You couldn’t but help notice him standing in the line. He was taller than the other kids in his class and very good-looking. We were introduced to him a bit later by Sara Barak, the Yavne leader of the gifted Ethiopian children program and chairperson of the Taspetchin organization. His name is Jonathan and he attends our special classes at Weizmann Institute for gifted children.

We were visiting the children on their last day at the Institute for a day of “fun” and a visit to the Clore Garden of Science. Jonathan tackled the problem of arranging “stones” in a keystone pattern almost by himself and explained to the kids that this was the way it worked even before the guide could add his two cents. We asked him about his classes at Weizmann. Did he enjoy them and did he feel he learned much there? “Oh, yes”, he replied. “Last time we learned about this pole “periscope” which lets you see things from under water.” “What good is that?” I asked. “Where else do you think you could use such a tool?” His answer was immediate. “Why, I’m sure you could use it out in space!” Maybe someday we will see the first Ethiopian astronaut…named Jonathan.

The children had a great time in the outdoor science museum with its interactive exhibits. They have come a long way since we began this project five years ago. They are now fully integrated Israeli kids, no longer shy and quiet with heads down as we knew them in the beginning They look, talk and behave just like all our kids do. Lots of noise and great enthusiasm. We will continue our project for gifted children in Yavne with your support. Believe me, they are worth it!

Meira Applebaum is the coordinator of ESRA’s Project for Gifted Children.