'Please fasten your seatbelts and prepare for departure'
Ok, it wasnt quite like that! But today was the day when approximately seven months of hard work, commitment and huge strain on the tenacity of everyone came to an end.
For once, to everyones amazement, Room 410 was up and out before everyone! Kol Hakavod...
We dragged out ten tonne suitcases downstairs and onto poor Uri's minivan and somehow all squashed in there as well.
We arrived at the school for the last time and were greeted by our friends. We all went upstairs to our 'lovely' classroom for the last time and sat in a circle...for the last time. It was really sad and we were all exchanging cell phone numbers, home numbers, emails, MSN's, addresses among others for about an hour.
Hed kept to tradition and started with an activity where we all had to put our names in a plastic box and pick one out. Then we had to imitate the person and everyone had to guess who it was. This activity was followed by one where we each had to say something we loved, something we didnt like, something we had expected, something we had learned and a habit we had gained.
The reason this day seems so abrupt is because in truth, everything I am writing was interspersed with hugs, kisses, talking, memories and more. These are things I cant really describe! So when I put the pictures on asap, you will understand.
Anyway, to continue...we all piled back onto our minivan in two shifts to the most beautiful beach in the world (that I have seen so far at least...). There is a restaurant at the top of a hill overlooking the bay and there was where we set up our decorations. We had a British flag next to an israeli flag; blue, red and white bunting and balloons and a english bandana worn by Koral.
We were all taking pictures and talking when Michelle had to go! Everyone said very emotional goodbyes to Michelle with sincere promises to keep in touch through the multitude of ways available in modern communication. Then our party began. Well not quite a party but just a review of all the memories:
Bull Dog Bull Dog:
My name is Koral
You can call me Coco
And I will show you
How to PARTY!
First we shakin shakin
and then we wollin wollin
then we chiken chiken
then we...bull dog bull dog...etc!
Big fat Mama Llama:
Happy llama, Sad llama, Mentally Retarded llama, Super llama,
Drama llama, Big Fat mama llama, Camel...Kiss The Camel!
Emanu: So Gwoss!!!!
Linor and Ruti!!!!
Nushi: Oh may gaad! I miss you!
Tali = Jennifer!
Brocha = Rebecca?!?
Avital = Barbie!
The day the bus rolled down the steep cliff...
Ebby = Chasing Pavements...!
Room 410 = ONLY wake us up, IF YOU HAVE TO, TEN minutes before we HAVE to go!
Nechama = If you drink your whole bottle of water...you will get a sticker! and if you get ten stickers you will get....ANOTHER sticker!!!
Ebby = Ze Magil v'Ze Magil v'Malon Shelanu Gam Magil!
Michelle = EVERYBODY DANCE DOWN bang clap bang...
Meri = STIGMAS!!!
Sapir = Eliran...and Mi Rotzeh Mashehu L'echol?!
Lihi = Mi Rotzah Bamba??
Korali - Bulldog Bulldog...
Hed = SUMMARY!!!! and INTRODUCTION!!!
Circle time!!
Erez = The kids annoiseing and then you eat them!
Erez = the halacha rules you from before boring until after you are boring!
And excuse my poor memory...I cant remember all the rest! But there were/are countless memories...
We, the English girls, presented each of the girls with their own leatherbound colorful siddurim with Tehillim in the back and a handwritten personal note in Hebrew (courtesy of Sacha and Yosepha). They presented us with beautiful fake gold chamsa necklaces with a note from each Israeli girl and Uri got chocolates!
We all began our goodbyes but we know that it was not a real goodbye because not only might Sapir and Linor and Dana come meet us in Jerusalem if they can on Thursday, and not only are Koral, Emanu and Noa going to come to the airport on Monday but we will always visit and be in touch until next time we all get together. While Liora sang the Speedo song and we all said our last goodbyes and last massive hugs, Uri waited patiently...
He brought our friends home and then came to get us. We all arrived in Jerusalem at our various stops...and for the last time: I must go catch up on my sleep!
Maybe there will be updates on the last few days of our trip to Israel (till monday), depends on if anything blog worthy happens!
I hope you all enjoyed this blog and it will be open for anyone to see whenever they want. The pictures are for you to download, copy, enjoy etc and none of this is copyright!
For the last time...
Love, Brocha
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Day Ten
Please can we mark this moment because it is officially and sadly (in most aspects) the last night I will be forfeiting decent sleep for the sake of the blog. And also the night before this program ends.
Thank you.
Ok, so this morning the girls came to meet us at the hotel before we started our predicted 40minute and actual 25 minute trip to Click in Hod Hasharon. To find out about the amazing things Click does, go to their fantastic website: www..click-savi.org.il. We were taking part in their 'Savi' project. In short they inhertited an Australian felt toy making company and brought it to Israel. They opened up the Hod Hasharon center to house the equipment and were helped to set up by many of the programs' pensioners. Their 'workforce' is all the able and active, retired elders in the community who after retirement, find their lives empty and with no purpose. They give the old people something to care about. Something to make them want to wake up in the morning. And its a fantastic success! They have a beautiful, welcoming building and great and very dedicated staff. They welcomed us with an info pack about the Click - Savi Project and we got an amazing talk by the Project manager, Linda.
Then we went into another room where we sat at tables with elderly women and began creating our masterpieces! On my table I found that the three women were all from Baghdad and knew my grandfathers family, Dallal! That started a discussion about Iraqi blood and a competition about who got married younger, whose husbands were older, who had more great grandchildren and who escaped Iraq earliest! The winner has 20 great grandchildren, left Iraq in 1951 and got married at age 14 to a 30 year old!
Then I finally met Danni!!!! Danni Franks from My Israel (www.myisraelcharity.org) has helped me and supported me immensely throught the past few months and definitely, if not for her and her brilliant charity, we wouldnt have been there today. And may I say that it was not an easy ride on either end, between charity cheques and bank transfers, lack of communication and surplus communication, among other things! It was great to finally meet her, hopefully the first of many times!
We made the cutest puppets, hanging toys and pillows and all agreed that we would donate the toys to the childrens hospital at Laniado, our next stop.
We piled on the coach after a lovely summary of our visit by Linda and our creations being packaged. We had lunch at a restaurant in Netanya all together and then arrived at Laniado!
Now, Im not really biased...but Laniado is the most beautiful hospital ive ever seen! We were greeted by Matilda with some drinks and a video presentation about the hospitals origins and its founder, Rabbi Yekutiel Halberstam - the Sanz Klausenberg Rebbe. To find out more about the hospital and the incredible story behind its creation please go to www.laniado.co.uk.
After a great tour which included meeting Bradley and Sadie Smith from Elstree and their mother in the Childrens hospital and a visit to the baby nursery, which some girls found fascinating we got back on the coach for our last activity of the program...:(
We got to the hotel and after a ten minute break we had a reeeaaallly cool Natual Herb Workshop! The woman running it, Yael, brought many plants such as Lavender, Rosemary, Myrtle and others and described what each one does. She then announced that we would be making foot cream!
First we crushed Rosemary and Lavender, then we heated up pure beeswax pellets, then we melted Palm tree butter and mixed it all together on the flame with some pure clear olive oil. The we put the whole pot in a bigger pot of cold water and began mixing it! We just kept mixing and thickening it with melted pure beeswax until it was a creamy green (Some of us thought it looked a lot like courgette soup...!). We put it in small jars, put lids on and tied a piece of straw around it. It was soooo cool!
Then we went back to our rooms after saying a tearful goodbye to the Israeli girls. It was really sad to be packing and putting togther all our momentoes from the past ten days. Between the Safta Gamila creams, Ethiopian sculptures, Click-Savi toys, our homemade foot cream among many other souvenirs of our trip...our suitcases are a lot heavier!
Now, for the last time...I must go to sleep so I can get up for our last day tomorrow. As a pre-ending...Its been great blogging with you! May we share many more bloggable happenings together and only have success in any future events, programs and ventures.
Love, Brocha
ps I will blog and put up pictures about tomorrow...dont worry and Good Night!
Thank you.
Ok, so this morning the girls came to meet us at the hotel before we started our predicted 40minute and actual 25 minute trip to Click in Hod Hasharon. To find out about the amazing things Click does, go to their fantastic website: www..click-savi.org.il. We were taking part in their 'Savi' project. In short they inhertited an Australian felt toy making company and brought it to Israel. They opened up the Hod Hasharon center to house the equipment and were helped to set up by many of the programs' pensioners. Their 'workforce' is all the able and active, retired elders in the community who after retirement, find their lives empty and with no purpose. They give the old people something to care about. Something to make them want to wake up in the morning. And its a fantastic success! They have a beautiful, welcoming building and great and very dedicated staff. They welcomed us with an info pack about the Click - Savi Project and we got an amazing talk by the Project manager, Linda.
Then we went into another room where we sat at tables with elderly women and began creating our masterpieces! On my table I found that the three women were all from Baghdad and knew my grandfathers family, Dallal! That started a discussion about Iraqi blood and a competition about who got married younger, whose husbands were older, who had more great grandchildren and who escaped Iraq earliest! The winner has 20 great grandchildren, left Iraq in 1951 and got married at age 14 to a 30 year old!
Then I finally met Danni!!!! Danni Franks from My Israel (www.myisraelcharity.org) has helped me and supported me immensely throught the past few months and definitely, if not for her and her brilliant charity, we wouldnt have been there today. And may I say that it was not an easy ride on either end, between charity cheques and bank transfers, lack of communication and surplus communication, among other things! It was great to finally meet her, hopefully the first of many times!
We made the cutest puppets, hanging toys and pillows and all agreed that we would donate the toys to the childrens hospital at Laniado, our next stop.
We piled on the coach after a lovely summary of our visit by Linda and our creations being packaged. We had lunch at a restaurant in Netanya all together and then arrived at Laniado!
Now, Im not really biased...but Laniado is the most beautiful hospital ive ever seen! We were greeted by Matilda with some drinks and a video presentation about the hospitals origins and its founder, Rabbi Yekutiel Halberstam - the Sanz Klausenberg Rebbe. To find out more about the hospital and the incredible story behind its creation please go to www.laniado.co.uk.
After a great tour which included meeting Bradley and Sadie Smith from Elstree and their mother in the Childrens hospital and a visit to the baby nursery, which some girls found fascinating we got back on the coach for our last activity of the program...:(
We got to the hotel and after a ten minute break we had a reeeaaallly cool Natual Herb Workshop! The woman running it, Yael, brought many plants such as Lavender, Rosemary, Myrtle and others and described what each one does. She then announced that we would be making foot cream!
First we crushed Rosemary and Lavender, then we heated up pure beeswax pellets, then we melted Palm tree butter and mixed it all together on the flame with some pure clear olive oil. The we put the whole pot in a bigger pot of cold water and began mixing it! We just kept mixing and thickening it with melted pure beeswax until it was a creamy green (Some of us thought it looked a lot like courgette soup...!). We put it in small jars, put lids on and tied a piece of straw around it. It was soooo cool!
Then we went back to our rooms after saying a tearful goodbye to the Israeli girls. It was really sad to be packing and putting togther all our momentoes from the past ten days. Between the Safta Gamila creams, Ethiopian sculptures, Click-Savi toys, our homemade foot cream among many other souvenirs of our trip...our suitcases are a lot heavier!
Now, for the last time...I must go to sleep so I can get up for our last day tomorrow. As a pre-ending...Its been great blogging with you! May we share many more bloggable happenings together and only have success in any future events, programs and ventures.
Love, Brocha
ps I will blog and put up pictures about tomorrow...dont worry and Good Night!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Day Nine
Its strange to write 'day nine' at the top of this post. Besides for it meaning nine straight nights of barely any sleep...it also means that this program is almost over and its really sad. This is one of the most amazing experiences in lives and its flown by too fast!
Anyway, there will be time to be sentimental when it is over...for now, lets review today!
So we struggled to get out of bed (as usual) and (I, at least) sleepwalked onto the bus.
When we arrived at the school, our first activity was run by on of my favorite people ever, Shani! And since she is probably reading this...thank you so much for everything and have a great deserved holiday!!!
She introduced the theme(s) of the day: Education (and later, Nature).
She asked us each to say something positive and negative about the schools we are in and stressed the fact that our entire childhood, about 12 to 14 years, is spent in school! Then she asked us to write down something that a teacher said to us about five years ago. The responses were hilarious, especially becuase we had to say it in the accent of the teacher!
After her activity we met my other favorite person ever, Yaakov Hecht!!! The reason behind everything! He showed us a fascinating slideshow about Education in the world and what it is doing to people and what Democratic Education is and the difference between its methods and the regular education system. I have tried to take pictures of the slideshow so you can see what it said in general there. Then we were joined by Michal and Galit! the AllGo designers from the first day of the program. They gave us all a present of a slideshow of the pictures of our activity with them and we al got their autographs on the cd's and exchanged email addresses. I must say, the most amazing thing I personally am taking from these ten days is great friends! It really was an emotional farewell to Shani, Galit, Michal, Yaakov and Reshef.
Then we had a bit of a break and chilled out in the playground followed by a much appreciated lunch of unlimited pizza!
Then we had a cool activity led by the one and only Reshef in which we had to make up our own language! The results were brilliant! I must admit that I was writing the blog hakadosh while the next activity went on but rumor has it that it was amazing!
We had another short break before we all piled into the Ethiopian hut.The pictures will have to do justice to the structure because it is/was indescribable! We were greeted by a man (pictures!) who is 45 years old now with three teenagers but who, when he was 15, fled from Ethiopia to the Sudan and from there was helped by the Jewish Agency to come to Israel. We were joined by his lovely, gorgeous daughter, Cherut, for the presentation with him and we all hope she will come back tomorrow!). He was followed by his family of 12. He lives in Givat Olga and has built a hut just like his home in Ethiopia (except that theirs had two floors and was bigger) and is planning to grow ethiopian plants around it and furnish it just like his home. It is beautiful and extremely intricate, yet he managed to build it with the ethiopian children of all ages in Givol.
We started our walk through the sand dunes soon after. It was sweltering hot so wasnt easy and we kept on being stopped by Ila to be shown different animals homes in the dunes! We finally sat down in the middle of the desert. Ila started to translate what the Ethiopian man was saying (I apologise, I have forgotten his name!) and he was saying how in his country they use the sling in wartime and it is a very effective weapon and is made out of the Eucalyptus plant. It is also used in many other ways. He then demonstrated the slingshot. It was incredible! It went so far and made all the sand shoot up like a bomb had hit it when it landed! He then told us how when he lived in Ethiopia he used to catch 24 partridges for his mother every day! He said there are a few partridges in the desert we were in and there would be a good chance we would even see one.
We then climbed up the most impossible sand dune but every step was worth it when we reached the top. The highest point on the coast for miles. It was breathtaking and gorgeous! Just check out the pictures! We watched the sunset and had a group picture. Unfortunately, Meri, Linor and Avital werent there and were really missed. Of course we will have more group pictures though.
We then walked about ten minutes to the local forest (of course there would be one!) and were greeted by our local lifesave, ROTEM!!! She had set out a whole mat for us to sit on and started the fire and preapred the food. She is/was amazing!
In short, because i must sleep, we had a beautiful bonfire and barbeque followed by an equally beautiful kumzitz! We were there in the pitch dark till about 10.30pm when our buses came to pick us up. It was sad to leave but tomorrow will be really cool but wont ruin the surprise!
Guest Tomorrow: DANNI FRANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good night!
Brocha
Anyway, there will be time to be sentimental when it is over...for now, lets review today!
So we struggled to get out of bed (as usual) and (I, at least) sleepwalked onto the bus.
When we arrived at the school, our first activity was run by on of my favorite people ever, Shani! And since she is probably reading this...thank you so much for everything and have a great deserved holiday!!!
She introduced the theme(s) of the day: Education (and later, Nature).
She asked us each to say something positive and negative about the schools we are in and stressed the fact that our entire childhood, about 12 to 14 years, is spent in school! Then she asked us to write down something that a teacher said to us about five years ago. The responses were hilarious, especially becuase we had to say it in the accent of the teacher!
After her activity we met my other favorite person ever, Yaakov Hecht!!! The reason behind everything! He showed us a fascinating slideshow about Education in the world and what it is doing to people and what Democratic Education is and the difference between its methods and the regular education system. I have tried to take pictures of the slideshow so you can see what it said in general there. Then we were joined by Michal and Galit! the AllGo designers from the first day of the program. They gave us all a present of a slideshow of the pictures of our activity with them and we al got their autographs on the cd's and exchanged email addresses. I must say, the most amazing thing I personally am taking from these ten days is great friends! It really was an emotional farewell to Shani, Galit, Michal, Yaakov and Reshef.
Then we had a bit of a break and chilled out in the playground followed by a much appreciated lunch of unlimited pizza!
Then we had a cool activity led by the one and only Reshef in which we had to make up our own language! The results were brilliant! I must admit that I was writing the blog hakadosh while the next activity went on but rumor has it that it was amazing!
We had another short break before we all piled into the Ethiopian hut.The pictures will have to do justice to the structure because it is/was indescribable! We were greeted by a man (pictures!) who is 45 years old now with three teenagers but who, when he was 15, fled from Ethiopia to the Sudan and from there was helped by the Jewish Agency to come to Israel. We were joined by his lovely, gorgeous daughter, Cherut, for the presentation with him and we all hope she will come back tomorrow!). He was followed by his family of 12. He lives in Givat Olga and has built a hut just like his home in Ethiopia (except that theirs had two floors and was bigger) and is planning to grow ethiopian plants around it and furnish it just like his home. It is beautiful and extremely intricate, yet he managed to build it with the ethiopian children of all ages in Givol.
We started our walk through the sand dunes soon after. It was sweltering hot so wasnt easy and we kept on being stopped by Ila to be shown different animals homes in the dunes! We finally sat down in the middle of the desert. Ila started to translate what the Ethiopian man was saying (I apologise, I have forgotten his name!) and he was saying how in his country they use the sling in wartime and it is a very effective weapon and is made out of the Eucalyptus plant. It is also used in many other ways. He then demonstrated the slingshot. It was incredible! It went so far and made all the sand shoot up like a bomb had hit it when it landed! He then told us how when he lived in Ethiopia he used to catch 24 partridges for his mother every day! He said there are a few partridges in the desert we were in and there would be a good chance we would even see one.
We then climbed up the most impossible sand dune but every step was worth it when we reached the top. The highest point on the coast for miles. It was breathtaking and gorgeous! Just check out the pictures! We watched the sunset and had a group picture. Unfortunately, Meri, Linor and Avital werent there and were really missed. Of course we will have more group pictures though.
We then walked about ten minutes to the local forest (of course there would be one!) and were greeted by our local lifesave, ROTEM!!! She had set out a whole mat for us to sit on and started the fire and preapred the food. She is/was amazing!
In short, because i must sleep, we had a beautiful bonfire and barbeque followed by an equally beautiful kumzitz! We were there in the pitch dark till about 10.30pm when our buses came to pick us up. It was sad to leave but tomorrow will be really cool but wont ruin the surprise!
Guest Tomorrow: DANNI FRANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good night!
Brocha
Day Eight
I apologise to all the avid readers of our blog for the delay in the report of one of the most interesting days so far: Sunday. The theme was the comparison between rich and poor.
Many of us had a reeaallyy late night and had trouble waking up but we all made it to our first activity at the hotel...the Israeli girls came to us! We played a really funny game where everyone, once reaching a certain point in the game, had to make up a new rule for the game and it was unchangeable. For example, someone made up a rule that whatever anyone rolled on the dice was split in half...making the game reeaallly slow! The point of the game was that everybody is trying to move forward and reach their goals, yet simultainiously we must bear the effects of the decisions that other people have made.
Then we all climbed onto the bus for our ride to Tel Aviv. Tefilas Haderech was courtesy of Linor and Dana this time and we arrived at our destination: the slums of south Tel Aviv, with a short stop at a Falafel shop. Rotem made an announcement that anyone who wants to wash as the falafel was hamotzi, should do so inside the shop... soooo we got off... to our amazment, Emanu also wanted to, then Noa and Koral also came! I showed them how to wash, step by step...the broachos etc etc and after I was so proud of them! We were hugging and taking pictures lol... the best part was that THEY were the ones who initiated it and THEY were the ones who were proud of themselves :-)
After lunch we met our tour guide who led us in the sweltering heat past the Central Bus Station and then stopped in a park to talk to us. She explained about the problem of Israeli immigrants, about how they're not jewish, and the non jewish immigrants cant get citizenship and nor can their children, even if they are born in Israel. However, in comparison, the Jewish Imiigrants who make aliyah get money and citizenship. This creates a big gap in society.
We will write about Monday on tuesday because Brocha reeaallly needs to sleep tonight so please bear with us!
Many of us had a reeaallyy late night and had trouble waking up but we all made it to our first activity at the hotel...the Israeli girls came to us! We played a really funny game where everyone, once reaching a certain point in the game, had to make up a new rule for the game and it was unchangeable. For example, someone made up a rule that whatever anyone rolled on the dice was split in half...making the game reeaallly slow! The point of the game was that everybody is trying to move forward and reach their goals, yet simultainiously we must bear the effects of the decisions that other people have made.
Then we all climbed onto the bus for our ride to Tel Aviv. Tefilas Haderech was courtesy of Linor and Dana this time and we arrived at our destination: the slums of south Tel Aviv, with a short stop at a Falafel shop. Rotem made an announcement that anyone who wants to wash as the falafel was hamotzi, should do so inside the shop... soooo we got off... to our amazment, Emanu also wanted to, then Noa and Koral also came! I showed them how to wash, step by step...the broachos etc etc and after I was so proud of them! We were hugging and taking pictures lol... the best part was that THEY were the ones who initiated it and THEY were the ones who were proud of themselves :-)
After lunch we met our tour guide who led us in the sweltering heat past the Central Bus Station and then stopped in a park to talk to us. She explained about the problem of Israeli immigrants, about how they're not jewish, and the non jewish immigrants cant get citizenship and nor can their children, even if they are born in Israel. However, in comparison, the Jewish Imiigrants who make aliyah get money and citizenship. This creates a big gap in society.
In contrast, we then went to the Ramat Aviv mall in North Tel Aviv where we met Shani who gave us a questtionnaire that we had to fill out in pairs throughout the mall. We had a great time, between iced coffees,"Pull and Bear" and our inexplicable attraction to the Sherutim... We sat outside the beautiful beautiful sanctuary, and had a discussion, led by Shani, about the difference between North and South Tel Aviv and the intangible (financial & psychological) barrier that stops the people from the slums going into the mall.
Afterwards, we took the short trip to Eurocom where we were going to meet Moti Elmaliach and Arnon and KEREN!!!! Uri, our bus driver, was a good sport and got himself stuck in an impossible dead end just to bring us door-to-door. After confusion about which floor 'komah Shtayim' was exactly we entered the most incredible room ever. Please please just look at the pictures, it was indescribable.
Hi Michelle here, gonna try describing! It felt very empowered just sitting there, in that room, with more tvs and gizmos.....ahh i give up just look at the pics....
Hi Michelle here, gonna try describing! It felt very empowered just sitting there, in that room, with more tvs and gizmos.....ahh i give up just look at the pics....
He showed us a video clip of a well known international musician and then showed us an example of a child from Givat Olga with the same talent who had fulfilled their dreams at such a young age. Then he told us his story:
He grew up in Olga. When he was 13 - he sold watermelons until his religous dad choose to put him in boarding school in Jerusalem. This, he says, was his break into the world and he is eternally grateful to his father for pushing him although at the time he didnt appreciate it.
He explained how most schools teach maths science english etc but the givat olga school teaches hairdressing mechanics, building work etc. he told us about how Yaakov Hecht, the National Director of Democratic Education, was given 300m NIS from the mayor to open more schools like Givol and about how after 8 months they wanted to close the school down because there was not enough money and they didnt think it would work and then came along Arnon Katz, who saved it and helped make it what it is today.
Then came along Liora with worlds most classic question to the owner of one of the biggest communication companies in Israel that is the power behind companies like Panasonic among others. She says...'but what do you do - like whats ur job????'. Just classic!!!
Somehow it turned into another 'we love Brocha' fest in the middle as well. After his fascinating talk, Arnon told his story: He had just gone to India and he said that if you think givat olga is poor then they are kings to compare to what he saw in india (we reminded him that he said the same about Madagascar!) - you dont no how lucky you are and where ever life takes you always must remember your routes and never forget where you came from. Then we voted: which person is easier to succeed in the business world, someone from a rich backround or someone from an average income or less than average income backround? Also about the fact that if you believe in something, you have the power to make a change. Then Moti gave Brocha, Arnon and one of the Israeli girls a present: a digital photo frame to remember all the things that had happened. As a surprise, Moti and Arnon took us out to the Chinese restaurant (which was fabulous!) anyhoo to get there, we had to cross a bridge, which (MICHELLE said) was metaphorical of the bridge we all had crossed :-).
He grew up in Olga. When he was 13 - he sold watermelons until his religous dad choose to put him in boarding school in Jerusalem. This, he says, was his break into the world and he is eternally grateful to his father for pushing him although at the time he didnt appreciate it.
He explained how most schools teach maths science english etc but the givat olga school teaches hairdressing mechanics, building work etc. he told us about how Yaakov Hecht, the National Director of Democratic Education, was given 300m NIS from the mayor to open more schools like Givol and about how after 8 months they wanted to close the school down because there was not enough money and they didnt think it would work and then came along Arnon Katz, who saved it and helped make it what it is today.
Then came along Liora with worlds most classic question to the owner of one of the biggest communication companies in Israel that is the power behind companies like Panasonic among others. She says...'but what do you do - like whats ur job????'. Just classic!!!
Somehow it turned into another 'we love Brocha' fest in the middle as well. After his fascinating talk, Arnon told his story: He had just gone to India and he said that if you think givat olga is poor then they are kings to compare to what he saw in india (we reminded him that he said the same about Madagascar!) - you dont no how lucky you are and where ever life takes you always must remember your routes and never forget where you came from. Then we voted: which person is easier to succeed in the business world, someone from a rich backround or someone from an average income or less than average income backround? Also about the fact that if you believe in something, you have the power to make a change. Then Moti gave Brocha, Arnon and one of the Israeli girls a present: a digital photo frame to remember all the things that had happened. As a surprise, Moti and Arnon took us out to the Chinese restaurant (which was fabulous!) anyhoo to get there, we had to cross a bridge, which (MICHELLE said) was metaphorical of the bridge we all had crossed :-).
We had an amazing time!!! Michelle taught Arnon and Moti the table beats:
"EVERYBODY DANCE DOWN!!! *BANG CLAP BANG*
TWO TIMES!
*BANG BANG CLAP BANG*
THREE TIMES!
*BANG BANG BANG CLAP BANG BANG BANG CLAP BANG BANG CLAP BANG*
BREAK IT DOWN NOW!
*BANGCLAP BANG BANG CLAP BANG CLAP BANG BANG CLAP BANG CLAP BANG BANG CLAP DOUBLEBANG CROSSBANG DOUBLEBANG UP!!!*WOOOO HOOO!!
Needless to say; twas a big hit.
Brocha got up and said a massive thank you to Hed for all her work, rotem for keeping us alive and Nechama for everything. Lihi also said thanks to Arnon and Moti for what they were doing for us! We also discovered that one of the waitresses was from Givat Olga!! She joked "oh you are too? So you can help me with the dishes!" We took pictures, videos, had a blast in general. We love Keren, Moti and Arnon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We had blast on the bus ride back after an emotional parting from Arnon and Moti and Keren and collapsed asleep when we got back to the hotel.
We will write about Monday on tuesday because Brocha reeaallly needs to sleep tonight so please bear with us!
Love, Brocha and Michelle
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Shabbos (Day Seven)
Well, I do apologise but for some reason the pictures from Thursday and Friday are not uploading and I really must apologise but I seem to have forgotten to take pictures of today and last night!
Moving on...
Friday night we escaped our hotel that had been overtaken by the French and went to the local French (they are ALL french) shul and davened Kabalas Shabbos and then came back to the hotel to daven Ma'ariv together. We walked in the humid, sweltering, wet night the 0.9miles to our brave hosts, the Ben-Chaim's in Kiryat Sanz.
The meal was truly an experience. For most of us it was the first time that we had been in a Chassidishe house and a few girls said that it was a bit surreal. Claire, the token Sephardi, said that it was 'eye-opening'. It was a beautiful meal and the three boys were singing throughout. Apparently, they usually go to bed after the fish course and were singing for three hours just in our honor. On our walk back, around 12am, Michelle bumped into (literally) two girls who were walking in our direction. By the time we got back to the hotel, us and Michal and Rivka, were really good friends and we stayed downstairs talking for an hour before we made them promise to come back the next day.
The next morning we got up and davened. Unfortunately, though, we didnt make it to shul because we were all shattered from the whole week of constant action. We then had a discussion about identity and some very interesting points came up about how each person can be free within boundaries and the greatest happiness and contentment is found within a person that has boundaries - ie being jewish and keeping the Mitzvos are our boundaries and that is why most people find contentment in their 'search for happiness' when they discover judaism.
Then at 2pm we arrived at our hosts from the night before for our meal. It was delicious and again, an amazing experience. The view from their living room window was breathtaking! Our walk back was surprisingly uneventful and we spent the afternoon taking walks along the beach, sleeping or in major discussion. At around 6:30, Nechama called us all upstairs for another discussion. This time just a general one and a summary about how we felt after the diverse experiences and incredible mix of people we had had and met all week. Questions about the three weeks also came up and by the end of Shabbos we all were talking about how we wanted, this year, to be more aware and careful abot how we followed the halachos of the nine days. Liora read from an article to us about what actually happened during the three weeks and personally, I felt like I truly understood and felt as if I am in mourning. More than any other year. We all took it upon ourselves to ensure that this last week of the program would be in the right spirit for the nine days. We also had a great Seudat Shlishit followed by a melodic havdalah courtesy of Abby.
After a quick discussion we realised that bowling was out of the question and decided to go for Ice Cream - it was delicious! When we got back, Michal Tshuva (great name!), from the night before was there! We all had a great time talking to her and getting to know her and she stayed until really late when we all had to go to sleep. We got her details and will definitely be keeping in touch with her and her cousin, Rivka. We really have made so many good friends on this trip!
Anyway, must get to bed...
Layla Tov!
Brocha
ps Soon I'll be writing the blog in Hebrew, we have all learnt to speak it semi fluently over the last week! Maybe by next week it will also be in French...
Moving on...
Friday night we escaped our hotel that had been overtaken by the French and went to the local French (they are ALL french) shul and davened Kabalas Shabbos and then came back to the hotel to daven Ma'ariv together. We walked in the humid, sweltering, wet night the 0.9miles to our brave hosts, the Ben-Chaim's in Kiryat Sanz.
The meal was truly an experience. For most of us it was the first time that we had been in a Chassidishe house and a few girls said that it was a bit surreal. Claire, the token Sephardi, said that it was 'eye-opening'. It was a beautiful meal and the three boys were singing throughout. Apparently, they usually go to bed after the fish course and were singing for three hours just in our honor. On our walk back, around 12am, Michelle bumped into (literally) two girls who were walking in our direction. By the time we got back to the hotel, us and Michal and Rivka, were really good friends and we stayed downstairs talking for an hour before we made them promise to come back the next day.
The next morning we got up and davened. Unfortunately, though, we didnt make it to shul because we were all shattered from the whole week of constant action. We then had a discussion about identity and some very interesting points came up about how each person can be free within boundaries and the greatest happiness and contentment is found within a person that has boundaries - ie being jewish and keeping the Mitzvos are our boundaries and that is why most people find contentment in their 'search for happiness' when they discover judaism.
Then at 2pm we arrived at our hosts from the night before for our meal. It was delicious and again, an amazing experience. The view from their living room window was breathtaking! Our walk back was surprisingly uneventful and we spent the afternoon taking walks along the beach, sleeping or in major discussion. At around 6:30, Nechama called us all upstairs for another discussion. This time just a general one and a summary about how we felt after the diverse experiences and incredible mix of people we had had and met all week. Questions about the three weeks also came up and by the end of Shabbos we all were talking about how we wanted, this year, to be more aware and careful abot how we followed the halachos of the nine days. Liora read from an article to us about what actually happened during the three weeks and personally, I felt like I truly understood and felt as if I am in mourning. More than any other year. We all took it upon ourselves to ensure that this last week of the program would be in the right spirit for the nine days. We also had a great Seudat Shlishit followed by a melodic havdalah courtesy of Abby.
After a quick discussion we realised that bowling was out of the question and decided to go for Ice Cream - it was delicious! When we got back, Michal Tshuva (great name!), from the night before was there! We all had a great time talking to her and getting to know her and she stayed until really late when we all had to go to sleep. We got her details and will definitely be keeping in touch with her and her cousin, Rivka. We really have made so many good friends on this trip!
Anyway, must get to bed...
Layla Tov!
Brocha
ps Soon I'll be writing the blog in Hebrew, we have all learnt to speak it semi fluently over the last week! Maybe by next week it will also be in French...
Friday, August 1, 2008
Day Five and Six
Hi! Long time no speak!
Wow, so much has happened since you last heard from us. We have been all the way up to the North, to Pki`in and back (a few minutes ago).
So it all began on Thursday morning, we had to be all ready by 7am after being woken up at the unearthly hour of 6am by Hed. We picked up all the girls from Givol at 7:30 and started the three hour jouney up to the Galilee.
Somewhere along the way we picked up Michal Tal, our tour guide for the next two days. She is a German, Israeli, Sephardi Jew and was an amazing storyteller! The bus started the hike to our next stop, called as far we know just 'Viewpoint'. Our lovely bus truly gave a new meaning to 'slowcoach' and we climbed the hills. We saw the entire Galilee from the second highest mountain in Israel after Mt Hermon, it was beautiful.
Then we had another harrowing bus journey to our next hike, down Har Meron to the Yehudia Stream. We had a delicious lunch before the 4 hour hike down and up the hill. It was filled with singing (from Linor), dvar torahs (from Michelle), and deep discussions (Michelle, Michal, Sacha, everyone around them). By the time we back to the top, we were hot and sweaty and tired and hungry. We were greeted by Ruti and Abby who had forgotten to turn on the air conditioning! After changing clothes we piled back on the coach for our next trip.
Then we had a vote about if we wanted to go to Meron to visit Reb Shimon Bar Yochai's kever (Rashbi). We scraped by with a yes which turned out to be he best decision any of us ever made. Upon arrival Michal got up and said that we had to be Tzniut to go in. Most of the Israeli girls were not at all but really wanted to go in. Sapir borrowed Yosepha's long sleeve pink top and white skirt and Koral borrowed Michelles t-shirt and put on a skirt, Lihi put on Hed's skirt and a towel around her shoulders. Sapir looked beautiful and we all had a picture before we went in.
Please look at the pictures because my description doesnt do justice to the beauty of the sight of Michelle teaching Koral how to daven Shemona Esrei for the first time and of Sapir and Lhi struggling through the prayers that they were seeing for the first time since primary school. Koral said afterwards that she felt that the words she was saying was 'Emet' the truth and Sapir announced that she wanted to keep the skirt. Emanu said she wanted to try being religious all next week after Michelle teaching her the Brachos to say on food and Avital begged us all to give her a skirt too!
At dinner Emanu said each bracha with Kavana and wouldnt eat until she had said each one and Koral said Amen to her Brachos. We then had a Tochnit arranged by Koral after being sung to by Emanu and Noa' guitar accompanying her beautiful voice. We then had a social which involved fruit and chocolate fondue prepared by our great Madricha - Rotem. Then we had to write a question and put it in a bottle and we came with things like 'Why does Linor call Abby - Ebbi??' and others. We then had a beautiful Kumzitz with the music of a village wedding in the backround.
Shattered we all took showers and fell into bed.
The next morning we all piled onto the coach at 8:30 and had a tour of Pki'in. We first went to the cave where the Rashbi hid for 13 years over 2000 years ago. We sat under the Carob tree and listened intently to Michal's fascinating stories and Divrei Torah about the Rashbi and the miracles taht occured in his time. She has amazing respect for him and loves the stories. She tod us a beautiful mashal about why Hashem gave the Jews mann every day instead of once a lifetime and compared it to a king who gave his son an allowance every day so tat his son would visit him often and not forget him or who the allowance was coming from.
Then we saw the spring that the Rashbi and his son would drink from and walked past the only jewish school in Pki'in that is not even used now. We then saw the old, 1000 yr old shul which is maintained by the only Jew left in the Druze Village. It has two stones that were brought from the ruins of the second Beth Hamikdash and is outlined in blue (as is the other jewish buildings) to protect from Ayin Hara. Lastly we visited the shop and source of the famous Safta Gamila soaps and oils and heard the original story. It was in Safta Gamila's house! We all bought tons of soaps and oils from there as it is sold in Harrods for $45 and was 20NIS for us!
Then we went on a beautiful ride to our lunch spot which had an incredible view. We had a fascinating discussion about what Shabbos means to each of us and what we want to gain from this Shabbos. Among the things that came up what was most obvious was that Shabbos, for the English and Israeli girls, was a time of peace, quiet and seperation from the rest of the week.
After another three hour drive we arrived at the hotel and now must go for a shower and get ready for Shabbos!
Good Shabbos!
Love, Ruti
Wow, so much has happened since you last heard from us. We have been all the way up to the North, to Pki`in and back (a few minutes ago).
So it all began on Thursday morning, we had to be all ready by 7am after being woken up at the unearthly hour of 6am by Hed. We picked up all the girls from Givol at 7:30 and started the three hour jouney up to the Galilee.
Somewhere along the way we picked up Michal Tal, our tour guide for the next two days. She is a German, Israeli, Sephardi Jew and was an amazing storyteller! The bus started the hike to our next stop, called as far we know just 'Viewpoint'. Our lovely bus truly gave a new meaning to 'slowcoach' and we climbed the hills. We saw the entire Galilee from the second highest mountain in Israel after Mt Hermon, it was beautiful.
Then we had another harrowing bus journey to our next hike, down Har Meron to the Yehudia Stream. We had a delicious lunch before the 4 hour hike down and up the hill. It was filled with singing (from Linor), dvar torahs (from Michelle), and deep discussions (Michelle, Michal, Sacha, everyone around them). By the time we back to the top, we were hot and sweaty and tired and hungry. We were greeted by Ruti and Abby who had forgotten to turn on the air conditioning! After changing clothes we piled back on the coach for our next trip.
Then we had a vote about if we wanted to go to Meron to visit Reb Shimon Bar Yochai's kever (Rashbi). We scraped by with a yes which turned out to be he best decision any of us ever made. Upon arrival Michal got up and said that we had to be Tzniut to go in. Most of the Israeli girls were not at all but really wanted to go in. Sapir borrowed Yosepha's long sleeve pink top and white skirt and Koral borrowed Michelles t-shirt and put on a skirt, Lihi put on Hed's skirt and a towel around her shoulders. Sapir looked beautiful and we all had a picture before we went in.
Please look at the pictures because my description doesnt do justice to the beauty of the sight of Michelle teaching Koral how to daven Shemona Esrei for the first time and of Sapir and Lhi struggling through the prayers that they were seeing for the first time since primary school. Koral said afterwards that she felt that the words she was saying was 'Emet' the truth and Sapir announced that she wanted to keep the skirt. Emanu said she wanted to try being religious all next week after Michelle teaching her the Brachos to say on food and Avital begged us all to give her a skirt too!
At dinner Emanu said each bracha with Kavana and wouldnt eat until she had said each one and Koral said Amen to her Brachos. We then had a Tochnit arranged by Koral after being sung to by Emanu and Noa' guitar accompanying her beautiful voice. We then had a social which involved fruit and chocolate fondue prepared by our great Madricha - Rotem. Then we had to write a question and put it in a bottle and we came with things like 'Why does Linor call Abby - Ebbi??' and others. We then had a beautiful Kumzitz with the music of a village wedding in the backround.
Shattered we all took showers and fell into bed.
The next morning we all piled onto the coach at 8:30 and had a tour of Pki'in. We first went to the cave where the Rashbi hid for 13 years over 2000 years ago. We sat under the Carob tree and listened intently to Michal's fascinating stories and Divrei Torah about the Rashbi and the miracles taht occured in his time. She has amazing respect for him and loves the stories. She tod us a beautiful mashal about why Hashem gave the Jews mann every day instead of once a lifetime and compared it to a king who gave his son an allowance every day so tat his son would visit him often and not forget him or who the allowance was coming from.
Then we saw the spring that the Rashbi and his son would drink from and walked past the only jewish school in Pki'in that is not even used now. We then saw the old, 1000 yr old shul which is maintained by the only Jew left in the Druze Village. It has two stones that were brought from the ruins of the second Beth Hamikdash and is outlined in blue (as is the other jewish buildings) to protect from Ayin Hara. Lastly we visited the shop and source of the famous Safta Gamila soaps and oils and heard the original story. It was in Safta Gamila's house! We all bought tons of soaps and oils from there as it is sold in Harrods for $45 and was 20NIS for us!
Then we went on a beautiful ride to our lunch spot which had an incredible view. We had a fascinating discussion about what Shabbos means to each of us and what we want to gain from this Shabbos. Among the things that came up what was most obvious was that Shabbos, for the English and Israeli girls, was a time of peace, quiet and seperation from the rest of the week.
After another three hour drive we arrived at the hotel and now must go for a shower and get ready for Shabbos!
Good Shabbos!
Love, Ruti
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