An Israeli youth programme founded by former naval commandos has reported improvements in self-confidence and school attendance among participants, according to a new survey of its graduates.
Ziv Neurim, which works with thousands of young people in 14 centres across Israel, uses sailing, surfing, swimming and rowing as tools to build resilience, leadership and a sense of belonging among pupils at risk of disengaging from education.
The organisation said 39 per cent of graduates surveyed identified increased self-confidence and belief in their own abilities as the programme’s most significant contribution to their lives.
A third reported improved school attendance after taking part, while 60 per cent said their attendance remained stable and only eight per cent reported a decline.
Ziv Neurim works in partnership with Israel’s Education Ministry and provides long-term programmes in primary and secondary schools rather than one-off activities.
It was founded more than 26 years ago by veterans of the Israeli Navy’s elite Shayetet 13 unit in memory of their friend Ziv Levy, with the aim of preventing young people from dropping out of education.
The charity has since expanded its programmes to support evacuee and bereaved families, soldiers and reservists, and people affected by trauma as a result of military service.
Eil Rolnitsky, CEO of Ziv Neurim told the JC: “The State of Israel is facing a very big educational challenge today. We encounter teenage boys and girls who do not always manage to find their place within traditional frameworks, and sometimes we very quickly label them as 'problematic', as those who do not cooperate or as those who are not motivated.
“But many times the problem is not with the child, but with the fact that we are still trying to educate everyone in the same way.”
He said the programme is teaching children life skills such as teamwork and coping mechanisms.
“We believe that true education is not measured only by grades. It is measured by a teenager's ability to get up after failure, to persevere in a task, to take responsibility, to ask for help, to work with others and to believe that he has a future.”
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