Women's Wellness in the West Bank

The girls come from varied backgrounds today: some are complete or partial orphans, some are from families torn apart by terrorism, others from homes where the parents are physically or emotionally incapacitated, and most have never known the security of a close-knit family or the love of parents.  The children that enter are able to call Bayit Lepletot their "Home" until they are married and/or old enough to start independent lives of their  own.

The Educational Center, established 25 years ago on the same premises, enables the girls to choose from a variety of different subjects and vocations.  When leaving the orphanage the girls are secure, and confident and self sufficient.

The girls participate in dance, song, and learn practical skill such as cooking and sewing.
They sleep 4-5 girls in a dormitory room with a private shower in each room.  They are very proud of their "HOME" , keeping their room doors open and personal space clean and tidy. 

The girls are VERY excited about the area that was finished right off their dormitory rooms by a generous donor. It will be used for programs, for their sukkah in the fall and for just "hanging" with their friends.
They girls have their very own staff seamstress who makes and mends clothes, and even makes or alters the girls' wedding dresses when the time comes.  There are approximately 25-30 weddings celebrated there each year.
bBayit Lepletot is a very special place to take care of the very special girls of Am Yisrael who have no home.  The girls thrive here, and finally feel part of a "Family". 

There are many different ways to help the girls at Bayit Lepletot/Girls Town Jerusalem.  Fortunately, the staff tends to stay and work for decades because the love their job so much.  There are also many volunteers.  The main way WE can help is by being a donor or foster family.  To donate to Bayit Lepletot visit their website at http://www.mnemotrix.com/girlstown/about.html

Becoming a foster family is also easy, and the girls really look forward to one day having a foster family.  When you pay a yearly sponsorship fee you are matched up with one of the girls, with whom you will begin a correspondence.  Many foster families will send small gifts on holidays and birthdays, and even visit when they are in Israel (or in our case, when we are in Jerusalem).  The girls are proud to show pictures of their foster brothers and sisters, and generally continue a relationship with the family after they leave the orphanage.  Find out more about being a foster family by visiting the above website. We look forward to continuing a relationship with Bayit Lepletot/Girls Town Jerusalem and hope to participate in a fund raising event with them in the future.

"Women in Action" is a monthly Volunteer group established by the Efrat Women's Health Center.  It's goal is to nurture the spirits of women by organizing monthly volunteer/chessed activities for the women of the Gush Etzion area.  “The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.” -Albert Einstein

Thank you to Gila Gimpel of Efrat for organizing this event.  It was a wonderfully, worthwhile event for all of us.  To participate in next month's event, watch for our newsletter or call Gila at 0527906877.  We hope you join us for our next event.