A.H.A.V.A.
Bar & Bat Mitzvah Projects
Do you have questions about helping A.H.A.V.A.? Peruse the FAQ down below or email us
I want to support A.H.A.V.A. - What can I do?
You can raise money, collect books, create games for teaching English, donate prizes to motivate students or purchase educational tools for our students. Take a look at our Wish List to see what A.H.A.V.A. could use.
I've decided to raise money for A.H.A.V.A. - How can people donate?
A.H.A.V.A. is a non-profit recognized for tax purposes. Donors receive a tax deductible receipt for Israeli, US and Canadian contributions. Visit our page here for details or download the document to send your donors.
I've decided to collect books for A.H.A.V.A. - What books do you need?
A.H.A.V.A. needs new or gently used books for our libraries.
We need emergent readers, early readers and early chapter books. Emergent readers repeat simple basic phrases in large print and have a picture on each page, for example see here.
Examples of early readers are Dr. Suess, Frog and Toad, or see here, here and here for more examples.
Early chapter books like the Magic Tree House, The Littles and Cam Jansen.
Series are especially great, because kids love to read series and once they have read ten of them they are reading fine on that level!
The trick is to find books that are not too babyish. Funny books, like Dr. Suess, are good. Non-fiction is good because there are fewer idioms and therefore easier to read. Boys often prefer non-fiction.
What do we NOT need?
We do NOT need anything on Israel or Judaism. American books on Judaism and Israel are different then the reality of Israeli kids and they do not relate to them.
We do NOT need anything brittle, falling apart, scribbled on or half done workbooks.
Books related to TV shows are NOT good. Not all our students have televison and TV shows here differ than American ones.
How can you get the books to us?
Anyone coming to Israel can bring a box of books as a piece of luggage. They do take up a lot of space and weight. (Keep in mind that each additional piece costs about $100). We can do a pick up in Jerusalem or meet you here in Mitzpe Yericho.
Another option is to send the books by mail.
A hardcover book weighs about one pound, an average 100 page children's book weighs about 1/3 of a pound, a Dr. Seuss type hardcover is 1/2 pound.
Here is a letter to send with the above information. Email us if you have any questions!
I want to create games for A.H.A.V.A. - How do I make the games? What games are needed?
We use games to teach our students English. Here and here are examples of the types of games we use. They can be printed out in color or black and white, cut, colored and laminated. You can create small objects out of fimo to teach foods, utensils, etc. Email us to verify exactly what our current needs are and how to match them to your interests.
I want to share your Mitzvah Project ideas with my students or child - What can I show them?
In this letter we explain why English is so important and exactly what our Bnei Mitzvah can do to help.