Friends of Yemin Orde to Honor Israeli Visionary Educator, Chaim Peri, At International Gala, Featuring Entertainment By Vocalist, Matisyahu

    NEW YORK, NY, January 11, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Friends of Yemin Orde will honor acclaimed visionary educator, Chaim Peri, with its Tikkun Ha'Lev Award at its first-ever international gala, May 8, 2018, at the Mandarin Oriental in New York City. The private evening event will feature an acoustic concert by Jewish American vocalist, Matisyahu. At the gala, Chaim Peri will be honored for his lifetime of devotion and advocacy on behalf of Israel's at-risk and immigrant youth. Tikkun Ha'Lev, which means mending the heart, is an integral part of the Village Way methodology developed by Chaim when he served as Director of Yemin Orde Youth Village for 30 years. Visit http://www.yeminordegala.org to register.

Today, Chaim Peri serves as Founder, Village Way Educational Initiatives (VWEI), as well as Director-Emeritus, of the Village, located in northern Israel. The Village provides a home, school and safe haven to 430 fragile immigrant youth from around the world. VWEI expands the Village Way methodology to other youth villages and high schools throughout Israel.

Matisyahu's most recent album, Undercurrent, is the result of a lifelong musical journey inward and speaks to listeners on a personal level. In a statement, Matisyahu said: "All of my songs are influenced and inspired by the teachings that inspire me. I want my music to have meaning, to be able to touch people and make them think."

Gala Co-Chairs Jeffrey and Kimberly Hirschfeld said Matisyahu's international popularity and his unique acoustic styling will provide for an intimate and one-of-a-kind performance.

"Matisyahu's acoustic concerts are both moving and spiritual. His performance will be appreciated and enjoyed by all generations of guests at our gala," Jeffrey Hirschfeld said.

The Hirschfelds are principals at Hirschfeld Properties LLC and Hirschfeld Management, Inc. (HMI), a diversified real estate development company in New York City. Jeffrey Hirschfeld has
served on the Friends of Yemin Orde Board of Directors since 2011 and, along with his wife, Kimberly, actively advocates on behalf of Yemin Orde.

"Chaim Peri is not only a close friend, but also one of our personal heroes, so it is extra sweet and special to be honoring him with the Tikkun Ha'Lev award," said Jeffrey Hirschfeld. "It will be a special evening that will inspire you and remind you that without our children and those who nurture, guide and protect them, the world cannot and would not exist."

Robert Arogeti, Friends of Yemin Orde National Campaign Chair, said he expects at least 500 guests to attend the gala, including graduates of Yemin Orde, Israeli educators and Yemin Orde supporters from coast to coast. Organizers hope to raise $1.8 million at the gala to help support the excellent academic programs and extra-curricular activities for at-risk youth at Yemin Orde, as well as in other youth villages and public high schools, including Arab communities, in Israel.

The Village Way model is implemented in 36 partner educational communities in Israel impacting 14,200 youth and 1,775 educators since its launch in 2006.

Friends of Yemin Orde is the philanthropic partner of Yemin Orde Youth Village and Village Way Educational Initiatives. The youth village is home, school and safe haven to 430 at-risk immigrant youth from around the world. At Yemin Orde, traumatized youth receive lovingkindness, therapeutic support and an excellent education; they graduate to become hopeful and productive citizens of Israel. Village Way Educational Initiatives expands Yemin Orde's educational methodology, called the Village Way, to 36 other youth villages, therapeutic residential communities and public high schools in Israel with high populations of at-risk youth. Since 2006, the Initiatives has ipacted 14,200 youth and 1,775 educators in Israel. Visit http://www.yeminorde.org for more information.

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