Yehudah Kohn, his wife, Riki, take to heart Rabbi Karlibach’s observation that “Every child needs one person who believes in him.” That’s the principle that guides them daily at the Emunah Bet Elazraki Children’s Home in Netanya, Israel. For four decades now, they and their staff have treated every at-risk child who has come to live with them like part of an extended, loving family. Ira Riklis witnessed this in person a number of years back and has helped support the home ever since.
The school is home to more than 200 children, ages 4 through 18, who come from dysfunctional families with histories of violence, drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness and abandonment. At Bet Elazraki, they find the care, guidance, social assistance and therapeutic support they need to grow into healthy, loving adults. And as Ira Riklis has seen time and again over the years, like any true family, the children’s connection with the school continues long after they go out into the world.