Since we last spoke....

Indeed it has been a while since we last spoke to each other. Please allow me to recount the events of the past 6 days.

Last Tuesday the students heard from Rabbi and historian Ken Spiro who delivered an informative lecture on the history of the state of Israel with many French jokes. This was followed by a trip to City Hall which has one of the best views of Jerusalem.

In the evening the students heard from two Palestinians with very contradictory views. First it was Elias Zaniri who stressed the importance of propping up the PA and after they heard from Jerusalem Post writer Khaled Abu Toameh who suggested that no distinction should be made between the two parties.

Wednsday started off with David Olesker from the JCCAP who tought the students some creative advocacy tools and used incredible annecdotes to illustrate them. In the afternoon we took off on a bullet proof bus to Gush Etzion where they heard from mayor Shaul Goldstein. This was followed by Sherri Mandel who spoke about the tragic death of her son Kobe and how they built a camp in his name to help victims of terror.

Thursday started with Jessica Montell of B'Tzelem, which is an IDF watchdog group. She was followd by Dr. David Zangen who spoke about Jenin and the massacring of the truth. That evening we had a big BBQ for Yom Yerushalayim with a big jam session in the park.

Friday to Saturday the students had a free Shabbat. However, we organized a Shabbat dinner on the beach of Tel Aviv in which most of the students attended. Even though we were all free to do our own thing, it was great to see the group come together for a meaningful dinner.

Sunday morning we departed for the south. We hiked around Ein Bokek and swam in the Dead Sea, and of course there was the mud. For most of the day we took part in activism sessions learning how to effectively promote and organize your Israel group, how to promote an event, how to table on campus and how to use your campus media.

And now we are all back in Jerusalem getting ready for the final night. One last time to see the city lights before a few of the students head back to Canada. Thanks for tuning into to such a long post. It's hard to keep up with students with such enthusiasm and energy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And now some pictures

 

Sunday morning is more than just a song by Lou Reed; it was the start of our Tel Aviv experience. We started at Kikar Rabin, standing in the footsteps where the great Yitzhak Rabin stood for the very last time. We discussed the Oslo Accords, the implications and the lessons learned from its function.

Later in the afternoon, the students were addressed by Simon Fischer of Save A Child's Heart, and learned about a foundation that goes beyond politics to treat children of all races and creeds.

In the evening, students met with documentary filmmaker Joshua Faudem who screened his work, "Blues by the Beach" and then joined the students for a night out at the bar featured in the movie.

We stayed overnight at the Grand Beach Hotel and enjoyed our time on the Tel Aviv beachfront.

Monday was our movie marathon starting with a screening of Discordia which showed the uprising after Bibi Netanyahu was refused entry by pro-Palestinian rioters. The movie was followed by a discussion on the importance of creating and maintaining strong bonds with respective student governments and building coalitions with other key student groups for support.

The second part of our double feature was Honestreporting's own "Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West" which took a close look at the dangers looming in fundamentalist Islamic society and that have been threatening the fabric of western culture.

Students capped off the evening with a discussion session led by Hasbara Fellowship's Director Elliot Mathias who spent time brainstorming with the participants and breaking down the information presented during the day.

Our Shabbat Experience

The students Shabbat experience started several hours before the official beginning. I recall a line up of young men making sure there hair was in place, clothes matched and the cologne was smelling good. I can imagine a comparable situation with the women.

The students attended a pre Shabbat concert by a surfin' rabbi from California, Rabbi Glaser. He played some good Jewish favorites such as David Melech but threw in many goldies from Bob Marley, David Bowie and the Rolling Stones.

The men went to the Western Wall for some singing and dancing. The energy was incredible and we all sang and danced our hearts out. By the end, we were all "ay yayed" out.
The women lit the candles and welcomed in Shabbat from a terrace overlooking the sunset (So I hear, I can't be in two places at once).

Following these festivities it was time for the great feast. We had dinner with a group from Honest Reporting, which is a media watchdog organization. The food was to die for. I could recite the menu for you, but at the end, it would only make you hungry but trust me it was delicious. Two students addressed the groups and delivered emotional speeches which had many of us tearing.

That night we all got together for our own Tisch. We all sang songs and shared stories. Never before have we seen such a group with sense humour displayed that night. It was a whole room full of Jackie Mason's or for those under 30, Adam Sandler.

After lunch and a small third meal, Rabbi Glaser was back with the guitar to give a rocking havdalla service. All in all it was a memorable Shabbat experience.

Feel free to post comments with your thoughts and suggestions and I will be sure to respond to them.

The North Pt. II and the build up to Shabat

The trip to the north painted a real life picture on some of the words that are often used in the media. The students looked at different sections of the security barrier both the fence part and concrete wall part. They were able to see from a ridge a small Palestinian town that was on the Israeli side of the green line and discussed at length this issue.

We the staff were so sure that the students would all be sleeping in the bus on the way back to Jerusalem, but were we ever wrong. Even after a long day of hiking and learning, the bus ride back was filled with songs, stories and some amazing games.

The following day the students had two speakers in the morning. First up was Neil Lazarus who delivered what was probably the funniest speaker on the Israeli-Arab conflict most have seen. He stressed the need to be fresh with ideas and one of the most powerful tools is humour.

Next up was Jerusalem Post journalist Jonathan Rosenblum. He spoke about the bias towards Israel in the academia and the effect that it has on the mainstream media.

After lunch the students had ample time to relax and get ready for what would be the most heartfilled, spirited shabat Hasbara has ever seen. Stay tuned for more.

Trip to the Golan, Pt. 1

We departed early morning Wednesday for a trip to the North. Our first stop was Castel where they learned about the importance of strategic roads in the 1948 War. The entire trip to the North was accompanied by Yisrael Ne'eman also known as the human encyclopedia.

The second stop was to Alfei Menashe which gave the students a breathtaking view from a ridge overlooking the West Bank. The students were able to see parts of the security barrier and discussed the refugee issue with a spokesperson from the military.

After more touring of the Golan we checked into our hotel at Kibbutz Lavi. To our surprise, we were met with a world class meal. Sweet potatoes, grilled chicked, a huge salad bar and the list goes on. Many students found themselves missing a Canadian favorite, Tim Horton's coffee, but found a new love in Israeli coffee.

To cap off the night a seminar called Shared Values was presented. This session uses statistical data from focus groups to help understand where Canadians stand on many issues concerning Israel.

And finally at night, there was no night on the town, it was replaced by good times chilling on the kibbutz. Much rest is needed for a jam packed day tomorow

Tuesday May 16 2006

On Tuesday the red carpet was rolled out for some prestigious speakers.

Elliot Mathias, Director of Hasbara Fellowships, spoke to the students about effective communication for Israel. He stressed the importance of balancing education methods as well as public relations.

Ambassador Dore Gold, of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs which he founded, spoke about the disputed or occupied territories. He highlighted the issue of Israel’s abstract goals for peace and the general ramifications of this.

After some lunch and a scavenger hunt the stage was set for current Likud MK Natan Sharansky. He spoke to the students about the new political landscape and posed with them for many pictures.

The day was capped off with a post Lag B’omer night out on the town.

Canadian Hasbara Fellowships Group Arrives!!!

Last night, 23 participants of the Canadian Hasbara Fellowships co-sponsored with NJCL, arrived in Israel!!! The group is super excited for the next couple of weeks.

After checking into their accomodations, the group came to the Old City of Jerusalem for a Welcome and Orientation. Program Director Natalie Menaged welcomed the group and filled everyone in on the basic information they needed to know, ie security and safety, etc. After a short ice-breaker, the group joined a few other Aish International Fellowships groups for a barbeque and concert to celebrate Lag B'Omer.

Everyone had a great time and it was nice opening night.

The first full day looks to be fantastic with the group meeting former Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Dore Gold and current Member of Knesset Natan Sharansky.

We plan on posting pictures and a further update tonight, so stay posted!!