AMERICAN FRIENDS OF NEOT KEDUMIM PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

I am extremely gratified to report that American Friends of Neot Kedumim made significant progress in both of its critical mission areas: (1) Education and (2) Financial Support of Neot Kedumim.

Clearly, an appropriate title for the past year’s work would be “The Year of Education”. We have brought the message of Neot Kedumim and its lessons to more schools, synagogues, churches and community groups than ever before.

Each time I receive a request for brochures and newsletters (which we have in stock) and posters (which, unfortunately, we can no longer afford to print) from a synagogue for use in their Tzedakah (charity) fair, I am filled with hope and joy.

This past year, Neot Kedumim was represented at 5 such fairs. The booths are staffed by students, under the direction of their teachers.

Education has taken other forms as well. In the past year, I have spoken at a total of 13 schools, conferences, synagogues, and churches. Each venue provides an opportunity to teach new audiences about the amazing work of Neot Kedumim.

Education takes many forms, both direct and indirect. Some examples of indirect education would be Neot Kedumim’s Second Annual Benefit Concert in Miami. In this case, AFNK Board member, Cantor Dr. Ramón Tasat, spoke about Neot Kedumim during his performance. AFNK has been in contact with institutions as diverse as Bar Ilan University and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. In these cases, AFNK is able to build upon the reputation of Neot Kedumim and engage in networking which results in spreading our message to wider audiences.

What does the future hold? AFNK is in the process of creating educational CD’s for use by educators and lay people throughout the world. Talk about spreading the word!

AFNK does not use any donated funds for my work (in fact, when I speak to groups, I request that, in lieu of an honorarium, a donation be made to AFNK). Still, the ability to create these projects is the direct result of your continued support. How so? When we are able to send ever-increasing amounts of your donations to Israel, then I have the time to give more presentations and explore additional educational initiatives. The information and teaching increase in a spiral that has at its core your generosity.

Gratefully submitted,

Paula Tobenfeld

President, American Friends of Neot Kedumim