Theme: Netivot Leadership Conference
locations: Netivot; Masada
overnight: Masada Youth Hostel [ get map ]
Josh Twersky:
The following day continued our seminar with the goal of gaining a better understanding of Israel, the Gaza conflict, and how it affects the border communities such as Sderot, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and even Kibbutz Alumim. Perhaps the most shocking moment was when our leader asked what one does in the event of an approaching Kassam Rocket on Kibbutz Alumim (the choice weapon of terror for those communities.) We sat blankly, not knowing the correct response, before our Israeli friends chimed in − every one of them had noticed the bomb shelter right outside the hall we were meeting in. That is the reality of the culture we had a brief opportunity to explore. Terror is a part of their lives. Their homes, their families, and their very reflexes are a testament to their collective experience. The worst of it (for me at least) was their nonchalance. These bombings are merely an aspect of their daily lives. They sat there joking lightheartedly about how sometimes the siren would sound immediately after leaving the shelter from a first and they would need to run back in. That is something of a culture shock for the Satell cohort.
We ended our Netivot experience with a cooking lesson by the Women of Tavlin. This was a women’s empowerment project in which a group of Netivot locals taught us how to cook foods from their native country. The women came from many places: Ethiopia, Yemen, Eastern Europe, Algeria, and more. With our Israeli friends, we cooked alongside the friendly ladies, following their direction and advice. The food was amazing − enough said. And if you, reader, don’t mind a moment of "Jewish geography," one of them was the mother of my 7th grade Jewish History teacher (small world.)
We then circled up for a closing program with Jeremy Maissel, at which we discussed building partnerships, deepening our friendships and strengthening relationships, especially with our counterparts in Netivot. Surprisingly, the discussion turned into a bit of an argument between those who felt inherently connected to Israel versus those who simply did not. That is, some people in the group have a connection to the country based on deep feelings, while others don’t feel that their connection is tangible. We ended on a positive note, hearing the entreaty of one of our Israeli peers, who encouraged us to act as objective speakers on behalf of Israel and our friends here.
After a culturally enlightening stay in Netivot, we said goodbye to our new friends. We exchanged contact information including phone numbers (and of course Facebook info), and parted ways with promises to stay in touch. |
The Service Learning and Leadership Institute, a division of the Jewish Community High School of Gratz College, is committed to educating and empowering Jewish high school students to become socially responsible leaders. Institute students translate Jewish values of education, spirituality, and service into a meaningful way of life and a powerful Jewish identity. |