs to the Jewish people of Odessa. Rabbi Baksht, the chief Rabbi of Odessa, conducts all prayer services in the synagogue. 2. Adult Education & University Jewish tradition seminars: Begun in 1993 by Rabbi Baksht, the seniors are taught at the Great Choral Synagogue and are open to the general public in Odessa. Hebrew Language Courses: Classes are taught at the Great Choral Synagogue and are free and open to the public. Post High School Learning Program: For young adults interested in Jewish Leadership Programs, this program is sponsored by Ner Leelef from Israel. University Program in Odessa: Accredited by two Ukrainian State Universities, 121 students are studying for baccalaureate and master's degrees in business, childhood education, psychology, English, non-profit management and religious studies. Starting in 2006 there will also be a Law degree option in cooperation with a local academy. The university program was created in 2004 for those students who are unable to go to Israel but wish to continue their studies under the auspices of Tikva. 2. Meals-on-wheels/Feeding Program: In conjunction with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Tikva distributes 1000 kosher meals Monday-Friday to elderly people throughout the Odessa area. In addition, free meals are served in the Great Choral Synagogue to over 500 people Monday-Friday. Tikva also provides breakfast, lunch and a snack to all 800 students in its schools. 3. Kosher Food Market Opened in 2001, the market offers Kosher food products for the first time in decades to Odessa's Jewish community. All the food items are sold at wholesale prices, making the items affordable to the general public. 4. Media Newspaper "Ohr Samayach" Founded in 1994 by Rabbi Baksht as a community outreach about Tikva's mission, circulating 10,000 papers weekly. Television Program Launched in 1997 is a supplementary promotional item to the newspaper.