Transforming Kiryat Yam Through Enhanced Education
Andi and Larry Wolfe Dedicate Education Wing in the New Farber Auditorium Complex
Andi and Larry Wolfe, ORT America leaders from Detroit, were welcomed by David Even Zur, the Mayor of Kiryat Yam on June 13th to cut the ribbon for the official opening of the Andi and Larry Wolfe Education Wing, a key component of the newly completed Farber Auditorium Complex. They also enjoyed a tour of the facility and were treated to a concert performance by the local conservatory.
“The visit to the new Auditorium Complex was spectacular and exceeded our expectations. Andi and I are proud to have taken such a significant role together with others in the ORT Michigan Region in making this dream a reality for the students and the Kiryat Yam community,” said Larry Wolfe.
“We are extremely grateful for the long-standing support of ORT donors from the ORT Michigan Region who shared the vision for this magnificent project with the people of Kiryat Yam. Their generosity enabled the dream to become a reality. In addition to lead gifts from the Wolfe Family and Farber Family Foundations of David and Nanci, Jeffrey and William and Audrey Farber, the Renée and Earl Ishbia Family Foundation also provided major contributors to this project,” said Dan Green, World ORT Director General & CEO.
(l to r) Dan Green, Moti Dotan, Larry and Andi Wolfe, Mayor David Even Zur, and Dr. Moshe Leiba.
World ORT Kadima Mada (WOKM) partnership with Kiryat Yam began in 2007 to revitalize educational offerings in the severely under-resourced city located in Israel’s northern periphery and home to a large Ethiopian immigrant population. The D. Dan and Betty Kahn STEAM Center at the Rodman high school has already made a difference for students who can explore and discover technology in its maker space, art rooms, and unique learning areas. Together with the municipality, WOKM envisioned a state-of-the-art auditorium complex to transform the town. These investments and the resulting new facilities attracted and incentivized local families who had previously been tempted to move away, to remain in the area and also attracted quality teachers to move there.
“This partnership is so much more than buildings and ceremonies. The auditorium and education complex are game changers for Kiryat Yam, but they are not the main event. The heart of our long and fruitful partnership is making a difference, leaving a mark. These classes will grow the new generation of hi-tech and science in Israel and this stage will be home for young talent. All of them are proud ambassadors of Kiryat Yam’s partnership with World ORT, ORT America, and Kadima Mada,” said Mayor Even Zur.
The Education Wing consists of 12 classrooms that are in close proximity to the Auditorium which seats 550 people. The design of the two-story complex is conducive to exhibitions and gatherings, bringing new opportunities to the local residents to connect and celebrate both academic and cultural events, filling the need for communal gatherings and performances. According to Orit Aviram, Kiryat Yam Spokesperson, there is only a small hallway separating the auditorium and the classrooms, which symbolizes the path for the children to navigate from STEAM education to culture and creativity. “The proximity makes both parts present, accessible, and significant in their lives,” she said.
Moti Dotan, World ORT Kadima Mada Chairman, and Dr. Moshe Leiba, World ORT Kadima Mada Deputy Director General and Chief Pedagogical Officer also participated in the dedication.
