IN November, 1980, as a participant in a Federation mission to Israel, I saw Lods Yad Avraham neighborhood for the first time.
Streets were strewn with trash and sewage, houses were on the verge of collapse and the neighborhoods residents appeared exhausted and discouraged.
After a short briefing, I accepted a personal mission to help this neighborhood.
In 1978, shortly after becoming Israels Prime Minister, Menachem Begin, distraught over conditions in many of the countrys poorest neighborhoods, created a program whereby communities in the Diaspora would twin with distressed neighborhoods in Israel for the purpose of rehabilitating the neighborhood.
He called this Project Renewal.
There would be a partnership between the community and the Government of Israel with support from the Jewish Agency for Israel.
Through improved housing, better equipped schools, targeted job training and whatever was necessary to improve the life of the residents, Begin believed that Project Renewal would change the face of Israels disadvantaged population.
Important to Begin was for Israels citizens to live with dignity and for the twinned neighborhoods to become self-sufficient.
IN North America, most major cities twinned with at least one neighborhood. Denver selected the Yad Avraham neighborhood, home to approximately 12,000 residents, many from North Africa.
Many of these people had arrived shortly after Israels statehood and almost three generations later their living standards had not improved.
In addition to the poor physical conditions, this neighborhood had a serious drug problem, child and parental abuse, and a reputation so negative that many of the youth were not considered candidates for army service.
Three generations were living in two room houses, women were unqualified for even the lowest paying jobs, and day-care facilities were unavailable.
The Denver community had a Project Renewal committee in place and many, like me, joined the ranks.
We saw this as an optimal opportunity to make a difference in the lives of 12,000 disadvantaged Israelis, people we didnt know, but would soon become our Israel family.
Funds were raised and Denver joined with the Israeli government in reshaping the face of the neighborhood.
Over a period of several years, renovated housing, a proper drainage system, improved schools and adult education classes were among the many improvements, all with measurable results.
DURING this time of positive change, it was imperative that the neighborhood and the Denver community stay connected. This partnership resulted in the decision to build a community center to benefit all the residents.
A community center in a distressed Israeli neighborhood is indeed the center of the community.
The center would have dedicated space for a visiting doctor and nurse, a library, computer room, seniors lounge, nursery, dance studio, 450 seat auditorium and facilities for a plethora of programs.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held at 13 Disraeli St. in the fall of 1985, attended by an overwhelming majority of neighborhood residents and a large contingent of caring Denverites.
In November, 1987, after the resolution of many issues, the beautiful, new, state-of-the-art community center was dedicated as the Denver Lod Yad Avraham Community Center.
If success can be measured in hugs and kisses, laughter, dancing, singing, praise and thanks, Denver reached the pinnacle.
After the centers completion, responsibility for maintenance and programming was transferred to the municipality and the Association of Community Centers for Israel.
Under an exemplary mayor, the neighborhood and the center thrived for many years.
Then a downturn in Israels economy created a hardship for the municipality resulting in the closure of the Center from 2003-2005, during which time a fire destroyed a section of the building.
In 1995, a group of 200 Orthodox families, Garin Torani, who refer to themselves as a social settlement, received permission to operate the center.
Members of Garin Torani work in a variety of profession, including education, high tech, and medicine.
Their agenda is to provide programming in response to the multi-dimensional needs of the community.
Due to budgetary constraints, programs and services are prioritized. Garin Toranis funds come from donations, but no child, Jewish or Arab, is turned away because of inability to pay.
Garins goal is the betterment of the neighborhood.
ON Nov. 4, 2010, my husband and I visited the Denver Lod Yad Avraham Community Center. ? Standing in front of the building, I thought of the events of the past 30 years and how privileged Denver has been to be involved in this little piece of history.
How many pregnant women attended pre-natal classes at the Center?
How many boys and girls played basketball at the centers court before leaving for army service?
How many seniors were given a second chance because of programming designed to enhance their health and welfare?
How many plays, concerts, lectures and programs were attended by how many residents in the Centers auditorium?
Mainly, how many men, women, boys, and girls walked up the stairs, into the center, because it provided comfort, camaraderie, education, fun and happiness?
The center was the place to go. It was the destination.
Am I grateful I visited Lods Yad Avraham neighborhood 30 years ago? You bet!
