Final Reflections

The final three days of our program have been both incredibly busy and just plain incredible.  Starting early Monday morning and ending after dark on Tuesday night, we finished constructing the two sets of benches and tables; added beautiful mosaics to their surfaces; built garden beds; completed the pathway into the garden; planted vegetables, herbs, and trees; painted a welcome sign; and finished the mural.

Planting vegetable beds.

Placing the mosaics on the cement/tire benches and table

Final touches on the mural.

Working in the garden with middle- and high-school students from Maghar has been an amazing experience.  While we are proud of the way the garden turned out, the most rewarding part has been the process.  Throughout the past week, we have had the opportunity to work with an inspiring group of students who spent their vacation volunteering their time to create the garden with us.  While it was difficult to communicate at times due to language barriers, we learned to find ways to work together.  Leaving our handprints painted on the welcome sign, it was amazing to see the mark that each of us has made individually and together, on this garden and in each other’s lives.

On Monday evening, we took time to watch a film called The Syrian Bride, set in a Druze community that is split between Syria and the Golan Heights (Northern Israel).  In a follow-up discussion to the film, our group reflected on the new perspective we have after spending a week living with families in Maghar, experiencing Druze culture, and watching the film in the company of our new friends.

Last night was our final evening with our host families.  It was bittersweet knowing that we would be leaving the next day, but also wonderful to see how connected we have become in just one week.  We entered their home as strangers, and we are leaving as part of their families.  Living with host families has been a challenge because there are many cultural and communication barriers, and it takes time to feel comfortable in a new environment.  We could not imagine on our first night that we would be enjoying a final evening full of laughter, complete with traditional Druze food and giant waffles with Nutella, watching Israeli X-Factor, spending time with aunts and cousins, and playing with our adorable one-year-old “brother” who we will miss so much.

We worked in the garden until after dark last night, so it was incredible to arrive at the high school this morning and see the garden in the light.  We walked around the garden and saw the transformation that has taken place, from an empty trash-filled lot behind the school to a beautiful community space.  We are excited to be able to leave this gift for the community who has welcomed us with open arms this week.  In the late morning, we held a ceremony to celebrate the completion of this amazing community effort.  We heard from the director of Ofakim L’Atid in Maghar, the principal of the school, the director of Yahel, and an American student.  We also took the time to thank our host families for their hospitality, handing them each a flower to plant in the garden. 

After a final meal together, we took the time as a group to talk about what this experience has meant to us, and how we will continue to maintain connections and create change when we return to UMass Amherst. 

We have had an incredible experience for the past 9 days, formed connections and made memories that will last a lifetime, and learned so much that we will carry forward with us.  As we told our new friends, this is not good bye, just see you later.  

Some of us are flying home this evening, while others are extending our time in Israel.  Either way, we have all been shaped by our experiences over the past nine days, will go forward seeing ourselves and the world around us with new eyes.

We can’t believe our stay in Maghar is over already! We have so many fond memories that we will carry with us forever.  We refuse to say goodbye, but rather see you later!

By Hallie Goldstein and Hannah Weinrock

A Day of Service and Learning

Yesterday morning we arrived at the community garden at the school with eight hours of work ahead of us. Throughout the day we asked people to remember our kavana, patience, and to be patient while working on their projects, with communication, and patience with each other. We saw this kavana in action while people were working on their prospective projects. Some of the projects that are coming along include mosaics, tire tables, and planting. We observed Yahel students working patiently with Druze students, whom they had not met before. While working, the American students and the Druze students were able to talk openly and talk about religion, Israel, and their daily lives.

Hallie working on the mural

Students and counselors from Mrar working hard in the garden

Later in the day the Yahel students met for a challenging learning discussion about many controversial topics related to Israel. We read a variety of readings that included a passage from Isiah, a Ben Gurion speech, and The Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel, while discussing the ideals behind the state of Israel.  We had the chance to discuss whether Israel was a “light unto the nations,” “a land that devours its inhabitants,” or a regular nation, like any other.  This discussion was particularly challenging, after having spent a week in the homes of a minority group in Israel.  Many of us believed that Israel should be a “light unto the nations”, but disagreed on whether this has been accomplished, or will be accomplished in the future. Later in the discussion we read current event articles, which expanded out views of Israel and deepened our understanding of the country. This activity allowed us to take a moment and think about how our opinions have differed after living with Druze families.

Later in the evening, some of the American students with their hosts, got the chance to meet up at one of the Druze houses. During this hang out we were able to share a meal with everybody and also watch a movie. This is just one of countless times we have had the opportunity to connect with our peers in the Druze community over food and culture.  Although we had expected to have very different interests and traditions, time and again we have been struck by how similar we are.  Whether it be taste in movies or favorite pop songs, these students seem more like us than we would have imagined.  We are sad to be leaving this amazing community so soon, but are looking forward to seeing the garden finished and joining with the whole community on Wednesday for a final ceremony.

We had a full day of work yesterday, followed by an in depth learning discussion on the topic of Israeli ideals.  Our eyes have been opened by these discussions, as well as engaging in a cultural exchange with the Druze community.

-Elana Roffer and Elie Leaderman-Bray  

A Relaxing Day and a Half at Kibbutz Hanaton

We began our day waking up earlier than usual to get more work in at the garden, because of our planned trip to Kibbutz Hanaton. Before work we set a kavanah (intention) for the next two days: stepping out of your personal comfort zone. Then, the Yahel participants broke into committees to plan either Shabbat at the Kibbutz or the tekes (ceremony). Once some of the local Druze students and other community leaders showed up at the garden, the group got to work!

Everyone broke into their respective groups, whether it was planting, creating the path, painting the mural, or building the tables. The Deputy Mayor of Maghar (second from right) and school principal (first on left) also came by to show their support and enthusiasm for the project.

Everyone put in a solid work effort and a lot of progress was made in the short time we had to work in. At 12:30 we were served a very tasty meal consisting of sh’warma and various toppings. After the meal, we all hopped on the bus, excited to make the journey to the Kibbutz!

Once we arrived to the Kibbutz, we first met Navee, who was a new friend for some and an old friend for others. Then, we all unpacked and relaxed in our new rooms awaiting the oncoming Friday night Shabbat services. At around 4:30, we met as a group and made our way to services. We were impressed by the amount of energy shown by the members of Kibbutz Hanaton as well as their guests.

After services we said the Shabbat blessings and ate dinner. After dinner, the group met in the library for a Tish, which consisted of melodic Hebrew songs, poems, and stories. After the Tish was over, our group bonded through various jokes, cup tricks, conversations and games.

In the morning, group members had the option of attending morning Shabbat services or getting some extra rest. Later after services, we all met for a relaxing tour of Kibbutz Hanaton, which provided the group a basic history of the Kibbutz, the neighboring villages surrounding the Kibbutz, and the land of Israel as a whole.

Afterwards, the group enjoyed a scrumptious lunch consisting of chicken, hummus, fresh vegetables and various other dishes. When lunch was over the group moved to the library for an insightful talk about life on the kibbutz with our newly acquainted friend, Navee. After the talk, the group took a relaxing break. Once break was over, we headed on over to the beit knesset where we met with an Isrsaeli reform rabbi who is married to an Orthodox rabbi. We discussed the meaning of being religious in Israel and pluralism, both on a kibbutz and as it relates to general politics of the nation of Israel. 

We ended Shabbat in the library where we extinguished the Havdalah candle, discussed the "thorns and roses" (what we liked and disliked) of our Shabbat experience on the Kibbutz and finally discussed the kavanah with the group. Shabbat Shalom!

Today's blog was written by Lenny and Andrew Schwartz

Reflections on Parshat Bo

In this week's parshah, Bo, we learn about the struggles of the Israelites attempting to leave Egypt as a community. Moses insisted that "with our youth and with our elders we will go, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our cattle we will go" (Ex. 10:9).  We realize that the Israelites felt so strongly in keeping their community intact that they were not willing to leave anyone behind, including their flocks.  No one was forgotten in Egypt and as "strangers in a strange land," the importance of community is paramount.

This week, during our service in Maghrar, we are also experiencing the importance and strength of community as we work and live within the Druze community. Their unbeatable hospitality is matched by internal notions that they must try twice as hard to succeed compared to Jewish Israelis because of their minority status.  As we share Shabbat with our local Druze leader Ameer, we as American Jews now have a developing view of what it means to be a community in Israel and understand that Judaism is not the defining aspect of what it means to be Israeli or to have a strong community in Israel. 

This week's parsha post was written by Evan. He will be studying at HUC Rabbinical school next year. 

In the Garden - Day 4

Today our Kavanah topic was about the different cycles that occur in our communities and in our lives and how they are affected by the people who we share our time with. With this in our minds we continued to work on the garden, where we were joined by a group of youth from the Society for the protection of Nature.

We broke into a few different groups. One was working on the tire chairs and table, and one designing the mosaic to go on the chairs. Another group worked on designing the mural. The last group focused on the path leading into the garden. The group members worked together really well and made a lot of progress.

It was great to see involvement from the community in the project. So many community members visited us today, and others generously donated need materials such as: gravel, sand, ceramic tiles, and various tools. It’s clear that this community is excited for a wonderful new outdoor space.

Building a table and seats from recycled materials.

After lunch the Americans taught the Israelis a game called Ninja. It is not an easy game to learn but after a few moves we all understood how to play. The best part was seeing how much the Israelis enjoyed the game as well.

After a few more hours of work, we came together to discuss the seeds that brought us to do social justice. It was an eye-opening conversation where we heard about growing up in the Druze community.

As the day came to a close we revisited our opening Kavanah: what are the cycles of our life and who we choose to share them with. We are excited to share Shabbat with one another soon!

Today's blog post was written by Elisheva Bukiet and Dori Robinson

Hiking and Tzvat - Day 3

We started out today by driving to the shrine of one of the Druze prophets, Nabi Shu'aib. We learned about the site’s rituals and history, such as not wearing shoes inside the room, stepping over the threshold, and covering ourselves completely with clothes. The building itself is built into the same cave where Druze have been coming to pray for thousands of years.

Dori and Hannah at the grave of Nabi Shuabi

Next, we drove to the top of Mt. Arbel, where we had a picnic of pita with a variety of dips and vegetables. We hiked straight down a cliff holding on to metal handholds and ropes. On our way down we came upon a castle in the cliff side. All that was left were caves and bits of the wall that have since crumbled. Our tour guide explained that the Jews used to live in these caves surrounded by walls for protection, until the Romans conquered them. Even today it is clear that Arbel is clearly a protective environment, with a cliff on one side and fertile farmland on the other.

When we got to the bottom of the mountain, we hopped back on the bus and drove to Tzvat, a city known for kabbalah. We were able to walk around in small groups to see the city. We then went on a brief tour of some of the major historical sites. On our way back to Mrar, we stopped at Rosh Pina for dinner. The whole group fit into a small falafel and shwarma restaurant and ate a delicious dinner.

Dinner in Rosh Pina

It was really interesting to start the day learning about a holy site for the Druze and ending the day visiting a holy city for the Jews. Traveling with the Druze teenagers today made it clear how there are so many similarities and differences between our religions. Seeing this draws us closer and everyone is looking forward to continuing this relationship.

Today's blog post was written by Molly Mamon and Micaela Russell

Work Begins - Day 2

We began our day today with a kavanah about how food is important in connecting with different cultures and communities.  After, we began to work in the high school garden.  We helped clean up the trash, weeded, started to build a walkway into the garden, painted the base color of a mural, started to build tables and chairs out of tires and cement for the students to use outside.  It was a long day, but we saw so much progress and can’t wait to continue working to see more improvement and then the end result.

After lunch and more working, we gathered in a classroom in the school to discuss our relationship to Israel.  We talked about the story of the spies, where Moses sent twelve different spies to scope out the land of Israel and to tell if it was worth settling in.  We had great conversation and everyone had a different interpretation of the story. 

After our discussion, we were dropped off at our host homes where we were able to get ready before going out to dinner with the Druze youth.  At dinner, the food just kept coming.  All of it was so delicious.  We listened to music while we ate, danced, and had great interaction with the Druze. Dessert of delicious baklava was brought out on trays with small cups of coffee to enjoy during and after the dancing.

We concluded the day with a final statement about our kavanah and had everyone state one way that they have connected with a Druze through food. We also went around the circle to say roses, buds, and thorns to debrief the day. Since we weren’t all going to be together at 12:00 for the new year, we pretended that it was 11:59 and counted down to “midnight” and lit sparklers. Today was just incredible. The relationships that we are building are great and can only get better.

Today's post was written by Diana Weinstein and Karen Podorefsky