Helping Hands
After October 7th, we felt helpless. Yes, we attended rallies and were involved in activism; however, it simply did not feel as if we were doing everything we could to show our support for the children who were suffering in Israel. We knew that there was more to do—we imagined how we would feel in a war-torn country, unable to attend school and interact with friends. Such isolation and instability must be distressing for our Israeli peers. In some ways, it was almost reminiscent of quarantine during COVID-19. Although we could not imagine what it felt like to be directly impacted by war, we knew what it felt like to lose our daily routine and to be isolated from our friends.
In response to our feeling powerless and a deep desire to help our Israeli brothers and sisters, Caroline Efron (another 10th-grade student at Ramaz) and I established an organization called “Helping Hands.” “Helping Hands” connects students in America to Israeli children and teenagers via Zoom. This partnership seeks to brighten the days of Israeli youth and offer them a mental break from the terrible events that have occurred over the past three months. Israeli parents with young children find our program helpful because we keep their children occupied for an hour while teaching them English through fun games and projects. During this time, parents can catch up on their work, take a break, or do household chores.
Connecting with high school students close to our age has been an eye-opening experience for us and our friends. We have only had a small glimpse into the lives of these teenagers; yet, we have all obtained a newfound appreciation for the safety and security we are granted as Americans. By hearing firsthand accounts of the challenging times our peers are living through, our empathy has grown and we have challenged ourselves to find creative ways to engage with the teens. We are connected with 10th-grade students who live in very close proximity to Gaza. Although we are teaching them English and available to help them with academic subjects, our strongest contribution is the genuine connection that we establish. We discuss our different cultures and experiences but find commonality by discussing sports and celebrities like Taylor Swift. Our program is gaining traction and has inspired us to go further and attempt to help our peers all over the world. We are now partnering American students with children who have fled the Ukraine and are in need of academic assistance. We are grateful for the opportunity to make a difference and hope to keep expanding our efforts.
Written by: Matthew Fisher and Caroline Efron, 1/10/24
