Kehillah 2007 Updates

July 18th, 2007 - The Strength of the Collective

Dear Nesiya Parents and Friends,

I am proud to convey to you a sense of the tremendous dedication, energy, and commitment that your children have been investing over the past few days in their community service projects. On Monday, each of the 3 groups began their projects in a different location, working on an environmental art project at a residential group home or special facility for children from troubled families. Since then, the groups have been working in their projects, as well as enjoying a number of recreational and educational activities in the area. Each project will conclude with a community celebration with the residents of the facility.

A bit of background (from the website of "Yeladim:  Fair Chance For Children," the organization that we work with to coordinate the community service encounters):

In Israel today, more than 10,000 children ranging in age from 0-14 reside in some 80 group homes throughout the country. These children have been removed from their homes by court order or by the welfare authorities, mainly due to their parents’ inability to provide them with adequate care and protection. For these children, many of whom have suffered from neglect and abuse, the concepts of home, family, support and protective adults are not to be taken for granted.

This background illustrates why this opportunity for these children to interact with caring and idealistic North American and Israeli teenagers is so significant. The Nesiya participants serve as mentors, friends, ‘big brothers’ and ‘big sisters’, showing an interest in these children and offering a living example of how one can grow up to be independent and productive. The children bask in the attention, and forge close relationships with many of your teens. They also appreciate the teamwork and the opportunity to be partners in all stages of the artistic endeavors, from planning and design of models through construction to painting and finishing touches.

The groups spent Monday preparing for and beginning the community service projects – getting to know the site, the staff, and the children. Kehillah Two is working in Givat Ada, at a residence home for children aged 6-14. Together with the children, the group is creating a mosaic that will depict the theme of combining distinct cultures. Kehilla One, based in Haifa, is working with children who are older, including some teens. Their art project, conceived together with the children, involves painting wooden sculptures to decorate the walls. Kehilla Three is working at a residence home with young children in Hadera. They are creating a mural based on the verse from Psalms, 'They who sow in tears shall reap in joyous song." The resulting creations promise to be spectacular, and will certainly enhance the physical environment at the homes.

In addition to the arts programming, the Kehilla groups are spending quality time with the children, engaging them in activities, games and sports, juggling and pantomime workshops, and BBQs. All in all, the community service projects have been providing a hands-on learning experience about what it means to be part of an activist and giving community.

The groups have already explored (or will be exploring, depending upon their Kehillah) this idea further in their Nesiya programming, including a drama workshop led by Michal Kaplan – a Nesiya veteran arts educator who is also an accomplished theater director. Michal uses the play The Night of the Twentieth, by Israeli playwriter Yehoshua Sobol, which the groups read last week, as a springboard for a creative exploration of the founders of the Kibbutz movement and the conflicting ideals which arose within their own "intimate groups." The workshop also provides a unique opportunity for participants to compare some of the issues which arose in the early pioneers' attempts to build an "ideal community" with their own community-building experience this summer.

In addition, the groups all spent an evening becoming better acquainted with some of the challenges facing Israeli culture and society in a workshop entitled ‘Café Dilemma’. The exercise involved examination of issues and tensions (such as socio-economic gaps and religious conflicts) within Israeli society or between its subgroups. In nearly all of the groups, there was pointed conversation between the Israeli participants – who represent a range of backgrounds – and, in some cases, between the North Americans and Israelis.

I also want to add a more personal note as we are coming up towards the half-way point of the program. I spent this past Shabbat in Tzfat with the groups and so enjoyed meeting and speaking with each of your children (or as many as I could in only two days!). It was very special for me to be able to walk to a women's prayer group Friday night in Tzfat with a few girls who had never before been to a prayer service - and were so excited to have the experience of one, and to watch the participants turn the frustration of waiting in line for food at dinner into an opportunity for teaching a new song and dancing together! They are truly a remarkable group of teens and we, at Nesiya, feel privileged to be sharing Israel with them. The staff has commented to me about their eagerness to participate, and especially to take on leadership positions. They are looking for new ways to challenge themselves by asking thoughtful questions and learning to listen deeply to each other. This year, the teens seem particularly intrigued by exploring their differences, while respecting each other's distinct background. We look forward to what the next three weeks will bring.

Until next time,
Mollie