Jewish Opportunities Institute

Year after year, JOI continues to identify new solutions, conceptualize new formats, and
forge new programs to maximize opportunity and minimize human suffering and need.

	2009
	Government-sponsored research study of Night Owls scientifically and statistically demonstrates the program's overwhelming effectiveness; 96% of youth benefit Israeli government adopts Night Owls as an official program, providing training and supervision, and gradually plans to assume greater financial responsibility JOI graduates first class of Marriage and Family Counselors, after 7 years of professional training JOI adds scientifically-based and medically-monitored stress management workshop to IPD arsenal JOI aids war-torn Southern Israel during Operation Cast Lead


	2008
	JOI receives “Best inAmerica ” Seal of Approval for highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness and cost-effectiveness by the Independent Charities of America (ICA), placing it in an elite group of .2% of charities Night Owls peaks to 25 cities and 47 counselors, reaching 4500 disengaged youth Night Owls pilots informal identity, relationships and coping workshops Night Owls expands to reach girls dating older Arab men in exchange for favors JOI’s Institute of Personal Development (IPD) director, Yitzchok Pintosevich, is voted top business trainer in Ukraine JOI spins off Mercaz Yehoshua from IPD as a self-sustaining business that empowers hundreds, extending charitable subsidies to those who can’t afford it JOI partners to establish an early-development nursery school, Gan Malchut David


	2007
	Project Night Owls, established in partnership with the Israel Association for Immigrant Children, sends youth counselors out to the streets at night to work with vulnerable teen immigrants in 15 cities. Project LifeLine is initiated to provide critical assistance to most-needy impoverished elderly in 5 cities. JOI introduces youth relationship workshops in Jerusalem high schools. JOI begins relationship seminars for 20s and 30s singles. JOI opens first groups of emotional intelligence enrichment groups for poor immigrant children in city of Beitar. First marriage counselors fully accredited after 5 years of study; training continues into sixth year.


	2006
	JOI’s IPD extends empowerment and interpersonal skills courses into Israeli jails. JOI takes on emergency relief efforts during Lebanon War, providing up to 1000 hot meals daily, weekly food packages, housing, refugee day-camps, and a call center. First marriage enrichment educational videos and TV segments produced. Jerusalem IPD center inaugurated. JOI initites 3-day Mom Camps for relaxation, rejuvination and stimulation of poor, hyper-stressed mothers.


	2005
	JOI creates Institute for Personal Development (IPD), offering array of courses in self-development, personal finance management, English and relaxation. JOI expands IPD from Jerusalem to second center in Petach Tikva. JOI extends to the FSU with another, externally-funded IPD center in Kiev, Ukraine. New program sends JOI-trained marriage counselors, seminar leaders and educators to the Jewish community in the FSU. Husband-and-wife team begin trips to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kiev and Odessa. JOI creates Russian-language family newsletter to publicize and unify our array of family projects. JOI's Family Project launches marriage workshops and day-long and weekend seminars. JOI extends Family Project to parenting workshops. JOI camp program reaches 1000 campers. JOI creates Bar/Bat Mitzvah Twinning Program. JOI's Loan Fund surpasses $50,000 in circulation. Old-age home program expands beyond volunteer visitations to continuing lecture series.


	2004
	To further marriage project, JOI trains 12 to run PAIRS marriage and relationship workshops. JOI helps create special-education class for Russian-speaking children. JOI creates partnership to offer professional testing for learning disabilities. JOI translates, publishes and distributes a Russian version of Gerald Sigal's seminal work on counter-missionary material, The Jew and the Christian Missionary. JOI initiates partnership with crisis hotline to create a Russian-language hotline. JOI co-trains 15 Russian speakers to staff the hotline. JOI sends junior high school students to university learning. Groups learn biotechnology, robotics and law. JOI Education Centers now top 25 science and computer centers and 5000 children on ongoing basis.


	2003
	65 Russian speakers from 11 cities across Israel are trained to be marriage educators. JOI initiates relationship lectures and mentoring programs to boost marriages. JOI begins regular feature in monthly Russian magazine about marriage issues and education. JOI sponsors university preparatory courses. JOI boosts school for special-needs children.


	2002
	JOI begins training 13 Russian-speaking Marital Counselors. Dr. Vadeem Rottenberg and Zina Shmaruk offer weekly psychological counseling and support groups. Assisted Living Home established in Upper Netzeret, providing single, elderly immigrants a secure, full-service, affordable living arrangement. Stars in the Darkness, a Russian-language documentary about Jewish heroine Batia Barg, produced. Women's Jewish learning group opens in Beit Shemesh, Israel. JOI coordinates partnership between special-education professionals and schools.


	2001
	JOI Education Programs reach 4,000 youth weekly. JOI Education Centers total 20 computer centers, 10 science labs, and 11 school libraries. JOI Science Center in Jerusalem mentors Pavel Kovliyov to win Israel's national Intel Science Competition. This same small center of 100 students will send 4 students to the finals over the next five years! JOI Camp Program sponsors nearly 700 youth in summer day camps and recreational summer-school programs. My Child, My Disciple and My Disciple, My Child by N. Orlowek, two stimulating books on home and school education, are adapted, translated and published for general dissemination to the Russian community.


	2000
	First JOI Science Center debuts in Jerusalem. Sports and Music Enrichment Project developed. Staff psychologist Dr. Dov Estrin joins the JOI team. JOI launches 2-year Jewish Educator Course for Russian speakers.

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