The past couple of days brought us through areas of the ancient city of David that 99% of visitors (and Israelis) have yet to see. A rare opportunity brought to our group by the missions department of the Jewish Federations of North America. We emerged from a tunnel leading up from the lower valley to find ourselves within the old city, at the temple mount.
The next day, we were dragged down into the depths of unspeakable evil at Yad Vashem, once again rising out of the darkness and into the light of the hills of Jerusalem. And then to see the pure joy on the faces of dozens of 4 year olds, recently completing a 2000 year old journey with their families from Ethiopia.
Today we're going to the Galalee.
Nat Wasserstein
Friday, December 9, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Kids Say The Darndest Things
Kids are kids are kids no matter where they live or from where they come. We learned that in a spectacularly meaningful way this afternoon as we visited the Canada House where the Jewish Agency for Israel helps the Ministry of Immigration Absorption run an Absorption Center for Ethiopian Jews.
We saw in a most amazing way how Ethiopian Jews are welcomed to their ancient, and at the same time new, homeland and how they are gently introduced to everyday conveniences and the mundane elements of our daily lives that we all take for granted but that, for them, are akin to the miracles of the Torah that a few may have read and others have only heard as the stories of the Torah have been passed down to them from generation to generation (L'dor V'dor) in their former homeland.
Parents come with children and meet for the first time the cousins who sponsored their immigration to Israel. Brothers and sisters come from their small homes in Ethiopia, built of mud and straw, to spend their first nights in multi-room apartments in buildings that are 6 or 7 or 8 floors tall. Imagine if we were forced out of our comfortable, climate controlled, plugged in and turned on daily lives and made to live in a foreign land where we didn't speak the language and had to rely on the kinds of skills we have only seen in Discovery Channel "Survive Alaska" TV shows. But without even the advantage of having seen the TV show.
But kids are kids and they play with one another in the courtyard and kick a soccer ball around in the sun and groan when their parents, in whatever language it may be, ask them to come inside.
Fathers take their children up on their shoulders and give them rides and make funny sounds and faces that make them both laugh. Mothers carry infants and look at them with what can only be described as pure love as their children sleep in their arms in the warm sun on an otherwise cool day in Ashkelon.
Imagine how awesome (in the true sense of the word) it has to be for someone who has never enjoyed the convenience of electricity to learn that they can walk into a small room with the doors closing behind them, push a round disc on the wall, see it light up and the room seems to move, only to have the doors open again and they are in a different place and looking out the open windows from 40' in the air. To us, it is simply an elevator. To them, it is almost unimaginable.
And yet, kids are kids no matter where you go.
We saw young children (4 or 5 or 6 years old) learning to speak Hebrew, coloring pictures of Menorahs in the same way our children color when they are young, except for these children it is a simple joy to be indoors and learning from fellow Ethiopians who came to Israel only a few years before but who are now employed by the Canada House and serving as role models for their newly minted fellow citizens.
But kids are kids are kids. They love to laugh. They play hide and seek and giggle when you make funny faces. They melt in your arms when you hug them and throw their heads back and kick their legs when you tickle them.
These children are part of Israel's future and, in fact, part of our future as the worldwide children of Israel. Although they don't look like the Jews we are all so used to seeing, they will go to school and learn about our shared heritage. They will say the same prayers as we said, and as our children are saying now, when they too have bar and bat mitzvahs. They will serve in the IDF with pride. They will travel the world as ambassadors of their homeland and be secure in knowing that, just like the Sabras who were born here and who lived here before they arrived from Ethiopia, they can always come home again and be welcomed as Jews.
Kids are kids are kids no matter where you go. These kids, like our own back home, touched our hearts and made us proud to have them be a part of our family.
- James
We saw in a most amazing way how Ethiopian Jews are welcomed to their ancient, and at the same time new, homeland and how they are gently introduced to everyday conveniences and the mundane elements of our daily lives that we all take for granted but that, for them, are akin to the miracles of the Torah that a few may have read and others have only heard as the stories of the Torah have been passed down to them from generation to generation (L'dor V'dor) in their former homeland.
Parents come with children and meet for the first time the cousins who sponsored their immigration to Israel. Brothers and sisters come from their small homes in Ethiopia, built of mud and straw, to spend their first nights in multi-room apartments in buildings that are 6 or 7 or 8 floors tall. Imagine if we were forced out of our comfortable, climate controlled, plugged in and turned on daily lives and made to live in a foreign land where we didn't speak the language and had to rely on the kinds of skills we have only seen in Discovery Channel "Survive Alaska" TV shows. But without even the advantage of having seen the TV show.
But kids are kids and they play with one another in the courtyard and kick a soccer ball around in the sun and groan when their parents, in whatever language it may be, ask them to come inside.
Fathers take their children up on their shoulders and give them rides and make funny sounds and faces that make them both laugh. Mothers carry infants and look at them with what can only be described as pure love as their children sleep in their arms in the warm sun on an otherwise cool day in Ashkelon.
Imagine how awesome (in the true sense of the word) it has to be for someone who has never enjoyed the convenience of electricity to learn that they can walk into a small room with the doors closing behind them, push a round disc on the wall, see it light up and the room seems to move, only to have the doors open again and they are in a different place and looking out the open windows from 40' in the air. To us, it is simply an elevator. To them, it is almost unimaginable.
And yet, kids are kids no matter where you go.
We saw young children (4 or 5 or 6 years old) learning to speak Hebrew, coloring pictures of Menorahs in the same way our children color when they are young, except for these children it is a simple joy to be indoors and learning from fellow Ethiopians who came to Israel only a few years before but who are now employed by the Canada House and serving as role models for their newly minted fellow citizens.
But kids are kids are kids. They love to laugh. They play hide and seek and giggle when you make funny faces. They melt in your arms when you hug them and throw their heads back and kick their legs when you tickle them.
These children are part of Israel's future and, in fact, part of our future as the worldwide children of Israel. Although they don't look like the Jews we are all so used to seeing, they will go to school and learn about our shared heritage. They will say the same prayers as we said, and as our children are saying now, when they too have bar and bat mitzvahs. They will serve in the IDF with pride. They will travel the world as ambassadors of their homeland and be secure in knowing that, just like the Sabras who were born here and who lived here before they arrived from Ethiopia, they can always come home again and be welcomed as Jews.
Kids are kids are kids no matter where you go. These kids, like our own back home, touched our hearts and made us proud to have them be a part of our family.
- James
December 7th, A Day That I Will Never Forget
"How do you treat post trauma stress when it's not post" asked Ohad, the social worker showing us spent kassam rockets at the Sderot Police Station. He picked up one rocket and noted that it was shot into Sderot just one month earlier, on his Birthday. Buildings have been damaged. Lives have been lost. Scores injured. However the largest damage is done to the souls of those living in this beautiful city of Sderot, once known as the Pearl of the South. The hardest stories to hear are about the children. Minutes before we were standing on a hill, overlooking Gaza from a shorter distance than New York is to Hoboken. Turning around, I was struck by how lovely the village is on this beautiful day.
I was then struck by how lovely the people are after meeting three local children in a program that helps the kids of Sderot. After watching them paint lovely dreidels for the upcoming holiday of Hannukah, we were then completely blown away when they offered them to us as gifts. This trip has pulled on my heartstrings more than any other.
Israeli's being Israeli, they have responded. The agency helps fund programs that treat trauma and helps form response teams. An anti-missle defense has been also been implemented. The people persevere.
The rockets may have slowed from over 50 per day to fewer than that per month. However it is unknown how long the unseen human tragedy will last. I will certainly be paying close attention. As my new friend 10 year old Leah said as I was leaving, see you next time.
Ross Mazer
I was then struck by how lovely the people are after meeting three local children in a program that helps the kids of Sderot. After watching them paint lovely dreidels for the upcoming holiday of Hannukah, we were then completely blown away when they offered them to us as gifts. This trip has pulled on my heartstrings more than any other.
Israeli's being Israeli, they have responded. The agency helps fund programs that treat trauma and helps form response teams. An anti-missle defense has been also been implemented. The people persevere.
The rockets may have slowed from over 50 per day to fewer than that per month. However it is unknown how long the unseen human tragedy will last. I will certainly be paying close attention. As my new friend 10 year old Leah said as I was leaving, see you next time.
Ross Mazer
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
End of a Great Day
Today is my daughter Sydnie's 12th birthday (Happy Birthday Sydnie !). Can anything really top the day that your first child is born? The answer is a resounding YES if you are in Israel on a Federation mission! We started our day at Yad Vashem with our amazing guide, Hazy. Her insight was invaluable and emotions were raw as we left to climb Mount Herzl. Our group was solemn as everyone processed what we had just seen comparing those who never got a chance to those who became Israel's greatest leaders. After a quick lunch we headed to a Better Place, (literally and figuratively) which is one of the world's leading electric vehicle infrastructure companies. Some of us drove the car and some of us were happy just to ride along but we were all happy that they had a coffee machine! It really seems to be a viable solution to our dependence on oil. Did I mention that we then left in a large diesel bus? Our destination was Maganda Restaurant where we heard some inspirational stories about the MASA program. As if we needed more inspiration, we were treated to a show at Na'lagaat Theater in Jaffa called "Not By Bread Alone" which was presented by 11 deaf and blind actors. How's that for an unbelievable day?
Andrea Weinberger
Andrea Weinberger
our night with masa students
Tonight we had the privilege of sitting next to one of our five guests joining us from Masa, a long term program where they spend 5 months to a year in Israel for ages 18-30. We sat with Sam who has an impressive resume for a 26 year old. Sam is one of 20 people selected to participate in the Israel Government Fellowship, a joint program of the Jewish Agency for Israel supported by Federation funds as well as the government of Israel. According to Sam, he views this fellowship as Israel's version of a White House Fellowship. Listening to Sam as well as the other 4 Masa participants talk about the impactful experiences they are having because of us, was inspirational.
Bonnie Werk and Sandi Jacobs
Bonnie Werk and Sandi Jacobs
After participating in many missions, this leadership mission may possibly be the best programmed mission that I have ever taken part in thanks to Diane. Our guide Israeli is excellent and we are using every possible minute to learn from him. After visiting Yad Vashem many times before, our guide today, Hazy Flint, was exceptional SHe created the most meaningful experience for our group. Mount Herzel brought me back to my first trip to Israel in 1982 when we also spent a day in the war zone of lebenon having lunch with Israeli soldiers, showing our solidarity and support. THe next day at mount Hertzl witnessed the burials of soldiers who died in Lebanon the day before. It could have possibly been the soldiers i met the day before. These 18-21 year olds fight to defend Israel, a miracle born out of the ashes of the Holocaust.
This afternoon we visited A Better Place, electric car company which lifted our spirits because we are in "a better place" and our journey continues...
Bob Silverman
This afternoon we visited A Better Place, electric car company which lifted our spirits because we are in "a better place" and our journey continues...
Bob Silverman
beginning of day 3
As we leave a chilling experience at Yad Vashem feeling the horror of the incomprehensible Holocaust, we continued our swirl of emotions at the Mt Herzl cemetery, and we are now heading for a contrast experience at the Better Place, which certainly symbolizes a victory from this morning's experience as the Better Place is an electric car company which will no doubt fill us with pride about the successes of the Jewish people as, among many things, are leaders in world technologies.
Andrea Sherman
Andrea Sherman
Monday, December 5, 2011
The work we do...
Today we had our first site visit to a Jewish agency for Israel site called nativ which is a program for soldiers who are new olim as well as those who have come on Aliyah who are not halachically Jewish. We met four soldiers-one from Miami, one from south Africa, one from Philadelphia and one from uzbekhastan. Since the Jewish agency allows anyone with a Jewish grandparent to come on Aliyah, these non halachically Jewish kids are now serving in the army and getting married. Nativ, through federation support in cooperation with the army provides the opportunity to learn about Judaism and leaves these young individuals with the opportunity to convert and live as Jewish Israelis. Although they were from different backgrounds they felt the army was a great equalizer, all fighting for the same cause. In addition to those who may possibly choose to convert, the olim who are jewish may also participate in this program as a way to strengthen their connection.
Of Bibical Porportions
Today was our first full day with the mission. It was freaking amazing. One of the four best days of my life along with my daughter's birth, my wedding and seeing The Mets win the 1986 World Series. Keep in mind I come from a long line of Yankee fans. I felt a connection with my ancestors, climbing The Temple Mount was a dream come true. The land of milk and honey, Kings David and Solomon, David Ben Gurion and Menachem Begin. You cannot understand the problems here nor can you grasp the beauty here until you have spent the day uncovering ancient Jerusalem.
Stephen Cohn (first time in Israel)
Stephen Cohn (first time in Israel)
Sunday, December 4, 2011
We are here!
Hallelujah!
We have all arrived, along with all of our luggage. If ever a prayer of thanks was appropriate, it is today! Say it with me now: "Baruch atah Adonai, elohaienu melech ha'olam, hamotzi lechem me'in ha'Samsonite!" OK, Tumi or Louis Vuitton for the fancy folks. (hello? spell check?)
After meeting our guide Israeli, who is Israeli, (no, really), and learning more on the 45 minute drive from the airport to Jerusalem than most of learned in 5+ years of Sunday school, we arrived at our hotel and chaotically checked in and made our way, bleary eyed, to our rooms. Some of us napped. Some of us showered. Some of us trolled the neighborhood for free wifi. Some of us logged into the hotel wifi from the shower. It's an OCD techie crowd.
The hotel is great, well at least for some of us. Rooms tend to be on the tiny size for most. Remind me to tell the front desk that I'm a big macher back home the next time I visit. Maybe I'll get a room where it won't be possible to take a shower without leaving the bed.
However, it is perfectly situated near the Old City and close to the German Colony, where we had a great dinner at La Guta. We heard from Rebecca Caspi from Jewish Federations of North America's Israel office while we dined on typical Israeli dinner. No, it was not just hummus and pita. No, the Zohan did not join us for dinner. Maybe breakfast?
We then walked back to the hotel where I am pretty sure everyone will sleep very well since we all got very little sleep on the plane. Blame it on Andrea and all those Russian folks songs she was singing as we crossed the Atlantic. I'm not sure how she knows those Russian folk songs, in Russian no less, but Nat seems to think it has something to do with the beverages in the Delta lounge before departure. Who's to say?
It is chilly here, with temperatures around 9C, which is around 45F, but we are all warmed by newfound friends, the warmth of a welcoming country and the excitement of the adventures in store for us on our brief, but meaningful, visit to a country that is, and will forever be, etched indelibly in our hearts.
- James
P.S. Photos are being posted to an online gallery and a link will be posted tomorrow.
P.P.S. Nat has asked me to post a disclaimer. Here goes.
1. Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.
2. What happens in Jerusalem stays in Jerusalem.
3. Please remember to tip your waitresses.
4. Am Yisroel Chai!
5. Stay within the lines.
6. Nat needs to go to sleep.
We have all arrived, along with all of our luggage. If ever a prayer of thanks was appropriate, it is today! Say it with me now: "Baruch atah Adonai, elohaienu melech ha'olam, hamotzi lechem me'in ha'Samsonite!" OK, Tumi or Louis Vuitton for the fancy folks. (hello? spell check?)
After meeting our guide Israeli, who is Israeli, (no, really), and learning more on the 45 minute drive from the airport to Jerusalem than most of learned in 5+ years of Sunday school, we arrived at our hotel and chaotically checked in and made our way, bleary eyed, to our rooms. Some of us napped. Some of us showered. Some of us trolled the neighborhood for free wifi. Some of us logged into the hotel wifi from the shower. It's an OCD techie crowd.
The hotel is great, well at least for some of us. Rooms tend to be on the tiny size for most. Remind me to tell the front desk that I'm a big macher back home the next time I visit. Maybe I'll get a room where it won't be possible to take a shower without leaving the bed.
However, it is perfectly situated near the Old City and close to the German Colony, where we had a great dinner at La Guta. We heard from Rebecca Caspi from Jewish Federations of North America's Israel office while we dined on typical Israeli dinner. No, it was not just hummus and pita. No, the Zohan did not join us for dinner. Maybe breakfast?
We then walked back to the hotel where I am pretty sure everyone will sleep very well since we all got very little sleep on the plane. Blame it on Andrea and all those Russian folks songs she was singing as we crossed the Atlantic. I'm not sure how she knows those Russian folk songs, in Russian no less, but Nat seems to think it has something to do with the beverages in the Delta lounge before departure. Who's to say?
It is chilly here, with temperatures around 9C, which is around 45F, but we are all warmed by newfound friends, the warmth of a welcoming country and the excitement of the adventures in store for us on our brief, but meaningful, visit to a country that is, and will forever be, etched indelibly in our hearts.
- James
P.S. Photos are being posted to an online gallery and a link will be posted tomorrow.
P.P.S. Nat has asked me to post a disclaimer. Here goes.
1. Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.
2. What happens in Jerusalem stays in Jerusalem.
3. Please remember to tip your waitresses.
4. Am Yisroel Chai!
5. Stay within the lines.
6. Nat needs to go to sleep.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
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