STORIES – kemach

MEET HODAYA EDRI

shragi — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 20:48:10 +0000

Third-year social work student at the University of Haifa.
26 years old, single, grew up in Migdal Haemek in a family of 9. Hodaya is the third in her family. Her parents, hard-working people raised her with great love and dedication. Her father works as a butcher in a meat factory, and her mother is a housewife.

Hodaya studied at Rabbi Grossman’s institutions in Migdal Haemek and, despite many difficulties, managed to complete a full matriculation certificate. Hodaya was looking for a degree in the social and interpersonal field and so she chose the field of social work. Hodaya strives to develop professionally in this field, she believes in social involvement and personal and social investment. She strives to combine more treatment methods and be the most professional.

“The UJIA scholarship gives me peace of mind and the ability to study comfortably, I live on loans and hardly work. Unfortunately, my parents cannot help, they do not have enough for themselves. Without the UJIA scholarship I would not be able to study today.”

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MEET CHAIM MINTZBERG

shragi — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 20:44:07 +0000

Chaim is a Nadvora Chasid who lives in Kiryat Gat. Prior to reaching out to Kemach, Chaim worked in a slaughterhouse part time, in difficult, physical labor.

In the beginning of 2020 Chaim reached out to Kemach in order to find an organized and fulfilling job. Chaim went through a process of career consultation which included a psychotechnics test and a meeting with a career counsellor . During his interview Chaim told us how he loves to cook, the team was inspired by his enthusiasm.

As a result of the process Chaim was encouraged to take the leap and go to a culinary arts school and received a tuition scholarship from Kemach. Chaim is now on path to become a professional and certified chef.

When Chaim will graduate, Kemach will assist Chaim with finding a job.

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MEET DR SHIRAN SHACHAR

shragi — Sun, 21 Mar 2021 20:37:23 +0000

Please briefly describe why you decided to study medicine.
As a Haredi woman I encountered, several times throughout my life, situations in which it was clear to me how much G-d-fearing people are needed in key professions in general, and in the world of medicine specifically. Apart from the sense of chesed that is innate to it, this field requires sensitivity to Jewish law and customs, the understanding of the value of “sanctity of life” and understanding the “codes” of the religious/Haredi society, including sanctifying G-d’s name in encounters with the general population. The combination of these factors, together with my desire to realize my personal capabilities, led me to choose the medical profession.
Please tell us briefly about yourself: Where are you from? Where are you headed? Something personal.
I grew up in a traditional home, and when we got married, my husband and I decided to establish a Haredi home. Until I began studying medicine, I worked in a laboratory in the Maaynei Hayeshua Hospital. Thank G-d, we are privileged to be raising ten beautiful children, ranging in age from 13 years to 4 months and I hope to combine my contribution to the community and to the public with raising a family and running a home. Whoever hears that I am the mother of ten children, or alternatively, that I decided at the age of 35 to begin studying medicine, raises an eyebrow, to say the least, but I believe, that with a healthy approach to life, a relaxed attitude, the correct management of time, and a great deal of help from G-d, everything is possible.
Please briefly describe how your medical studies affected you personally.
Medical studies and acquaintance with the wonders of biology and anatomy brought me to a deep appreciation of the endless wisdom with which the world was created, and the wondrous supervision with which it is conducted. I also got to know different populations and communities and try to understand the distress of people who are struggling with health problems and their families. Furthermore, every topic I study strengthens in me the understanding of how necessary it is to have Haredi doctors in the system because, in practically every medical field, there are issues pertaining to Jewish law and outlook. If they are addressed, the added value it brings to the patient, and ultimately his recovery is indescribable.
Please briefly describe a personal challenge you experienced in the past year of your studies.
Raising ten emotionally, physically, and religiously healthy children together with intense medical studies that require a real understanding of the material studied, were my greatest challenges this last year. Additionally, the religious complexity of studying in a secular environment while trying to sanctify G-d’s name through my conduct was also a great personal challenge.
Please tell us about your professional plans for the future.
There are two areas of residency that greatly appeal to me and I am debating between them. Gynecology, with a specialty in fertility, is a field that requires tremendous sensitivity and halachic knowledge. The sense of mission is enormous, and the need for Haredi gynecologists is unrivaled in its importance. On the other hand, internal medicine – a field where great sensitivity and understanding of the sanctity of life is required, with a proper and respectful attitude to the senior population, fascinates me, as well as general inter-disciplinary medicine.
How has the KEMACH medical scholarship helped you in your studies?
I can simply state that without KEMACH, I would not have been able to study medicine. With the full days of classes and the load of tasks I have, I would be able to work only for very few hours. Additionally, I have been blessed with ten sweet children, thank G-d, and plenty of expenses. Because of the need to support me during my medical studies, my husband had to leave his job as the principal of a school, and the family income dropped drastically. The scholarship enables us to live with dignity while I continue my medical studies. I have no words to express my thanks…

לתורם הנכבד,
כאם לעשרה ילדים, עם כל המשתמע מכך, אני רוצה להביע את תודתי מכל הלב על תמיכתך הנדיבה, המאפשרת לי להגשים חלום וללמוד רפואה תוך גידול ילדי בראש שקט ובנפש קור רוח, החיוני לשתי המשימות העצומות הללו.
תרומתך מאפשרת לי ללמוד ולהשקיע בלהפוך לרופא טוב יותר, לקדש את שם גן העדן ולמלא את שליחותי בצורה הטובה ביותר. אני מתרגש ונרגש מהמחשבה שאדם שאני לא מכיר נותן את הכסף שלו בכדי שהדבר הטוב הזה יכול לקרות. אני מקווה באמת כי הכשרון של נתינה שלך למען הציבור והחסד המגולם בעולם הרפואה יעבור לזכותך בקביעות לכל החיים מלאי נאתות, שפע ובריאות.
בהערכה רבה,
שירן שחר

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MEET YAAKOV BARZILAI

shragi — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 22:21:45 +0000

Lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh. 41 years old, married with 6 children. KEMACH launched Yaakov on the road to success when it funded a year of preparatory studies, including English and basic computer skills, at a Haredi college in Bnei Brak. From there he went on to gain his B.Sc. in Computer Science, his M.Sc. in Cyber Security and his B.Ed. in Computer Science Education at Machon Lev, where he is now working toward his Doctorate. Today, he not only teaches at Machon Lev, but he also works in the Prime Minister’s Office, where he is responsible for computer networks and security.

“I am eternally grateful to Kemach for facilitating the process which enabled me to maximize my potential while remaining true to Torah values.

I can still learn in Kollel every morning, because my qualifications enable me to support my family by working in the afternoons and teaching in the evenings. I could not have achieved this without Kemach’s transformative scholarship.”

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FACES BEHIND THE FIGURES

shragi — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 22:18:08 +0000

Meet Rotem, 30, married + 4, lives in Bet Shemesh.

Rotem graduated with a teaching degree from Beis Yaakov, and started a second degree in geography and town planning at the Hebrew University, with a scholarship from KEMACH. She became manager of the Building Inspection Department of the Gush Etzion Regional Council. Rotem graduated with the fourth Movilot cohort in July 2018. She decided to set up a start-up in her spare time, providing online assistance with construction license applications.

“The dedicated Movilot team helped me to recognize my potential and led us all through a transformative life experience. They encouraged our self awareness, reinforced the legitimacy of our communal identity, and motivated us to make empowered choices. I am proud to volunteer through KEMACH to help other Haredi women find more rewarding and appropriate employment.”

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MEET TZILA HACKER

shragi — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 21:38:33 +0000

Tzila is a Haredi single mom living in a small rented apartment in Tzfat with her son.

After graduating Beis Yaakov with a Judaic Studies qualification, she decided to become a nurse. With the support of the KEMACH Foundation, Tzila studied at Laniado Hospital’s Tessler School of Nursing in Netanya where she worked for four years as a surgical nurse.

At the same time, she also studied for a Bachelors of Science degree through the Open University, with the dream of becoming a doctor. When she was accepted to the Bar Ilan University School of Medicine, KEMACH assisted Tzila with a new scholarship from The Max Barney Foundation. This allowed Tzila to focus on her studies and to bring up her young son without financial stress.

The pressure is intense, with weekly tests, but she appreciates KEMACH’s support and encouragement. Now in her second year, having completed her first year with a 74% average grade, Tzila dreams of becoming a surgeon or a gynecologist.

“Being a nurse was not enough for me. I have always wanted to give more, to the community at large and to the religious community in particular. I believe that the Haredi community needs female Haredi doctors who can understand their unique needs, and I am grateful to KEMACH for helping me to realize my ambition.”

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MEET MOISHY DEUTCH

shragi — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 21:35:45 +0000

20 years old, single, Jerusalem Moishy is a Breslov Chassid from Jerusalem whose education did not include secular studies.

He came to Kivun in February 2018, took our aptitude tests and had interviews with career guidance professionals. He was extremely motivated, joining our Education Completion Program and taking our preparatory courses in Mathematics, English and Computing Skills.

We advised him to consider a career in computer programming and provided him with a 90% scholarship for a 6-month course. During the course he worked as a programmer with Quze, one of our Bizmax start-ups. Shortly after graduating, he was hired by one of Israel’s leading hi-tech companies as a front-end programmer, earning over 10,000 NIS a month. We hope that within 3 years he will be earning twice that amount!

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MEET EFRAIM & HIS STARTUP QUZE

shragi — Sat, 25 Apr 2020 21:19:12 +0000

Lives in Beitar. 41 years old, married with 2 children. Efraim was previously a software development manager in major companies and government offices.

While involved in the management team of a national project to shorten waiting times in emergency rooms, he realized that the solution required Artificial Intelligence. He invented Quze to offer this solution to healthcare providers worldwide, and his team of seven is currently raising Round A funding for pilot projects.

“Entrepreneurship was always in my soul, but I would not have reached where we are now without the help and guidance of BIZMAX. Their mentors and workshops have helped me to clarify my goals and how to reach them”.

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MEET CHEF CHAIM BORNSTEIN

shragi — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 22:49:53 +0000

29 years old, married with 3 children KEMACH funded Chaim’s
professional culinary school training and today he works as
a chef in a prestigious catering hall and caters private events.

He recently won two gold medallions in a national Israeli Chefs Competition, and his participation persuaded them to make this
formerly non-Kosher competition kosher from now onward! “It was thanks to the tuition scholarship that I received from KEMACH that I have been able to enter the business world, develop a fulfilling career and support my family with dignity.”

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