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Bayit Cham Chanukah Fair

Guests from Build a Neighborhood project at the Bayit Cham Chanukah Fair with Nina Zuck. Photos: Mike Altman and Esther Tolkin

"At last it is happening! An opportunity for all ESRA people to visit the BAYIT CHAM in Kiryat Nordau, see the girls and staff in action and support them in a big way by buying some of their home-made crafts and baked goods at their first sale on Wednesday 10th December."

Thus read the invitation that was sent out to ESRA members … and the ESRA members came, bringing friends, children and grandchildren. They came and were "blown over by the beauty of the Center", by the "artistic, colorful products, the delicious biscuits" and especially by the "smiling faces of the teenage girls" who welcomed them at the entrance of the Center and escorted them to a large room which served as the area of the fair. Here the visitors were irresistibly drawn to the tables beautifully displaying the creative craft products and baked goods, by more smiling girls. The girls were stationed in pairs at the tables, ready to sell their wares and the image of the Bayit Cham with their charm and the natural warmth of their personalities. In this they succeeded magnificently as can be seen by some of the comments and sentiments of the visitors which echoed throughout the evening, especially after being taken on an explanatory tour of the main wing of the Bayit Cham by the girls who enjoyed their role as guides very much. 

                                             Examples of some of the crafts on display

"It was an honor and a privilege to meet these lovely girls."

"…the biggest impact I got was from the personalities of these amazing girls … their incredible communication skills."

"I was in awe at the pride the girls had for their 'comforting corner in the world' and amazed at some of their English. I chatted to three girls at the Chanukiot area and was thrilled to hear that one wanted to be a lawyer, one a model and the third wanted to go to Wingate and be a sports teacher ... I felt so happy inside of me to hear these girls expressing their dreams with confidence."

"I loved being hosted in their "home". The girl who took me around had such pride in every spot in the Center".

"We were very impressed by the girls...They were so keen, so positive and appreciative of the help they get both from the counselors and from ESRA. We chatted with one of them who showed us around. We asked questions and her answers were clear… we were interacting on the same level."

"It was a delight to attend that lovely event. The girls are amazing. I bought a beautiful cushion for my grandson, delicious almond biscuits and a tasty goodie dipped in sauce (this was a "Sfinge" - a Morrocan doughnut). We went into the kitchen, saw the cook and the girls making them, and had our photos taken. I thoroughly enjoyed myself". 

                                         Mmmm ... and they tasted as good as they looked!

The visitors were not the only ones who enjoyed the evening. So did all the Bayit Cham girls in their differing roles. They had worked hard for many weeks but had many doubts whether people would come all the way to Bayit Cham or that they would sell the products. So they were overwhelmed by the large turnout, by the genuine interest that the visitors took in their work and in them, and, of course, by the success of their sale. Asked for their feedback, I received comments such as; "the people were so friendly, so easy to talk to", "I enjoyed selling what I made", "It was fun", "I was proud to show them around the "Bayit" and to talk in English".

The above comments and sentiments expressed by both girls and visitors serve to highlight the success of the event and the achievement of the goals that the professional staff set in choosing a "Pre-Chanukah Craft & Cookies Fair" project towards which to work. Raising funds was just one of the goals. The Project had to provide the girls with opportunities for growth, for building trust, self-confidence and self-esteem, for interacting with different age and population groups with poise, for enhancing relationships and for understanding the importance of learning that working hard together in cooperation pays off. 

A kiss for chef Josselyne Gattino from two of the Bayit Cham girls

Their choice of this project was based on their successful participation in the 2013 ESRA Netanya Craft Fair. This time, the staff decided to take it a notch higher by having the Fair on their home turf. It worked!

All who were there were in consensus that they didn't really know what Bayit Cham for teenage girls-at risk was all about until they saw it in action. 

 

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Friday, 29 March 2024

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