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Monday, 06 July 2009 09:24 |
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on a glorious unseasonably mild day, even the humidity was much less than Tel Aviv. We began our day after a relaxing breakfast going to Yemin Orde. Yemin Orde is a youth aliyah village. It is one of the most innovative educational institutions, which specializes in integrating various youth, like Ethiopian, Russian and even those from broken homes into Israeli society. It is a program that takes a holistic approach to these young people. Creating a sense of safety and comfort for them so that they build their sense of self and from that they come to realize their ability to be whatever they want to be. We spent time with a young woman who works there and she shared her personal story as a young Ethiopian refugee (from project Moses) who was integrated by a similar program in a different part of Israel. It was another example of learning someone else’s personal story. We went from there to experience another Israelis’ personal story at a Druze village. Just like our trip in ’07 we had lunch at a Druze village in the Carmel Mountains. Their home hospitality and the young woman’s story that we heard was another example of the diversity and openness of culture that Israel experiences. So often one only hears of the negative stuff. But the majority of experience is one of greater pluralism and openness than one would realize. Another layer or segment of Israeli culture and Israeli Jewish identity is the growing Reform movement. We visited one of the most wonderful reform congregations in all of Israel. Or Hadash in Haifa, lead by Rabbi Edgar Nof, is a truly incredible institution. Not only is it a synagogue but a significant and powerful part of the Haifa Jewish and interfaith communities. From there innovative bomb shelter that helped to house preschool children during the month plus of bombing two years ago to their incredible work with developing and implementing Reform services and programs for the community. They are always a delightful community to spend time with and this visit was no exception. And now it is time for a relaxing evening in Haifa, overlooking the setting sun over the Mediterranean Sea.
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