Tamar Even-Hen — Na’ale High School Program

Originally from Edison NJ, Bat Sherut Bodedah 2017–19

Where did you do sherut Leumi?

I am currently doing Sherut Leumi as a Madricha for the Na’ale High School Program in Ulpanat Amana in Kfar Saba.

Can you explain a little bit about the organization?

Na’ale is a program that provides a unique opportunity for teenagers from around the world to study high school in Israel away from their families. There are different branches of Na’ale in different schools and youth villages throughout the country. The branch of Na’ale for Dati Leumi girls is in Amana, an Ulpana (religious girls high school) which is a dorm school for both the Israeli students (the majority of the school) and the Na’ale students.

What was your role in the organization?

I am a Madricha for one of the four Na’ale classes in the school. I live in the dorm with my class and spend time with them, plan activities for them, help them integrate into the Israeli culture around them, escort them to doctor appointments and meetings. I provide emotional and psychological support for these girls who are studying away from their homes.

Why did you choose that job?

I feel very connected to these girls because they also are giving up the world and culture that they know in order to build a new life in Israel. I felt that I have a lot to give to the community of Olim that I can identify with, to these girls who are starting a process similar to the one that I am in the middle of myself.

What did the application process look like?

I visited the Ulpana for a Sherut Leumi Sayeret — had a tour of the place and an interview with the staff of Na’ale the same day.

What did/does a typical daily schedule look like for you?

I wake up the girls in the morning (it helps that I live in the dorm with them). While they go to school, some days I have the morning free, and other days I have meetings with other staff members such as the Na’ale social worker, the class’s homeroom teacher, with other Madrichot in the school, etc.
I eat lunch with the girls, then continue with either free time or meetings. When the girls finish school in the afternoon, I am available to give them permission slips to go out to the city, and I have to keep track of who goes where, until the evening. A few times a week, an hour before dinner, I run an activity for the class along with the Dorm Mechanechet (my co-staff member on the class). Then we eat dinner and settle down for the night, make sure the girls are relaxed and in their rooms for lights out.

Tell us a story of a time you feel that you really made a difference?

I felt that I had a big impact during the beginning of the year, with the reception (Klita) of the girls in Israel. My class is new, this year being its first year on Na’ale (and in Israel), and because of that during the beginning of the program the staff was very focused on making sure their reception was as smooth and warm as possible. We tried to help them settle and feel comfortable in Israel and in the Ulpana, to minimize the overwhelming feeling that is so natural to have and to encourage them and nurture their excitement for the coming year. Looking back, I see that the effort we put in paid off, and the girls had a smooth and positive transition. With a lot of help and hard work (physical organizational work and emotional effort), we managed to make them feel welcome and loved by their new family in Israel.

What was your greatest challenge in the job?

The greatest challenge I experience is finding the balance between taking care of the girls/ taking responsibility for them, and giving them a relaxed and enjoyable experience in the dorm. As one of the two immediate staff members of the class, I have to look out for the girls’ heath and safety and well-being, because I am responsible for these girls whose parents are not in Israel to take care of them. On the other hand, I also want to be able to trust them, and create a comfortable environment where they can have fun and be themselves because this is their home.

What was your favorite part of the job?

My favorite part of my job is my Chanichot, the girls I work with. Every single day I am inspired by them, by their motivation to work hard and learn a new language and new culture, by the fact that they came to Israel at such a young age. Through them, I learn new things about different cultures and countries every day, and it is so beautiful to watch girls who come from such different worlds befriend each other and grow next to each other and learn from one another. The incredible diversity in my class, and despite that, the unity, friendship, kindness, and compassion that is found in the group, simply amazes me and makes my job such an uplifting experience.