Ending Human Trafficking Israel Project #50949

Vocational Training - Women Escaping Prostitution

by Her Academy

Vocational Training - Women Escaping Prostitution

Project Report | Apr 4, 2023
Spring 2023 Report

By Meira Weinstein | Partnerships Coordinator

On March 14, Her Academy opened its Spring Semester with new and veteran students!

We are glad to update you on recent events and happenings at Her Academy

Her Perspective - Photography exhibit featuring works of Her Academy’s photography course graduates

On March 23rd, the gallery opening of “Her Perspective” took place at the Poriya 1 Gallery in Yafo, where we invited our community to be a part of the world as we would like it to be seen. The exhibition featured the works of students who participated in three studio photography courses at Her Academy, led by Louise Green and Meged Guzani. During the course, our students learned various photography techniques and became acquainted with the work and legacy of famous women photographers from around the world. The course culminated in the creation of a final project, which was featured at the exhibit. Proceeds from sales went directly to the student photographers.

The exhibit was a source of great pride for us, and represented the struggle and desire of our students to be seen and heard. As one of our students expressed:

"The process I underwent in the photography course at Her Academy helped me understand myself better and connect with myself. Beforehand I was a "slave" to language. Photography, on the other hand, make me free and allows me to feel and to convey a message to others without words. The viewer can understand and experience my feelings from his or her point of view.”

"I pray we remain one family"

The political events of the last few months affect us all: the uncertainty, disruptions that upset the already difficult day-to-day experience of our students, and fears regarding the future. Women are already socially excluded and on the fringes of society. This causes Her Academy’s students to feel even more anxious and afraid.

We shared one of our students’ fears on our Facebook page.

We invite you to express your support and love.

“I am very afraid to lose everything in an instant.

I pray a civil war won’t break out.

I pray we remain one family.”

Passover at Her Academy

One of the biggest challenges our students face is social isolation and loneliness. That's why we make every effort to be a loving and supportive community for each other. The holidays are a painful time for those who live their lives without family, and as such, every year we celebrate Rosh Hashanah, Purim and Passover together as a community.

Last month we celebrated Purim together with an enchanted and joyful witches' party, full of activities and gifts. This Wednesday eve, we will come together to celebrate the Passover seder, a vegan feast thanks to the hard work of many volunteers. We are tremendously grateful to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, the "CANDIVORE" company, and Tel Aviv’s Reform Synagogue, who donated vouchers for our students.

We thank you for your continued support!

Iris, Tal and the Her Academy team

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Dec 12, 2022
Together we can move mountains!

By Meira Weinstein | Partnerships Coordinator

Sixty-one home addresses. This isn't a viral challenge but the life story of one woman. What's an address if not an anchor? What's home supposed to be if not the feeling of safety, stability, warmth, and love? Sixty-one home addresses tell the story of a life of social exclusion, neglect and risk, instability, and a search for steady ground. This is the story of Bat-El and at least 16,000 girls and women in Israel who are in situations of prostitution and violence.

Many of these women have been neglected and abused their entire lives in places they were supposed to be safe. And by the people who were supposed to provide them with love and security. They're stigmatized and pushed to the outskirts of society, where women are at heightened risk. Despite the ostracization, these women haven't lost hope of fulfilling the life they want for themselves. The vast majority of Her Academy’s students dream of being able to leave behind the situations of prostitution and violence they're in. They aren't giving up, and understand: making this change is as complex as moving a mountain. But most are missing the background, experience and networks necessary to begin on a professional path, and certainly lack the positive and supportive environment needed to take the complicated first steps. Like all of us, they need advice, support, guidance, and a listening ear so that they can overcome the difficulties that lie ahead.

Over the course of 2022, Her Academy has successfully carried out our mission to help women in Israel leave prostitution and secure stable employment, fuel economic empowerment and inspire a significant impact in the self-worth of our students.

Since the start of the year, we have run 53 courses for 172 students, (a more than 100% increase than 2021!) in a wide range of topics and disciplines, including, Beginner’s Hebrew, Beginner’s English, Advanced English, Office Management, Communications and Public Speaking, Photography, Pilates Instruction, Hostel Counselor Training, Basic Computer Skills, Employee Rights, Early Childhood Care, and more.

In 2023, we plan on opening a new branch of Her Academy in Haifa, to support women in Israel's northern region. We thank you for your ongoing support and look forward to sharing future updates with you.

With best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season and a wonderful 2023 ahead,

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Aug 8, 2022
Summer 2022 Report

By Meira Weinstein | Partnerships Coordinator

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your ongoing support and are pleased to share our summer progress report.

Her Academy's spring semester ended with over 70% of students taking part in graduation ceremonies. We are extremely proud of our nine graduates who recently integrated into work, of our graduates who managed to maintain their employment throughout the year, and of our four graduates who received a pay increase.

Student Highlight: Merav Levi

Merav Levi began her studies at Her Academy four year ago when she joined a photography course. Merav fell in love with taking photos and we fell in love with her strong and uncompromising shots. Merav's photos are currently being presented at the Photo is:real exhibit, and her work was highlighted in Ha'artez's magazine blog "Exposure". The article in Hebrew can be found here.

Her Academy Hosts: Conference on Employment for Women Without Status

Eight months ago we lost Zehava. She came to us when she was 20, a transgender Palestinian with no status, and no real possibility of making a living. The existing infrastructure and procedures could not contain Zehava's complex identity and feeling completely lost and hopeless, Zahava took her own life. Like Zehava, there are many other status-less women whose lives are at stake with the current status-quo.

Maytal Stroll, Her Academy's Director of Employment Services, organized the first ever conference on the subject of employment for women without status coming out of prostitution. The conference, which took place on June 12, brought together many of our partner organizations working in the field, such as Assaf - the Aid Organization for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Israel, Worker's Hotline, the Hotline for Refugees and Migrants, the Aguda - Israel's LGBT Taskforce, and Ma'agan - the Shelter for Victims of Human Trafficking. We shared ideas and possible solutions for various populations and carried out sessions to increase knowledge and expand our tools in providing much needed services.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Neta Arnon Shushan will be joining us as our new Director of Pedagogy and we are well underway in planning our fall semester which will begin in October with over 20 courses.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support.

Please consider making a donation by clicking here to help us continue to support women in Israel who are escaping prostitution in search of personal and economic freedom.

Best wishes for an enjoyable rest of the summer,

From all of the staff, volunteers and students at Her Academy

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