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
Over the past month, the city of Beersheba and the Bnei Shimon Regional Council have been the beneficiaries of special reinforcements: Young Canadians who are visiting Israel as part of the Kefiada mission, organized by Partnership 2000 – Beersheba-Bnei Shimon-Montreal, a Jewish Agency program and funded by Federation CJA Montreal.
During the mission's stay in Israel, its members get to meet young Israelis of their ages and take part in stimulating activities that help them get acquainted with Israel in general and Beersheba in particular.
"Before we arrived in Israel we were told that on one of the Shabbat weekends, we'd have to sleep at the houses of our new friends," recalls Michelle Shnaidman. “We didn't want to. It didn't really seem relevant—let everyone sleep in their own place, the Israelis in their homes and us in our hotel rooms. We didn't at all want to sleep somewhere where you had to meet the family and parents of people you hardly knew. But after the first two meetings we realized just how special these people were for us, and from then on we didn't want to separate from them. All of a sudden we wanted to know everything about them—about life in Israel, army service, how they spend their time, music they like to listen to, what they like to eat.
"Staying in the home of the families was very empowering for all of us. Besides the accommodations and meeting the families, each of us got to travel with the host family and become familiar with a site, trail or location in Beersheba and the surrounding area. We sensed that the connection with us interested the entire family, and not just the friend who brought us to stay with them," she says.
While preparing for their trip to Israel, the young Canadians expressed their desire to perform something meaningful during their stay here. "I volunteer at a summer camp for at-risk youth," says 20-year old Ali Horowitz. "The children are so sweet and in need of warmth and love. The funniest thing is that they've decided they want to teach me Hebrew. With the help of drawings and games and all sorts of creative methods they came up with, I've learned a few new words in Hebrew."
Elya Chalom, who also volunteers at the summer camp, describes the attempts to connect: "They jump on me, give me hugs and run wild with me. True, I know Hebrew, but in order to have fun with them you don't need words. The connection just flows and it's quite enjoyable."
Lorne Schweitzer says the most meaningful activity was volunteering at the Cohen Residence, which is home to some 70 mentally challenged adults. "Their ability to communicate with people is expressed mainly through smiles and touch. It was amazing how suddenly differences in language had no relevance at all; speaking was replaced with a smile and a look of gratitude," she says.
"Being in the Cohen Residence also represented the closing of the circle—the residence's building was donated by a Montreal Jew named Leonard Cohen. For me, volunteering in a place donated by a member of my community and seeing how it serves this population is very moving."
'More intimate atmosphere'
While the young people were boarding their plane at the Canadian airport, the Shalit family of Mitzpe Hila in northern Israel also hit the road. While the headlines in Israel were talking about the price of a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, the young Canadians decided to take action and support the captive IDF soldier's family. So they got on a bus and traveled to a concert and rally at Eshkol Park, during which thousands of supporters called for the soldier's release.
"For me, this was the first rally of this sort. From far-off Canada I always hear about Israel, but can never actually do anything”, said Naomi Malca, “Taking part in this concert allowed me to hear first-hand and from up close the parents of the kidnapped soldier and hug them from a distance. Sure, this might be a small act, but for me it made all the difference. This isn't merely an interesting visit to Israel, but part of an attempt to understand what young Israelis of my age go through. I dearly hope that Gilad returns home to his family soon."
For the first time, the Kefiada mission includes young people from both Jewish ethnic communities: Sephardim and Ashkenazim. Usually, each community sends its own mission. This year it was decided to close ranks and enable young Montrealers to get acquainted not only with new friends in Israel but also new friends from Montreal.
"On the one hand, it's a natural connection," says Eden Abitbol, a Sepharadi, "but on the other hand, there are quite a few differences. The first is language: Sephardim speak French and Ashkenazim English. The private jokes are being missed, in some cases due to language differences. The second difference is connected with culture—Canadian Sephardim are less inhibited and say what's on their mind. Ashkenazim are much more restrained. The funniest thing is the reaction of our Israeli friends when they see there are differences between us; they thought 'Ashkenazim' and 'Sephardim' was an Israeli concept…"
Michelle Shnaidman talks about the differences between Tel Aviv and the Negev's capital, Beersheba. "Tel Aviv is a world class city. It's fun and I went to a lot of parties there and spent long hours at the beach. "In Tel Aviv you meet both funny and strange people; but the truth is that I prefer Beersheba. People here are warmer and there's a more intimate atmosphere. The people are nicer."
Cory Klumak seconds Michelle's sentiments: "We feel at home in Beersheba. The atmosphere in Tel Aviv is fun-filled, but there's no people connection. We came here to get acquainted and connect, and to do that you have to be with people. Beersheba did that for us, big-time."
- Follow Ynetnews on Facebook
