By Rabbi David Wilfond, Director of Education
Friday the teens enjoyed an early morning hike through Ein Avdat, a picturesque desert canyon. Here the participants got to see desert birds, that seek refuge here in the protecting walls of the canyon that characterize this unusual desert geological formation. Most of the species of animals and plants that live here are unique to the Israeli Negev Desert ecosystem. They discussed their natural surroundings, noticing the vultures around them, ibex walking along the rocks, and unique geological formation of the canyon. While the desert is home to little water, it is also prone to dangerous flash floods that throughout history have formed geological features in the desert, including the Ein Avdat Canyon. The group practiced their desert dwelling skills, making sparks from the flint stone found along the canyon. While appreciating nature, it is also important to consider how we must work to preserve it. For example, the nature reserve is a no drone flying zone as not to disturb the animals. A top the canyon, the teens enjoyed refreshing ice cream in the shade.
After lunch the group visited the historic burial place of Israel’s first Prime Minster David Ben Gurion, whose life mission and vision was to make the desert bloom. Then the bus drove to Kibbutz Mashabe Sadeh so the teens could rest before getting ready for Kabbalat Shabbat.
Following a hot and tiring week in the desert, Friday and Saturday provided much needed rest and reflection time. The theme for this Shabbat, which was led entirely by Sci-Tech teens and Mitzvah Corps, was Mishpaha (Family). Throughout the service, teens shared moments during which they felt like a family this summer. One teen read the dictionary definition of family and then said to him, “family is defined as Sci-Tech and Mitzvah Corps together.” Another teen talked about the family he felt that he created with our Israeli campers who joined us for the past 5 days.
After a beautiful Saturday morning tefilla, with 4 teen Torah chanters, the group enjoyed free time to chill with friends, play games, and hang out by the kibbutz pool. In the afternoon, the group came together to learn about and discuss the Israeli Palestinian conflict. Beginning with a framework of “4 Hatikvah Questions (HQ),” asking what it means To be, A People, Free, In Our Land, the teens discussed what they knew about the conflict. The 4HQ provide the opportunity to discuss the complexity of the conflict, presenting the idea that everyone throughout the entire spectrum wants “to be a people, free in our land,” yet has diverse perspectives of what that means. The Israeli counselors then presented some of the history of the conflict, borders, and current events and answered questions from “what are they fighting over?” to “how does it impact each side on a daily basis?”
Saturday night provided an opportunity for teens to show their talents in our Mitzvah Corps and Sci-Tech talent show. Some highlight acts included: Some highlight acts included: drumming, skits, harmonica, card tricks, and beautiful singing.
Sunday, the teens travelled to the Hazterim Airforce Museum, which is home to 150 planes from spitfires to modern F-15s. After climbing in and testing out some of the planes, the group walked around the many models learning about the progression of the Israeli Airforce. The group then ventured north to Tel Aviv where they were challenged to synthesize their experiences in Israel into a laser cut map at ShinSheva. Each group got one piece of the puzzle, or region of Israel, and drew a design that was then laser cut into the puzzle. The afternoon saw the teens swimming in the cooling waters of the Mediterranean Sea in Tel Aviv, jumping over the waves, and enjoying ice cream and iced coffee along the beach. After dark, the group participated in a photography and light writing workshop.
Monday began with a trip to the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel’s premier site for scientific research and development. Here the group toured the labs of a protein scientist Dr. Orly Kym who taught them about 3D modeling of proteins. Next the group did science experiments and played with children at an NGO called “Save a Child’s Heart,” which has provided over 4,000 children from all over the world with free lifesaving heart surgery, these doctors were recently awarded a commendation by the United Nations for their generous charity work that saves lives of young children for free! After Burgers lunch the group went to the Ayalon Institute, likely Israel’s first start-up. It began in 1947, as a secret underground bullet factory for use in the War of Independence, run by teens around their age. Monday also saw the group at Shafdan, a water treatment center, where the teens learned about how Israel recycles about 90 percent of is waste water. The day will conclude with a walking tour of Old Jaffa. Dinner will be at the famous Jaffa landmark, Dr. Shakshuka.
