After a serious day of learning, we had great fun preparing our dinner at the Baba Yona Ranch.

Great wine, yummy food and new friends made our evening so very special. 

Our Stories of Economic and Social Entrepeneurship Supported by Federation for the Arab Israeli Sector

 Arab Israelis make up 21 % of the population in Israel. Our overseas agencies work in partnership with many organizations in Israel who provide services to help Arab populations improve their quality of life.  When we talk about repairing the world, tikkun olam, we do not differentiate  we should make our world a better place for everyone.  Yesterday afternoon we spent time in Nazareth learning about the many programs we support that benefit the Arab Israeli community.

In order for to Israel to continue to grow it economy and  thrive, all citizens much reach their full potential.  There are stumbling blocks for Arab men and women to participate fully in many facets of Israeli life.  Therefore Prime Minister Netanyahu created the Authority for Economic Development of Arab, Druze and Circassian Sectors. Pictured left is the Northern Coordinator Salima Mustafa-Suleiman.  She shared with us the multitude of ways that the Israeli government, in partnership with non-government organizations, including those funded by Federations, are making a difference in promoting these important sectors of society.

Reem Younis and her husband Imad founded Alpa-Omega in 1993.  This company has created, developed and is now selling ground breaking technology in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease.  Click here for more information about their incredible story and product.

As part of their vision of success they believe that their company also needs to be a social inspiration that brings Arabs and Jews together in the work place and supports programs and organizations that bolster the Arab sector in Israel. 

Pictured above are Reem and the electrodes sold by Alpha Omega. 

Stef Wertheimer has funded several industrial parks in Israel.  His latest, left, is in Nazareth.  This building houses companies like Alpha Omega and provides the space for economic and social entrepreneurship for all sectors of Israeli society.  Products created for export in this facility strengthen both Israel's economic and social fabric.

Our Federation system supports programs that bring together Arab and Jewish Israelis recognizing that Israel must provide equally for all citizens and offer support to all sectors.

When we began our adventures on Wednesday, the day began with a red alert siren blazing through Tel Aviv.  We quickly went from our bus to a shelter.  I am reminded of the famous quote from Rabbi Hillel "If I am not for myself, who will be for me?  If I am only for myself, what am I?  If not now, when?"  While Israel protects her citizens and visitors from the barrage of rockets from Gaza, we still confront our challenges and make sure we are addressing together the most pressing needs of today for a bright future tomorrow.

Partnership Together (P2G)!

Our day began with a visit to the Hadera-Eiron Region which is partnered through the Jewish Agency's Partnership Together program with the South-Eastern Consortium. 

A visit at the Ben Yakir Youth Village served as the backdrop to learn more about this wonderful program and partnership.

It was a very gratifying visit as I staffed this partnership for 5 years when I lived in Jacksonville.  To see how this partnership has blossomed so beautifully was such a fantastic highlight for me. 

 And, I ran into a dear friend from Jacksonville - surprise - and one of Matan's former teachers.  Liat was visiting the region to spend time with the teacher with whom she is partnered in Hadera.  This teacher exchange has created professional and personal relationships for teachers all over the Southeastern part of the USA.  In turn, students have developed friendships with their Israeli counterparts. 

Partnership together serves to create people to people connections between the Diaspora and Israel.  These connections allow all of us not just to think about places in Israel on a map or sites to see, but about our friends, colleagues, and family all over Israel. Partnership puts a face on Israel for all of us.

Western Mass is proudly partnered with Afula-Gilboa through the Southern New England Consortium (SNEC).  Our Israel Emissary program comes through this partnership.

 One of the many young people in Israel who has become friends with Americans through P2G.  He spoke about the impact that it has had on his live and others.  His Mom, a teacher, found such meaning in his relationships with teens from Knoxville, TN that she brought the program to her classroom in Israel too!

P2G is serving to change the relationship between the Diaspora and Israel. The relationships that we develop through P2G transform us to a time when we can give as much as we receive from both sides of the ocean.  It is a beautiful thing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day Two - Stories to Share

The work of Federation is to build community - in Western Massachusetts, Israel and around the world. But, what does it mean to build community?  What is a community?  I believe that community is a collection of people and people make community valuable and interesting.   People have stories to share and those stories make up who we are as a people.

Today we spent the day with many fascinating people.  Everyone with whom we met shared their story with us.  Each story connected them to us personally.  And, each story exemplified how their lives were made better because of the Federation system.

Pictured on the left is Yuval.  Yuval lost his arms in the Israeli army.  He was a combat engineer and had a devastating accident while training.  His life changed forever.  But, that is not even half of his story.  After many years of recuperating and struggle, Yuval discovered that there is a community of disabled people in Israel whose needs are not being met.  Whether a physical, educational, psychological or emotional disability, Yuval has made it his life's work to advocate for those with disabilities.  He said "all disabled people can live in a community if they get the assistance they need.  They have the ability to control their own lives."  Yuval currently runs the Center for Independent Living (CIL) in Tel Aviv.  This is a project funded by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) through our campaign dollars.  Every day, Yuval takes his own personal experience and helps make lives better for those who are newly struggling with a disability.  He was such an inspiration.


Our next stop was a meeting with scholarship recipients the American-Israeli Cultural Foundation (AICF).  We met wonderfully talented children like Michael who are able to study the arts and music because of the scholarship that he (and his sister) receive.  They both played for us and they were outstanding!  As we were reminded, thriving arts reflect a healthy culture and society.  Our Jewish history is full of music, art and expression and Federation is helping to carry on these traditions through our work with children like Michael. 

Destun and Tadel below are two 15 year old Ethiopian boys who participate in youth activities at the Ethiopian National Project (ENP)Youth Outreach Center.  This center provides programs, activities, outings and a safe place for youth who would otherwise be home alone or out on the streets.  The Tadel on the left shared with me that his favorite subject in school is art and he loves to draw.  He is able to practice his art skills at the youth center.  Destun likes biblical history and sports.  Our funding of ENP enables boys and girls like Tadel and Destun to dream, plan and create a future for themselves.  Their parents came as immigrants and they are determined to be successful and strong for Israel.  This story is multigenerational and speaks to how we as a people share and value tenacity, hope, resilience and opportunity.  It is because of Yuval, Michael, Destun and Tadel and so many others that we work so hard to raise funds for our community and our people.  Together, we have really done some extraordinary things!

There were so many other wonderful stories to share from today, but these were a few of the highlights, before I try to get a few hours of sleep!  More to come!

Our First Night

Last night my 1/2 full plane landed safely at Ben Gurion airport.  Clearly, many people have canceled trip to Israel.  The hotels and restaurants are not full of their usual hustle and bustle.  While Israelis are trying to go on with life as usual, there is a bit of a change in the atmosphere.  For instance, my sister in law suggested that I keep my cell phone next to the bed at night in case a siren goes off and I know where it is to grab it.  As I went to sleep I made sure my glasses, phone and passport were within reach.  Thankfully it was a quiet night in Tel Aviv with no sirens.  People are simply more alert and staying close to home.

The marked decrease n the height of tourism season is clearly having an impact already on Israel.  And, terrorism is about disrupting daily life, in every way.  Hurting the tourist industry in Israel is one of the many ways Hamas seeks to upset Israel.  I am so incredibly proud that we have so many community members here right now.  From students on Onward Israel programs, to travelers on the Melton trip, to our Federation volunteers who participated in the Campaign Chair and Directors Mission and the Campaigner's Mission, and others who are here for other experiences Western Massachusetts is showing its love and support of our Jewish homeland.  I am very proud of everyone who is here.   All of our Israeli friends and family have not let this go unnoticed.  Once again, they also say, THANK YOU for coming and being with us right now.

Our Western Massachusetts presence means so very much to every Israeli that we know and all of those who we meet.  Pictured here are some of our happy and safe community members at the opening program for the campaigners mission.  I will continue to post about out journeys.  Good night from Tel Aviv. 

It has certainly been a whirlwind since I posted!  We have been in Jerusalem exploring the sites and sounds and enjoyed being here for shabbat.  Today our group took off for Massada and the Qumran.  There are lots of photos being posted on the Federation Facebook page!  Feel free to check them out.

While Jerusalem has been cold and rainy, we are warm with joy to be spending time in Israel!

Tuesday, April 16

As our program opened on Monday evening we moved from a somber memorial day to a celebratory Independence Day.  Our opening evening was emotional and overwhelming as 131 of us gathered to celebrate our community's arrival in Israel.  It was an extraordinary site.  Our Rabbis began with a ceremony to honor those who have fallen defending our Jewish homeland.  We moved into a festive dinner.

Our next morning took us to Machon Ayalon on Yom Ha'atzmaut, Independence Day.  The miraculous story of this underground bullet factory http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machon_Ayalon 

is an amazing story exemplifying the significance of the efforts to create a Jewish state.  Our day took us through Tel Aviv, ending with a lively dinner with Israeli lone soldiers. These soldiers each shared their moving stories explaining why they chose to live in Israel on their own and serve in the military.

Yom Hazikaron

At 11:00 AM Israel time, the second siren rang out so that the entire country could stop to honor those who have fallen while defending Israel, our Jewish homeland.  In an instant, everything stops - cars, buses, people - and stand still while the siren wails.  It is a somber and humbling moment connecting every single person in Israel together. 

Traffic stopped in Tel Aviv when the siren goes off.

Ceremony in honor of Yom Hazikaron in Rabin Square Tel Aviv.

Today We Begin!

Today is the big day!  Everyone finally arrives and we are off and running.  Today is Yom Hazikaron, Memorial Day in Israel.  It is a solemn day as we recognize our fallen Israeli soldiers.  Tonight, Israel Independence Day begins and so do our festivities.  Feel free to follow our group as we journey around Israel for the next 10 days.  We look forward to sharing stories and pictures from our community in Israel to our community in Western Massachusetts.

It is hard to believe that last Shabbat I was singing and dancing in Jerusalem.  There have been many times over the last week that I have reflected back on our visit.  It was a crazy inspiring whirlwind.  Our last day found us visiting the central command of the Israeli military.  We heard a report about the Iron Dome Defense project from an air force Brigadier General.

From the military command we were whisked back to Jerusalem where we had the pleasure of hearing from President Shimon Peres.  He spoke beautifully and poignantly and left us with an important message.   He believes the three things all Jews should be are:

1 - Moral with the understanding that morality is the highest form of wisdom
2-  Dissatisfied with a desire to make things better
3 - Soldiers for peace

A surprise visit from Michael Oren capped off this extraordinary morning. We were not allowed to take pictures of the president, but below is Michael Oren addressing the group.

I always feel like I leave a little part of me every time I go to Israel.  There is now a little bit of me left in Odessa too.

Shabbat

Friday morning was spent discussing serious domestic and foreign issues that concern Israel. While in the USA we may see the threat from Israel's neighbors, within Israel, citizens are just as concerned with social issues like affordable housing, cost of food increases and mandatory conscription of the ultra religious into the military. There is never a shortage of issues to discuss pertaining to Israel. From our morning discussion we drove to visit new Ethiopian immigrants. The largest group of Ethiopians was brought to Israel in the early 90's. But there are still more today that are being brought to safety in Israel. When I was in college, I spent my junior year studying in Israel. The favorite part of that year was the time I spent working with Ethiopian children in an absorption center. It was a very different time and Israel has become so much more sophisticated in the process of integrating Ethiopians into Israeli life. When I was in college, we used to bring our cameras with us to take pictures of the children. They would eagerly wait a whole week for us to bring the pictures back that we had developed. In contrast, what a great time I had taking pictures digitally with the kids! The whole absorption process has been streamlined and the last group of Ethiopian Jews will be in Israel by Ocotber 2014. We interacted with the excited children in the absorption center by playing music, coloring and making ice cream.

Looking back on Operation Moses, which we made possible in the early 90's by generosity of the American Jewish community and other countires around the globe. The children that I met then are now in their 20's. I often wonder about where they are and what they are doing. At lunch, we had the opportunity to find out. We divided into small lunch groups and met with Ethiopians who are leading successful productive lives in Israel. They have all suffered much hardship and overcome challenges. Today many of them work to help new immigrants adjust to life in Israel. The second Ethiopian member of Knesset spoke to us about lunch about the sitution with the current immigration and challanges facing this population as they work to intigrate intonIsraeli society. Sigal, below, was a woman whom we had the pleasure of meeting with over lunch. She was born in 1979 and was just a baby when her father left the family to walk to Sudan to come to Israel. She did not see him again until 1990 when she was 11 years old. She shared her struggles with us, and there were many, but today she helps Ethiopian parents learn how to raise their children in Israeli society. She is married to a French man and has three young children of her own. She is just one of the Ethiopian success stories that brought me to tears. The Ethiopian resuce and absorption is unprecedented. We are the only people to have taken people out of Africa to bring them to freedom and integrate them into society in meaningful, productve and dignified ways. It is miraculous.

We took some time to get ready for Shabbat and then we headed to the southern wall excavations for a lively kabbalat shabbat service with lively music and dancing. A breeze gently blew in the spirit of shabbat as the melodies filled the air with joy. It could not have been a more beautiful setting to feel the spirit and peace that comes with shabbat in Israel. The spirit moved me and I felt so very grateful for all of the wonderful blessings in my life. The sun began to set over the Western Wall and the last minute frenzy of Shabbat preparations became a rush of music and prayer. A palpable Shabbat calm began to spread as we all began to relax from our hectic week and wished each other a Shabbat Shalom.

Our new week has begun as beautifully as the last one ended. We said goodbye to shabbat as we sang shavuah tov from the balcony of the hotel looking over Jerusalem. The smell of fresh rosemary, the beautiful music, and the twisted light of the havdalah candle separted us from Shabbat to begin a new and productive week. The memories we are making on this trip will certainly shape this week and many many more. Shavuah tov from Jerusalem.

Israel Day 1, Shabbat Shalom

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem. It has been a whirlwind since we arrived yesterday. This week's Torah portion, Pinchas, is so appropriate as I look back at the last 24 hours in Jerusalem. In this parsha, we are reminded of all of the names of the tribes and with whom is associated with each one. I'll get to that, but in the meantime - our first stop Thursday was at the Hadassah Neurim Youth Village. Youth villages were originally establish to support children who came to Palestine right after the Shoah. Today youth villages are home to children who can no longer stay in their homes because of abuse, neglect or other issues. The facility offers a home to children who need help and a safe space. They receive counseling and other services. From the Youth Village we went to see a very different form of counseling. Below are two pictures. Each one is of a Holocaust survivor and a teen who has spent a year, talking, interviewing, and connecting on many levels. This program is called JDC Witness Theater. The culmination of the program ia a live theatrical performance where the teen and the survivor act out the survivors story. This was an incredibly moving program for both the teens and the survivors. For many survivors this was the first time they were able to open up and share their personal story of survival.

Our next stop brought us to a naval base to particpate in a meeting with Taglit-Birthright Israel participants. In our small groups we spoke with both the Israeli soldiers who join the group and the American particpants. Both the Israelis and the Americans discussed why the program was so profoundly impactful on them. This is Birthright's Bar Mitzvah year. It has been going strong for 13 years and has brought over 300,000 young adults to Israel. These young people would not have gone to Israel and connected with our ancestral homeland and Isralis if it were not for this program. We will all benefit from Birthright in the years to come. We attended the Birthright mega event Bar Mitzvah celebration in the Port of Haifa. It was an incredible celebratory production with the 3000 Birthright participants in attendance. They represented countries from around the globe including: Denmark, Sweden, Argentina, Brazil, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, United States, Canada and I am sure other places I am forgetting. Not only was it so very exciting to see the money that we have raised in support of Birthright connecting our young adults with Israel, but also with Jews from around the world. The event was a spectacle of young adults who love Israel, but also grapple with questions about the country. Birthright allows the participants to explore, ask questions, and develop their own conclusions. Below are pictures from the event. Unfortunately they aren't great as my camera and cell phone batteries died and these were taken on my Ipad. Hopefully you will be able t see the magnitude of the event.

After an extremely long day we headed to Jerusalem looking forward to Friday and Shabbat rest.

Odessa, Ukraine - Day 3

Once again today was a day of contrasts. It is midnight in Odessa after another long day. There were high's and low's and still many more questions. Often people say Federation is an umbrella organization. Personally, I do not like that phrase. I believe that we are an organization of people. Each person that we serve, and each institution that we support, creates a collective. We are individual stories that make up a collective. And, this collective too has a wonderfully rich story. It is a story full of pride, struggles, success, despair, disappointment, enlightenement, perseverance and determination. We arethe gle that holds it all together. Our day began with a visit to a Wolrd ORT school that we support in Odessa. It is an exceptional grade 1-11 school that focuses on math, science and technology; as well as Judaic studies. The school has won many awards, nationally and internationally. We were greeted by students.

From there we heard from the professional staff of World ORT about the mission and accomplishments of ORT. The work is extradorinary in 64 countires in the world. ORT is one of our international agencies working on our behalf. An ORT school principal from Riga, Latvia spoke about her school. She made a comment that hit very close to home. She stated that when Jews in Latvia were once again able to be openly Jewish they came to study in the ORT school because they had Jewish studies. Now, Jewish parents want to make sure their children are receiving the best all around education too. They use the same Hebrew curriculum, Tel-Am, that Heritage Academy and Lander-Grinspoon Academy use. Their Judaic studies combined with their world class science, math and technology program is what keeps people coming to the school. The challenges she spoke of in running a Jewish school were exactly the same as ours in Western Massachusetts. What if we could conquer these challenges together? The students who spoke to us about their experiences in the school were articulate and impressive. One boy, pictured below (Susan and I both thought he looks like my son Matan) spoke of needing to be in school because of anti-semitism that he faced in his public school. This school won the international robotics championship. Pictured below is a robot made by 5th and 6th graders.

From the proud high of our success in the ORT school, we drove to the Holocaust Memorial in Odessa. Ukranian towns, including Odessa, were decimated during the Holocaust. 2 million Ukranians perished in the Holocaust. We learned of the mass murders in Odessa. We arrived at the site in bleak rainy weather that turned into a torrential storm. The rain felt like the tears of 2 million people pounding down on us. We held a memorial service, recognized the righteous gentiles who bravely helped friends and neighbors, placed stones on the memorial and lit yartzeit candles. Pictures from the memorial are below.

The little boy pictured above, probably about 4 years old is an orphan who lives in a Jewish orphanage called Beit Hatikvah - House of Hope. He and other orphans from the home were at the memorial with us. Today, our Jewish community is able to care for him. Had it been the 1930's or 40's, his stroy could have been very different. From the memorial we drove to meet with families at risk served by the JDC. Each family has its individual story. Together they tell a collective tale about our work. All of these Jewish families are served through the JDC and the local family service agency. If it wasn't for us, they would receive no help whatsoever and they would fall right through the cracks of society. This is what we do. We take care of each other because if we don't, no one else will in Odessa and in countires around the world. We had the pleasure of speaking with Misha and his Mom, Victoria. Her husband died 4 years ago when she was 38, leaving her with 4 children. She works in the Chesed, the Jewish senior program, taking care of the elderly. Our assistance allows her to live in dignity by putting food on her table and sending her children to Jewish school. Her oldest daughter is even traveling to Israel on a MASA (JAFI Israel Experience) program. Below is Misha, Vicotoria and other children helped in this program.

From here we met with another group of youth. These were young people who had just returned from a Ukranian Birthright Israel trip. Most of these young people grew up without any connection to their Jewish roots. Only 1 out of 10 eligible students in Ukraine and Russia are able to go on these trips because of funding limitations. The young man who left the greatest impression on me shared his story with me in eloquent English. He was from a town called Nikoliev, about 2 hours outside of Odessa. He had never left this region before his trip to Israel. His grandfather on his father's side was Jewish and his mother was not Jewish. His parents divorced when he was 6. He is an only child. He did not know that by the standards of the Nuremberg Laws he would even be considered Jewish. These standards were created in Nazi Germany. It simply stated that anyone who had one Jewish grandparent is considered Jewish and could be taken to the concetration camps and exterminated. The Jewish grandparent standard is still sed for immigration to Israel today. If one grandparent was Jewish, one can make alliyah. He learned of his family's background when at age 12 his father came to him and told him he was moving to Israel and leaving him behind with his Mother. He was resentful of his father and resentful of being Jewish. He faced anti-semitism and he hated who he was. And yet, he heard about the Birthright trips and decided at age 23 it was time to explore his heritage. From this trip he has found pride in his Jewish roots and wants to live in Israel. His complicated situation is that he would be leaving his Mom behind. This individual story is part of our collective too. Below are picture of the Birthright students; all with similar stories to share.

Our last stop of the day was at a Jewish Agency for Israel sponsered overnight 10 day summer camp for teens. The spirit there was as great as any Jewish overnight camp in the USA. Teens came from all over Ukraine to attend the camp. Some came from as far away as a 14 hour train ride. For these summer campers, for all of them, this is their first entree into their Jewish identity. They learn about Israel and their Jewish roots. Only 1 out of every 2 eligible teens is able to come because of limited funding. The teens were kind, smart and so very impressive. We are giving them Jewish life, an identity and hope for the future. For some, their future will take them to Israel. Others will choose to stay in Ukraine. Either way, their Jewish roots will open doors for their future. Below are pictures from our camp visit.

Tomorrow we leave early in the morning for Israel. The next blog post will be from there. Goodnight!