About Us
The leading team
A multi-disciplinary, professional and skilled team works together at our children's home, striving to provide all the children's needs. Along with administrators and maintenance personnel who run a beautiful house and family, we have a staff of experts, including: psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, therapists, private teachers, coordinators, counselors; girls and boys doing their National Service. They all work together, giving their heart and soul, applying innovative methods for treating, enriching and advancing our children.
Yehuda Kohn – the father of the Children's Home
Yehuda Kohn is "everyone's father", the living spirit, manager of the Children's Home since 1991. Yehuda is a trained educator and an administrator who has devoted his entire life to working with children and youth at risk. He served as a rabbi-educator and vice principal of the Technological College at Sitrin Youth Village for adolescent boys. He was then sent to Brazil by the Department for Diaspora Education & Culture and the Zionist Organization.
In 1991, he and his family arrived at the Bet Elazraki Children's Home which has been their home since. Together with his wife they raised five children of their own, plus all 180 children that Bet Elazarki is their home. Yehuda's door is always open to every boy and girl and they are his entire universe and object.
Yehuda is not just a manager, in his daily routine he wears several "hats"; he is the kind, compassionate, hugging father. He is the producer, organizer & manager. On the one hand a strict educator who instills values and draws clear limits, on the other hand the person who gives the children hope. He maneuvers with astounding virtuosity between these roles and the children love and respect him.
Yehuda's motto: give them the best, from the most scented fabric softener that fills the children's home with a wonderful fragrance, to the most skilled, professional private teacher. Yehuda's work at the children's home is never-ending, uncompromising and consistent. You can always give more, says Yehuda!
Four major functions work alongside Yehuda, these are the professional "branches" that are responsible for the following aspects of the children's lives: learning, stability and order, emotional-therapeutic, household and hygiene. These four branches provide the children at the home an organized, high-quality life.
Beni Suliman – vice director, in charge of scholastic activities
Beni manages all scholastic activities at the children's home with great skill and professionalism. His extensive experience in teaching and special education and his many years at Bet Elazraki speak for themselves. Beni is responsible for the tutoring program, in charge of all the private teachers and closely monitors the achievements and progress of every child. Furthermore, he is responsible for organizing and operating the children's home summer activities.
Yifat Milo – vice director, in charge of stability
Bet Elazraki provides the children with a very clear, steady and organized way of life – unlike their past experience which was unclear, unstable and disorderly. Yifat is responsible for this stability. She orchestrates the clear, orderly schedule at the Home. She ensures every task is performed according to plan and every promise is fulfilled on time. Yifat is the official "clock" in our Home; she provides the everyday routine with stability and permanence so vital to the children's self-confidence and function.
Esti Elias– head of the therapeutic staff
Esti, a social worker by training and profession, is responsible for the entire therapeutic and emotional aspect of the children's home. Naturally this aspect has enormous significance when it comes to "children at risk" who have undergone trauma and many emotional difficulties. Within the children's home, Esti is responsible for all therapy and psychological treatments and presides over the therapeutic staff: social workers, psychologists and various therapists. She is also the one handling all communications between the children and their families as well as with welfare bureaus across the country.
Riki Kohn – the mother of the house
Riki is the tender caring mother to all our children. Responsibility for running the household, maintenance and ongoing function of the house lies in her capable hands. In her efforts to ensure good living conditions for the children, she makes sure hygiene is kept, that each child has a clean bed and suitable clothing that always smells good.