By Rabbi David Wilfond, Director of Education
Friday the teens visited the KashKash Farm to learn what it’s like to be a farmer in the middle of the desert. Here the words making the desert bloom are not an empty slogan, but the product of back- breaking work achieved by the sweet of one’s brow. The teens also visit the Ramon Crater and learned about the inspiring story of Israel’s first NASA astronaut, Ilan Ramon, and the tragedy of his loss.
After a hot and tiring week in the desert, Friday and Saturday provided much needed rest and reflection time. The theme for this Shabbat, which was led entirely by Mitzvah Corps and Sci-Tech teens was Mishpaha (Family). Throughout the service, teens shared moments during which they felt like a family this summer. One teen read the dictionary definition of family and then said to him, “family is defined as Sci-Tech and Mitzvah Corps together.” Another teen spoke of the special moment they had trading and sharing food while sitting in the shade of the bus before embarking on the Red Canyon hike. Saturday after Shabbat services, the teens had a chance to rest by the pool, play games, and enjoy time with friends in the cool air conditioning. Later in the day, Naftali Aklum, an educator and Ethiopian activist joined the group to teach about the history and experience of Ethiopian Jews in East Africa and Israel. He shared the inspiring story of his brother, who worked with the Mossad to create the path to Sudan for Ethiopian Jews before Operation Moses.
Saturday night provided an opportunity for teens to show their talents in our Mitzvah Corps and Sci-Tech talent show. Some highlight acts included: drumming, skits, harmonica, card tricks, and beautiful singing.
Sunday the teens travelled to Beer Sheva for a walking Tour of the Dalet Neighborhood to learn about urban social change and the power of community. Lunch was at the Ethiopian Heneini Farm that combines agricultural and educational activities with preserving the Jewish Ethiopian Heritage as a national asset. While is was a bit too hot for farming, the group joined in joyful dance as they built relationships and learned about the community.
In the afternoon, the group splashed into their first day in Tel Aviv with a trip to the beach and dip in the Mediterranean Sea.
In the evening, they met with Dina from Sadaka-Reut, an organization that builds meaningful relationships between Palestinian and Jewish Israel youth. Through their bi-national partnerships, they work to build activists among the two communities who will learn each other’s mutual challenges and stand up again racism.
