Nov. 4, 2009
Almost every Friday morning, NFTY – EIE participates in a Tzedakah (community service) project. This project, while it does give the participants community service hours that they can take back home with them, more importantly allows the EIE participants to see different aspects of Israeli society, as well as provides them with an opportunity to give back to the Israeli community.
Our first Tzedakah project this semester was volunteering at a soup kitchen in Jerusalem. The participants learned about the organization that ran the soup kitchen (ask Judy) and how in addition to feeding the needy in Jerusalem, they also provide job training and dental care, thus helping under-privileged Israelis become active members of the community. We helped prepare food in the kitchen, as well as pack bags of food for hungry families and individuals to take home with them for the following week.
Sam and Danny making food packages
Preparing food in the kitchen
On our next Tzedakah, we went as a group to an old age home in Jerusalem, where the participants sang songs and simply spent time with the residents of the home, bringing up their spirits and allowing them to have a special Shabbat. The participants were able to meet and become friendly with the residents of the home, again deepening their connection to the Israeli people.
Dani visiting with a family at the old age home
More recently, we went to Kiriyat Yovel, a community in Jerusalem and helped build a communal garden there. The participants were also given a short lesson on the history of the community, especially on its unique location close to the 1967 border of Jerusalem. During this Tzedakah project, not only were we able to give back to an Israeli community, but also learn more about its history and significance.
Michael and Daniel digging holes for a communal garden
Sylvie, Naomi and Rachel working in Kiriyat Yovel
This week we will continue with our Tzedakah by traveling to Tel Aviv to clean up a beach where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Yarkon River. Here, in addition to giving back to the community, the participants will be able to learn more about the importance of Ha’aretz, the land itself in Israel.
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