Yad L’Ezra iVolunteer Dinner in Melbourne
Over 100 girls of Beth Rivkah High School of Melbourne volunteer weekly as part of Yad L’Ezra iVolunteer were honoured at their annual dinner. 
The five divisions of YLIV include Visiting the Elderly, Tutoring, Big and Lil Sister, Help at Home, and Fundraising. The girls visit many homes in the Melbourne community weekly to help local families with the children and light housework. They are paired up with girls in primary school to help them with their homework and study, or as a mentor in the Big and Lil Sister division. They bring joy to many elderly men and women living in nursing homes, and have amazing fundraisers, raising money for a myriad of causes.
The gala dinner was attended by close to 200 parents, students and recipients, and many proud Beth Rivkah and Chabad Youth faculty members. The girls shared how much they enjoyed volunteering and how the process of giving really gave them so much more than they invested. They were delighted to partake in a Chinese Auction prepared exclusively for them, as well as receive a YLIV bluetooth speaker.
Brocha Tsap shared her pride in her daughters’ accomplishments as they volunteer for a few years now. Pessy L. represented the many recipients in sharing how much easier the Yad L’Ezra iVolunteer girls made her day. She thanked them via a multimedia presentation, for helping her with the daily excitement of young children, and always leaving her home with so much accomplished.
Volunteers shared some powerful reflections as well. “Tutoring helps me grow as a person, and I truly owe that to the girl I tutor,” shared Hodaya Peretz. “I love coming after school and being given the opportunity to help with homework..As a whole, I have really enjoyed and gained.”
Aliyah Menachem is a primary student, who’s big sister from the YLIV program is Faigy Sufrin. “I never thought that I would enjoy Big sister so much! I love being with my big sister and doing lots of activities together,” Aliyah recounted.
The amazing dinner, the decor, and the beautiful atmosphere were the product of countless hours invested by the shluchot, Rivkah Cohen and Raizel Gutnick.
The parent committee of YLIV helps to ensure that the program can grow maximally, with safety as its first priority. Thank you Mrs. Devorah Rochel Herszberg, Mrs. Debbie Wolf, Mrs. Rivkah Liberow, and Mrs. Miri Lipskier. The year 12 ambassadors have done a fabulous job in arranging appreciation events for the many volunteers throughout the year. Thank you Adina Tilson, Rechel Groner, Dobba Raskin, and Leah Barber!
Yad L’Ezra iVolunteer is a joint project of Chabad Youth Melbourne and Beth Rivkah High School.
