Thieves Steal Children’s Goats

Children living at the Jewish Agency’s Ben Yakir’s YouthVillage, which is home to 120 at-risk youth, were shocked Thursday morning to discover that thieves broke into the children’s zoo overnight and stole its entire herd of 53 goats.

Police are investigating the burglary at the village, located south of Hadera, an area where the population to the north, south and east is predominantly Arab. Goat and sheep herding is a common occupation among Arabs.

The BenYakirYouthVillage is known for its animal therapy program. Its zoo, which includes horses, sheep rabbits, birds and an ostrich, is maintained almost entirely by the youth and helps them in their social and emotional development.

   Ben Yakir religious youth (photo: Jewish Agency)

Ben Yakir is one of four Jewish Agency villages for youth at high risk, many of them from new immigrant families, and is for observant children.

Within hours after the theft, Jewish Agency lay leaders, staff and colleagues from several federations pitched in and by the end of the day enough money was raised to replace the entire stolen flock. Each goat costs approximately $120.

Staff at Ben Yakir have already contacted an animal herder to replace the goats, and official said they will install a surveillance camera and fencing around the zoo. 

"It was heart warming to see the immediate response to restoring the stolen goats” said Maxyne Finkelstein, CEO of the Jewish Agency in North America, who coordinated the quick fundraising effort. “Everyone understood immediately that these animals are both pets and a means of helping troubled children build confidence and skills."