Debby Arzt-Mor, Israel Trip Leader

The past two days in the Galilee have been devoted to mifgash (gathering or coming together) between our students and their Israeli peers. These two days were designed with the Eynot Yarden teachers to create meaningful opportunities for students from both schools— Eynot Yarden and Brandeis—to get to know one another and learn about each other’s worlds in the most authentic way. For some students these two days can be a bit of a stretch, as they find themselves a bit out of their comfort zone. However, students from both communities come away from this experience with new friendships and connections and a sense of personal growth.

 

This morning, we said goodbye to the students and teachers of Eynot Yarden. Every year it is the same: each time we say goodbye to each, it is like saying goodbye to family. After multiple hugs, our students parted from their friends and reluctantly climbed back onto the bus; we were headed next to our partner elementary school, Hagomeh Elementary School, to tour the school and visit with the sixth grade students before heading south.

 

Pulling up in front of Hagomeh, we were greeted by Orna (principal), Nomi (English teacher and visit organizer), and an excited group of 6th grade students. Hagomeh Elementary School welcomes us every year with a friendship, programing, and snacks. This morning our students joined in for recess, playing basketball and soccer with students of many ages. We then divided up into groups and set out on a scavenger hunt led by the school’s 6th grade ambassadors, who were proud to show us around their beautiful school (which is located on the banks of the Jordan River). Many of our students jumped right in to the mifgash, introducing themselves to the 6th grade ambassadors and engaging in conversation in a combination of Hebrew and English. Be sure to check out the group photo that we took on the bank of the Jordan River as we wrapped up our visit.

 

Heading south, we traveled through the rolling green hills of the Western Galilee. Our guides pointed out towns and villages and explained the minority populations of the Galilee, which include Muslim and Christian Arabs, Circassiansand Druze, all of whom are citizens of Israel.

 

Today’s drive was the longest drive of the trip. Thanks to great friendships and the no electronics policy, our students spent the bus ride interacting with one another! Cards, hair braiding, singing, conversations, and laughter filled the bus. A couple of hours later, the landscape changed to that of the Elah Valley, the site of the famous battle between David and Goliath. We were headed to Beit Guvrin National Park and the archeological digs at Tel Maresha, whose inhabitants lived during the period of the Maccabees. This dig has been going on for the past 16 years, providing an authentic experience for our students (and which is a favorite for many 8th graders on the Israel trip throughout the years).

Upon arrival, we descended into a fascinating underground experience: a series of areas in which the local inhabitants of the time would discard their unwanted belongings. Once underground, our students worked in small groups using a small pick axe and a trowel to gently remove dirt, rocks and artifacts, such as bones and pottery shards. Within minutes students were calling out, “I found a bone (BBQ from 2000 years ago),” and “I found a piece of pottery!”

 

After the dig, we all worked as a team—using the bucket brigade system—to get approximately 40 buckets of dirt above ground so that we could sift through for more artifacts. Check out the photos to get a great sense of this adventure.

 

Once we completed the sifting and sorting, we had the opportunity to explore another underground cave. We made our way down some stairs and walked, crawled, slid, and scooted our way through tunnels and small chambers. We made our way out of the caves and to the debriefing tent, where we wrapped up our experience, thanked our dig guides, and headed back to our bus, all of us sporting a thin layer of white dust.

 

After another half an hour of driving, the green of the hills had completely changed to the majestic, stark beauty of the desert. After a delicious dinner we gathered in a big circle to prepare for tomorrow, which will begin with a hike to the desert oasis of Ein Avdat. We spent some time this evening journaling and then sharing our experiences of the past few days: the highlights and the experiences that took them by surprise.

 

The various responses confirmed—once again—the lasting memories our students will take from the mifgash up north. One student made an emphatic appeal: “Ms. Arzt-Mor, why only two days up north? I want to be at the Kibbutz! I MISS them!” I encouraged our students to stay in touch with their hosts, and assured them that more adventures were in store for them. Stay tuned :)

 

 

Israel Trip Leader