Shalom,
I like Rabbi Joel Cohns ideas of utilizing modern technology to connect Jews to the daily life in Israel. I went to his website and was impressed by the variety of programs he offers.
When I was Principal of a day school in Winnipeg, I connected my students with students from a Teachers College in Jerusalem, making a virtual Big Sister program which was very beneficial to both sides of the connection. Not only did my students Hebrew improve immensely but they also were exposed for the first time to the daily life in Israel but even more to the way that the holidays are celebrated in Israel, where Jews are the majority and the chag atmosphere is there for everyone to feel. Not less important, the students in Israel were exposed to life in the Diaspora (click here [
db.tt] to view or download a presentation about this connection).
Israel has many chessed organizations and many legitimate needs to support. It is very important to support these causes and there is even a tour guide who takes tourists to needy places to help them decide where to channel their tzedakah (see here - [
www.aolnews.com] ). While this is a big Mitzvah and should not be ignored, I think it is important to think of the message we want to give our students:
We dont want their only connection to the people of Israel to be one of a rich uncle helping his poor relatives but we want the connection to be a partnership both sides can contribute and practice chessed equally.
That is why I suggest partnering with an Israeli school and volunteering together at a needy institute. This can also be enhanced by studying together about chessed.
The idea of experiencing chagim in Israel is a very good one. I think it can be made more meaningful when celebrated together with their peers in Israel. See here (http://bit.ly/hPYcoK) a post about a recent joint Hanukah celebration and candle lighting by pairs of school in Israel and around the Jewish world.
You can see more examples on our website and Facebook page www.facebook.com/israelconnect
I am happy to discuss off-list possible collaborations and on-list any comments and additions you might have.
I am looking forward to connecting,
Amihai Bannett
Educational Director Israel Connect
מנהל חינוכי מפגש תפוצות
amihai@melitz.org.il www.melitz.org.il
www.israelconnect.org
