Kehillah 2008 Updates

July 17, 2008 - Community in Action

Dear Nesiya Family and Friends,

You should be very proud of your Israel travelers. All Nesiya Kehillah groups completed their community service projects today and agree that working four days with children from troubled backgrounds is fulfilling, fun and also extremely difficult. Despite the heat and humidity, participants remained dedicated and energized. The staff at each youth village conveyed exceptional gratitude for the hard work and creative efforts of the Nesiya participants and staff. Overall, the projects were successful and provided a hands-on learning experience about what it means to be a member of an active and giving community.

During the day, each group led and played games, enjoyed down-time, and worked on a substantial art project. K1 worked meticulously on a large mosaic made up of small mosaics pieces. K2 constructed a play structure/bench. K3 created an ecological bench made out of tires and paper. K4 led swimming activities in the pool, did a paper workshop and made collages. Pictures are on their way!

Evenings were filled with recreational and educational activities. For example, groups spent an evening becoming better acquainted with some of the challenges facing Israeli culture and society in a workshop called “Café Dilemma.” Participants sat at café tables and were “served” various issues and tensions facing Israeli society today, including, to name a few, socio-economic gaps, religious tensions, and discrimination against minorities. Each group’s Israeli participants offered unique insight into these issues based on their experience as residents of Israel. The North American participants listened intently and also engaged in debate.

K3 also participated in a fascinating activity about Jewish Diaspora communities, namely in North America. Members of the group spoke personally about their experience of Judaism through the Secular, Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Renewal, and Orthodox movements in North America. K1, K2, and K4 will participate in this activity early next week.

Last night, some participants took part in an optional visit to the home of Eldad Regev and family. Participants lit candles and observed the powerful scene. Eldad was an Israeli soldier, born in Qiryat Motzkin, captured by Hezbollah members along with Ehud Goldwasser on 12 July 2006, in Israel near the Lebanese border, sparking the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict. Yesterday, the remains of Eldad and Ehud were returned to Israel in exchange for Lebanese militant and convicted murder Samir Kuntar and three other Hezbollah members captured by Israel during the 2006 Lebanon War. Click here for a more detailed report.

That morning, participants were informed of the current situation, the exchange and the history behind it. This raised many interesting questions and statements between Israeli and North American participants about the differences between living in each country.

“What’s happening now? Right at this moment?” you ask.

K1 and K2 are hiking in Gamla, known as the Masada of the north, and will later visit Har Ben Tal, a viewpoint from which they can see (from a distance!) the border between Israel and Syria. K3 is enjoying a beach hike from Hof Habonim to Hof Dor (with time for swimming, of course), and K4 is trekking through the streams and water holes of Ein Maimon. I can’t decide which group is having the most fun, it’s a tough call. Groups will switch places tomorrow (i.e. K1 and K2 will take the water hikes, and K3 and K4 will hike Gamla and Har Ben Tal). Perhaps they will give us a full report so that we can determine a winner!

All groups will soon be on their way to their new base, the Hermon Field School, known for its beautiful campus filled with flowers and large open lawns. There is a nearby network of crisscrossing streams and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. All groups will stay there together for Shabbat and arts workshops, during which they will continue to unravel the theme of community, exploring the challenges and choices Jews face in pursuing a shared framework of life together.

Wishing you a restful and meaningful Shabbat,

Yael