Satell Trip: Day 5

Here's another update on our amazing trip through the Holy Land.

Day 5: Monday, June 26

(Photos posted below) 

On Monday we woke up in Jerusalem and checked out of our hotel and drove to Tel-Aviv-Yaffo to visit the Jaffa Institute, an organization devoted to alleviating the situation of poverty in the city. We first heard from Shira Skolnik, Assistant Director of Development of the Institute, about the problems for low-income families and children in Jaffa. After, Yechiel Marcus, who works on Planned Giving and Development, also discussed the dire situation of Jaffa.

After these few remarks the Fellows got to work - they spent an hour at one of the Jaffa Institute's 37 projects, the food-packing facility. They packed 60 boxes with all sorts of foods to donate to families in need around the city. It was an amazing experience for all the Fellows.

A short ride later, we had lunch and spent time with the kids at one of the Jaffa Institute's child centers. Overall, JI provides hot meals and after-school activities for 4500 children in several facilities around the city. Overcoming the language barrier was easy dancing to the Electric Slide.

Our next visit was to the center of Tel Aviv at Rabin Square. Our tour guide, Guy, helped us to understand the significance and importance of former Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin's death. We walked through the square where the rally was held before he died; we heard the Song of Peace that was sung before his death, and we discussed the implications of his death. It was an extremely interesting time and an important subject to discuss.

Travelling a bit north, we spent time at the Ethiopian National Project, an organization partially funded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. The project helps Ethiopian immigrants and their children acculturate to mainstream Israeli society. There were some interesting conversations between the Fellows and Ethiopian youth.

We ended the day after dinner at Kibbutz Ha'on, a kibbutz directly on the coast of Yam Kinneret (The Sea of Galilee). We spent some time having a discussion about the past few days in Israel and how we identified with Israel and Judaism. It was so beautiful sitting out under the stars on the lake's shore.

Satell Fellows at Jaffa Institute Food packing building

Satell Fellows at Jaffa Institute Food packing building

Satell Fellows at Ethiopian National Project

Fellow Sophie Kaufman plays with a child at the Jaffa Institute

Fellows and Tour Guide taped up Brian

Fellow Charles Baron packing food for Jaffa Institute

Satell Fellows at Ethiopian National Project