Kallah 2011 Wrap Up
Posted on 07/30/2011 @ 07:00 AM
The Kallah 2011 Group
As we pack our bags and clean the dorms for the last time, it is apparent that emotional ties to Kallah run deep. We have all become so accustomed to life here that the switch back home will be as weird as arriving here so long ago. There is no denying, however, that everyone has come a long way in this time. We have all tried new things and engaged in meaningful experiences, as well as making friendship ties that will last a lifetime.
We have taken classes and explored our Judaism, questioned our values, and studied our past. We visited places like Morasha and learned about all the different ways of practicing Judaism. We had an intense and competitive color war, learned about wizards and witches at Harry Potter, and bonded with our dorms through late night activities.
The way everyone here has progressed through this time has truly been spectacular. We as a Kallah team hope everyone has gained from their experiences and will be able to join their home communities and to practice their Judaism with pride and in an enhanced manor.
The friendships that were made will last a lifetime and the memories will last just as long. The participants are all packed and ready to depart tomorrow morning and will be saying their sad goodbyes in just a few hours as they get on the buses to go home. We hope everyone had a great time at Kallah 2011!
Chapter Board!
Posted on 07/29/2011 @ 09:28 PM
Hey guys! Today is our fourth day of CLTC 7! Yesterday I was elected Sh’licha of Lev Yafeh BBG #7123, my chapter here. It was really cool to know that I would be able to be a part of my chapter on a board level! My chapter has been planning our Shabbat Program for tonight, and it’ll be really awesome to lead the first chapter-lead program of the session! We’re all working together and it’s been great getting to know the BBGs and AZAs from all across the country! -Maddie from Mountain Region
Second Stint
Posted on 07/29/2011 @ 03:19 PM
Friday began our second stint in ירושלים and our first Shabbat there. We started the day with a Hebrew lesson with Roberta in the hotel, then a session with Shahar Fisher, a representative from the Hitorerut party (http://www.in-jerusalem.org, in Hebrew).
After the program, we went to the Israel Museum (http://www.english.imjnet.org.il/htmls/home.aspx) for a brief history of Israeli art, from pre-state Canaan to the current time. We looked at works from the Bezalel School - which was founded in Jerusalem in 1906, Reuven Rubin - perhaps Israel's most famous painter, and photographer Adi Ness - one of Israel's most famous living artists.
The Museum also houses immense collections of Western art from the 17th century to the present day, including - in Aaron Bock's opinion - one of the finest collections of 20th century art in any museum. There are also extensive collections of photography, art from Asia, Africa, and the Americas. It is, again according to Aaron, a phenomenally well curated gallery.
Closer to home, the Museum has extensive exhibits on Jewish art from around the world, Israeli archaeology, and a large model of Herodian Jerusalem. The Museum's centerpiece, and most recognizable landmark, is the Shrine of the Book. A beautiful archive built to house the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Shrine of the Book is an amazing space in which to gaze upon the oldest known copies of the Tanakh.
After the Museum, we had several hours of free time to prepare for Shabbat and rest. We split up for Kabbalat Shabbat, with groups going to the Kotel and to Yakar Synagogue, an orthodox Carlebach minyan. We reconvened for dinner, and a low-key oneg with desserts and singing of both traditional Shabbat songs and some more modern camp songs of our youth.
Aaron Bock
Day in the Life of a Coordinator
Posted on 07/28/2011 @ 11:28 PM
Boker tov! Today was our first full day at Beber. Unified as a CLTC body, we stood in a half-circle around the flagpole to sing Israel’s national anthem, Hatikvah. A designated AZA chapter explained personal connections to one of The Seven Cardinal Principals by which the International Order of the Aleph Zadik Aleph strives to exemplify in daily life.
After this and breakfast, we participated in a very unique and revitalizing Shacharit service, which involved a little bit of early-morning stretching. From there, everyone broke into their rotation groups (either N*SYNC, Backstreet Boys, or 98 Degrees) for Rikudim (Israeli Dancing), Shirim (Song) and a Jewish Experience class for a text-study and a lesson about Jewish leaders.
From there, we had lunch and a short break, followed by a leadership session on Chapter Election Procedures. Participants spent their first Chofesh (free time) at the canteen buying food, in their dorms catching up on sleep, or expanding their physical and internal boundaries by exploring the camp and making new friends.
After dinner, Josh and I lead separate AZA and BBG education sessions where teens learned and taught what they know about the dynamics of the International Order of BBYO.
This lead into a program called “Junkyard Wars,” where participants showed their spirit for their mock chapters and team-building skills while constructing designs from recycled objects.
Teens had a fun night of Israel Dancing, s’mores, and a friendship circle where they enjoyed the opportunity to speak to the group about their experiences thus far and give shout outs to their new friends. It was wonderful to hear confirmation that everyone is benefitting from programs, building connections, and generally loving the time they spend here at CLTC.
Time for bed, Leila Tov! B’shalom, Emily
Rich’s Blog Post
Posted on 07/28/2011 @ 05:20 PM
My personal adventure today was a little different than anyone else’s – having to wait in a hotel in Haifa for two hours just for a letter to arrive, after some angry phone calls of course and with the help of an Israeli woman working at the hotel, and once it did arrive, driving for over 45 minutes to get only 30 minutes away and join with the rest of the group. But thankfully, that was the only crazy for today.
The REST of the group, on the other hand, spent the morning at Oranim College in Kiryat Tiv’on. In the beginning, two groups of PDIers chose songs in Hebrew to broadcast on the college’s radio station, and then afterwards, everyone was interviewed on air by the DJ. Once the broadcast was over, we all (yes, I had joined the group by now) had a chance to meet with five Israeli students at Oranim College, and do some Chevrutah – small group discussions – on various readings and texts related to Israel and Zionism. It was interesting comparing the American and Israeli perspectives both on Zionism and on the texts themselves, and I think we learned something very valuable speaking with them.
After lunch at Oranim College, we headed north to the Ghetto Fighters’ Museum in Kibbutz Lochamei Hagetaot ( Ghetto Fighters). Here, we met with a Holocaust educator who discussed with us how to bring the Holocaust, concepts of recognizing good vs. evil, and dehumanization back to our teens. He was able to discuss with us where first-hand educational experiences such as the Ghetto Fighters’ Museum could also fit into an educational curriculum.
Tonight, we head back to Jerusalem, where we will be staying for the next few days. Hope you’re all enjoying reading about our travels!
Rich Gordon
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