You Must Be the Change You Wish to See in the World

How do I begin to summarize such an incredible week? When I got to LAX last Sunday, I had no idea what exactly was in store for the week. Our first day at Woodcrest Elementary School was nerve-wracking. I worked in a Lansing school last year and had that impression in my head as we walked through the courtyard of this school. The kids in Lansing had been disrespectful to me and other staff members, and also didn’t seem to care about learning in the classroom. After my first day at the school I could already see that these kids were surrounded by a positive support system of faculty and staff members along with their passion and positivity to learn new things. Our first day at the school, our group started a Civil Rights Mural in the middle of the blacktop area. I painted the words “You Must Be the Change You Wish to see in the World” – Gandhi.  A quote I had heard several times, but never really let the words sink in. As we painted, recess was going on and the kids all crowded around our work area asking us about what we were doing and giving us motivation to keep going! Their interest and encouragement continued all week long. The changes we made to this school to make it a better learning environment will have a lasting impact on this school. If these kids read the words of Gandhi and take it to heart, they have the possibility to do so much. As a camp counselor, I never really thought much about my campers being the ‘future generation’, the ones who will continue after us. Working with these kids, I began to realize how important it is to encourage education. All week long, we listened to various speakers and saw videos that informed us of the educational problems going on around the United States. Coming from the suburbs of Chicago, I knew of some of the problems in inner-city schools, but not to the extent of which I learned about. One our last day at the school, one of the staff members began to tear up thanking us for all the work we did.  Between that moment where I really saw that our work was going to make a difference and saying goodbye to all the students who I had interacted with over the few days, I felt thankful and fortunate to have a part in such an experience. That Gandhi quote will be important for this school and these kids as they continue on with their education, but it also important for our group and this program. A bunch of college students who decided to head to LA for a an Alternative Spring Break are walking away with much more than just good times, we are leaving seeing the impact of change.

~Jordyn Malkin 

Reflections On A Week of Service in Los Angeles

Alternative Spring Break to Los Angeles was a very meaningful, fun, and inspiring experience.   Coming from the West Bloomfield “bubble” in Southeast Michigan I have rarely seen the poverty and struggles that the students of Woodcrest Elementary go through each and everyday.  Looking back upon the beautification and gardening projects we completed for this school I feel that we as a group absolutely made an impact on these students and community.  As a Pre-med major this trip means little for my career path; however, that is not to say that it did not change me and effect me.  Social justice is an important issue that must be worked towards in any way possible, and I’m happy this trip gave me the opportunity to give back.  I hope the passion for community service and social justice that I now feel burns just as feverishly within me as it does with the other 53 participants.  This trip has changed my life and I’m grateful that I’ve had this experience. 

~Andy Sonenberg

New Friends

Over the past few days volunteering at the elementary school, I met a wonderful little girl, Jennifer. My after school group was assigned to help out with the kindergarten class. However, Jennifer was in second grade. She was in the classroom because she was helping out her grandmother, Miss. Cruz. The first day I decided to help her with her homework. After that we just clicked. For the next three days volunteering in the classroom we were side by side. Everyday we were so excited to see each other. We drew pictures for each other, I helped her with her homework, and she even helped me with my Spanish.  One of the drawings she drew for me said, BFF (Best Friends forever). I am so impressed with myself of how much I impacted her life. On the last day she was so upset that I was leaving. When we were saying our goodbyes, she fake cried, but then when her mom came to pick her up she burst out in tears. Her mom said, “¿Que pasó? (What happened?), “ and Jennifer responded with “She’s leaving.” Her grandmother came up to me on the last day and told me that the night before Jennifer was crying to her mother asking her if she could have my phone number. So I gave her my phone number and email address and I got her home address. Hopefully we can keep in touch because she made my week tens times better and I won’t forget the powerful impact I had on her and all of the other kids.  

~Fran Wanetick

Day 5 - Friday, March 9th.

When pulling up to Jerusalem, after a two-hour bus ride, we were overwhelmed with joy. Immediately when we arrived, we went to the Western Wall. Individually, we approached the wall and had personal reflecting time. Touching the wall where thousands of others have done the same enhances the meaning and history behind it. After the Kotel, we went into the Old City of Jerusalem. We've traveled to Jerusalem multiple times, however, this time has been very unique and memorable because of Purim. The ambience of the city was in simcha-mode. Although Purim was Thursday, the celebration continues. People were dressed up in honor of the holiday. Upon entering the city, a group of Israeli men took our hands and started singing and dancing in the spirit of Purim. Mishloach Manot were passed throughout the city and people were wishing all of us a Chag Sameach. We enjoyed free time to eat, shop and explore the Old City. This was a great end to an accomplishing week, along with welcoming the Shabbat. 

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach!
Jillian Sallan and Lizzy Belsky

The gang with Ofer

Zach Firestone

Day 4 - Thursday, March 8th.

Today we went to the Elderly day center and we celebrated Purim with Holocaust survivors. We danced and sang with them and after that we watched a magic show. Zach Firestone participated in it and it was fun to see someone from our trip take part in such an entertaining show. After that we went to speak with a student from the university across the street and learned about their student radio. In the afternoon we played with the children who live in kibbutz Ginegar. They taught us a song in Hebrew and it turned out we knew the same song in English. They also took us to the petting zoo and we played with all the animals. They really enjoyed our American cholocate we brought them! The weather was perfect and it was a great day! 

-Lisa Shapiro

"Sav Yom" Elderly day center

With the kids at Kibuttz Ganigars petting zoo

Day 3 - Wednesday, March 7th.

Foodbank in  Nazareth Illit

The "Jump" mountain, near Nazareth.

4 tons of  Turnip's were hand picked by the group, it will feed about 500 families!!!!!!

Jordan Rosenbaum, Ben Goutkovitch, Aaron Klisman and Zach Firestone celebrating Purim at one of Israel's biggest clubs.

Day 2 - Tuesday, March 6th.

All 15 of us woke up bright and early to play with some kids. We got in our costumes for purim and painted our faces so that we could fit in with all the children who would be starting to celebrate purim in israel. Our first stop was HeEmeq Medical center where we played with the children who were staying in the hospital. Its crazy how a children's ward of a hospital can be turned into such a happy place in just a few hours. There was music playing and all of the kids were dressed up for the holiday. We blew bubbles, did puzzles, and even decorated "chia pets" with seeds that grew out of a pair of tights. Although there was a language barrier between us and most of the kids, we had a great time. They loved our company and i could definitely say that we loved theirs. 

After playing with the kids for a while, we finally got our shopping fix- kind of. We went to lunch all together at a great burger place, got our favorite coffee from aroma, and then walked around an outdoor shopping mall.

Our second stop for our volunteering was the Emunah Afula Children's center. This was an incredible place with an incredible story. There are around 100 kids living in this house. It is for children who come from broken homes and places of where the parents could not care for them. We made hamuntashens with the kids and watched their Purim play. During this time, I ran into an interesting event. While sneaking out to go to the bathroom, i found myself in contact with a woman, not too much older than me with rotted teeth and tons of makeup. I turned to her on the way out of the bathroom to say hi and she stopped me in my tracks. She said to me "where are you from? my daughter is here and please take care of her. I miss her so much. thank you for taking care of my daughter" she then proceeded to give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Although I had not met her daughter, it really felt like I was making a difference for that one day I was there.

We then proceeded back to the Kibbutz for dinner and a program that our Israeli correspondents have planned for us. This program taught us a lot about the differences in political and religious views between the American and Israeli students here. It was very interesting and I definitely could say that i've learned an incredible amount from them.

And now on to day 3 =]


By Dani Gittleman

Dani Gittleman and Elizabeth Belsky at HaEmeq Medical center 

Zach Firestone at HaEmeq Medical center

HaEmeq Medical center

Dani Gittleman leading an Ask Big Question conversation - "What is Your Identity?" with students from Yizrael Valley College Hillel.

Julie Lowenthal, Jillian Sallan, Sydney Wolf, Hannah Weiss,  Zach Firestone, Dani Gittleman and  Aaron Klisman making   hamuntashens with the kids at Emunah Afula Children's center.    

Working Hard in L.A.

Scott, Emily and Jake carrying supplies to build a picnic table in the 5th grade zone!

First day at Woodcrest Elementary

A quick photo of the group before beginning work on our first project, painting a mural!!

Day One in L.A.

Day one we woke up jet legged, but ready to take on the day. It was bagels and cream cheese followed by a pep talk by the City Year staff. The City Year staff told us about how excited the kids would be to meet us, and everyone became even more eager for the upcoming days.
    We walked outside into the beautiful California weather, greeted by our friendly bus driver. We took the bus to a Jewish old folks home. We weren't sure what to expect out of the elderly, but had heard they loved visitors. We all broke up into our after school program groups and went to different sections of the home. Some of us went into rooms were we we're fortunate enough to meet some incredible people.
    My group met with two lovely ladies named Lee and Francis. Lee told us of her days on Broadway, after she made clear the importance of being informed of our government. Francis told us of we travels, originally from Paris, France. She wouldn't say much, but quietly told us she had been rescued from the Holocaust. Both women, extremely knowledgable and upbeat were genuinely interested in our lives, which was a mutual feeling on our parts. It was a pleasure talking to these women, and we were lucky I have came across their room.
    We finished off our time at the old folks home learning Yiddish, participating in an afternoon stretching activity, singing songs, and playing games. It was a great beginning to our week in L.A.
    The rest of our eventful day involved the group exploring Santa Monica and all it's wonders. We ate amazing food, shopped, and enjoyed the beach. There were many venders, guitar players, singers, and even a guy telling jokes for a dollar up and down the streets.
    The rest of our night involved hearing from a speaker named Jackie Goldberg and the movie Waiting For Superman. Jackie taught us the power we have as people and future teachers. We learned of we don't begin to speak up and vote our education systems in the future will be no longer. The entire evening wrapped up with a discussion of speaking out for the future teachers and students of America.
    Today was quite moving, and life changing at the same time.  I think I can speak for everyone and say how excited I am for the rest of the trip.

Peace, love, L.A

-Abby Soble

Day one - Monday, March 5th.

Today we went to the Pioneer Settlement Museum at Kibbutz Yifat and took a singing, guided tour about the first Zionsts that came to Israel. The tour guide made it very fun and interesting to learn about this part history.  We met the Eyael Bezer, the head of the Jezreal Valley Council, and Ziva, the director of the Central Galilee Partnership. Our next stop was Ort Rogozin High School where we interacted with Israeli high school students. We compared and contrasted American and Israeli everyday life.

As our day continued, we visited Zippori National Park where we saw the remains of mosaic pieces, and castle from the Roman times. We then visited an Organic Olive Press where we were got to taste olive oil, and learn how it is made. Lastly, we met with Arab and Jewish teenagers that were part of the Net@ program, an extra-curricular program for Jewish and Muslim teens. We discussed how they can co-exist in Israel. 

By Lindsay Gordon&Sydney Wolf

Pioneer Settlement Museum at Kibbutz Yifat with Sonja

With Eyael Bezer, the head of the Jezreal Valley Council

Ort Rogozin High School in Nazareth Ailit.

Lunching with some Humus

From left to right: Carrie Subelsky, Stefani Monteleone, Lisa shapiro, Jordan Rosenbaum and Zach Firestone 

With Arab and Jewish teenagers that are part of the Net@ program 

ASB Israel - the Airports

Ben Goutkovitch and Lizzy Belsky

From left to right: Sydney Wolf, Zach Firestone, Ben Goutkovitch and  Jordan Rosenbaum

From left to right: Aaron Klisman, Lindsay Gordon and Jillian Sallan

From left to right: Dani Gittleman, Natalie Gross and Hannah Weiss

From left to right: Carrie Subelsky and Stefani Monteleone