HELEN DORON - ENGLISH LEARNING PROGRAM
Sponsored by National Debt Relief: Tom Leydiker, Alex Kleyner and Daniel Tilipman
Helen Doron is a world leader in the ESL industry with a network of Helen Doron Kindergartens in over 35 countries for children ages 3 months to 19 years. TIKVA has adopted the Helen Doron Kindergarten program, which has proved extremely effective in starting ESL for the children as early as possible to assure their proficiency in English. Based on this success, this program is being expanded to other grade levels.
TAL AM HEBREW LEARNING PROGRAM
A unique curriculum of Hebrew Language Arts and Jewish Studies geared to students in Grades 1 to 6.
STUDENT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
An incentive program to encourage students to get involved in the community-at-large and learn about giving back. TIKVA'S Meals on Wheels delivery is a part of this program.
ORT COMPUTER PROGRAM/ROBOTICS
A cutting-edge robotics course is available for students from 5th through 11th grade where they learn the basics of robotics, create a robotics project and prepare for Ukranian and international ORT competitions. Students from 2nd through 4th grade study the fundamentals of technological engineering processes through Lego modeling courses.
SUMMER CAMPS
Summer camp is one of the most popular programs with TIKVA'S children. There are separate sleep- over camps for boys and girls, and a Summer day-camp to fill the days from the end of the school year until the beginning of sleep-away camp.
“NISAYON VIDEO PROGRAM” TEACHERS WITH STUDENTS
Nisayon is TIKVA'S version of "minute to win it." Students meet with teachers and learn interesting challenges, and compete to meet the challenge. This gives children bragging rights, a fun time, and especially builds confidence in children who struggle in other areas of study.
WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
TIKVA is committed to rebuilding Jewish life within the Odessa community and empowering women. We have embarked on a Jewish leadership training program that gives young, eager and committed Jewish women at TIKVA the skills that will ultimately help them become leaders and influencers in their communities.
PLATINUM CLUB
Platinum club offers access to TIKVA'S services and facilities to the broader Jewish community of those 18-35. It offers evening lectures, clubs, workshops, and access to games and play tables. They also host semi-annual ‘Shabbatons’ to those who join.
JEWNIOR - CLUB FOR JEWISH ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN UNDER AGE 12
Jewnior was created by 2 women (TIKVA graduates) in order to give children from the homes and the community the opportunity to spend time together in an informal atmosphere. Jewnior organizes events themed events around Jewish festivals. It also gives parents an opportunity to meet up and catch up in a relaxed environment.
STARS JUDAIC STUDIES PROGRAM
STARS is a Judaic scholarship program dedicated to teaching Jewish history, tradition, culture, values and language. The group meets twice a week for lectures and informal meetings led by community key professionals. This offers a financial bonus to people under 21 and over 45.
HOLOCAUST STUDIES
This program is dedicated to educating the young people of TIKVA on the Holocaust and its impact on the Jewish people.
OLAMI (STUDENTS TRAVEL ABROAD: BRAZIL, FRANCE, LONDON)
OLAMI is an organization fusing both informal and formal Jewish education modules to create an engaging, inspiring and motivating environment for further Jewish engagement. TIKVA partners with the OLAMI organization on several projects. One of them is educational trips to Europe for active students.
OLAMI JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
Through this program, students can participate twice a year in a Jewish film festival with film submissions and competitions.
WRESTLING PROGRAM
The wrestling program is sponsored by Neil Ellman, founder of the Wittenberg tournament (US based orthodox wrestling tournament that includes some 20 Yeshivas nationwide.) Through wrestling the children learn discipline, confidence, and respect for their peers.
BRIT MILAH
TIKVA assumes a role, which is usually that of the parent, by organizing the Brit Milah ceremony and celebration for newborn boys.
WINTER CAMP
Every winter a group of 30-40 girls from Ateres school in Monsey, NY come to TIKVA and organize 2 weeks various activities for the girls’ home, girls school, infants home and kindergarten. The Ateres group, headed by Esti Brecher, Ateres director of student life, provides a complete lineup of programs, provides the full programming including supplies, and the TIKVA girls look forward to it every year.
MEALS ON WHEELS
TIKVA'S partnership with the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) provides over 2,000 nutritious kosher meals served to seniors who come to our synagogue, and delivers to homebound seniors in a JDC- operated "Meals on Wheels" program. TIKVA'S Meals on Wheels program connects young students with the underserved elderly Jewish community of Odessa. Meals are prepared in TIKVA'S kitchens and delivered by students who spend time with often-homebound senior citizens and help with household chores.
SABBATH & JEWISH FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS
TIKVA is at the center of celebration of Jewish Holidays, not only for the children and students, but for the community as a whole. The Great Choral Synagogue hosts weekly Sabbath meals, as well as all festivals, creating a means and a venue for the community to observe Sukkot, Hanukah, Passover, Purim, Rosh Hashanah and all other holidays.
WEDDINGS
Thanks to the generosity of TIKVA Board Members Carla Harman and Warren Steilglitz, young couples who otherwise don’t have the means or support, celebrate their wedding day in a joyous, festive and dignified fashion.
MASA QA
MASA is a program organized by this Jewish agency and TIKVA for Russian speaking students. Students study software analysis (QA) for 8 months and receive a diploma from Tel Ran University. This usually results in immediate job placement within Odessa QA companies.
THE SHABBAT PROJECT
The Shabbat Project is an opportunity for TIKVA'S children to invite the less affiliated community into their world and experience Shabbat together. This student-run program happens a few times a year and and is open to the Jewish community no matter what their level of religious observance.
JEWISH HOLIDAY PROGRAM AND SHABBAT RETREATS IN ISRAEL
Jewish holidays can be a sad reminder to TIKVA'S young Olim that they have no family in Israel and nowhere to spend the holidays. It is during these festival periods that they are liable to feel most alone. In response, Director Bentzi Feist, along with his wife Sara, take approximately 150 alumni to spend the festivals together in hostels around the country. In addition, students have the opportunity to participate in shabbat retreats four times a year, leaving energized and inspired about Jewish life.
TIKVA'S VOCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENT PROGRAM
TIKVA'S young immigrants to Israel arrive with the usual challenges confronting new Olim. Among the most daunting is the inability to find suitable employment in their new surroundings. In response, TIKVA established an employment, placement and vocational development program in 2007 in order to assist TIKVA participants in identifying and gaining viable employment. The project offers career counselling, employment-related workshops, vocational course subsidies, and most importantly, meaningful job placement.