Learning Together: Chapter X - Additional Programs

Two projects are included that do not fit conveniently into the topics and problem areas above. One involves training high school students to be entrepreneurs. The second integrates the aged into the educational and social activities of a high school to develop mutual understanding between the younger and older generations.

Young Entrepreneurs Course

Contact:

Moshe Sharir
JDC Israel/Education and Regional Projects Division
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Inc.
P.O. Box 3489, Jerusalem 91034, Israel
Tel: (02) 557167; Fax: (02) 661244

Objective:

To create a future cadre of young entrepreneurs.

To provide participants with the cognitive tools needed to understand the commercial-economic environment.

To teach business skills.

To promote collaboration between schools and the regional factories and businesses.

Target Population:

Tenth and eleventh graders.

Program and Activities:

The Young Entrepreneurs Course was begun in 1990-9l in a number of high schools in urban districts, moshavim and kibbutzim in the Upper Galilee and extended to the Northern Negev in 1992-93. The program focuses on the development of an idea for an industrial product or marketing strategy. The students are given an opportunity to become familiar with each stage of the process — choosing an idea, developing a prototype, conducting a market survey, investigating costing, initiating with an appropriate manufacturer, and, in some instances, actually beginning production.

Each group meets regularly at its school to work on their projects. Meetings of all the participants are held every two to three weeks to discuss various aspects of project development. Each project is planned to last an academic year although students may continue working on their group projects until completion.

Students present their idea to professionals in the field of marketing, production, industry and tourism within their region to generate awareness of the program, acquire professional support and promote the projects on a practical level.

The Senior Citizens Project at Kugel High School

Contact:

Dov Rosenfarb, Principal
The H. Kugel High School
20 Hahistadrut Street
P.O. Box 252
Holon 58102, Israel
Tel. (03) 5012716

Objective:

To integrate the aged into the educational and social activities of the Kugel High School.

To depict the inter-generational link with mutual responsibility of both the older and younger generations.

To integrate the subject of aging into the educational process through a program titled "Living in a Multi-Dimensional Society" aimed at changing students' attitudes regarding the aged.

To provide social, educational and therapeutic enrichment for the retired — i.e., leisure time designed for educational enrichment and finding new friends.

To engage the aged in voluntary services for other older people as well as participating in the educational and community activities at school.

Program and Activities:

Begun in 1982, the Senior Citizens Project conducts two classes in the morning — each class meets for four hours twice a week. "Students" must have retired, have control of the Hebrew language, have at least an elementary education and have a positive attitude toward voluntary community activities.

The educational program is based on subjects taught at the school — literature, Bible, geography, civics, physiology, biology and history — with instruction adjusted to the senior citizens.

The project is jointly shared and operated by the Kugel High School, the Senior Citizens Association in Holon and the Ministry of Labor and Welfare.