Dear Friend of Athena,
The present school year, which began as usual on September 1, has been interrupted. While we are now in the stages of a gradual return to routine after a second lockdown, the majority of students continue to study remotely. Despite challenges, we hope that learning in all age groups will be effective, and that no child will be left behind.
Sadly, teachers again were not included in the Ministry of Education's ICT program and it looks like they are not going to be equipped with the tools needed for remote education.
Did you know, that:
- About 50% of teachers share a computer with other family members?
- About 2/3 have not had relevant professional training in the last 5 years?
- About 93% of teachers had to purchase their own computer?
- About 2/3 of them have a computer that is over 5 years old?
Looking at this data, can anyone promise children an education that is suitable for the 21st century? Is the generation growing up today receiving all the tools and knowledge they need in order to succeed and advance?
In our 13 years of activity, Athena Fund has given a "digital toolbox," which includes a laptop and professional training, to almost 26,000 school and kindergarten teachers in 168 municipalities all over Israel. These regular and special education teachers attest to great success in remote education during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we have been receiving many thank you letters from pedagogical teams and educators.
It's no secret that when teachers have the most advanced tools and appropriate training, learning becomes more enjoyable, effective and interactive. Athena Fund continues to promote our "Digital Toolbox for Every Teacher" program in many municipalities across Israel.
Now more than ever we need your help!
Without donors and supporters like you, Athena Fund cannot succeed. Your generous donation will help us to continue empowering Israeli teachers, so that they can keep raising generations of children who will lead the State of Israel in the coming future.
With gratitude, and in hope of a fast return to a normal routine,
Uri Ben-Ari
Founder and President
Athena Fund
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A Personal Laptop Really Saved Me
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During the COVID-19 outbreak we received the following letter, which shows how educators really need a personal computer.
I would like to thank the "Digital Toolbox for Every Teacher" project.
It truly saved me.
I'm a single mother and for the past 7 years I've been raising two children on my own.
My previous laptop died and I did not have the option to purchase a computer for personal use. I was able to use only my office computer at school (I'm a middle-school councselor).
Receiving a laptop a year-and-a-half ago really saved me – especially during these days.
Thank you so very much!
Gali
During the COVID-19 outbreak we continued to distribute our "digital toolbox" to school and kindergarten teachers all over Israel. In recent months, teachers from Tel Aviv, Nitzan Beer Sheva, Hispin High School Yeshiva in the Golan, Kfar Shmariyahu Local Council (LC) and Drom HaSharon Regional Council (RC) have joined the "Digital Toolbox for Every Teacher" program.
In the upcoming months more municipalities will be joining the program, including Beit Aryeh-Ofarim LC, Yehud-Monosson, Petah Tikva, Kiryat Gat, Kiryat Malachi, Karnei Shomron LC, Lachish RC, Yaffiya LC, Nahariya, Bnei Brak, Aleh Negev Nahalat Eran, Akko and Safed. Even now, other municipalities are asking to join the program and we are working on raising funds for teachers in these municipalities.
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Athena Celebrates Bar Mitzvah
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On November 14, 2020 we will celebrate 13 years of working to empower school and kindergarten teachers in Israel.
Sadly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year we will not be able to host a celebration with the amazing people who have helped us advance Athena Fund's vision all over Israel. Nevertheless, we would like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU. THANK YOU to all our strategic partners – the Teachers' Union, the Ministry of Education, Bank Massad, the Ted Arison Family Foundation and the Sylvan Adams Family Foundation. THANK YOU to all our donors – companies, foundations, and individuals. Thanks to your support and generous gifts we were able to bring about real change by strengthening and empowering teachers, who work tirelessly on educating Israel's future generations.
We wish all of you and ourselves a fruitful year full of "doing good." We hope to continue working side by side until every teacher in Israel has received a "digital toolbox."
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A photo from the recognition ceremony for our strategic partners during our 12th Birthday celebration in November 2019. From right to left: Uri Ben-Ari, Founder and President, Athena Fund; Udi Rubinstein, Chairman of Athena's Executive Committee; Daphna Tamir, Athena's Programs Director; Major General (Res.) Elyezer Shkedy, Athena Fund Advisory Board Member; Shelly Shahar, Chairwoman, Mafil Board of Directors; Raheli Cohen, Deputy CEO and VP of Finances, Ted Arison Family Foundation; Yifat Shmuelevich, VP Social Investments, Ted Arison Family Foundation; Gaby Teitel, CEO, Bank Massad; Yaffa Ben David, Secretary General, Teachers' Union; Kobi Rafaeli, Director of Technology Assimilation Division, Ministry of Education; Roni Dayan, former Computer Applications Division Manager, Ministry of Education.
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