So far, the Ayalim program is a lot better than I expected. The staff is incredible and all of the participants are friendly and fun to be around with. Our tour guide, Eran, is very knowledgeable about Israel’s present and future challenges for those living outside of the major population centers. He did a good job in sparking my interest in learning more about the Jewish state.
The students living in the Ayalim village located in Ashalim are very hospitable towards our entire group. Everyone in Ashalim is like family. They want nothing more than for us to feel welcomed and comfortable within the community. There is a strong sense of family, and I really enjoy the Shabbat dinners. There is no program like it. I am really surprised to see that there are young adults who love living in the Negev, away from the cities and nightlife. They live a simple and self-sufficient lifestyle that stresses the importance of improving the community. I never realized how important the Negev was for the survival of Israel. If it was not for the pioneers who lived in the rural areas, then those areas would have been overtaken by neighboring enemies. Therefore, these areas are of strategic importance and are crucial to the survival of Israel.
I am just amazed at all of the places we have visited that Birthright Israel was not able to access or show us. I really liked visiting Akko and the Bedouin villages, while learning their respective religions and cultures. All of our activities are informative and provide us with a better understanding of the dynamics of the country. For example, the visit to the observation post near the Gaza Strip revealed to me the challenges the people of Sderot and the student village near Gaza are going through from Qassam rocket attacks. The lives of these Israelis are in a state of constant anxiety.
The nature hikes in the Negev and the Golan gave me a better appreciation of the topography. I was really surprised by the diversity of the land. One day we would be walking through a desert oasis in the Negev, and then the next day we would be in the forests near Tsefat.
I am also really happy with the work we are doing in Ashalim. Although the pool we are constructing is small, I feel like I am actually making difference. Getting my hands dirty and working the land is a rewarding and fulfilling experience. By building something in Israel, I feel like I am giving back to Israeli society.
Overall, the trip has been an enlightening experience and I am really looking forward to the next two weeks. I really excited to go to Jerusalem to visit the Wailing Wall and I hope the next fourteen days will be even better than the last fourteen days!
This Summer, our Federation sent ten young adults for a hands-on experience in the Negev, where they are renewing the Zionist ideal. In conjunction with our partner the Ayalim Association, we are renewing Israel’s pioneering spirit and strengthening existing communities through the establishment of student and entrepreneur social justice villages. Click here to read our initial blog post which featured their thoughts before the program began.
