Dear Friends, It would not be possible to continue activities of “Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva” Foundation last year if we were not provided the support by many people – for which we are deeply grateful! We are also grateful to the Christian Foundation „Life and Mission” which has always supported us.

This time, with their assistance, we recorded lectures (six stories: of Jasia, Hana, Roma, Krysia, Henio and Eliezer) which you can find in the YouTube service under: https://www.youtube.com/@fundacjabramanadziei779

We believe that the lectures will help not only pupils learn about the Second World War, but also adults will benefit from them. And here is our great request – if you know someone who could be interested in our video lectures, forward this message to them. Last year we sent the information about our video lectures to all primary schools throughout Poland.

Til now we have had over 5400 views! We also thank all Donors who support us with their donations. For a foundation based only on funds provided by people – your financial support is priceless to us! Each donation is very significant for us and we are grateful for each of them – may the Lord God bless you and reward you abundantly! And finally the most important one – thanksgiving to our God! Without Him the “Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva” would not exist!

He deserves the whole praise, worship and thanksgiving! May His name be holy and His Kingdom spread among us! I was a great joy for us when on 1 st April 2022 the government waived practically all restrictions connected with the Covid-19 pandemic and again the doors to schools were opened for our Foundation. In that period, from April to December 2022, we reached about 2300 pupils with the message of the Foundation.

Besides we accepted invitation of the Evangelical Parish of Augsburg Confession in Wisła Malinka to a beautiful celebration – “first anniversary” of the Parish Center. There was God’s Word, worship concert, lots of guests and a program for children prepared by our Foundation.

We recommend our web page: www.bramanadziei.org.pl

On the occasion of the new 2023 year we wish you love, joy and unfading optimism in waiting for our Lord Jesus Christ.

with gratitude,

Barbara Bałon

mobile: 608 253 867

www.bramanadziei.org.pl

Fundacja „Brama Nadziei-Petach Tikva”

ul. A. Brody 79,

43-450 Ustroń

ING Bank Śląski o/Ustroń 24 1050 1083 1000 0090 3032 3290

“I will bless those who bless you (Israel) (…)”

 

Dear Friends,

We are glad that you are with us and we are deeply grateful for it!

May Lord God bless you and reward it to you abundantly!

This time it is our great joy to invite you to sit in front of your computer screens.

On the web page of the “Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva” Foundation we posted six poignant stories of Jewish children who survived the Holocaust.

The heroes of our stories come from different parts of Poland and the world, they have various problems, yet a lot in common. They all play, learn, discover the world and prepare for the adult life.

As we listen to the lecture we get to know their dreams, plans and fears.

This is why we think that it is worth to stop for a while to confront our ideas of the Holocaust with what the children had to face.

We are sorry that we cannot meet the children and the young people live, at schools, however we are doing our best that the on-line versions would be as attractive as the former ones.

We think that in the times of the pandemic it is particularly important to promote values also on-line, in social media.

Therefore, our dear Friends, we would like to ask you to recommend our films to others so that they could get acquainted with the message of the “Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva” Foundation at home with their families.

It is our joy to inform you that we have already had 2250 page visits.

Thank you very much for your prayers and financial support.

We wish you and us that we could notice tiny details and could be glad about them and grateful for them to God!

With compliments and best regards,

Barbara Bałon and the Foundation team

mobile: 608 253 867

www.bramanadziei.org.pl

Fundacja „Brama Nadziei-Petach Tikva”

ING Bank Śląski o/Ustroń

24 1050 1083 1000 0090 3032 3290

Dear Friends,

This year it is the fifth birthday of the “Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva” Foundation. Because of the fact we would like to praise our Lord God! We believe that one of the aims of our life is praising God because “by Him and for Him all things were created.”

Five years of running the Foundation and about 22 000 attendants of the classes. Is it a big or a small number? – Assess it for yourselves.

For five years the “Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva” Foundation has been visiting schools providing free educational classes connected with the theme of the Holocaust. Our aim is not only to bring back the memory of the tragedy which affected millions of Jewish children during the Second World War, but also to show what may be a result of intolerance, prejudice and hatred to another human being, contempt for human life, passivity to evil …

We believe that implementing proper patterns to follow and providing students with appropriate education will bring the greatest hope for a positive change in the minds of students and as time passes also in mature society.

At the same time we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and deepest respect for your help and trust. The “Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva” Foundation runs its activity on the generosity of our friends, this is why we are so grateful for every financial gift. May our Lord God bless you and reward you abundantly.

It is our great joy to inform you that in the school year 2018/2019 our lessons attended 4170 students, not including teachers, catechists and school counselors.

And here are a few opinions:

“The lecture was deeply moving, I hope that it has had an equally positive impact on the students as it has had on me.” – Grażyna

“Wonderful experience. Each time I hear it I am moved.” – Basia

“Thank you very much for the way you run the lecture. As I was listening I could only say that I was impressed and wish you feel invited to meet with the young people ALWAYS.” – Beata

Dear Friends, if you wish to help us and get involved yourselves, first of all we ask for your prayers. We believe that God has everything in His hands and everything belongs to Him, this is why we give the work of the “Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva” to Him.

The wonderful sun and extremely high temperatures this summer encourage us all to have longer rest and make plans for the future. In summer everything seems to be easier, possible to execute. Therefore we wish you, dear Friends, only good ideas and their successful execution, and personal satisfaction coming from well-done work for the benefit of God’ Kingdom. May health and joy be your faithful companions every day.

With gratitude,

Barbara Bałon

tel. 608 253 867

www.bramanadziei.org.pl

Fundacja „Brama Nadziei-Petach Tikva”

ul. A. Brody 79

43-450 Ustroń

ING Bank Śląski o/Ustroń

24 1050 1083 1000 0090 3032 3290

“I will bless those who bless you (Israel)__(…)”. Genesis 12,3

Dear Friends,

Thank you for the next time you have been with us. We would not achieve so much without your prayers and financial support.
It is out joy to inform you that from January to June 2018 we managed to reach about 2750 children with the message of the “Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva” Foundation! We want to thank the Lord for it.
The lessons of the Foundation took place in primary schools of the Silesian province in the following towns: Kończyce, Nierodzim, Hażlach, Wisła, Brenna, Kończyce Małe, Chybie – Zarzecze, Pierściec, Wieszczęta, Skoczów, Kiczyce, Chybie Mnich, Bielany, Ruptawa, Cisownica, Bażanowice, Wapienica, Czechowice, Istebna, Cieszyn, Zebrzydowice.

During the classes we tell the pupils real-life stories of Jewish children who survived the Holocaust in order to teach them sensitivity to the needs and harm of another human being, acceptance and respect for oneself and others. By telling short real-life stories we try to prevent all kinds of prejudice and stereotypes. We want to see changes in attitudes of young generation towards Polish and Jewish history. Our aim is education and on this foundation we would like to build mutual understanding, respect and friendliness.

And here is one of the opinions of the teachers:
”The lecture and presentation by Mrs Barbara Bałon were amazing, demonstrated in a remarkable way, with great commitment, empathy and feeling. We listened to the story with bated breath. Thank you very much.” – Ms Aleksandra

If you think the message of the Foundation is right and necessary, we will be deeply grateful for your financial support – depending on your resources.
Thank you very much for every financial gift. We will be also deeply grateful if you recommend our Foundation to other people who would be willing to support this project.

For the time of summer leisure we wish you joyful experience and then warm holiday memories. May the Lord accompany you on your holiday paths and may He bless you abundantly.

With gratitude
Barbara Bałon

Fundacja „Brama Nadziei – Petach Tikva”
ul. A Brody 79
43-450 Ustroń

www.bramanadziei.org.pl

ING Bank Śląski o/Ustroń
24 1050 1083 1000 0090 3032 3290

“I will bless those who bless you (Israel)(…)”. Genesis 12,3

Dear Friends!
Because of Christmas and the New Year 2018 we would like to extend to you best wishes and thanks for your help, kindness, remembrance and prayers. We are extremely grateful to the Lord for you. Without your support we certainly would not have managed to do so much. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Christmas is the time when we want to share with others what is best. Therefore it is my great joy to inform you that from September to December 2017 “Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva” Foundation reached schools where 1230 pupils could listen to the amazing stories of Hana, Roma, Krysia and Jasia (little Jewish girls of the hundreds who lived in the times of the Holocaust).
The meetings with children were took place in: Cieszyn, Wisła Malinka, Wisła Czarne, Warszowice, Ustroń, Ustroń Lipowiec, Koniaków, Chybie, Ogrodzona, Simoradz, Zaborze, Zabłocie, Iskrzyczyn, Zamarski, Świętoszówka, Marklowice Górne.

We recommend our web page: www.bramanadziei.org.pl

Here are a few opinions of the teachers:
“Once again we could host a representative of the “Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva” Foundation who offered to the children and youth an insight into the topics of tolerance, the holocaust and Jews. I think that the lessons are extremely necessary because we want our society to be tolerant and historically conscious. The children listened with interest and attentively” – Joanna.
“Very interesting lessons. The children were attentive and excited ” – Anita.
“On behalf of the pupils and teachers of the Primary School No. 1 in Koniaków, I would like to extend our warm gratitude for teaching us what is the most important in life: love, respect and tolerance for the other human being” – Patrycja.
Once again I would like to thank you, dear Friends, for the last year we could share and wish you all the best. May the Lord bless you and your families, may He reward you abundantly. May your dreams come true and peace and joy be present  on each day of the new 2018 year!

On behalf of “Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva” Foundation and me,
with thanks,
Barbara Bałon
tel. 608 253 867
www.bramanadziei.org.pl
“Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva”
ul. A. Brody 79
43-450 Ustroń
ING Bank Śląski o/Ustroń
24 1050 1083 1000 0090 3032 3290

“I will bless those who bless you (Israel)”
Genesis 12,3

Dear Friends!
Thank you wholeheartedly for your spiritual support, prayers, the care you show us and each good words you address to the “Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva” Foundation.
We also would like to thank God that He acts in such a wonderful way, opens doors of many schools for us, strengthens us every day and reawakens the desire to perform the work for which He has called us.
We believe that everyone may accomplish a God’s dream he holds in his heart. Our dream is that the pupils who will hear the Foundation’s lessons would become friends of the Jewish nation, that they would be sensitive to the needs and harm done to other people, but first of all that they would realize the three truths:
1. God loves them very much. Not for a reason or because of something but for themselves.
2. He created them wonderfully. No one else has got their skills, interests or ideas. It is up to them how they use them.
3. He has a marvellous plan for their lives. He believes in their capabilities more that they believe in them.
Please pray: “God, may each of them have a strong sense of self-esteem and find identity in You and not in what others speak or think about them. May them go to the world keeping your truths in their hearts. Amen.”
This is our great joy to inform you that from January to
June 2017 we managed to reach 28 schools of the Silesian province, where 2545 pupils could hear lessons of the “Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva” Foundation!
Meetings with children were held at primary schools in the following towns: Zamarski, Marklowice Górne, Bielsko-Biała Primary School No. 10 and Akademia Żaków, Pruchna, Brenna Leśnica, Zarzecze near Chybia, Kończyce Małe, Pierściec, Kiczyce, Istebna, Brenna, Dębowiec, Ruptawa, Cieszyn Primary School No. 1, Bażanowice, Zebrzydowice, Ustroń Polana and the following junior high schools: Chybie, Brenna, Kończyce Wielkie, Cieszyn No. 1 and No. 2, Pierściec, Ustroń No. 2, Istebna, Zebrzydowice. We also answered to the invitation extended by the secondary school in Żory.
Here are a few comments made by teachers:
“Thank you very much for a wonderful, touching and inspiring lecture.”- pupils and teachers of the primary school in Dębowiec.
“It was a very interesting and valuable message. Thank you for the lecture on the most important issues” – teacher from the junior high school No. 1 in Cieszyn.
“Thank you very much on behalf of the pupils from the primary school in Pierściec for an interesting lesson and a touching story about Jewish children and the nation of Israel”. – Stefania.
Dear Friends! If you think that what we do is right and necessary, if you can support this work, then please show financial support to the “Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva” Foundation, out of the need of your heart or in so far as resources will allow.
We believe that when we give we open our hearts to receive, because the good we multiply returns to us.
We wish you wonderful vacations, full of sun, mercy and blessings!

With gratitude,
Barbara Bałon
tel. 608 253 867
www.bramanadziei.org.pl
Fundacja „Brama Nadziei-Petach Tikva”
ul. A. Brody 79
43-450 Ustroń
ING Bank Śląski O/Ustroń
24 1050 1083 1000 0090 3032 3290

“I will bless those who bless you (Israel)”
Genesis 12,3

Dear Friends,

We would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers and encouraging words which inspire us to continue the work.

We also thank you for every monetary gift, an expression of your support and your big heart for Israel. We know that everything is in God’s hands and He owns everything therefore it is our great joy to inform you that with God’s help 2050 pupils listened to the lessons provided by “Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva” from July to December 2016.

The meetings with children took place in primary schools in the following towns and villages: Warszowice, Jawornik, Cieszyn, Wisła Czarne, Wisła Malinka, Ogrodzona, Wisła, Simoradz, Iskrzyczyn, Chybie Mnich, Świętoszówka, Bielany, Koniaków, Wisła Głębce, Lipowiec, Jasienica, Zaborze, Zabłocie, Kończyce Wielkie, Chybie, Skoczów, Ustroń, Cisownica.We were also in the junior high schools in Jasienica, Bielany and Skoczów.

In July we were invited to the camp in Wisła-Jawornik where the lessons were provided to children not only from Poland but also from Belarus and the United States. We invite you warmly to our web site: www.bramanadziei.org.pl And here are a few opinions and recommendations of the teachers:

“The presentation on Holocaust was interesting. The pupils listened with interest and intentness. There was a reference to the present times and to problems of children living today. We need such sensitization classes”. – Joanna

“The meeting allowed the young people to get familiarized with the story of their peer who lived in the times of the Holocaust, it made them sensitive to the problem of otherness, allowed to think over their attitudes and their system of values. It was a remarkably valuable experience”. – Dorota

“Interesting, enlightening lecture inspiring to deep reflections”. – Lidia.

I believe that as a result of our joint efforts we will manage to reach many children whose hearts will be open to God and they will become friends of the Jewish nation. New year brings new prospects, opportunities and new plans, but not only that. It is also a time of musing on what has passed and what is coming. Therefore we wish each other a lot of optimism and faith in the sunny tomorrow.

May your hearts be full of peace, joy and happiness. May Jesus Christ be your best Friend, Counselor and Comforter. May the Lord bless you on every day of the new 2017 year.

With gratitude,

Barbara Bałon

“I will bless those who bless you”

Genesis 12,3

Dear Friends,
I would like to thank you wholeheartedly for your prayers and financial support. In order to make your vacations or your free time more enjoyable I would like to share with you what we have managed to achieve so far with God’s help.
It is my great joy to inform you that 2570 pupils had the opportunity to listen to the lessons of the “Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva” Foundation from January to June 2016!
The meetings with children took place in primary schools in: Brenna, Cieszyn, Skoczów, Kończyce Wielkie, Marklowice Górne, Zarzecze near Chybie, Pogórze, Pruchna, Haźlach, Kiczyce, Wieszczęty, Chybie, Pierściec, Kończyce Małe, Istebna, Bażanowice, in Akademia Żaków in Wapienica as well as in junior
high schools in: Rudzica, Skoczów, Pogwizdów, Pogórze, Pruchna, Istebna, Kończyce Wielkie, Strumień, Brenna and junior high schools No. 1 and 2 in Cieszyn.
I encourage you to see the photos in the gallery on www.bramanadziei.org.pl
Opinions and recommendations of the teachers:
“Barbara provided the youth of the John Paul II Junior High School with a wonderful lecture based on historical facts concerning the holocaust. The lecture was poignant and touched the young people. The lecturer told them about the
extremely difficult and complicated life of Roma Ligocka in an interesting manner and with commitment. I recommend Barbara’s lectures which concern well-understood tolerance and Christian values.” – Ewa
“We are grateful for the wonderful time and great lecture on the holocaust which broke the stereotypes and opposed the antisemitic attitude in the young generation of Poles.” – Dorota
“The classes were valuable for our youth. They involved the topics of tolerance, building self-esteem, sensitivity to the needs of other people. They gave a broad outline of the history of the Jewish nation during the Second World War. Thank you very much for the message which was proper and useful for our students. We recommend them to other schools.” – school educator
“I am grateful to Barbara for the next lesson on responsibility, tolerance and goodness. We invite you to come next year. Your lessons perfectly match the educational program we provide in our school.” – Maria
Please pray that after each lecture the children would feel exceptional and appreciated, that they would draw their self-esteem not from what others speak or think about them but from the fact that God accepts and loves them.
I hope that with our common efforts the future of us and our children will be more happy, with the sense of direction and sense in life, with greater sensitivity to the needs of others and that this generation will bring us joy and will make us proud of them.
Wishing you God’s blessing, joy and peace in your hearts,
Barbara Bałon
Fundacja „Brama Nadziei-Petach Tikva”
608 253 867
www.bramanadziei.org.pl
ING Bank Śląski o/Ustroń
24 1050 1083 1000 0090 3032 3290
“I will bless those who bless you (Israel)”
Genesis 12,3

Dear Friends of “Gate of Hope ­ Petach Tikva” Foundation, We would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts, because we have managed to accomplish what seemed impossible from the human point of view with God’s help and your prayers and support. May God reward you! We would like to inform you with joy that from September to December 2015 our Foundation reached 25 primary schools and junior high schools in the district of Cieszyn, where over 2100 pupils attended our classes. The meetings with children were held in primary schools in the following towns: Wisła, Wisła Czarne, Wisła Malinka, Jawornik, Brenna, Nierodzim, Bielany, Lipowiec, Cieszyn, Goleszów, Ogrodzona, Simoradz, Iskrzyczyn, Koniaków, Zabłocie, Chybie. The classes were also held in junior high schools in the following towns: Jaworze, Goleszów, Wisła, Chybie Mnich, Chybie. We also accepted invitation to the junior high school No. 1 in Polkowice, dolnośląski province, where our classes were run within the humanitarian education project “We touch the world.” We were also invited to the Evangelical Center of Deacon Service and Education in Wrocław. The lesson was run in a junior high school and a primary school. We encourage you to see pictures the gallery on: www.bramanadziei.org.pl We also would like to tel you something about our summer visit to a camp for Jewish children from Ukraine which was held in Wisła. We told them Max Lucado’s story “You are unique.” The listeners found the story very interesting. I would like to take the opportunity to describe you briefly how our classes look like.

1. At the beginning the children learn the verse from Genesis 12,3: “I will bless those who bless you (Israel)”. We encourage you to bless the Jewish nation, to speak well about them, preventing antisemitism this way.

2. Then we tell them stories from lives of Jewish children who found themselves in the hell of holocaust. The testimonies allow to understand the idea of discrimination and ways of recognizing and preventing it.

3. Our newest lesson is based on the story of Janina Dawidowicz, from the book entitled “Piece of sky”. We wish to make Polish children sensitive to other people being hurt, teach them respect for themselves and others.

4. We tell the children that they are unique and special. God loves them very much, created them wonderfully and has a unique, perfect plan for them. We encourage them that with God’s help they would develop their skills and interests God endowed them with.

Teachers’ comments:

“The classes were extremely valuable for our youth. There were raised subjects of tolerance, building self­esteem and sensitivity to the needs to others. They gave a broad outline of the history of the Jewish nation during the Second World War. Thank you very much for the message which was significant and necessary for the pupils. We recommend the classes for other schools.”­ school educator “It was a valuable experience for our pupils. I think that such lessons make pupils interested in the subject matter. The lecturer has a great contact with children”. ­ K. Szewczyk – history teacher. I also would like to mention an interesting event “Evening with Korczak” where I was invited in order to run a lecture. Below you can read a notice which appeared on the śląsk cieszyński’s portal ox.pl http://kontakt24.ox.pl/kontakt24,2520,wieczor­z­korczakiem­.html

Notice about this event: th November, in the late evening, at the Primary School No. 3 with integrated classes in Cieszyn there was held an uncommon meeting “On 20 inspired by the 55

Day. This year we decided to honor these events with a special meeting entitled “Evening with Korczak” to which we invited special guests: mayor of Cieszyn, Ms Barbara Bałon from “Gate of Hope” Foundation, members of the Klezmer team and representatives of the school’s parents’ committee. (…). “Evening with Korczak” started with a lecture by Ms Barbara Bałon from the “Gate of Hope” Foundation from Ustroń. Barbara touched all listeners with the story of Jasia – a little Jewish girl who survived the Second World War and experienced what hatred and rejection meant. (…) We would be grateful for recommending our Foundation to other people willing to support this project. Once again thank you for everything we have managed to achieve till now with your support. May God bless and reward you abundantly. We wish you many joyful days, peace and God’s blessing in the new 2016 year. With gratitude

Barbara Bałon

608 253 867

www.bramanadziei.org.pl

Fundacja „Brama Nadziei­Petach Tikva”

ul. A. Brody 79

43­450 Ustroń

ING Bank Śląski o/Ustroń

24 1050 1083 1000 0090 3032 3290

th anniversary of naming the school after Janusz Korczak. November is also a month when our school celebrate the Korczak’s

“I will bless those who bless you (Israel)”

Genesis 12,3

Dear Friends,

We would like to express our gratitude for your support for “Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva” Foundation. The first school year of our activities (2014/2015) passed and we would like to praise God that He was with us, opened the door to many schools on the area of the Silesian province and we believe that touched lives of many children. We hope that the pupils who listened to the lessons of the Foundation will not only respect other people, bless the nation of Israel, but first of all will be aware of the fact that God loves them very much. They were born to fulfill their unique purpose and God endowed them with unique features and talents so that they could realize the purpose. We pray that each of them would have a strong sense of their value and identity in God and not in what other people say or think about them.In the last quarter of the school year 2014/2015 we managed to reach 2000 children. We visited primary schools in: Zaborze, Pruchna, Zarzecze, Wapienica, Iskrzyczyn, Zamarski, Kiczyce, Cieszyn, Świętoszówka, Haźlach, Czechowice, Kończyce Małe, Dankowice. We ran our lessons in junior high schools in: Czechowice, Pierściec, Istebna, Pielgrzymowice, Kończyce Wielkie, Chybie. We were also in the complex of schools of the District Center of Pediatrics in Istebna-Kubalonka where children from the whole Silesian province and Poland come. In the school year 2014/2015 we visited 63 schools in total. Our classes attended about 4800 children and young people. We thank God and you wholeheartedly! Without your support “Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva” Foundation could not exist!

Meetings in Istebna and in Kończyce Małe.

Comments of teachers: “Thank you for a beautiful lesson of love and tolerance for another human being. The gifts are extremely necessary nowadays” – Grażyna. “Very interesting classes run with great tact, commitment, in a manner accessible for the pupils. The pupils listened attentively which means that they found the topic interesting. Thank you very much” – Daria. “Thank you very much for the lecture. I think that reminding of the values we should follow in our lives and first of all speaking openly of God and His role in the life of each of us are extremely important.” – Joanna. At the moment I am preparing a few stories I would like to tell the children. I am also preparing a next lesson and I am going to have a few meetings with children during vacations. We will be grateful if you recommend our Foundation to other people who would be willing to support our project. Even the amount of PLN 30 multiplied by many donors will help us realize the objective of our Foundation. We wish you merry vacations and that Lord Jesus would be with you wherever you are going.

On behalf of the Foundation Barbara Bałon

tel. 608 253 867

www.bramanadziei.org.pl

Address and account number of the Foundation:

“Gate of Hope – Petach Tikva” Foundation

ul. A. Brody 79

43-450 Ustroń

ING Bank Śląski o/Ustroń

24 1050 1083 1000 0090 3032 3290

“I will bless those who bless you (Israel)”

Genesis 12,3