Tehila Carl is spending her gap year studying at Darkaynu. She is from Teaneck and graduated from SINAI at Maayanot. Just as her classmates were pursuing their options for a year of serious learning in Israel, Tehila was also interested in this next step. This is exactly why Darkaynu was created.

Darkaynu is a program for English-speaking young women who are at least one year out of high school and have special needs. These girls come to Israel for a year or two to study Torah at Midreshet Lindenbaum, as well as to gain work experience. Once a week, instead of going to work, all of the Darkaynu girls perform chesed.

Tehila is “having a great year this year at Darkaynu. Just like my brothers and sisters got to learn in Israel, I also get to be here and learn Torah.”

She continued, “My favorite class this year is my Mishna class with Rav Haim. We are learning a ton, and at the end of the year, we will have a siyum, after completing the whole set.”

Tehila and the other girls in the Darkaynu program learn b’chevruta, like their counterparts in seminary.

“I love learning with my chavruta, Noa. We have the best time together,” Tehila remarked.

Each day, Tehila goes to work at a Gan. “I help make sure the kids are having fun and playing safely. I’m learning how to work and be part of the team,” she said.

The goal of the program is to instill in the girls a greater sense of independence. For most of the girls, it is their first time living outside of their home and outside of their parents’ supervision. They learn skills for independence like keeping a budget, using a personal phone, making plans for “off” Shabbatot, getting to work every day and keeping in touch with their family by phone and email. All of these skills will enable them to progress towards a better, more meaningful adult life.

“I’m so happy to be here in Israel. I feel so lucky,” Tehila concluded.