Raz Karni, Head of the Nirim Youth Village, which helps at-risk youth change the course of their lives in a positive direction, participated in a panel at Monday’s Jerusalem Post Conference, entitled “Turning Trauma into Strength.”
Karni, whose organization has changed the life stories of hundreds of Israeli youth, said that the secret to Nirim’s success is a combination of love and setting limits. Nirim was established in memory of Sergeant Major Nir Krichman z"l, an Israeli “Navy Seal” (Shayetet 13) soldier who was killed in battle. Each year, Nirim gives approximately 850 at-risk teens a last chance to turn their lives around.
In addition to the Nirim Youth Village, the organization operates “Nirim in the Neighborhood,” which comprises 18 centers across Israel that work with at-risk youth in the afternoons. These programs serve teenagers who remain in their communities rather than entering residential care. Another Nirim program is Nitzan Nirim, established in the Gaza Envelope, and named after Nitzan Leibstein z”l, a Nirim graduate, who was killed on October 7. His father, Ofir z”l, the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council Chairman, was also murdered on that day by Hamas terrorists.
“We work hard in the youth village, we work hard in the ‘Nirim in the Neighborhood’ program, and we work hard in Nitzan Nirim,” said Karni. “If you have just one person who believes in you, and gives love and limits, change can happen. It’s not a miracle. It’s hard work.” 90% of Nirim graduates enlist in meaningful IDF service, and 85% are eligible for a high school matriculation certificate (bagrut).
Karni added that he derives inspiration from the story of one of his students, who is about to complete the course at the Nirim Youth Village and came to Nirim Youth Village three years ago, from jail. He recently matriculated and will soon join Israel’s naval commando unit, following in the footsteps of Nir Krichman, after whom Nirim is named. “We call them youth at risk, but in many ways, they rescue us.”
This article was written in cooperation with Nirim Youth Village.