Today, while the Metro west Diller’s were at school, our
Israeli partners, the Rishon Diller’s were out touring and working on Tikkun
Olam, repairing the world.There were a few options for volunteering this morning. Many of the Israelis traveled to a church in Newark where they helped serve food at a soup kitchen and prepare bags of meals at a food pantry. In the words of Omer, one of the Israeli Diller’s, “It was really exciting and nice!”. They prepared 650 bags for families in need, no small task!
At the
same time, part of the group went to speak with elderly members of the Jewish
community about the current political situation in Israel. After discussing
politics, they served them food and sat down to talk less formally with them,
sharing past experiences from their lives, and in some cases, speaking for an
entire hour and a half without interruption.
After serving food and hearing from the Soup Kitchen staff about what it is like to serve on a regular basis, the group joined went on a tour of Old Jewish Newark to learn about how Jewish life really began in Greater MetroWest. What made this experience more unique is that they were joined by a group of senior citizens, many of whom grew up in the very neighborhoods they toured. They gladly shared much of their life stories and experiences with the vibrant young group of Israeli teens.The Israeli group visited a Ahavas Shalom, the only remaining functioning synagogue in Newark, and then visited other historically Jewish locations throughout the city.
We then joined together, Americans and Israeli’s, and shared the histories of some of our families, which quickly led to us realizing that even though we live halfway across the world from each other, only a couple of generations back, we were all living pretty much together, in the same places.
- Julian Biller
Waking up this morning was a major struggle after a long
night of talking and laughing and meeting our best friends for the next 12
days. The only thing that kept me awake throughout the day was the knowledge
that I would be seeing the rest of the Dillers again that very night. After an
agonizing day of waiting to go to Metrowest, we finally arrived for our
workshop. Weeks in advance we were told to prepare stories and pictures about
our families and how they came to either America or Israel so that we could
connect with the group for our "roots" themed conversations and
activities. After our arrival we hugged and greeted each other as if we had
been apart for years instead of only a day and stood in a circle for a game of
Chinese soccer. We had to stand with our legs apart so that our feet were
touching the people's feet who were next to us and throw the ball through the
legs of people on the other side of the circle from us but the catch was that
to defend yourself you weren't allowed to bend your knees to reach the ball.
The game was extremely entertaining and everyone managed to stay in...for the
most part, but the idea behind the fun was that we were using a globe as a ball
to show that we come from all over the world but we are all here together for
the North American Seminar to learn about each other and become one big group.
After the game it was time to get serious.
Our wonderful Junior Counselors laid
out little slips of paper with different values on them and we were given the
instructions to pick five values that we would take with us if we had to leave
our homes for a new community. After splitting up into our different discussion
groups we talked about why we chose the values that we did and began to argue
and debate about whether we would compromise our values when faced with a
different community that does not support what we believe in. It was enjoyable
to be able to talk with not only the Metrowest Dillers as we have many times in
activities like this, but also to debate with the Rishon Dillers and hear their
thoughts and ideas and beliefs. Once we were all talked out we had delicious
Chinese food (to match the Chinese soccer!) and chatted and teased one another
until it was time to get back to work. We then shared our stories and pictures
that we had prepared what seemed so long ago. It was interesting to learn about
where everyone came from and to see their life from a different perspective.
With stronger connections, full stomachs, and lots of laughs, we officially ended
the night with the famous Achim Dance that we had dreamed about doing as a big
Metro-Litzion and hugged goodbye. It seems like years until we meet again on
Sunday but we cannot wait to spend more time with each other and have even more
fun. Root Sof, Over and Out.
-Lauren
Goldman
Check out the first ever Vlog (Video Blog) by Lauren & Tal and hear more about the evening's joint activity!
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