Our Mission
Rikki and Racheli
In the summer of 2010, Rikki and Racheli Menora z”l, two teenage girls, tragically passed away alongside their grandfather, Moshe z’l and cousin, Sara z’l, in a devastating plane crash.
In order to ensure that their lives and memories would be channeled for a continued good, DROR – the Hebrew acronym for Derech Rikki and Racheli (in English, Rikki and Racheli’s Way) - was founded. Inspired by many of the traits that defined Rikki and Racheli in their all-too-short lives, DROR is an organization that embraces the spirit of activity and empowerment to benefit the lives of other young women.
DROR's goal is to help provide our young women with the tools and encouragement to strive high and succeed through the power of a strong social group, academic achievement, and sports training.
Based out of Beit Shemesh, where Rikki and Racheli z”l grew up and studied, DROR is dedicated to creating a working model to inspire a new generation
of involved and inspired young women.
At DROR, we know that with the right guidance and support, young women can grow and succeed to become strong and confident members of the community.
With the help of guidance counselors and administrators at several schools in Bet Shemesh, we integrate participants for the DROR program. We provide small tutoring groups to strengthen math, English, and other school subjects as well as set a goal for each student to help actualize her personal goals.
Sports and running sessions are built into the program to further encourage the role that fitness and teamwork have in the positive development and feelings of success for young women. The pinnacle of our sports training is when the girls at DROR prepare for and participate in the Jerusalem Marathon each spring, where #TEAMDROR members are encouraged to challenge themselves beyond their expectations.
DROR runners at the Jerusalem Marathon
DROR currently operates in three local Ulpanot (middle through high school). The program, geared primarily toward 7th-9th graders, has been designed so that it can be implemented in additional schools as we grow.
In just a few years of operation, we at DROR have already seen the positive impact on our young women through their improved academic results as well
as their enhanced self-image and more positive approach to life. We recently opened two additional programs, one for alumni who want to remain involved with DROR and a Leadership Training Program for 10th-11th graders, who serve as big sisters, volunteer coordinators, and tutors to their younger peers.
Each summer, DROR organizes a two-week camp where the young women can bond with each other and their mentors, while engaging in extreme sports, a variety of workshops, and volunteer opportunities.
Camp DROR is open to all 7th – 9th graders, and offers small camper to counselor ratios to help the girls build a strong connection with positive role models. All of the activities are designed with the goal of not only giving the girls enjoyable experiences, but ones that will help them to expand their horizons such as salsa dancing, MasterChef competitions, and political discussions.
