The Jewish Federation’s Holy Land Democracy Project annual educator’s delegation to Israel just returned. Here are some thoughts on the journey from guest blogger Barbara Charash, a teacher at Village Christian School in Sun Valley.
Tachlis: The People and the Story
After a Trans Atlantic flight filled to the brim with delightful Israeli families, we commenced upon a fantastic day chockfull of wonder and delight appropriately culminating with an evening ripe with newfound knowledge and tenderness. Warmly hosted to an all encompassing experience of the senses at the Western Wall (Kotel) which included dancing and singing with exuberant IDF soldiers, pilgrims, and tourists then squirrelling our way through an Arab neighborhood, we arrived at a miniscule portion of the Wall. Our host Chaya challenged us to a moment of quiet reflection and we were all visibly moved. As we returned to the main Wall, Chaya and I serendipitously found ourselves alone, drinking in the life that enveloped us. We shared a moment of spiritual sisterhood; it was obvious that the serious yet light-hearted spirit of celebration had profoundly touched me. Culminating with a splendid walk up Jaffa Street that ended with Shabbat at their amazing home brimming with warmth and knowledge, once again the essence of Israel was palatable as we all reverently shared the day’s richest experience. Little did I know that this first night was only the beginning of something that turned out to be more than a trip of a lifetime and became a journey of celebration and encounter that would too quickly land me back in the USA. Those eleven nights flew by and as I began the next day after the twelfth night, I had some time to reflect on memorable moments and ways to share this celebration of life with not only my students but also my life.
Balagan: The Challenge, the Culture, and the Israeli
And appropriately I initiate these reflections with a hero, David Ben-Gurion, and his legacy for past, present, and future. His passion for settlement in the heart of his nation has come to fruition in the inspirational model of the Ayalim community and Rabbi Fivel as their commitment to social involvement inspired me to share their zeal for country with my students. From there our journey brought us to a geographical and strategic situation that I knew I would replicate in the classroom by bringing to life the struggle of the Golan Heights. Jumping into Jeeps with former IDF soldiers, we scoured the hilly terrain, passing land mines, and landing on top of an important vista where the guide engaged us with an incredible story of a fight for life and land. Believing that it could not get any historically better than this, we arrived in Tel Aviv. A lover of the underdog, as we visited Independence Hall, I listened to the story of the struggle told so succinctly and visually that my heart swelled with kinship and shared joy at the birth of a new democratic nation. Golda, what a gal!!!! Trust me, I could go on forever…the Rabin Museum, the camels, the Arab start up in Nazareth, Bethlehem, the bus rides, Marc, Dan the man, the Rabbi…
As a believer in G_d, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He loves me beyond compare due to this timely gift that was given at the culmination of two of the most difficult years of my life. And to share it with these two wonderful men who are so passionate about their second nation and its well being as well as passionate about people was like the cake on top of the frosting. I hope that Jewish Federation Los Angeles knows what a “gold” mine they have in these two amazing leaders, Rabbi Hal and Dan.
The Holy Land Democracy Project is part of our Federation’s Community Engagement strategic initiative. It brings diverse, non-Jewish educators to Israel and then brings Israel to their classrooms. From June 13-24, 25 participants traveled throughout Israel exploring its history, culture, democracy and character, as well as the Arab-Israel dynamic. This trip included teachers from the PUC Charter School consortium, Glendale Unified School District, LA archdiocese schools and Village Christian School; these teachers will return to teach our HLDP Israel curriculum to over 3,000 students each year for the next 5 years. The travel was enriched by experiences such as a jeep tour of the strategic Golan Heights, a magical Shabbat home hospitality in Jerusalem, wine and bread-making at the “Moshav of the Mishna,” meetings with Ethiopian immigrants and Israeli-Arab start-up businessmen, and more.
To learn more, contact Rabbi Hal Greenwald at HGreenwald@JewishLA.org.
