From New Orleans to Holon
Identical twins caught up In Hurricane Katrina volunteer with Young Judaea
Hallie and Marissa Allweiss are no strangers to volunteering. Born and raised in New Orleans, the girls were devastated by the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Although one of the luckier ones (only the bottom floor of their house was damaged - receiving 6/12 inches of water) they gave up their time to do what they could to help reconstruct the city they loved. Marissa even left the University of Arizona in order to help with redeveloping New Orleans.
Hallie (L) and Marissa: "This is our homeland"
This is the 21-years-old twins' first visit to Israel and they have come with Young Judaea on its one-month summer program for students. Hallie explains why they came: "This is our homeland, we had never been here before and we wanted to come and make a difference. We wanted to volunteer and learn about the culture and environment."
Marissa expanded: "I wanted to go to Israel to interact with people and feel like I am contributing and essentially making a difference, even a dent, in our homeland where our ancestors are from. Being so far away I felt detached, so when you come and put yourself in an experience, it's more eternal, you feel more for the people and the places."
She added: "This is exactly how I wanted it to be. Just being in Israel itself is remarkable to me. I have been looking at the Mediterranean Sea and thinking how lucky we are to be here." Marissa spoke of her gratitude that she was able to experience Israel with her twin. "There is no other person in the world I would rather experience Israel with. We have such unconditional love for each other."
Both girls are drawing on their experiences gained in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. They volunteered in New Orleans cleaning up the city. They worked in the neighborhoods that were ruined, clearing away garbage and rubble from houses that were destroyed. They cleaned up streets, planted trees. Now the girls are using their experience of volunteering to help out here in Israel. Hallie will be working at a soup kitchen for children and Marissa is working with blind and mentally disabled children. Hallie is excited to be volunteering. "I very much connect with people. I want to speak to them and learn about their lifestyles. I am excited to see their faces."
For more information about Young Judaea's Israel programs - click here
