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Ovadia Balai, 14, said that being chosen for the Weizmann Institute program gave him a real boost. |
"I've always wanted to be a professional soccer player," said 14 year old Ovadia Balai, "but I guess I'm going to have to compromise and be a high-tech executive."
Balai is one of 52 eighth grade students chosen to take part in a special science program for Ethiopian-Israeli teenagers. The multi-year program, which began in October at the Weizmann Institute of Science, was initiated and is funded by the Jewish Agency and the UJA Federation of New York.
A similar program was launched at the Technion in Haifa last year, for 9th graders, which has already helped many Ethiopian-born students begin fulfilling their potential. The new Weizmann Institute targets 8th grade pupils, thus offering an additional year of enrichment.
Balai immigrated to Israel with his parents from Ethiopia's Gondar province five years ago. He lives with his family in Lod.
"The first time I heard about this course was when one of my teachers called me in for a meeting," he recounted. "I thought I was going to be reprimanded for something. But I was told I'd been chosen to attend the Weizmann program. It gave me a great boost. My friends have been very envious."
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Talented youngsters learn what makes things tick at a special scientific enrichment program initiated by the Jewish Agency and the UJA Federation of New York. |
The year-long program of technological and scientific enrichment will bring the children -- from Yavne, Rishon LeZion, Lod, Ramle and Beer Yaakov -- to the Weizmann Institute once a week in the afternoon for tuition in all disciplines from math, biology, chemistry and physics. Classes are taught by the prestigious academy's postgraduate students. Tutors will come to the pupils' schools on an additional afternoon each week.
Some 78 talented youngsters were initially brought to a four day summer camp at the Weizmann Institute several months ago. Of these, 52 were chosen by their schools to participate in the program.
Kobi Zena, age 22, is the program coordinator. He immigrated to Israel in 1989 from Ethiopia. He is a law student at the Rishon LeZion College of Management.
Among the parents at the opening ceremony of the Weizmann Institute program was Shai Demose from Lod whose son Yaakov was taking part in the program. "We are very grateful," he said, "and I am sure that our children will make the most of this opportunity."
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Yael Bentzon and David Avram find that the study of scientific subjects satisfies their curiosity. |
Other children taking part in the course include Yael Bentzon, 13, from Rishon LeZion who immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia five years ago.
"I'm not sure if I want to work in science," she said. "But I love learning the subject. It's fascinating seeing what makes things tick."
Fourteen year old David Avram from Rehovot who immigrated in 1992 expressed similar sentiments. "I've always loved taking things apart," he said. "Science satisfies my curiosity."
Credits: Photos by Vera Etzion.
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