World Cup!
Today was an excellent and full day here at Talpiot. Right after davening ended, boy the children and the volunteers loaded the buses to go to the pool. The pool was a great time; we played volleyball in the water, put kids on our shoulders and just hung out with our mishpachtonim. When we get back from the pool, the Americans headed straight to the art room to prepare for the World Cup, which had its opening ceremony yesterday and will conclude on wednsday. This entailed of
World Cup & Birthday
Today at Afula we spent yet another day at the waterpark. We ran around from pool to slide to wave pool until our fingers were prunes. Being at the pool all day was very tiring, which made it even more rewarding. Even after a really tiring long day we couldn't miss Oshrat, a girl in the homes, eleventh birthday party. We all sat in a circle and said a nice memory that we have had with the birthday girl. No birthday party would be complete without the classic Israeli chocolate
The First Shabbat
In a few hours we will be dressed in our shabbat clothes, singing shabbat songs, and giving these kids their first shabbat with Kol Hanearim. Although you might believe this to be the halfway point of our time here at Talpiot, this is really just the beginning. Throughout this first week we have built relationships and friendships with our kids, in preparation for this special Shabbat. Shabbat is the time just to enjoy the relationships we have built and to make them even mor
Next Level Impact
Today, july 13, I was given the opportunity to go to Jerusalem and partake in a bar mitzvah at the Kotel. Two of my fellow volunteers as well as 3 kids from my group went at 6:45 in the morning to the Kotel. There, we met up with the family and took part of their son Jacob's Simcha. We davened, sang, and danced with him in hopes of helping enhance his simcha. My personal reaction to this trip was that I was able to see how big of an impact I can have on children who are not i
Spreading Light
Today I was reminded of why I am here. Unfortunately one of my volunteers was not feeling well so I went with her to the hospital. After waiting and waiting for hours we both began to get impatient and frustrated. It was then that we spotted one of the kids from the pnimiat yom (day care) in Talpiot. She was standing across the room in the same clothes she was wearing yesterday. When she saw us her face lit up and she ran towards us. We laughed and played until we forgot tha
Neve Parents Day
Today was parent visiting day at Neve Michael. The people that put the kids, my family, in this home were all standing right in front of me. It was the most confusing and emotionally exhausting day of my life. My first experience with a visiter was being completely surprised by two adults the minute I walked into my kevutza. They were visiting their nephew, Gabi, in the home. By the end of the day I learned that they were kind hearted people. Gabis aunt showed me a video of h
"Fun"
The first question one is often asked when they explain their summer program is, "was it fun?" Fun? No. KH is most definitely not a fun program. At orientation in the beginning of the summer Michael Reidler explained to us that this wouldn't be a fun four weeks. After hearing that statement, almost every person in the room looked worried, reconsidering their decision to sign up. What we all soon learned is that Micheal was right. KH is not a typical "fun" summer program. KH w
FAST Track
The second I woke up I washed up so I could get to my girls immediately. When I got to my kids they were coloring and relaxing due to it being a fast day with no outdoor activities planned. I decided with one of my cos Olivia that it would be a good idea to get string and rainbow looms from the counselors room so that we could do string with our kids. Once we brought the string to the room the kids were so excited to do an activity that the Americans brought from home. They k
Three Words
Being in achuzat Sarah for the past week and a half made me realize the impact three words can have on an individual. When I entered achuzat Sara I saw a specific girl who did not have a smile on her face and acted cold towards the Americans. At first I was intimidated and scared to approach her because I thought I wouldn't get a warm response. I knew that it wasn't easy for these kids to open up to me because of the hardships they have gone through in their life. As the days
Selflessness Goes a Long Way
Once again, putting others over myself has proved to be extremely fulfilling. Today we went on a tiyul to Memadion water park in Tel Aviv. Some of my best childhood memories took place goofing around at waterparks in the summer. Naturally, I was tempted to go off with my friends and do my own thing. However, I resisted the temptation and stayed with my kids the whole day. Dealing with aggravated Israelis pushing and shoving in lines all day was tough, but looking back on the
