The Shalom Community Center is offering the unusual opportunity to meet Roni Babiev, a soldier serving in the Israeli Defense Forces, at a wine and cheese reception Wednesday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Dezer Collection Auto Museum. This event will also showcase Ahava Village for Children & Youth located in Kiryat Bialik, Israel, a project of the Bnai Zion Foundation, and the executive director of Ahava Village, Yoav Apelboim.
In 1938, with the Holocaust imminent, Ahava – formerly an orphanage in Berlin – was relocated to Palestine. For the last group of 50 European children who had legal papers for entrance to Palestine, Ahava became their refuge and home. Since then, Ahava has become synonymous with safety for children in need who have been stung by war, terror, violence, abuse, crime and/or addiction. Aresidential center for children ages6-18 coming from high-risk home situations comprised of apartments, educational facilities and leisure areas for 200 children, who receive personalized care, support and training. Ahava offers a variety of activities and therapies, and plays a leading role healing these children and integrating them into Israeli society to be useful citizens leading fulfilling lives.
Rabbi Rikki Arad of the Shalom Community Center and the director of the Bnai Zion southeast region stated, “Floridians will get a chance to hear about Israel from the perspective of an active member of the military, and about the accomplishments of Ahava Village, where children removed from their homes by court order to find a safe haven, a nurturing environment and hope for their future.”
Attendees will be able to chat with the guest speakers and tour the Dezer Collection, where the Shalom Community Center is housed. Tickets for the event are $36 and can be purchased by contacting Rabbi Rikki Arad at 305-934-6070.
For those that are unable to attend, donations for Ahava Village can be made on the Bnai Zion website at www.bnaizion.org.
