Friends of Yemin Orde honored Boston businessman and Jewish community leader, Michael Frieze, with its Tikkun Ha’Lev Award on April 29, 2014, and raised over $1.1 million from nearly 400 attendees to support Yemin Orde Youth Village and Yemin Orde Educational Initiatives (YOEI). The program, held in Boston, was the first major dinner event ever hosted by the organization. Yemin Orde provides a home, a school and a safe haven for some 400 at-risk immigrant youth from all over the world. YOEI, an independent organization, expands the Yemin Orde educational methodology to other youth villages and public schools throughout Israel. The Tikkun Ha’Lev Award is given to volunteer leaders for exemplary leadership and philanthropic endeavors on behalf of Israel’s fragile children. Tikkun Ha’Lev is Hebrew for “mending the heart”, which is an important healing element for the Village’s children. Visit www.yeminorde.org, call 202.237.0286 or email [email protected].
Dr. Chaim Peri, director-emeritus, Yemin Orde Youth Village, and founder, YOEI, presented the award to Frieze. Dr. Peri praised Frieze’s intuition and innate ability to understand the great need of Israel’s at-risk children. “Mike, it is your inner core that this Tikkun Ha’Lev
award salutes today–straight from our hearts to yours,” Peri said.
During the program, Yemin Orde graduate Sasha Rosenbaum shared the story of her journey from Ukraine to Israel to pursue a better education and religious freedom. Strengthening her Jewish identity was important, said Sasha, as well as being part of a nurturing and supportive community. Yemin Orde’s graduates are positive and productive members of Israeli society and remain connected to the Village for life. The Village and its methodology, called the Village Way, are highly-noted as models of educational excellence by Israel’s Ministry of Education.
Past recipients of the Tikkun Ha’Lev award are David Cordish and Josh Weston. Friends of Yemin Orde’s national office is based in Bethesda, MD. Visit www.yeminorde.org or email [email protected].
