• The Jerusalem Hills Therapeutic Centers
  • 1 Mitzpe St., Kiryat Yearim, Judean Hills, 9083800
  • 972-77-2023400
  • EN
  • HE
  • The Jerusalem Hills Therapeutic Centers
  • 1 Mitzpe St., Kiryat Yearim, Judean Hills, 9083800
  • 972-77-2023400
  • EN
  • HE

Graduates of the JHTC

Over the past 70 years, close to 70% of the graduates of the Children’s Home and the Kemper Group Home have gone on to lead productive lives in the greater community. They always remember the dedication, patience, care, and love that helped turn their nightmares into dreams and gave them the tools to rise above their painful beginnings. 

“As I re-visit the haunts of my childhood memories, I realize that the Home saved me. I thank God there is such a place.”“Today I am both happy and sad – happy that I have successfully walked down such a long path to wellness, and sad that this is the moment of parting and leave-taking. Thank you for having helped me so much!”

“I was well on the road to juvenile delinquency. Today I know that had I not come to the Children’s Home, I would have continued on to a life of crime and violence. Luckily, I got my life back.” “The Home gave me the feeling that I care about myself, that I am not a nobody, and that they love me very much. Now that I am leaving, I feel strong. I’m a little scared, but I think I’ll be able to handle whatever the future brings.”

Graduates Reunion

      

 

In January 2009, the JHTC organized a Grand Reunion for all graduates a moment before moving to the new campus in Kiryat Ya’arim. There was an overwhelming response to the reunion, which was well attended, and letters of thanks poured in for days.

“My childhood memories of my stay at the Children’s Home are deeply engraved in my mind and have had an enormous emotional influence on my life. This emerged yesterday at the reunion. I was moved to see all the buildings with the red roofs and the same walls as if the years hadn’t changed them - my room, my classroom, the dining room, and the entrance to the Home. And to see Chezzi, the eternal director, and friends I haven’t seen in 40 years. I want to thank all the JHTC staff from the bottom of my heart for the great effort invested in finding all the graduates and arranging this unforgettable reunion.”

Benny A., Ramat HaGolan, Graduated 1968

    

Tomer's Story

Major Tomer Bouhadana is the commander whose symbol of hope and victory made the front pages of major newspapers in Israel, immediately transforming the 32 year old officer and graduate of the Children's Home into one of the most inspirational symbols of the Second Lebanese War.

Thanks to a doctor who, with his bare hands, stopped the bleeding vain in Tomer’s neck, Tomer survived after being unconscious for 36 hours. Upon awaking he inquired about the safety of his soldiers.

When Tomer came to the Children's Home, his behavior was so extreme and destructive that he was considered one of the more difficult children. His parents were separated and his life in disarray. But, by the time he was 14, after five years at the Home, Tomer was ready to rejoin mainstream society. He first at­tended agricultural boarding school and then returned home to Tel Aviv where he decided to attend one of the city’s most prestigious high schools. Tomer majored in literature and biology and at the same time developed his skills as a weight-lifter, qualifying for Israel’s select youth team. He brought home medals from in­ternational competitions.

Tomer recog­nizes that the Children’s Home changed the course of his life. In his words: 

“Every door, every tree, every room, every person here has meaning. I think back and pity those who cared for me. I was a trouble maker. They are dear people, who are very important to me and I respect them a lot. Every place where I was needing – they filled.”