GIOH | General Israel Orphans Home

Narratives, Film and Television Glamorize Orphans

Posted on September 20, 2012 by gioh

Were you to only use film, books and television as a gauge, the lives of orphans might seem mildly harrowing, yes, but also mostly filled with adventure, redemption, and the power of the good and the right winning out over adversity and ill will.

Oliver, for example, the main character of Dickens’ novel of the same name, faces dire circumstances, circumstances which in deed highlighted numerous social problems of the time, but Oliver also always wins out in the end, escaping terrible conditions and overcoming villains.

Little Orphan Annie? This narrative is simply ludicrous, both as a comic and a film. Here we are exposed to an orphan that has a millionaire on her side. Fate, too, seems to intervene on her behalf, orchestrating circumstances coincidentally in her favor, as when her benefactor luckily discovers her while looking for water.

The most absurd, of course, is Peter Pan. This orphan not only retreats to a magical land, but also can fly, has eternal youth and is endowed with a special cleverness that helps him elude the clutches of dangerous foes. In consideration of the actual realities of orphans, this fantasy can only be construed as macabre.

Here are just a few disconcerting facts:

10% – 15% of orphans commit suicide before turning 18
up to 60% of the girls turn to prostitution
up to 70% of boys turn to crime
of 15,000 orphans leaving state-run institutions due to age restrictions every year, 10% commit suicide, 5,000 are unemployed, 6,000 are homeless and 3,000 are in prison after only three year
millions of children are exploited in the multi-billion dollar sex industry

Jewish orphans are no different and face the same circumstances. Donating to an organization like General Israel Home for Girls helps make sure that orphans in Israel have a better shot at avoiding these numbers.

An Eternal Gesture

Posted on September 11, 2012 by ajax

A will is created in order to provide for those we love after we are gone. Typically, it divides up and portions out an estate to those who are most important to us, to our families and loved ones.

Yet, over the 120 years General Israel Orphans Home for Girls has been operating, many people have opted to include these Jewish orphans in their wills as well. Whatever their reasons, these generous donors decided that a portion of what they’d achieved in their lives should be shared in order to improve the quality of life for orphans in Israel. It’s a powerful gesture that makes a big difference for young people who have lost so much already.

Doing this type of legal work is not everyone’s expertise, even if it sounds like a great and meaningful legacy. We can provide brochures that help clarify confusing points. As well, our estate lawyer is happy to help you stay organized during the process, answering your questions and ensuring your loved ones enjoy the tax breaks endemic to such charitable efforts.

Posted in General Israel, Orphanage | Tagged jewish orphans, orphans in israel | Leave a comment

Linked: Human Trafficking and Orphans

Posted on September 3, 2012 by ajax

According to statistics provided by the US State Department, upwards of 800,000 people are across international lines every single year, let alone those not crossing international lines. It’s a staggering number. Even more shocking is that roughly 50% of those being trafficked are in fact children. When such a big deal is made of children that go missing, it can be easy for someone to ask: How is this possible? How can so many children be involved in this illegal and terrible system?

There is an unfortunate link between human trafficking and orphans. Orphans, not having parents or loved ones to care for them, are at greater disadvantage in this regard. With no one looking out for them, their absence may go unnoticed for longer periods of time, or may never be officially recognized at all. Some families are tricked into thinking that their children will have better lives with people who intend to ship them into slavery.

That is why orphanages are so important. They fill a gap in society and provide one of the only institutional buffers between children and human trafficking. General Israel Orphans Home For Girls is dedicated to serving the needs of Jewish orphans and has been doing so for over 100 years. The lifeblood of institutions like GIOH has always been donations, and there’s no better way to take a stand than doing so today.

Posted in General Israel, Orphanage | Tagged donations, human trafficking, jewish orphans | Leave a comment

GIOH Helps New Immigrants

Posted on August 28, 2012 by ajax

One of the factors that makes GIOH so unique is the wide range of services we offer. We are involved in everything from family outreach and daycare to full, round the clock Jewish orphan care. We are particularly committed to helping recent immigrants to Israel because they tend to face some of the worst medical and economic hardships.

GIOH offers immigrant families everything from language training to daycare. It is part of GIOH’s ongoing effort to strengthen families and stop children from becoming orphaned. Many families arrive in Israel with nothing –no knowledge of the language or any support system. GIOH offers the Israeli orphans of these families education, medical treatment and food while they transition to life in Israel. We offer families the support they need to become independent and break the cycles of poverty and neglect.

GIOH is willing to step in and help no matter what phase of life an orphan is in. We have girls looking for a stable place while they finish their last year or two of high school. We also have three-year-olds without any family who will be starting daycare for the first time this year. We turn no one away; they are all welcome at the GIOH.

Posted in Orphanage | Tagged Immigrant orphans, Israeli orphans, jewish orphans | Leave a comment

Back to School for Orphans

Posted on August 20, 2012 by ajax

Preparing your child for the school year ahead is no easy task. Between back to school shopping and a few practice lessons to get them back in the swing of things you have your hands full. Chances are your child is also excited to start school again. For some children however, school is not an option. Countless orphans in Israel cannot enjoy the opportunity or joy that comes from receiving an education.

GIOH strives to provide the orphan girls of Israel with a top notch education. Education is a powerful tool in breaking the destructive social cycles that lead to orphaned children. For many of the girls at GIOH this will be the first year they get to enjoy a proper school experience with compassionate teachers and loving classmates. If you think getting your family ready for back to school is hard, imagine the task faced yearly by the GIOH!

Although GIOH provides an education and so much more to many Jewish orphans there are countless who are not reached by our services. We rely on donations to help continue our mission of helping the orphaned girls of Israel live a better life. We supply not only an education but guidance, medical care, love and support so these girls have the tools they need to grow into happy, productive women.

Posted in Education | Tagged jewish orphans, orphans in israel | Leave a comment

Making Every Donated Dollar Count

Posted on August 13, 2012 by ajax

Many people who give to larger charities don’t know that a good portion of every dollar they give goes to paying the charities overhead cost, not directly to helping people. Instead of giving your money to a charity that routes the money through other groups and funds why not give directly to the GIOH? The money you donate goes directly to the day-to-day operation of our home and to helping Jewish orphans.

Unlike other charities which may put on flashy galas or run ads on television the money we collect goes to helping Israeli orphans directly. We are able to do the work we do because of our large and loyal donor network. Offering the quality of care that we do here at GIOH is no easy task and it certainly doesn’t come cheap.

Next time you are making a charitable gift think of where it will have the most impact. Not only does the money given to GIOH get spent prudently it truly offers life changing services to countless orphans. The money you give pays for medical attention, education, housing and so much more. You can take comfort in knowing half your donation doesn’t get spent on nebulous administrative costs.

Posted in Orphanage | Tagged Israeli orphans, jewish orphans | Leave a comment

Help Bridge the Gap

Posted on August 7, 2012 by ajax

Donations are the lifeblood of our orphanage. The money people kindly give so us goes to providing orphans in Israel with food, medicine, education and housing. There is a large gap however, between the resources available and the number of needy children. Your contribution can help bridge that gap.

Taking on an orphan is a huge financial responsibility. Think of how expensive raising a child can be; now think about an orphanage that houses 50+ children. What is so sad is the volume of children that cannot access services simply because of financial limitations. It is unfair that even one child should go hungry and wanting let alone the untold thousands that currently do.

Although the cost of caring for Israel’s orphans is high, the cost of not caring for them is even higher. The increase in crime, strain on the public health system, and other social ills caused by child neglect cost society an incalculable sum. This is without factoring in the human cost of suffering, lost opportunity and pain.

With so many orphans donations are desperately needed. These children need help and sadly most do not get it. Your donation could be the difference between a life of poverty for a child and one of opportunity and hope.

Posted in General Israel, Orphanage | Tagged Israel’s orphans, orphans in israel | Leave a comment

The Rich History of General Israel Orphans Home for Girls

Posted on July 31, 2012 by ajax

The GIOH was founded over 100 years ago by Rabbi David Weingarten after meeting an orphaned girl on the streets and taking her in. That was in 1902. Today GIOH has expanded on Rabbi Weingarten’s legacy, which started with one kind act, by increasing services to tens of thousands of needy kids over the years.

GIOH provides assistance to orphans in Israel of all ages. It starts at the daycare center where 3-6 year olds are cared for by a loving and trained staff. It continues through our primary school and high school which provides a top notch education and gives kids the tools they need to escape the situation of poverty and become exemplary members of the community.

As Israel has changed, so has GIOH. Newly arrived children are taught Hebrew and given access to medical care that was unavailable in their country. The GIOH family contains Jewish orphans from around the world and has hundreds of girls.

Most importantly, we provide love, care, attention and everything else a young girl needs to thrive. We are willing to do whatever it takes to help the orphans of Israel escape poverty and despair and find hope, love and comfort. We have been providing this service for over 100 years and we have no plans of stopping.

Posted in Education, Orphanage | Tagged jewish orphans, orphans in israel | Leave a comment

Orphans and Malnutrition

Posted on July 24, 2012 by ajax

Of all the challenges facing Jewish orphans, malnutrition is the most prevalent. Malnutrition kills a child every two seconds! This is not counting the orphans who suffer or become permanently disabled due to hunger and malnutrition’s effects. The longer a child is exposed to malnutrition, the more likely it is to cause irreparable damage or death. There is plenty of food to go around; we just need to distribute it properly.

When you donate to GIOH you make sure that orphans in Israel get a healthy diet and do not have to feel the pangs of starvation. Can you imagine going every day hungry, eating just a bit and constantly wondering when and where your next meal will come from? It is a harsh reality for many orphans in Israel and worldwide. Although it is uncomfortable to think about, doing nothing is not the right course of action.

Donate to GIOH. We will make sure an orphan has access to a hot, nurturing meal but also so much more. We provide educational opportunities, support, love, housing and friendship. Every dollar you give us is another dollar we can spend on the well being of orphans. With so many kids on the streets of Israel, we need your help!

Posted in Orphanage | Tagged jewish orphans, orphans in israel | Leave a comment

Decimated Social Safety Net Detrimental to Orphans

Posted on July 16, 2012 by ajax

Last year news of protests in Israel was reported around the world. Protesters were angry about the high cost of living in Israel coupled with the destruction of the social safety net. Israel used to have an extensive social safety network but now it ranks near the bottom on social spending when compared to other nations. If ordinary citizens are feeling the pinch, imagine how orphans and families are affected?

The answer, obviously, is that orphans and families suffer. Parents are finding it harder to care for kids as a slow economy squeezes their budget and the government is unwilling to step in and help. Children on the street are having an even harder time accessing extremely limited shelter and orphanage space. Public health, public schooling and aid to families is all being cut. Orphans in Israel need your help now more than ever.

Israel’s European-style social welfare state is dead and gone. GIOH is trying to step into the vacuum left by the government, but caring for Israel’s orphans in a loving and dignified manner is no easy task. These children need housing, food, education, medical care and love. Help us provide that for them or they will simply go without such essentials.