Story of Impact: Kiryat Malachi Art City Dancers

The residents of Kiryat Malachi, Israel, come from many different backgrounds. Many families came to Israel from Ethiopia, the former Soviet Union, Iraq, Yemen, Romania and other nations, hoping that a new life in the Jewish state would provide their children with a safer and brighter future then they had as Jews in their native countries. As they settled into the largely immigrant community of Kiryat Malachi, most would never have dreamed that one day, their children would travel the world, performing in an award-winning dance troupe. Just a few years ago, the odds were against their children even graduating from high school; but because of the support of the TIPS partnership, a partnership between several Jewish Federation communities in the western part of the United States, an area where after-school activities were almost unheard of due to a lack of funds is transforming into an area where families see their children's chances of success grow each year.

A key example of the success in the region is the dance troupe named Tzuza, started by our TIPS partnership as an extracurricular cultural arts program. The program offers an amazing opportunity for students to stay off the streets and instead explore cultural arts in a safe environment supervised by positive role models. The dance program has been one of Kiryat Malachi's best success stories. In two years, participants went from a group of amateur dancers with no experience to an award-winning troupe that has performed alongside some of the best dance companies in Israel, ultimately winning second place in a large jazz competition in which 60 groups had participated. More important than the prizes and prestige, however, is the newfound pride that the dancers now take not only in themselves, but in their communities. This is your support in action!