July 27
We had a great Shabbat at the Hava. Everyone especially enjoyed going
out in their small groups and visiting local synagogue communities - some
of them even at my own synagogue whose members were very happy to
host them. One of the very special aspects of Shabbat in Jerusalem is to
enjoy strolling the streets and becoming one of the hundreds of thousands
of Jerusalemites out walking to and from synagogue, or visiting friends and
family. In the afternoon, many participants played ball, met friends from
other Kvutzot, and went swimming. We joined together for Mincha, had
Seudah Shlishit by kvutza, followed by Havdala.
After Havdala, each kvutza participated in their own activity planned by
their peers. As Seminar progresses, we try to give as much responsibility
for running the program day over to the hanichim, many of whom will
serve as junior staff next summer in camp.
Today all kvutzot took part in a "Yom Hamatzav- Day of the Situation"
program, that was built upon two sessions. Session One, with Charlotte
Korchak of the Israel advocacy organization, Stand with Us, facilitated
brainstorming about how to understand and process the experiences we
have had over the past (almost ) month.
Session Two was with photographer Yoel Fink, who led a workshop on how
to photograph personal feelings, and then took the groups out to the Emek
Refaim neighborhood to photograph the busy "goings on" in that area.
After he receives the photos, Yoel will set up a website where we can all
enjoy the pictures that the hanichim took. When we return from the South,
we will have a followup session with Yoel in which he lead a discussion
about some of the photographs that he has selected from among those that
the hanichim took. In addition, Yoel talked about his own personal
experiences as a soldier in Gaza. We cannot discuss anything about it here,
but our children now understand, first hand, the great lengths Israel goes
to in protecting innocents. Ask them about it.
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