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Cardin School Updates 12/22-12/25 Shabbat in Israel with Nesiya was nothing short of amazing! We celebrated Shabbat in the Har HaNegev Field School in Mitzpe Ramon (in the South to be short). At around 3:30 we arrived at the School from Eilat. After coming “home” we quickly showered and got ready for Shabbat. We lit Hanukah candles for the last time until next Kislev and then we lit Shabbat candles. Adina, a Nesiya madricha (counselor), formally introduced Shabbat and how it will be different from our personal Shabbat at home. We davened Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv in an upbeat way that was inviting even to those who do not regularly daven. We had a wonderful traditional Israeli Shabbat dinner and then lots of singing with a lot of ruach (spirit). The other people eating at the field school (not related with us) joined in with us in our own songs and then traditional songs before Birkat Hamazon (the Blessing after the Meal). We then played some light, fun games which we all enjoyed. After a few hours of free time to relax and talk amongst ourselves, we went to sleep. On Saturday, we had the option of attending a traditional Sephardic synagogue or sleeping in (wake up was at 10 am, guaranteed by the 2 Cardin students on wake-up duty). The Sephardic Synagogue was a unique Shabbat experience for those who went as the cultural differences from home were very clear. Students were especially excited about the upright Torah housed in a hard shell case. Ben Verovsky is committed to doing hagbah – lifting and displaying the Torah at the end of the Torah reading – from a Sephardi Torah. Getting to the synagogue was also an adventure. The direct way into town involved walking for 15 minutes along a barren plain on the edge of Makhtesh Ramon – the Ramon Crater. As at Cardin, most mornings with Nesiya begin with a choice of a Minyan or a different activity. The non-Minyan option is called Sha’ar for Gateway, as this is the way into the day. For those who chose to sleep in, the Nes group led a meditation program in which we reflected on our trip to the Negev. The group that had gone to synagogue was back in time to join the rest of the group for a Kiddush of grape juice for the blessing and a huge assortment of burekkas (stuffed pastry appetizers), fruits, cakes, and soft drinks. This Kiddush was really a small meal, after which we discussed the Biblical story of the 12 spies with Leah from the Nesiya office. In pairs, groups and then as a community, we expressed our opinions about how the text touches on matters of trust – whether it is justified, what happens when it is lacking, how it affects a group - and how the text relates to us. A good lunch followed the discussion and we then had three hours to relax and take a nap. After Seudah Shilshit (the third Shabbat meal), we had an interesting Havdalah experience with very enthusiastic singing in many different languages, four in all (Spanish, Arabic, Hebrew & English). We split up into four groups after Havdalah to PLAY and teach everyone a trick or dance or act. PLAY stands for Participant Led Activities Yay! which led into our planning of activities at Ben Gurion’s grave, a Bedouin tent, Tzippori, and Massada. After dinner, we split up into our 4 PLAY groups where we began to plan our activity for the group. After Sha’ar and breakfast on Sunday, we split up into two group based on our preference of drama or music. Those in the drama group played many improvisational games and other different drama activities with a high school drama teacher. The music group created a song together with a line from the Tanakh and then broke into smaller groups to make our own songs about our times in the Negev. Some of us composed songs using our own words, others of us composed songs with words given to us by the “music man,” Josh. After dinner the staff and students together had a community meeting voicing our current challenges as a group. This activity reflected Nesiya’s emphasis on our journey being one that we make together as a group and whose success depends on the openness of our communications and our respect for one another. Following this fairly heavy hour, the “music man”, Josh, led more enthusiastic singing at the end of the night for everyone. Monday morning we presented our skits or songs to
everyone and after lunch, boarded the bus to Ben Gurion’s grave. There, in
the shade of trees and gardens and overlooking a stunning view into the vast
desert, the first of the four PLAY groups led their activity on Ben Gurion’s
views of the Desert, Zionism and the Bible. Before heading out, Mr. Geva
took us on a quick bus tour of the area and of the grounds of the
environmental boarding school where he went to high school. The bus finally
turned away from the desert toward a Bedouin tent where we spent the night. |
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