The children’s books of Israeli writer Paul Kor have become the inspiration for a fascinating program in Kiryat Shemona made possible by BeYachad contributions and involvement.

Over 600 children from 20 kindergartens in Kiryat Shemona and Metulla arrive every three weeks to participate in this program, which integrates learning environments from the sciences, the arts, music and theater.

The highly professional staff takes Paul Kor’s stories and breaks them down into theater, arts and crafts, music and scientific understanding. Then, with the children, they put it all back together, experiencing aspects of life they could not learn without such integration. One thing that is apparent while watching the six staff members interact with the children – they love their work.

Miri Gross, the director of the center and science instructor is proud of the value of what the children experience.  "Everything we offer them here, they can’t get in their kindergartens. We couldn’t do this without the help of BeYachad and the city of Kiryat Shemona. Last year we were down to two areas of learning due to lack of funds. Now we have four."

The children arrive at the center after preparation in their kindergartens. They read and learn the story and can easily relate to the characters when they begin their work in the center. With the help of the Information, Measurement & Evaluation unit initiated by BeYachad, the staff was able to define their goals and create a brilliant program.

And the program, which accepts two kindergartens a day, is meeting its educational objectives. 

"We love to activate the kids, help them get into the characters we’re working with and have them learn to work the puppets," Batya Rivah, the puppet theater instructor said. "It’s great for the kids’ personal development."

Osnat Weiss, art teacher who studied at Beit Berl and the Rijksakdemie in Amsterdam, said, "Everything here is connected – from the story and the theater to science and art –it’s all tied together to day to day life."

Five large, beautifully arranged rooms house the project. Each aspect of the program has its own space and the building includes a playroom where the children can release extra energy between tasks.

"My dream now is to develop the area around the building – plant a garden," said Miri. "And we’d  also love to have a web site to show our work."

For many, after six years the current operation of the center is already a dream come true.

Batya summed it up saying, "After the war, this is a great way to cheer-up the children of Kiryat Shemona."