ESRA, Home of English Speakers in Israel

Financial Management in an Era of High Cost of Living 💰 Join us for a session on how to manage your household finances during challenging economic times. 🗓 Date: April 27, 2025 ⏰ Time: 20:00 Register here: bit.ly/ESRAfinance25 👨🏫 Speaker: Moshe Levy – Financial Instructor, MBA student, and trained mortgage advisor. Get practical tools, smart strategies, and expert advice to help you navigate today’s financial pressures.

This week, ESRA families enjoyed a wonderful Pesach hike in the Carmel region. Families (including grandparents, parents and children in some cases!) from Ra'anana, Netanya, and further, enjoyed a picnic lunch and shared stories during the day. Our guide, Shmuel Mullins, brought the past to life as we explored the ancient tunnels of Beit She’arim, a fascinating site dating back 2,000 years! The group also visited the NILI museum, where stories of Israel’s early underground spy network captivated both adults and children. It was a perfect day filled with fun, learning, laughter, and community. Missed this trip? More family outings are on the way! Follow us to stay updated on all ESRA events → bit.ly/esraevents

Such beautiful words – we are truly grateful to all our volunteers and ESRA is very fortunate to have you as such an integral part of ESRA!

"We support a community we help to build" – Dale Carnegie Last week, ESRA’s "Tomorrow’s Leaders" evening brought this powerful quote to life - a celebration of a community built by people who care, give, and lead. Together with our amazing volunteers, partners, staff, and inspiring "Students Build a Community" students, we honored the true meaning of community. You are the heartbeat of ESRA - and this evening was a tribute to each and every one of you. Your presence filled the hall with energy, warmth, and purpose. You helped make it a memorable evening, and we hope it offered a glimpse into the meaningful impact we are creating together. And to those who couldn’t make it - don’t worry. You were missed but never forgotten. Our work continues, and your support is felt every step of the way. We invite you to view highlights from the event here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/d6QCmVX7 The evening opened with warm words from Nella Feldsher, ESRA Chair, and סאני מרשנסקי, ESRA CEO, setting the tone for an evening of reflection, impact, and inspiration. A standout moment was the student panel, led by Yolanda Woolf, ESRA Projects Chair, Governance and Compliance Strategy, and Jonathan Mandelbaum Shor, Associate Dean of Humanities at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Through their stories, we witnessed firsthand the resilience, commitment, and courage of our students - many of whom are supporting children and communities during Israel’s time of war. The ceremony, led by Gilad Newman, CEO of Dale Carnegie Israel, included moving presentations by: • Merle Baron Guttmann – ESRA Honorary Life President & Editor of the ESRA Magazine • Richard Stein – Former ESRA Chair • Jonathan Davis – Vice President for External Relations, Head of the Raphael Recanati Reichman University - International School • Nicole Yoder – VP, Aid & Aliyah, ICEJ • Colin Schachat – Dedicated ESRA member and supporter Dr. Liraz Margalit spoke about the essential qualities of modern leadership, while Dr. Elias Farah, Chief Inspector of English Education at the Ministry of Education, shared insights into the innovative initiatives we’re building together - and the strong partnership between ESRA and the משרד החינוך. The event closed with a soulful musical performance by Michael Rose, joined by students from the Rimon School of Music in Akko - an uplifting finale to a great night. One of the most emotional moments of the evening came from the hundreds of heart-shaped thank-you cards created by our children in the "Students Build a Community" project - each filled with a personal message of gratitude, sharing how the project has impacted their lives. Thank you to our champion team, inspiring speakers, and everyone who makes our community stronger. We can’t wait to welcome you to our next event! Noy Fereres (Daniel) Kylie Cohen

https://lnkd.in/daNZaKUw

What an inspiring session Tomer T. and Climate First thank you very much! At ESRA, we believe that meaningful change starts with informed conversations and this session highlighted exactly that. A special shout-out to the incredible ESRA volunteers who are always eager to learn, grow, and take action. Your dedication continues to inspire positive change in our communities. The ESRA family are grateful for your contribution and the ongoing efforts to create a brighter tomorrow! 🌱♻️ #ClimateAction #Sustainability #CommunityImpact #Israel Nella Feldsher סאני מרשנסקי

Chag Purim Sameach! This week, as ESRA's Students Build a Community (SBC) projects celebrated Purim, the impact extended far beyond costumes and festivities — it was about fostering resilience, building confidence, and strengthening communities. For the 370 children mentored in SBC projects across Israel, activities like these are more than just moments of fun — they create a sense of belonging, offering children the chance to laugh, connect, and feel secure in an environment where they are seen and supported. Much like the Purim story — a tale of overcoming hardship through courage and unity — SBC students play a vital role in transforming lives. With over 18,600 mentoring hours dedicated in the past year alone, ESRA students provide academic guidance, emotional support, and social connection, empowering children to thrive despite the challenges they face. This Purim, the joy and smiles we witnessed were a powerful reminder that, with the right support, children can feel safe, valued, and equipped to face whatever lies ahead. #puriminisrael #israelprojects #nonprofitisrael

https://lnkd.in/dbqsmsgJ

Last week, ESRA proudly celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of the Excellence Project in the North. The project has opened new opportunities for Junior High school children who may not typically have access to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. In collaboration with Intel Corporation, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, the municipalities of Haifa and Akko, and the Engineering College in partnership with the Israeli Air Force, this initiative provides participants with valuable skills and exposure to technology. By building and programming their own computers with kits provided by Intel, the children gain confidence, curiosity, and the foundational tools for an exciting professional future in the tech world. Over 10 weeks, 21 participants working with 8 ESRA students, received programming, algorithm design, and game development training at the Technion, alongside English lessons to familiarize them with essential STEM terminology. This initiative is more than an academic program—it is a pathway to equal opportunity, ensuring that any child, regardless of background, can access Israel’s thriving technology sector. By fostering curiosity and breaking down barriers, ESRA and its partners are helping shape a more inclusive and innovative future for Israeli society. Thank you to everyone who made this happen! סאני מרשנסקי Noy Fereres (Daniel) Kylie Cohen Efrat Oryan-Yogev

https://lnkd.in/duPKtCkx