Big Brother/Big Sister comes to Israel

Hundreds of children in Israel grow up in single-parent homes. Aware of the growing need in Israel for mature mentors for lonely children, Libby Reichman decided to open a local branch of the successful mentoring program Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

By ESTERA WIEJA
Big Brother Big Sister in Israel 521 (photo credit: courtesy)
Big Brother Big Sister in Israel 521
(photo credit: courtesy)
Hundreds of children in Israel grow up in single-parent homes. Aware of the growing need in Israel for mature mentors for lonely children, Libby Reichman decided to open a local branch of the successful mentoring program Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Founded in the United States over 100 years ago, it is the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring initiative in the world.
Reichman launched the Israeli affiliate in June 2003 and modeled it after the American program. At first, she worked without a salary and invested her own money to even print out fliers. She started fundraising and was soon joined by Suzy Holzer, a social worker.
Since the founding of the Israeli chapter, about 300 pairs of mentor-and-child have been matched for at least a year. This year, over two hundred children are receiving the encouragement and care they need from trained and committed big brothers and big sisters.
The volunteer mentors for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Israel range in ages from 18 to 60 and come from diverse backgrounds and professions. There are students, lawyers, nurses, teachers, and people from many other professions.
They are carefully selected, to make sure each one of them takes the task seriously.
Each commits to spending at least two hours a week with the child over the course of a year.
“We work with psychologists and social workers in order to create perfect matches,” explained Reichmann. “We make sure that our big brothers and big sisters all have regular supervision, so we keep up an ongoing relationship with the pair, as well as the parents of the child.”
Hundreds of children are still waiting for a match, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Israel are still in need of more volunteer mentors. It is not easy, as the volunteers do not receive any payments.
Yet all those who have been involved say it is well worth their time.
“In all its splendor, and occasional tribulation, ‘Big Sisterhood’ is a huge growth experience, in the best sense of the expression – as much for the mentor as for the child,” shared one of the volunteers.
Each match creates its own unique weekly activities, whether in after-school programs or just hanging out at the clubhouse to enjoy games and films together. Many of these friendships last for years.
Four years ago, Daniel became a volunteer mentor to Wallalo, the son of Ethiopian immigrants. In the beginning, Daniel made a one-year commitment but “was afraid of the responsibility,” he recalls. “Yet in the end it was a fun and fulfilling experience for both of us, so we decided to continue.”
Daniel helped Wallalo establish goals in life and encouraged him to stick to them. After a few years, their unique friendship has borne fruit, as Wallalo has worked his way up through the ranks of the Israeli army.
“The program changes life perspectives for these kids,” explained Reichman.
“These children look up to their mentors and often even pick professions after their big brother or big sister.”