“For I was a son to my father,

a tender one and an only one before my mother.

And he instructed me and said to me,

"May your heart draw near to my words;

keep my commandments and live.

Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding; do not forget,

and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.

Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;

love her and she will guard you.” 

[Proverbs Chapter 4]

 

An investment in our children is an investment in a better future. Investing in learning, education and the development of a strong, steadfast identity can ensure the success of the future generation. However, this isn’t enough. The child’s family is their main source of support, encouragement and identification. When the family’s situation is shaky, when there are marriage crises, assimilation, violence or unemployment problems, the entire family unit is affected. The tension and lack of a supportive framework take their toll on the child. In more severe cases, the child may even be exposed to abuse.

The Torani Community of Jaffa runs family centers, with the objective of advancing the children while supporting (based on ability and need) their families. The advantages that the Torani community possesses over other organizations also active in this field are:

1. Familiarity – We are their neighbors, and not strangers to the families.

2. Tradition – We are a religious organization, coming from a background that respects the families’ customs.

3. Holistic treatment – We treat all of the needs of the family as a whole, and not just the child’s needs.

The family centers operate in cooperation with the family centers of the Kehillot Foundation, and are supported by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Housing, the Toronto Friends Foundation and the Social Services department of the Tel Aviv-Jaffa municipality.