PUSH is a non-profit organization in Israel that aims to give a “push” to disadvantaged children by tutoring them within the framework of the public school system. The volunteers of PUSH tutor the pupils at school on a weekly basis during the entire school year, helping them with basic skills such as grammar, spelling, mathematics, English and science.
The ultimate goal of PUSH is to increase the pupils' chances to graduate with full matriculation, open doors for those interested in higher education and to provide today’s disadvantaged youth with the skills they need to join the workforce in today’s competitive climate.
There are many areas where PUSH volunteers do not have the professional skills required to help various pupils. Evaluation and assessment of learning disabilities and remedial teaching require specialized and trained professionals. To that end, PUSH employs remedial teachers in specific locations, such as Or Yehuda and Rosh Ha`ain, where there is a lack of facilities and staff for these special activities.
PUSH was founded by Odelia Shpitalni, an attorney with an established record of community involvement and public service. She has held the post of legal counsel at the Tel Aviv Municipality as well as at Tel Hashomer and Tel Aviv Medical Centers. In addition, she has served on local education councils. Odelia has a Master’s degree from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Currently, Odelia serves as the chairperson of PUSH.
What has PUSH accomplished?
PUSH began its activities in 2002 in Or Yehuda, an Israeli town comprised largely of working class citizens with a relatively high percentage of families from the lower socio-economic class. Currently, PUSH, with its 1,900 volunteers, tutors more than 4,000 children, aged 7-18, in approximately 400 schools in 51 towns in Israel.
PUSH has created a genuine and ongoing connection between Israel's well-established community and the financially and socially less-advantaged population, and has increased the social solidarity and awareness of various groups to the needs and challenges faced by others.
PUSH works in close coordination with the teachers and principals at the schools, and closely monitors the contribution of the volunteers and progress of the pupils. Clear measurements have been defined to examine the success of the program, both from the school's point of view and that of the volunteers.
In her role as Chairperson of PUSH, Odelia Shpitalni work on a voluntary basis, recruits and manages hundreds of volunteers, implements work procedures and maintain strong bonds with the Ministry of Education and the various municipalities.
In honor of her achievements through PUSH, Odelia Shpitalni has received awards, such as the 2009 President's Award for Volunteers, which was presented to her by Mr. Shimon Peres.
We need your donations in order to reimburse expenses of volunteers and Regional Coordinator, pay for professional Remedial teachers, and provide the volunteers the tools they need in order to improve their teaching, such as lectures and seminars on relevant topics. Furthermore, PUSH employs 2 full time and 3 part time coordinators/recruiters of volunteers and runs an office for administrative purposes.
PUSH is looking for people and organizations that are prepared to contribute and help PUSH obtain its goals, both by volunteering to teach and by contributing financially. Donations by checks to PUSH are recognized, in Israel and in the U.S., as tax deductible expenses and PUSH abide by all rules and regulations stipulated by the Israeli government for nonprofit organizations.
1. United States: U.S. tax deductible contributions may be sent (and made payable) to P.E.F. Israel Endowment Funds, with a request that it would be used for PUSH.
Please mail your check and recommendation to: 630 Third Avenue, 15TH Floor, New York, NY 10017, USA (http://pefisrael.org/)
2. Israel and elsewhere: Contact the PUSH office at +972-3-5354965 or via our website: www.pushedu.org or by mail: push@pushedu.org