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