| My
Journey to Israel
Anileen
Gray I had the privilege of being one of 90 participants in a two-week journey of discovery in Israel this summer. Kivunim is a multi-year voyage of discovery conceptualized and directed by Peter Geffen. Peter is not only a master teacher and a man with an incredible sense of humor, but he is also a man dedicated to creating an intellectual, spiritual and emotional experience that establishes a bond between those teaching in Jewish schools and the land of Israel. Every day of the two week trip was packed with experiences that enabled me to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between those I teach and work with and the land of Israel. It is difficult for me to select the highlight of the trip. Every evening as I collapsed into bed, exhausted from the days exhilarating experiences, I felt that the day’s activities could not be surpassed. Each new day, however, I awoke to a program that was masterful in its content and experience. The course started with a presentation by Frederic Brenner, world-renowned photographer of Jewish communities in the Diaspora. Through his incredible photographs Frederic was able to capture traditions and cultures of the Jewish people in the Diaspora as they are being assimilated into the culture of the local communities. In 25 years of travel to more than 40 countries Frederic Brenner has sought to answer the questions “what does it mean to live with a portable identity and what does it mean to be a Jew in the Diaspora?”. This powerful presentation set the stage for two weeks of experiences that were to give me an incredible understanding of the Jewish people, their history, and their culture. After David Horowitz, Senior Editor of the Jerusalem Report, presented a lecture in which we were engaged in a discussion of issues facing the Jewish people, we spent several hours in various ethnic neighborhoods in Jerusalem. As we were led through the neighborhoods by members of the Melitz Institute, we were able to experience some of the essence of the Syrian, Turkish, and Moroccan communities, to name a few. Musical presentation in three of these neighborhoods added a dimension to the experience that made it even more meaningful. Our first day ended with a lecture, “Is Peace Possible” by Dmitri Diliani, a member of the Palestinian community who seeks to work for peace and coexistence in Israel. This first day’s activities set the tone for an incredible two-week experience, including an entire day, during which we walked through the streets of the Old City of Jerusalem under the guidance of two archaeologists from the Archaeological Seminar of Jerusalem. This day ended with a tour through the tunnels beneath the Western Wall and ended with time spent at the Kotel, a very moving and spiritual experience. Other highlights included a trip to Tel Aviv, the Negev, the Israel Museum (time spent in the Shrine of the Book under the guidance of Dr Shalom Paul, Senior Professor of Bible at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Chairman of the Board of the Dead Sea Scrolls Commission was a wonderful experience), Yad Vashem, Mt Herzl, the Christian quarters, the theater, and a symphony concert. For each activity, Peter brought in men and women who are the best professionals in their field to lecture, guide, and give us insights that made each experience so meaningful. As the course developed I found myself increasingly more excited at the opportunities for integration between the secular and Judaic curriculum. My visit to Neot Kedumim, the Biblical Landscape Reserve in Israel, awakened wonderful opportunities to integrate aspects of Biblical fauna, flora, symbols, and rituals into the Life Science, Biology, and Environmental Science curriculum. Meeting with Jewish educators at the American Jewish Committee’s offices in the downtown Jerusalem offered a unique opportunity to interact with teachers in Israel and share personal experiences and exchange ideas on how connections between Israeli and American schools can help to build bridges between students and communities. This summer experience is one that I wish every teacher could have. Through his dedication to offering such an exceptional program, Peter Geffen has made me feel greatly valued as a teacher in my school, and I return to the new school year with a renewed sense of motivation to be the very best I can be in my profession. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Dr Shloush and Yeshivat Rambam for giving me this wonderful opportunity to enrich myself. |