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A44
September 25 • 2008
Ai
on the children — not simply as vol-
unteers who have come halfway across
the world to help them, and not only
as strangers from another place and
another culture, but most importantly,
as friends. In the same way, so, too,
have these Israeli children made a
most profound influence on us!'
Anna Gartman of West Bloomfield
offered the teaching skills she'd been
learning at Oakland University the
past few years. During an English
camp, the instructor allowed the vol-
unteers one hour every day to plan
lessons with the children, to leave
their personal mark on the curricu-
lum. Alma offered her unique experi-
ences to make sure the lessons effec-
tively engaged the students.
Each day when the plans were pre-
sented to the instructor, he'd caution
that they were too difficult. Still, the
volunteers marched forward with the
original plans, exceeding expectations.
During one particularly unique ses-
sion, the volunteers arranged for an
IDF soldier to visit class. The students
asked insightful questions in English
from the skills they'd acquired that
week. The allotted 15 minutes quickly
turned into an hour.
Zerin went on to describe the
English camp, which included stu-
dents outside of the Sderot program.
"We were equally impressed not
only by their friendliness, but by
the strength and diversity of their
personalities. As we climbed a canyon
near David Ben-Gurion's grave, we
talked [but mostly listened] with a
young girl whose spiritual strength
and desire for knowledge gave us
profound inspiration. She spoke with
pride of her active childhood dancing,
playing music, competing in archery
competitions, exploring foreign coun-
tries and reading books in several lan-
guages, including The Da Vinci Code
in English, with the constant help of
her dictionary
"She struck us as someone who was
actively living her life to the fullest
— not simply dreaming, but act-
ing to make her dreams a reality. We
thought about all she had done, about
her strength of character and will for
success, and took it as a lesson and
inspiration for ourselves, and one that
we hope to pass on to others!"
While each of the volunteers had
been to Israel previously, the opportu-
nity to participate in community ser-
vice allowed the Americans to engage
with Israeli society in a new light.
As dawn arose in Nitzana in early
August, the 2008 Summer Olympic
Games were being celebrated. Beijing
brought out the pounding drums and
the roaring fireworks — an extrava-
gant celebration that linked the global
community.
And quietly, miles away, a link took
root in the global Jewish community.
After arriving back in Michigan,
Sherman reflected: "My connection
to the land of Israel is undoubtedly
stronger. On Birthright, I was given a
knowledge of and appreciation for the
land, sights and cities of the country.
Nitzana added a whole new dimension
to my relationship. I developed a con-
nection with the people of Israel!'
Americans and Israelis helping to
ensure the land of Israel is 60 years
young, and that the torch of our past —
linking community to community and
generation to generation — continues to
be lit proudly for the future.
❑
Adam Finkel, 22, of Bloomfield Hills is
a recent graduate of the University of
Michigan.