Nefesh B’Nefesh is launching ‘Ori’ – a holistic support program to assist and care for lone national service volunteers who have moved to Israel without their families and have chosen to volunteer as bnot sherut throughout their national service (sherut leumi).
The program – which is being run in partnership with Aliyah and Absorption Ministry, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and the Jewish National Fund-USA – will support over 150 young women who have moved to Israel to spend their first year or two after high school serving the State of Israel.
“Ori,” deriving from the Hebrew word for light, provides lone young women in national service – with guidance, support, social programming, advocacy, a help desk and crisis support. The program begins prior to the start of the year of national service, as the future bnot sherut are assisted with finalizing their volunteer placements in various hospitals, schools, organizations and government offices throughout the country.
“It is truly remarkable that these young women are voluntarily choosing to dedicate the first part of their adult lives in service to the State of Israel,” said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder and executive director of Nefesh B’Nefesh. “We are pleased to offer such a dedicated, holistic program, which will assist the lone bnot sherut every step of the way.”
During their voluntary service, the Ori program will provide lone bnot sherut with information and workshops on topics such as how to manage a budget, life skills and general advice to empower them in their various fields and ensure they receive the tools needed to have a successful and positive service.
Through social programming and the help desk, the lone bnot sherut will have a strong support system of both peers and experts to guide them through their new lives in Israel.
Additionally, Ori provides emotional assistance, with professionals on staff to help navigate any complex situations.
The Ori program is also involved in advocating to the National Service Authority and the government to maximize the benefits provided to lone bnot sherut, along with national recognition of these young women and their contributions to society.
For more information, contact www.nbn.org.il/ori.