“Shlichut”: A trip to the US- Education, travel, and fun.
The "Bnei Akiva" organization sends shlichim every year to different locations in order to encourage Aliya (moving to Israel). Sapir (my friend) and I met on the organization's "shlichut" (being an educational representative abroad) for the first time, and had the most powerful experience together, without having known each other before. I had a dream to go on a shlichut for a long time.
Our job in Teaneck consisted of three different domains: school, the local "Bnei Akiva" branch and the synagogues. In the school, called "Yeshivat Noam", we acted as teachers in the 4th grade, and our job was to teach Hebrew. We tried to make the stusents feel like they were in Israel.
We also developed different activities according to the Jewish calendar and Iimportant Israeli events. One example is " Hebrew language day", which takes place on Eliezer Ben Yehuda's (the founder of the modern Hebrew language) birthday. We decorated the whole school and planned different activities related to that day.
At "Bnei Akiva", our job was to run the youth movement in the city - recruit leaders for the groups, develop activities, be in touch with the community and publicize. We also attended synagogue every Saturday morning and led activities for different age groups.
Beyond our demanding job and the chance to get to know a new culture and a huge Jewish community, we also found time to travel in the US; California, Vegas, Manhattan, Upstate NY and so on.
sounds like a very important and meaningful experience.My mom made 'Aliya' through Bnei Akiva in Chicago.
ReplyDeleteWow! that is so exciting!!
DeleteIt looks like you had a lot of fun too... As a kid I attended Habonim Dror in London. It was great fun. At the time it was just kids having fun, meeting every week, doing things, going on camps and all knds of activities. Looking back, although the youth movement did advocate Zionism and did establish ties with Israel, I think it is unfair to send kids to youth movements which all have strong political agendas and take advantage of the innocence as well as inexperience of young people. I guess it is the parents who make these decisions- which youth movement do they send their kids to according to their own political tendencies.
ReplyDeleteSo you see, as a child I was indocrinated with socialist ideology which I "knew" was the ultimate truth, I was arrogant towards any other ideology regarding it as foreign and lesser. I think these youth movements are great fun but they put kids in a difficult spot, using their ignorance and innosence as a tool to impose on their youth and turn them into collaborators. Next thing they do is put signs in their hands and tell them to demonstrate.
DeleteThat is an interesting way to look at it. I hope these kids will develop independent perspective for life and for political issues
Deletewow this sounds like an amazing experience! how old were you when you did this? would you do it again or is it a one time experience?
ReplyDeleteI was 20 years old. And I would definitely do it again!!
DeleteSuch an important activity, Ofek!
ReplyDeleteDid it raise interest in Israel? Did any of them express a willingness to visit Israel and make Aliyah?
I know that Reform Jews feel alienated due to the Haredi establishment in Israel.
In my community, most people visit Israel at least once a year. And many decide to make aliya after attending Bnei Akiva summer camps and when they involve the youth movement.
DeleteOfek it must feel great to take a part in such meaningful experience , I would love to read more about it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment! I will be happy to tell you more!
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