River Edge shul welcomes Israeli teens

Temple Avodat Shalom in River Edge will host a Shabbat service welcoming 20 Israeli teens, in collaboration with JCC of Northern NJ’s Open Hearts Open Homes program, on Friday, July 14, at 8 p.m. The program aims to provide support and respite to Israeli children who have endured trauma as a result of ongoing terror in Israel.

Ziv Rahamim, an alumnus of the Open Hearts Open Homes program and an Israeli Defense Forces veteran, will talk about his experiences and the transformative impact that Open Hearts Open Homes has had on his life. An oneg Shabbat will follow. Everyone is welcome.

Open Hearts Open Homes, which began in 2002, has been a source of hope for young Israelis who have lived their entire lives amid violence and terror. Through the generosity of private donors, the unique program offers a reprieve from the daily stress faced by these brave teens living along the Gaza Strip and in Sderot.

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For more information about the program or to learn about Open Hearts Open Homes, email Elana Prezant at elanap@jccnnj.org, call (201) 666-6610, or go to jccnnj.org.