Mifgash in the Beautiful Galilee

Debby Arzt-Mor, Israel Trip Leader

It is amazing how such a small country as Israel can host such a diversity of geographic terrain. In the course of our journey, we have experienced the desert, the coastal plain, the lowest spot on earth, the hills of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv’s urban sprawl, and now—one of my favorite spots anywhere—the breathtakingly beautiful Upper Galilee.

 

We woke up this morning at the Tel Hai Youth Hostel, one of the northernmost points of the Upper Galilee, surrounded by breathtaking views of the lush Hula Valley, Mt. Hermon, and the Golan Heights.

Our two days in the Galilee are devoted to mifgash. Mifgash is commonly used in Israel education for “meeting” or “encounter,” referring to opportunities for individuals to meet and connect with one another in meaningful, unmediated ways. Here is how our day unfolded:

After breakfast, we packed ourselves into the bus and headed out for a short drive to our first destination, Hagomeh Elementary School. Visiting this school is a longstanding Brandeis tradition. For the past 11 years, the faculty and students at Hagomeh welcome us with warmth and friendship, interactive sessions, and delicious snacks. Our 8th graders spend a few hours every year with younger students who are always eager to meet them and always able to win over their hearts.

Pulling up in front of Hagomeh, we were greeted by Orna, the school principal; teachers Isabella, Nitzan, and Yael; and their students. After a brief welcome, we headed to the gym with approximately fifty adorable fifth and sixth grade students, all very eager to connect with our travelers. Before long, our students were surrounded by youngsters, playing games and answering their questions.

 

The morning’s activities consisted of icebreakers, a massive dance party on the grass, a couple of very spirited joint soccer and basketball games, a pita-making party in one of the beautiful outdoor areas of the school, and classroom visits. Throughout the morning, students from both communities were able to quickly overcome barriers of language and bond with one another. Be sure to check out the group photo that we took as we wrapped up our visit.

The highlight of the day was our arrival at Eynot Yarden, marking the beginning of our homestay and joint two-day programing. These two days 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.

We emerged from the bus and walked on Eynot Yarden’s beautiful campus. We were greeted by my partner in crime, Noga, a wonderful educator who coordinates the Israeli side of the visit. Together with her team of teachers—Mor, Drori, and Ravit—Noga has every detail organized to ensure a memorable two days.

On an expansive stretch of grass under the generous shade of the leafy trees, Israeli student hosts eagerly introduced themselves to their San Francisco guests, engaging in conversations and icebreakers led by older teens who only a few years earlier had hosted in the very same program.

Our Chaperones were able to join the Israeli teachers, stepping back and allowing the older students to lead the process. It was remarkable to see how quickly the 8th grade students from both communities gravitated toward one another!

After a delicious falafel lunch, we reviewed with Brandeis students what to expect during the homestay and answered any lingering questions. By 4:00 p.m., hosts and students were excitedly headed to the different towns and kibbutzim, looking forward to the new experiences that awaited them.

After a brief rest this evening at a nearby kibbutz guesthouse, our amazing Brandeis chaperone team is looking forward to a day of touring, hiking, and having fun with our friends from Eynot Yarden. We can’t wait to tell you all about it.

Lehitraot (see you).