Young Canadian volunteers prefer Negev’s capital

Sephardic, Ashkenazi Montrealers volunteer at centers for at-risk youth, mentally-challenged adults. Some of them take part in Shalit family rally. ‘Tel Aviv is fun, but we feel at home in Beersheba,’ one of them says.

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Bedouin Elegance-by Allie Busgang & Laura Elbaz

Our day began at the Beer Sheva summer camps, a good time as always. Afterwards we headed to the desert for a five star Bedouin experience. We expected to be sleeping in primitive tents and have limited bathroom access. Instead we were treated to a beautiful accommodations and a bathroom with a stunning view of the desert. We were greeted with authentic Bedouin tea and coffee. We rode camels and took in the beautiful scenery. We learned more about how camels keep cool than any of us ever wanted to know. After our camel ride we were glad to be given a great dinner and hang out in the trees and hammocks. We watched a beautiful sunset and gazed up at a spectacular night sky glowing with stars. We woke up the next morning covered in sand and ready for our spa day. We enjoyed the sun, the pools, saunas and lunch of the spa and were well rested as we set off for our Israeli homestays. It was a great weekend!

Amazing Race-by Lawrence Greenberg

Today was a typical day in Beer Sheva. We woke up and enjoyed a delicious breakfast. Then we proceeded to go to our respective camps for a morning of volunteering. As usual, we were all sad to leave our campers. Once back at Beit Yatziv, we had lunch and rested up for our early evening activity: the Amazing Race. It was run by our Israeli hosts, and we spent 2 hours running around Beer Sheva in three teams, getting to know our partnership city. It was a very close race until the end, and everyone enjoyed playing it. The day ended with an intense basketball game between some of the Israelis and Canadians. From running around to playing basketball with our friends, we got close with the Israelis and bonded with them. I had a lot of fun racing around the city with the Israelis and the basketball game at night was a lot of fun. I am really looking forward to our weekend together!

July 13th Birthday-by Elya Chalom

July 13th, once again in Isreal with Kefiada celebrating my birthday. This year though was slightly more special than the last, because at camp I got to celebrate my birthday with 2 campers (both from my group) who were also celebrating their birthday, it was a great experience!!!. After camp I got two different surprises from the Israeli group… it was  extremely touching to see people whom I just got to know over a week and a half, showing such enthusiasm and affection towards me on my special day. Another aspect that made this day so special, was that we ate at the Kochin’s (Jews from India). We learned about their culture and new beginnings in Israel after they left Kochin, India as we ate in the founder of the village’s home. His wife cooked up a feast and the food and ambiance was beyond amazing. Later that night, we all went (the Kefiada and Acharai group) out to the university bar Einstein. Everyone had a great time, the party was greatly coordinated by Itsik (merci encore). I had a great time, even though missing a lot of close people back home, this group really knew how to celebrate with me and make me feel at home !!!!

Eretz Zavat Chalav ou D’vash -by Arielle Elkaim
Today started out like any other day of the week; breakfast at Beit Yatziv followed by a fun day at camp with the kids. After a much needed nap, we went to Shomria, a kibbutz in which a very friendly lady spoke to us about her life in Israel. All of us sat, stunned at what she and her family have been through. She and her family, along with many others lived in Gush Katif, a settlement in Gaza. About five years ago, the area was being attacked and although almost every family there wanted to stay and fight for their homes, an order was issued that the place be evacuated within the year. She told us about her sons that were at the time part of the IDF, protecting their own home and about the tents in which they all had to sleep in for 8 months after evacuating. Most families then relocated to Shomria and started over; growing crops and greens out of a desert land, developing a new settlement slowly but surely.
It was incredible to see how, after all this lady has been through; she was still thankful and still happy, always thinking with a positive mind.  After a very serious afternoon, a pool party and BBQ at Kibbutz Laav was just what we needed. Once again, we all went to bed tired but content.

Sir, Yes Sir- by Neil Etinson & Matt Golt

Yesterday was another day to remember. The day started off with a  sleep in which all of us were grateful for. After breakfast, we left to enlighten ourselves about Independence Hall where we learnt of the beginnings of Israel. This was a really emotional experience for most people, it was amazing to see the Independance Hall practically untouched since its original use.  From there we were given an hour of lunch. Guys being guys decided to search for the best place to eat. When the Israelis told us about a historical burger joint called Moses we couldn’t resist even though we had 30 minutes for a sit down meal. This did not deter us though we ordered, ate and paid at the same time, and accomplished the rare feat of eating a burger, a fry, a drink and paying the bill in 5 minutes. The meal was one to remember, the stomach ache after wasn’t, nor was the hour bus ride but it was well worth it!  From there we left back to our familiar home in Beer Sheva for a short nap before military training, called Gadnah. It was intense, fun and a learning experience to have two hours of training our Israeli friends experienced for over two years. The Canadians even took down some of the Israeli soldiers, so no more of those Canadian army jokes please. After limping and crawling our way out Gadnah, we ate a light supper and went to go watch the World Cup finals. All the soccer fans were excited to watch it, and got there money’s worth with a good time. It was a great game and all in all a great day.

Shabbat Israeli Style- by Chelsea Cohen & Michelle Shnaidman

What a crazy weekend! Celebrating Shabbat in Tel Aviv was very special. Our Acharai group organized a fun evening activity for us, something different. After a very yummy traditional dinner, we all sat together for an hour and did “tish” together, which is basically sitting around a table in a circle, eating food and singing songs together. It was so nice to be all together on Shabbat and spend it with our Israeli friends. Saturday was a very relaxing day. After a tiring week, it was so nice to sleep in, kick back and lay on the beach all day experiencing Shabbat in the most relaxing way. We had all roomed with one of the Acharai members, which was an excellent way to really bond with them and get to know them better. We love Kef and Tel Aviv!!!!!!

Thursday, we left Beer Sheva and headed to Jerusalem to spend a night touring the city. We had a wonderful tour guide who took us around and explained the four quarters of the old city. We then went to a glass exhibit which took us through Jewish history at the new Generations Center. After a moving lesson, we went to The Kotel. We all had very special moments there and connected with our heritage. It was even the first time there for some of us. Then we went down to the tunnels of The Kotel where we were taken through layers of Jerusalem. It was a really nice evening where we all felt like we had learned something new. Despite whether or not we had already been to Jerusalem, each time we go we still get the feeling that were at home. The next morning we spent some time in the market and then we were off to Tel Aviv where our weekend continued!

Battle Wounds- by Jeremy Aflalo &  Caroline Argalgi

 The day began with the usual early morning volunteering at the day camps. One of us helped at the Keitana day camp, by interacting with children of a specific age group and helping them with simple things. Another one of us helped at the pool, where we play in the water with the kids  and help them enjoy their day. Both volunteer options are great experiences because were able to interact with little children and make their time at camp enjoyable, while improving our Hebrew skills at the same time. Later in the afternoon, we were very excited for the game of paintball that was yet to come. It was a very competitive game, mixed with both Canadians and Israelis from the Acharai group. Even though the red team ended up winning during the second game of Capture the Flag, both teams were successful and had a great time in the battle field, some picking up some minor scratches that were well worth the experience.  After the sweaty game, we headed to kibbutz Cramim to listen to a seminar about Judaism. We participated in an interesting activity, in which we were asked to chose the four things that each group believed most respresented a Jewish identity. It was a very educational activity because we each shared our different views on Judaism and learnt how we are all connected in a unique way. Later on, we enjoyed a traditional dinner at the kibbutz in their garden and bonded over the delicious food. When we got back to Beit Yatziv, we decided that it was best to to stay in and have a relaxing night together over some pizza, all the while looking forward to our exciting weekend traveling together that was yet to come.

Local Flavor at it’s Best!- by Ali Horowitz & Kimmie Olson

Today was a very rewarding day. After a morning of working at our respective day camps, we had the opportunity to visit Beit Cohen. This is an amazing complex which houses and cares for over 65 intellectually, physically and emotionally handicapped residents all between the ages of 21-67. We were granted the honour of working with them on an art project where we each got to individually bond with a resident. This was definitely a moving experience which touched us all and really allowed us to appreciate everything we have. This activity was followed by a beautiful vegetarian dinner at a restaurant called Ringlebloom Cafe which hires young adults who have had rough pasts and helps them in every way to get back on track, starting with this job. The meal was delicious, and Kimmie and Michelle, the two vegetarians, were definitely pleased!!! To top off this great day, we got to attend Beer Sheva’s Beer Festival in the Old City which had live music and lots of booths for us to enjoy from! Participating in this popular event with thousands of locals was such a fun way to spend our evening. We are so excited for what lies ahead! Love Ali and Kimmie