Maccabi GB

February 2008

Students are often seen as crazy, wild or just lacking common sense. Those of us who opted out of academic studies for a year to go to Israel and collect our thoughts and “broaden our horizons" may even be characterized as either from another planet, or perhaps even dangerous lunatics. Thus far think I have justifiably avoided this stereotype. I agreed to write a year coarse update, without even checking if my laptop could access the wireless Internet in my new volunteering placement. Only to find obviously, that it could not, I did wonder whether the doubters were right from the start.

Detailing all of my experiences on Machon would take too long, and would spoil the surprise for next year's shnaties, however, anyone considering a gap year, should seriously think about Israel and more specifically Machon is a wonderful environment to learn about yourself, Judaism in general and test your worldview, whether that be in a religious sense, politically and culturally, it also provides a wonderful chance to meet new people.

However, I realize that many of you reading this are no longer old enough to be considering a gap year. To the wider readership I say the incredible four months that I had on Machon with 48 people my own age, from different Jewish backgrounds, beliefs and denomination's. As well as the various brilliant teaching staff including a particularly helpful and outstanding modern Orthodox tutor showed me categorically, there is a common connection between Jews. Therefore however difficult pluralism can be to maintain within the Jewish community in Britain, all denominations should play their part to ensure that it is upheld as much as possible because of the overall benefit to Anglo Jewry.

I am now volunteering in Narharrya In the north of Israel on a moshav called BUSTAN HA GALIL. It was a project that was originally set up by a woman rejected from the Army after completing her education in a mainstream school. To prevent disabled Israelis from being excluded from society this project was put together. It allows Israelis from all backgrounds and cultures and religions to live together, and volunteer in the community. I am the first international participant in the program. For me it is a tremendous, privilege to be allowed to take part, but it also means that I'm spending a volunteering section of my gap year with Israelis, which is a criticism sometimes levelled at English Jews who come on structured shnat programs. I hope to be able to write more about this program specifically soon.

For now, all I need to say is layat, layat [slowly slowly] my Hebrew is improving, and I am altogether having far too much fun here. I know that I was asked to write about my experiences on a year out in Israel and I fear that I may have wandered off task the truth is I am still processing them and I don't think this article should lead to a judgment on what it is like to experience Israel. In my opinion, if you want to know what it is like to experience Israel come to Israel.


November 2007

Hi everybody. Thanks for your e-mails. I have really enjoyed hearing from all of you, sorry that I have not had time to reply to everyone. The annapolis conference begins soon goodness knows how you spell it but it is a place in America where all the leaders from the Middle East will get together to attempt the beginning of the resolution of the Israel Palestinian conflict. Different people here have different opinions about whether the conference can succeed, I feel that enough newspapers will analyze the different points of view both before and after the talks. Therefore, I do not want to waste time giving you political analysis but I'd like to tell you a little bit about the people that I have met here and the things that I have done. This is not to take away from the peace process but I think its important to remember that everyday people are the reason peace is needed. I volunteer at an organization called Bait Hagalgalim which translates to house of wheels. It allows disabled people to have rest bite, socialize with other people and go on specially adapted `holidays. When I was there a few weeks ago two of the members had a disagreement about whether disabled people should go on the bus and how to deal with being stared at if they do. As someone who has frequently used public transport here in Israel it was really interesting to discover that wheelchair users are beginning to have this debate, particularly as some of the stories I've heard whilst at the center lead me to believe that Israel is just beginning to stop hiding its disabled people, and they are at last tackling everyday issues. We are trying to organize a post Chanukah party, which would serve as a fundraiser and hopefully increase awareness of the organization, which can be found on the Internet. The second thing I want to talk to you about is one of the most exciting football matches I think I have ever seen. Israel beat Russia 2.1 with a goal in the last minute, coincidentally helping England's chances to qualify for the European championships next summer. The atmosphere at the match was incredible and I had so much fun, was really great to sing the hatikva (national athem) with everyone. I hope the peace negotiations go well, and most importantly, that they result in something meaningful for both sides. We are preparing for a trip to Poland tomorrow.

Keep well talk soon, James.

October 2007

Hello from Israel! Sorry that it has taken me two months to get in contact, but problems with my Internet connection and a hectic Machon [course] schedule mean that I barely have enough time to collect my thoughts, let alone write them down. Things here are tough, but rewarding and exciting at the same time. Israel does not have the same facilities for disabled people that are commonplace in the developed West - despite seeking to be part of it. For example, an obstinate lifeguard refused to let me swim on the first weekend, despite my attempts to convince him that my problems are limited to land. However, there are also some advantages; in particular, health and safety regulations are much more relaxed – have you seen Israelis drive?! Each new challenge brings with it an opportunity to experience different things that I just wouldn’t be possible in England. On our orientation, I got to take part in an assault course, help a girl to fly through the air and managed not to flood the hostel in the Negev which I had an interesting experience/experiment in a couple of years ago. The political situation here is also precarious, with Israeli Prime Minister Olmert attempting to reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians at the scheduled conference, fraught with the danger of neither side agreeing anything concrete. Similarly the Syrian threat looms large over Israel and the Golan Heights – and of course the I-word, Iran. In spite of this, the mood here is characterised by hope and positivity. So far, my journey in Israel has been one of great discovery, of growing independence and of new experiences. Yom Kippur in Jerusalem at Kol Neshama Reform Synagogue was a highly religious experience, but I also dressed in white and reclaimed the road, along with hundreds of other children on their bikes at Jerusalem’s most dangerous road junctions. Rosh Hashana was a similarly interesting experience, as I received a last-minute invitation to a friendly congregant’s house, who happened to be the founder of Netzer. Earlier in the year, he had hosted a Darfurian refugee, who had lost his job in Israel, as a result of having to look after his ill wife and children. Expecting the man to moan, my host had called him to wish him ‘Shana Tova’ (Happy New Year). He was pleasantly surprised with the hope the man expressed and his sheer joy for life. This epitomised for me the value of perseverance – to keep on going no matter what the harsh conditions in Israel throw at me, because there is something wonderful about this country. I am immensely proud to be here representing Maccabi and my studies are showing me that it is astounding what we can achieve as humans and as Jews. Colin Bulka, the head of Machon, told me that: “Work is not a job, it is the way to change the world,” and this, for me, captures the essence of my journey of discovery this year.

Regards to all, James