Israeli Institution 'Netivei Noam' Revives Hope for Struggling Youth After Multiple Failures
As the new school year begins, many Israeli parents face anxiety when their children struggle to fit into traditional educational settings. These youths, often talented and normal, suffer from undiagnosed learning disabilities, emotional challenges, or social pressures, leading to frustration, behavioral issues, and repeated school changes. Typically, such boys have attended around five different institutions, all unable to meet their unique needs.
Rabbi Nachman Dovdevani, head of the 'Netivei Noam' institution, part of the 'Magen Avraham' network, has dedicated 20 years to supporting these overlooked boys aged 10 to 18. He explains that while mainstream systems cannot handle their difficulties, 'Netivei Noam' offers a comprehensive professional framework including educational counselors, social workers, and emotional therapists alongside a devoted teaching staff. The institution emphasizes diverse activities such as sports, arts, woodworking, and cooking to build self-confidence through small successes.
Rabbi Dovdevani shares a transformative story of a 12-year-old boy with severe reading difficulties and low self-esteem who, after receiving emotional support and personalized care, gained independence and now serves in a senior role in the Border Police. The deep personal connections formed at 'Netivei Noam' extend beyond schooling, with graduates maintaining lifelong bonds with staff.
The rabbi warns parents against complacency, stressing that today's technological and social challenges accelerate decline if issues are ignored. He urges families to seek tailored frameworks that empower their children, even if different from initial expectations, to foster healthy identities and successful futures. Graduates of 'Netivei Noam' often continue to thrive in education, vocational training, or structured military service, bringing pride to their families.
Rabbi Dovdevani concludes that every boy deserves a place that believes in him and walks alongside him toward a secure and fulfilling future, encouraging parents to act early in the school year to find the right path for their children.
