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Kehillah 2007 Updates
July 8th, 2007 - A Journey Into the Negev
Hello Nesiya Parents (and Friends!),
After less than a week together in Israel, your children seem to be off to a
very strong start, and have been developing wonderful relationships with each
other, their counselors, and the senior educators. The entire staff has truly
enjoyed meeting your children, and is extremely impressed by their high spirits,
the initiative they take in planning programs for their groups, and their level
of engagement in the program. The staff has also noted the exceptional
intellectual curiosity and maturity of the group, especially their willingness
to engage in many of the core issues of the program so early in the summer!
A memorable moment occurred already last Monday, when the group first arrived at
their base in the Negev. Despite their fatigue from the flight and nerves about
a new beginning, several participants initiated a spontaneous 'jam session,'
which included guitars, a few violins, a flute, a clarinet, a few saxophones and
several drummers. Even many of the less musically inclined teens enjoyed
contributing rhythm and movement to the spirit of this impromptu moment.
Last Tuesday, the group began their own nesiya in earnest by examining
the Lech Lecha biblical text, in which God commands Abraham to leave his
home to begin a journey into the wilderness. The biblical text served as a
jumping off point for participants to explore the idea of personal journey, and
the group was asked to chart their own past and future course using masking
tape. The creative results were a study in both individuality and cohesiveness,
with the tape often crossing paths and taking unexpected twists and turns. The
enjoyable activity also enabled a serious exploration of goals, with a
discussion of what to bring into the journey and what to leave behind.
Early in the evening, as the fast of the 17th of Tammuz was drawing to a close,
each group embarked upon their own “Noded” (wandering camp in the desert) going
down into the Ramon Crater. Following dinner around a bonfire and spirited
singing, the groups slept under the stars on the crater floor.
Wednesday morning, your children awoke to a glorious sunrise. They participated
in various sunrise sha'ar options before beginning their hiking and
outdoor activities. The participants explored themes of the desert, and used it
as a backdrop to ask questions about what it means to be a creature and what it
means to be a creator. They learned new songs, studied about the geology of the
area, prepared outdoor meals together, and star-gazed late into the night. We
were pleased by the high percentage of participants who completed the Noded,
many of whom surprised even themselves by accomplishing this intense desert
experience. (Rest assured that despite getting hot, sweaty and dirty together,
they drank copious amounts of water!)
By Friday the groups had returned to 'civilization,' and spent the day in Mitzpe
Ramon, a small development town overlooking the crater. They interviewed local
residents about their lives and the role they have in developing this area of
the country.
After lunch in town, the Kehillah groups prepared for their first Shabbat in
Israel. Shabbat was a pleasant variation from the challenging hikes of the week.
While the weekend gave your children a chance to reconnect with the other
groups, it also provided some rest, relaxation, and time for personal reflection
on how to both compromise and feel part of a larger Kehillah (Shabbat
preparations included an exploration of how to celebrate Shabbat in a diverse
community of Jews). The prayer service options and alternative activities
afforded a personal approach to spirituality, which was further enhanced when
each Kehillah group had a morning activity led by one of the senior educators,
Charles, Rabbi Zvi, or Yiftach. The focus was on different approaches to
studying Torah, looking at the text of the Ten Commandments in particular, and
how people with very different views can study together and learn from each
other.
In the afternoon, after a few hours of Shabbat menucha (rest), Charles
introduced a dynamic discussion on modesty and sexuality, within the context of
responsibility and community. Each group then divided into separate boy/girl
break-out sessions in which they spoke about relationships, modesty and
intimacy, and the different backgrounds and assumptions that each participant
brings to this new community they are forming.
The energy levels soared again on Motzei Shabbat/Saturday night with a lively
Café Bereshit activity that offered a creative, enjoyable outlet for all.
Dressed in character, the staff portrayed various historical figures who the
participants will encounter throughout the summer, and who will help bring the
Nesiya groups back through the layers of Israeli and Jewish history. The
participants enjoyed meeting and playing game show-like games with
Henrietta Szold,
A.D. Gordon,
Rav Kook,
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel,
David Ben Gurion,
and Hannah Senesh, among others.
The desert experience will continue today and tomorrow as all three groups
participate in their first creative arts workshops, including drama, creative
writing, visual arts, music, movement and photography. The theme of home and
journey will be expressed through these various media.
Click here to see the menu
of options we presented to the participants before they selected their
workshop, which will give you a sense of the artists your children will be
working with over the next two days. (The text includes Hebrew translations, if
these sections come out as gibberish on your computers, don't worry it's the
same as the English.) I encourage you to ask your children to keep their
writings or mementos of their presentations, so they can share it with you after
they return home.
I hope that by now you’ve all had a chance to see the
photos of your children on Nesiya’s website. We will continue to
update the site as the summer progresses.
Until next time,
Mollie
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