Enrichment Center at Ahavat Zion

Creating a holistic learning space for children who need additional support

Ahavat Zion is an elementary school located in the Old North neighborhood of Tel Aviv, with approximately 700 students, including some special education classes. Its pedagogical approach is personalized, innovative and holistic, catering for students’ academic, social and emotional needs.

Non-classroom based learning is very important at Ahavat Zion but has been constrained by a lack of break-out spaces. There was also a need for a holistic space which could provide additional learning support for students as well as address their social and emotional needs through music, story time, art, or small group or individual engagement with teachers.

To address these two needs, teachers and parents at the school worked together to convert the outside air-raid shelter into an Enrichment Center – the first of its kind in Israel. Approximately 200 students use the Enrichment Center per week. The center integrates mainstream and special education students and caters to students on the autism spectrum, students with academic difficulties and students who need extra emotional support due to challenges at home or school.

Following the success of the pilot, Ahavat Zion seeks to professionalize and expand the Enrichment Center over the coming three years, as well as create a model which can be replicated in other schools throughout the city and country.

The Tel Aviv Foundation is seeking a philanthropic investment towards the operation and expansion of the Enrichment Center over three years.

Requested donation: $275,000