The Sharon Tubol Youth Center was established to give the youth of Arad a recreational club.

The center is named after Sharon Tubol, a member of the Arad community, who was killed during a terrorist bombing, on Oct. 21, 2002. Cpl. Sharon Tubol, 19, of Arad, was one of the 14 people killed when a bus was blown up in a suicide attack by a terrorist driving an explosive-laden jeep near the Karkur junction.

Arad, a small town in the Negev, has limited resources and availability for recreational facilities for the young people of the city.

To this end, the Sharon Tubol youth center was established in conjunction with the cultural center of Arad. This recreational club was made possible by the sponsorship of Partnership 2000 of Arad-Tamar, New Jersey-Delaware. Special thanks should be given to Marilyn and Gerald Flanzbaum of Central New Jersey Jewish Federation for their kind generosity.

The center opened its doors in January 2004. The structure, a bomb shelter, was transformed into a club for the young people of Arad. The club is open every evening of the week. The center includes several rooms filled with anything a teenager and young adult would want from a recreational center. There are computers with Internet hookups, a television, DVD, a Karaoke room, a small stage for live performers and much more. There is even a Sony Play station, which was donated by the one of the center's counselors, Ido Lazan. In addition, private lessons in different subjects are offered to the children to help them achieve scholastic excellence. The center's devoted counselors organize special evenings, such as Karaoke night, Salsa dancing and much more.

Another treat the club offers is a snack bar with drinks and food at low prices. The kids buy snacks and the money goes to buy the food and improve the club in many ways.

The center would not be possible without the diligent and faithful work of three young men: Ido Lazan, Noam Lugia and Gad Aiges. These counselors spend hours organizing and dealing with every aspect of the club. They are truly devoted to the young people who come to the club and bend over backwards to make the center a true home away from home for the kids. These rare individuals are young men who recently finished their military service and felt the need to contribute something to their community. Ido reflects and sums up the feelings of all the counselors: "The level of education of the youth of Arad is on the decline. We are trying in our way to instill in these young people values and basically trying to keep them off the streets.""

The young, cool counselors hold a great appeal to the teenagers who visit the club nightly. There is a wonderful rapport between the counselors and the kids, there is an openness that is hard to find. Everyone feels extremely comfortable in the club's atmosphere and they attend the activities religiously. Bat-El, a 15 year old young lady has been visiting the club several nights a week since it's opening. "I love coming to the club with my friends and hang out. We get to hear great music, it's a fun place to spend the evening, and the counselors are just the best!"

Maayan, also 15, enjoys using all the club's facilities, "its great to have a TV and computer here. We all like the same stuff, it makes it fun to come here."

In conclusion, the Sharon Tubol Youth Center is a welcome blessing for the young people of Arad, who will continue to benefit from it for years to come.

Iyyar 5764 - May 2004