News and Events

Check out this inspiring perspective on Ofanim from the Jewish Independent in Vancouver! Click here to read the article.

Ofanim profiled in a beautiful story in The Atlanta Jewish Times! Click here to read the article.

Ofanim launches incredible new program at the Technion! This past summer, Ofanim began what will be our most exciting project to date: a Robotics program, co-sponsored by the Technion (Israel's MIT). Each week, children will arrive to the Haifa campus to take part in lessons about the latest and greatest in robotics technology and engineering. In December 2009, Ofanim graduated its first 100 kids from the program and started a second semester with an additional 100 kids. "What makes this program so special," says Ofanim founder, Haim Dahan,"is that it's the first time the Technion is inviting students that they haven't pre-screened as elite children. Because of our special relationship with the institute, we have been able to bring Ofanim's students to the Technion, and the results have just been amazing. The instructors see enormous potential in our kids". Later this spring, Ofanim will unveil one of its newest mobile labs, a Robotics lab also co-designed by the Technion, to complement this program and drive robotics education to Israel's neediest communities!

Ofanim children visit Shenkar College! This past summer, Ofanim continued its award winning summer program, taking Ofanim children to Israel's leading universities and institutions. Ofanim children spend a week in August visiting with the students at Shenkar College in Ramat Gan, and have the opportunity to learn about and experience first-hand various College departments. Children design a shirt in the Textile Department; cast plastic plates in the Plastics Department; mold sculptures in the Ceramics Department; and design three-dimensional figures in the Computer Department. Smiles are always huge at the end of the day, as children chat about their accomplishments and how one day they too could be a student at Shenkar College!

Ofanim trip to Jerusalem! In August 2009, Children spent the morning excitedly exploring Jerusalem’s Science Museum and experiencing the wonders of gravity, learning about sound waves and bridge construction, understanding the differences between gases, solids and liquids, and more. Following lunch, children visited the Time Tunnel, which provides a multi-sensory, entertaining lesson on Jerusalem’s history and present.

Interested in visiting Israel? Friends of Ofanim partners with the pre-eminent Jewish Heritage related tour guides and we are active in scheduling trips for individuals, families and missions  to change the lives of children in Israel. You will spend a day with Ofanim, meet the children and see the buses, as well as visit three other unique organizations helping children in Israel, meet with the Minister of Education and other Israeli leaders who care about education, and more. For more information, contact Friends of Ofanim or visit www.giltravel.com for more details.