MAY 20 • 2021 | 93

O

ver five weeks, the 
Michigan-Central 
Galilee Partnership 
Region participated in an 
inspiring pilot program “Café 
Hafooch” (“Cappuccino”) — 
an intergenerational program 
that aims to create meaningful 
connections between Jewish 
community adults and Israeli 
high school students. In addi-
tion to the connections, the 
Israelis work on advancing 
their English skills.
The Detroit pilot (adopted 
from the Toronto program that 
has been active for the last few 
years) included three cohorts 
of six to seven participants. 
Each cohort included three to 
four Israeli 12th-graders, two 

adult Jewish community mem-
bers and an Israeli facilitator.
Over five weeks, each cohort 
met for one hour on Zoom 
after watching assigned “trig-
ger” videos dealing with topics 
such as Jewish identity as 
Israelis or Americans, the glob-
al Jewish reality, stereotypes, 
charity, social responsibility, 
minorities and peoplehood.
The responses of the par-
ticipants illustrate the success 
of the encounters for both the 
Israeli teens and the American 
adults.

HILA, 12TH-GRADER IN 
THE JEZREEL VALLEY
The experience in Café 
Hafooch was so special. I am 

so happy that I was given the 
opportunity to discuss and 
deal with topics that dealt with 
Israel, Jews abroad and the 
diaspora that I am part of but 
really hadn’t ever discussed up 
until now. Jack and Sue from 
Detroit and Naomi, our facili-
tator, were terrific and gave us 
a place to speak and express 
ourselves. It was also very new 
and inspiring for me to hear 
their perspectives. I really 
enjoyed the experience and 
recommend it for anyone who 
is invited to participate. 

JACK FOLBE, DETROIT 
ADULT PARTICIPANT
I can’t thank you enough for 
giving us the opportunity to 
participate. I definitely gained 
greater insight into how our 
young adult partners feel 
about challenging topics. Our 
young adult Israeli partners 
also helped me understand 
my adult children, particu-
larly educating me on racism, 
diversity and tolerance, and 
generational differences on 
being Jewish. I definitely 
received more than I gave.

ROI, 12TH-GRADER IN 
THE JEZREEL VALLEY
This wonderful experience 
made my knowledge wider, 
mostly about the Jewish 
identity in the United States 
and Canada. I shared stories 
about my Jewish roots and 
got to hear other fascinating 
stories. It was a pleasure to get 
to know volunteers from the 
Jewish community in Detroit 

and to spend a weekly online 
time with them and with my 
friends.

YAHEL, 12TH-GRADER 
FROM MIGDAL HAEMEK
The experience in Café 
Hafooch was one of a kind. It 
gave me the feeling of being 
in the U.S. but also with the 
comfort of home. I’m thankful 
for having the opportunity to 
meet these interesting people 
and to discuss the subjects 
that I don’t get to usually dis-
cuss.

SUE CURHAN, DETROIT 
ADULT PARTICIPANT
Café Hafooch was an incred-
ible experience. Even though 
on Zoom — we made great 
connections, built relation-
ships and learned. Our team 
was fabulous. Getting the 
opportunity to volunteer 
with my brother Jack and 
share memories was sweet. 
Our fearless facilitator did 
an amazing job keeping us 
on track. The topics of con-
versation were sophisticated. 
We examined our own Jewish 
identity, cultures and choic-
es. We learned how young 
Israelis feel about the same 
topics. I am so impressed by 
these 17- and 18-year-olds. 
Our future is strong. I can’t 
wait to give them hugs in 
person. Hopefully, this is just 
the beginning of a regular rich 
and meaningful program. 

Naomi Miller is director of Israel 
Partnerships for the Federation.

Café Hafooch

ERETZ

U.S. adults and Israeli teens share 
views in “get-to-know-you” program.

NAOMI MILLER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

“WE EXAMINED OUR OWN 
JEWISH IDENTITY, CULTURES 
AND CHOICES. WE LEARNED 
HOW YOUNG ISRAELIS FEEL 

ABOUT THE SAME TOPICS.”

— SUE CURHAN

Brother and 
sister Jack 
Folbe and 
Sue Curhan

COURTESY OF JACK FOLBE

