Remembering Our Loved Ones
A.H.A.V.A. has ongoing projects that commemorate the memory of two special people. These projects touch our student's lives on a daily basis.
Ben's Toys
One of A.H.A.V.A.'s most successful methods for effectively teaching English utilizes toys and uniquely designed games during the lessons. Some of these games are specially designed by the A.H.A.V.A. faculty, and some are off-the-shelf toys purchased from stores which fit (or are adapted to meet) our educational needs.
By incorporating toys in a language session, we are able to create a more realistic atmosphere for the student. For example, when teaching words related to foods, the teacher can enact restaurant and picnic scenes together with the students, using plastic fruit and other appropriate props. Similarly, students act out "going to the zoo" using small plastic animals, and "going shopping" at the mall with baby clothing and miniature furniture.
Ben's Toys is a special memorial fund created by A.H.A.V.A. in honor of Benjamin Blutstein, z"l. Ben was a bright young man who had earned a BA in Judaic studies from Dickinson College, PA, and was studying in Jerusalem to be a Jewish educator. His life was tragically cut short by a terrorist's bomb in the Hebrew University cafeteria on July 31, 2002.
Ben loved children and enjoyed interacting with them, so we felt the most appropriate way to remember Ben would be through a fund for children's educational toys.
Please contact us to contribute to this unique fund and honor Ben's memory at the same time.
Vicky Fickler Memorial Library
A well-stocked and organized library is crucial in order to entice children to enter the world of books and reading. Without a good library, all our efforts to teach a child to read are for naught. The Vicki Fickler Memorial Library currently holds over 1,100 books, and the collection is constantly growing.
The Vicki Fickler Library was founded in memory of Vicki Fickler, z"l. Vicki was a master teacher who was able to accurately diagnose a child's learning disabilities, hone in on the appropriate solution, and put it into practice. Vicki's goal was to ensure that each and every student would be competent in basic reading and math, no matter what the child's disabilities. Even after she retired and moved to Israel, Vicki continued to use her tremendous expertise to help Israeli children with learning disabilities.
As A.H.A.V.A. sets up programs in new communities, the Vicki Fickler Library continues to open new branches, spreading books - and Vicki’s memory - throughout Israel.
