The Tikkun Olam program led by ADI opened the 2019 school year with a seminar for employees from all ADI centers: guest and visitor escorts, teachers, National Service volunteers and medical and paramedical staff.
60 staff members participated in the preparatory day, beginning with a tour of the Nachalat Sheva neighborhood of Jerusalem, under the guidance of counselors from the Lotem Association, whose mission is to make nature accessible to all. The group toured Independence Park and downtown Jerusalem under the banner โConnected to Life,โ with an emphasis on seeing firsthand the challenges of accessibility in the history of Jerusalem.
Upon conclusion of the tour, participants continued on to the Menachem Begin Heritage Museum, where Tikkun Olam program director Bat-El Kortosa-Cohen presented Tikkun Olamโs annual program schedule, part of which will be led by ADI staff.
Bat El explained, โThe Tikkun Olam program is the crux of the ideas and beliefs ingrained in the DNA of ADIโs various centers: Bnei Brak, Gedera, Jerusalem and the rehabilitation village ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran. The program imparts the message gleaned from the ADIโs sacred work in providing a home for residents while ensuring their opportunities for education and welfare.โ
Continuing on, ADI staff enjoyed a special luncheon, followed by a unique show, โSpecial Flowersโ โ the story of ADIโs founding and special moments from ADIโs ongoing activity. The show, produced and performed by The Playgo Theater, will be presented during the course of the school year at schools and ADI centers participation in the Tikkun Olam program.
Prior to the playโs opening act, Rabbi Yehuda Marmorstein, CEO of ADI facilities, spoke: โIf anyone asked me 32 years ago if I thought I would be standing here today looking at the ADI familyโs huge empire โ no, I didnโt dream so far in advance. I am truly happy that you have come together today to pass on the moral-educational message, about which much will still be said in the future.โ
Rabbi Marmorstein shared a verse that has guided him over the years, โYou will see My back, but My face will not be seen,โ expounding as follows: โIf a person only looks forward, he will always be searching for a way to reach the peak of the mountain, and that isnโt realistic. How can I build a new facility โ itโs not realistic, there are so many obstacles. If we only look forward, we wonโt have a chance, and despair will set in. But if we look back and see what we have accomplished โ that gives us the strength to push forward. That is the meaning of, โYou will see My backโ โ look backwards to get the strength to move forward.โ
