2016 GAIA Czech Research Camp
12 sleepy eyed WBAIS GAIA students together with GAIA directors Dr. Stuart Fleischer, Mary Wescott, Margret Ellwanger and ornithologist Dr. Motti Charter gathered at Ben Gurion Airport in the wee hours of the morning and checked in for the flight to Prague.
Wednesday, November 9
Day 1
12 sleepy eyed WBAIS GAIA students together with GAIA directors Dr. Stuart Fleischer, Mary Wescott, Margret Ellwanger and ornithologist Dr. Motti Charter gathered at Ben Gurion Airport in the wee hours of the morning and checked in for the flight to Prague.
As always, upon arrival we were warmly welcomed by our Czech friends from Gymnázium Arabská and Gymnázium Botičská, hopped on the bus and went off to this year’s destination, the Moravian Karst region around the Czech Republic’s second largest city, Brno.
The fruits of our long term, systemic cooperation are more evident each year. For one, the students from all three schools have meanwhile formed long term friendships and greeted, mixed and mingled from the first moment we entered the bus. Notable also, the Czech students increasingly communicated with much greater ease in English with everyone from WBAIS.
At the end of the three-hour bus ride through gorgeous countryside, we arrived at our camp in Jedovnice, where we were assigned into little camping style bungalows, four persons per bungalow. Luckily, the bungalows had heating. The weather was below freezing, our noses were red, and even the Czechs shivered.
We had an hour to unpack and then gathered for our evening hike around the lake. It was dark outside, the air crisp and clear. There was no light pollution and thus we could fully appreciate the twinkling stars. The more astronomically gifted among us excitedly pointed out Mars, the red planet. Even though we marched around the lake with great speed, Botičská teacher Jiří Ševčík took time to pick up leaves and categorized from which type of tree they had fallen . We also learned some history about the nearby little town.
By the time we return to camp, everyone had a healthy appetite, which was deliciously satisfied by warm soup, cabbage salad, chicken and rice. Then there was an hour for the Czech students to dot the last i’s and cross the last t’s for their evening presentations about the Moravian Karst, its flora and fauna.
Arabská and Botičská students gave a solid overview of the region, which made us aware what to look for in the coming days. Then everyone bumbled happily back to their bungalow and dropped into bed exhausted from a long day of travel, hiking and presenting. Well done, DAY1.
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Day 2
Waking up and being greeted by freshly fallen snow got everyone off to a good start on Day 2. In no time the group finished a hearty breakfast and boarded the bus that dropped us off at the base of the Punkva Caves in the Moravian Karst. Well prepared by last night’s briefings, the students took note of limestone caves and identified trees by their fallen leaves along the uphill hike. In less than two hours of hiking, they reached the entrance point for the magical underground world of the Punkva caves.
With the help of a guide and calling upon our imagination, we meandered through various “rooms” , creatively named the “Turkish Graveyard”, the “Church Organ” and last not least, the romantic highpoint, “Romeo and Juliet”. If only the cave had not run dry, in about 700 years from now, Romeo and Juliet would have been united forever!
Leaving tragedy behind, a steep climb led to the watery part of the spelunking adventure. We entered boats that navigated through greenish waters to the bottom of the Macocha Gorge. There we were introduced to the legend of the evil stepmother who attempted to throw her stepson to his death, only to see the boy rescued and herself thrown down into the 300-meter-long gorge. Onward, we returned to daylight and continued the climb to the top of the gorge.
While hiking from the top of the Gorge back to the bus, Botičská teacher Jiri Ševčík made a great find. Ever the eagle-eyed botanist, he spotted what looked to the untrained eye deceptively just like another dangly, wispy weed whose leaves had fallen to the ground. Nothing could have been further from the truth. This was the archaic forbearer of the common house hold carrot! Quite remarkable, how such a non descriptive above-the-ground plant , over the duration of a thousand years , was cultivated into our familiar bright yellow-orange root vegetable.
The find led to a discussion about genetic modifications in our day and age, and how much sooner modern plant geneticists could have brought about this transformation. The teacher’s unexpected find became a perfect introduction for Day 3, the upcoming visit to the Museum in Brno , devoted to Johann Gregor Mendel, the father of modern genetics.
Leaving plants, geological limestone formations, fauna and flora behind, the group turned its attention to the works of ancient and modern man. Our bus stopped at the “Bull’s Cave”, a prehistoric sacrificial burial site of an apparently very important person. At his side lay the remains of 40 servants, who were sacrificed at the time of his death to provide further services to him upon entering the afterworld.
A short ride down the hill from Bull Cave, we explored the hamlet of Abramov, regionally renowned for its blast iron furnace and accompanying iron mill, next door to a Technological Museum. Archeological findings beginning with the Hallstattzeit, documented “Man’s Story of Working with Iron “ up through when Germanic tribes introduced advanced metal working skills, culminating in the the development of a proprietary nineteenth century process which became unique throughout Europe.
The day was rounded out with a stop at a very old, beautiful church, which to this day is a pilgrimage center in the otherwise predominantly secular Czech Republic.
In the evening, the students were given one hour after dinner, to prepare activities for an open ended evening of their choosing. It turned into a mixture of talent show, skits, singing and dancing. Memorable moments included the teacher’s skit about “class with a substitute teacher”, which brought down the house with laughter. Our Czech hosts also did a great job teaching WBAIS students a folk dance called the “Mazurka”. At close of the evening, one thing was certain: GAIA’s got talent!
Friday, Nov 11
Day3
Two days of invigorating field work prepared the GAIA students for the Anthropos Museum and Mendel Museum in Brno.
The museum in honor of the Father of Genetics, Johann Gregor Mendel, was small, yet captured well his spirit and scientific endeavors. Our Czech hosts had also arranged for a lecture about his life and work, held in the spacious room that served the Augustinian monks of Mendel’s day as dining hall.
Mendel, a gentle genius whose passions were rooted in his desire to find ways to help society and his fellow man, was undeterred when his contemporaries were not ready for his discoveries. He diligently searched for principles of plant heredity, in order to grow better and superior offspring. Likewise, his experiments with bees aimed to ease the work of the bee keeper just like his studies of the weather sought to assist farmers in timing work in the fields. Confidently he would state : “My time will come”
Born into a poor peasant family, nevertheless deeply interested in agriculture, horticulture, beekeeping and meteorology, it appeared there was no opportunity for Mendel’s schooling. His perseverance prevailed and slowly opened doors, especially after he was accepted to the Brno Augustinian monastery. As a monk, he served at hospital, took over an experimental garden and taught at the grammar school in Znojmo- even though he did not pass the exam for teacher qualification. Nevertheless, he studied mathematics, physics and natural sciences in Vienna. Upon returning to Brno, he meticulously carried out experiments in the Abbey Garden, which he published more than ten years later as findings on plant hybridization.
Equipped with details about Mendel’s life and work, and a list of questions provided by the Czech teachers, the students formed work groups, and searched purposefully for answers to their research questions in the museum’s displays and short videos.
From Mendel’s Museum, it was only a short drive to the Anthropos Museum, which focused on the oldest geological history of Europe. Here we were greeted by Brno native, Voita Honek, a former Czech GAIA student. Voita, the perfect alumnus, had participated in every GAIA research trip offered throughout his high school years. Even though he graduated from Arabska in the spring and now was enrolled at Brno University as a student of biotechnolgy, he took time out of his busy lecture schedule to join us for the exploration of the museum. Voita personified the warm and enduring relations between WBAIS and our two Czech partner schools. He even
voiced his desire to deepen his relationship to the land of Israel, by seeking an internship next summer break with an Israeli company. It all began with GAIA!
In the basement exhibition of the Anthropos, there was a fine selection of oil paintings depicting the age of dinosaurs. The students also enjoyed a well designed animated movie about their extinction.
Perhaps inspired by the artistry of dinosaur renderings, perhaps watching some students getting creative with a paleontologic bone puzzle, maybe even walking through an Evolution of Man exhibit - something clearly sparked Maddie Kroell’s creative energy. At the sight of the giant Mastodon, she spontaneously delivered a dance performance. Her enthusiasm was infectious and proved too much temptation for Ms. Wescott, who quickly fell in step with Maddie. Numerous Facebook posts as well as as Dr. Motti Charter’s 2016 GAIA video remain as
evidence.
Upon leaving the Anthropos, the students were given time to briefly explore the center of Brno under the guidance of Voita. Then we returned to our campsite, had dinner, and an evening of power points with the student groups presenting their findings. The evening ended with a surprise birthday party for two WBAIS birthday girls. Festivities included singing Happy Birthday songs in Czech, Hebrew and English.
Many thanks to all our Czech friends, organizers and participants. We look forward to
continued collaboration and exploration next year.
Cambodia Expedition 2016
On Friday, April 17, 2016, forPeace volunteers joined forces with Tabitha Foundation for another successful house building expedition in Cambodia’s remote Putrea Village. Volunteers from around the world experienced Cambodian culture first hand as they worked side by side with local villagers and families enrolled in the Tabitha Savings Plan.
On Friday, April 17, 2016, forPeace volunteers joined forces with Tabitha Foundation for another successful house building expedition in Cambodia’s remote Putrea Village. Volunteers from around the world experienced Cambodian culture first hand as they worked side by side with local villagers and families enrolled in the Tabitha Savings Plan.
In addition to giving service, volunteers had the opportunity to develop in-depth insight into the aftermath of the Vietnam War and genocide of the Khmer Rouge; the current challenges of poverty, gender disparity, and inadequate healthcare, and potential solutions; the impacts of international interest in land and natural resources; as well as the political influence in the region. One volunteer wrote, “I am leaving Cambodia with greater awareness and understanding of the heart-breaking history and survival of a beautiful people. forPeace has given me an opportunity do something to promote self-reliance and economic stability. I am grateful to have been part of this humbling and rewarding work.”
Cambodia continues to feel the effects years of war and genocide have had on its economy, infrastructure, and its education and healthcare systems. The demand for quality housing is rising as the country’s population continues to heal and increase. The Cambodian government has said an additional 1.1 million houses will be required in the next 14 years to accommodate an additional 18 million people within that time period.
Since 2003, an average of 1,000 houses are being built every year through Tabitha’s Family Savings Program, which is designed to teach families how to save a small amount of money each week to provide for their basic needs, increase their sources of income, and ultimately purchase wells and rebuild dilapidated and inadequate houses. The Savings Program impacted 541,908 families with 4,335,264 dependents from 1994 to July 31, 2016. Since 2003, an average of 1,000 houses are being built every year.
2015 Service Learning Expedition in Support of Tabitha Cambodia
An international team of volunteers ranging from high school students to retirees, representing the United States, Germany, Israel, Korea and Great Britain, fondly looks back on seven extraordinary days of learning, serving and exploring Phnom Penh, Kompong Speu, Preah Vihear and Siem Reap.
An international team of volunteers ranging from high school students to retirees, representing the United States, Germany, Israel, Korea and Great Britain, fondly looks back on seven extraordinary days of learning, serving and exploring Phnom Penh, Kompong Speu, Preah Vihear and Siem Reap.
Together with local Cambodian friends and supporters, the team immersed into the family and community development program of Tabitha Cambodia. The program is extraordinary because families move from desperate poverty and living on the streets to owning their own home and small business, producing crops and raising livestock as well as providing their children secondary education—all within a five to seven year time period. At that point, the families “graduate,” thereby making room for new families to enter the program.Tabitha begins the process again. Tabitha has grown holistically from serving a handful of destitute street women to providing, during the current fiscal year of September 2014 through August 2015, its life changing program to 55,960 families who have a combined 447,680 dependents. The overall impact of applying the Tabitha principles of permanent poverty elimination for twenty years in Cambodia has resulted in 529,886 families with 4,207,088 dependents to move into a stable, sustainable rural middle class life with multiple sources of steady income. These statistics are eyebrow raising giving reason to consider and study the principles whereupon they are based.
forPEACE annual service learning expeditions provide opportunity to get involved and observe Tabitha in action. The experience includes an overnight stay in the countryside. This year the team worked in the village of Putrea, located in a remote area of Preah Vihear, close to the Thai border. There, the volunteers helped build simple houses side-by-side with families enrolled in the Tabitha program. It was a glimpse into authentic, rural Cambodia. Tabitha Director, Janne Ritskes, recently summarized the spirit of housebuilding in the following letter:
House building involves young people, middle aged people and the older, young at heart folks coming from all parts of the world to help build houses for families who may not get a house without their help. The impact of the houses on our families is immense. In Cambodia people believe that to die in their home will ensure a safe passage to the next life.
A few years ago, a team came and built for some of our families. At the end of house building we have a simple ceremony handing the houses over to the families move in. It is a time when we are reminded what a gift these families have given to us - the volunteers. It is the gift of a privilege – the privilege of sharing but a small part of our lives with our families here. We need to be reminded of this, as often we come with the belief that we somehow have a right to do this – that we are entitled to not only build but to be treated as special people simply because we came. It is our time in this small ceremony to thank the families for allowing us to come and to help finish a small home.
It is also the time for the families to thank us – to try and express in some small way, the gift they have received from our volunteers. These expressions are all very similar in content but expressed in various ways. At this particular handing over ceremony – one of the women spoke. She was in her mid-forties, raising her own 6 children as well as helping to raise 6 orphans from the village. She had developed cataracts and it was difficult to see the world clearly. She said to the team: “you will forget us in 6 months or a year and that is right – you have busy and full lives. But -on the day that I die – it is your face that I will see. Thank you for that gift”. For her and all our families, the gift of a permanent home – a house that will allow them to be safe – to live with dignity - to die in peace, is truly a gift beyond measure.
For us at Tabitha Cambodia – house building is about friendships between very different peoples and backgrounds – it is an opportunity to learn about dignity and about respect for each other – it is about change – a change of attitude from those who have so little - to realize that those of us who have so much are capable of doing hard physical labor – of us, who have so much, beginning to understand the strength and skills of those who have so little. It is a time of realizing our own inner strength as volunteers work in a hot climate doing unfamiliar and physical labor – realizing at the end of the build that we can do so much more than we thought we were capable of. It is a time of realization for our families -how different life is when the entire family can sleep under one roof - what it’s like to sleep through rain - what’s it’s like to not have to worry about flooding and losing life – a new sense of freedom and dignity.
I thank my God for my own home and safety, I thank my God for all you volunteers who come and share your life with so many here. I want to thank all of you who are unable to build but support financially the teams that come. It is all so very good.
Janne
2015 Recap: Cambodia Service Learning Expedition
This is the recap as recorded through the lens of several volunteers. Many thanks to an outstanding team! Their camaraderie, willingness to learn, reaching out, giving of themselves, was exemplary. We hope the narrative of team 2015 will inspire readers to volunteer with team 2016.
Below is the recap as recorded through the lens of several volunteers. Many thanks to an outstanding team! Their camaraderie, willingness to learn, reaching out, giving of themselves, was exemplary. We hope the narrative of team 2015 will inspire readers to volunteer with team 2016.
Day 1: Tabitha Savings Program
Having assembled in Phnom Penh, this year’s team, with members ranging from high schoolers to retirees, from five countries, piled into a van and headed southwest from Cambodia’s capital into the countryside. Buildings gave way to scrub and trees, paved roads gave way to dust (and grew bumpier and bumpier) as we made our way to the rural countryside of Kampong Speu, where the Tabitha savings program has been in effect for almost five years.
It was apparent that the living standard is low—evidenced by the fact that the average rural Cambodian income is roughly 1 USD per day. It is a challenge for families to save as little as 25 cents per week, which is the requirement to join the Tabitha savings program. This commitment takes courage for the family and faith in Tabitha to make good on its promise of weekly visits to collect and safeguard their savings. After ten weeks, the first miracle occurs: The savings are returned with ten percent interest, amounting for a full week of savings at no cost to the saver. This is the fundamental attitudinal change that allows families to step out of poverty—realizing the inherent power through generating income through savings. This ten percent interest spurs self-efficacious saving and income generation, which in turn builds to meet the needs of family and create other sources of income.
As we drove through Kampong Speu, our van was flagged down several times by families recognizing the Tabitha staff and wanting to show us what their savings had brought. One family started with chicks (.50 apiece), saved for a pig, and then earned enough to buy cows—used in Cambodia for meat and plowing land for crops. Another woman saved for a well (clean drinking water is valuable and a rarity in the countryside), enabling her family to grow crops year-round and sell water to her neighbors. She eventually saved enough to build houses for her extended family.
Day 2: Nokor Tep Women’s Hospital
Today we drove to the garment district on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, where construction on the Nokor Tep Women’s Hospital is underway. We heard about the vision and urgent need for such a hospital from Janne Ritskes, founder of Tabitha and co-founder of Nokor Tep.
Sanitation and birth and labor practices in Cambodia contribute to gynecological infections. The planned hospital is unique in its focus on women’s gynecological health, and will include an Education and Prevention Unit, a Research Unit, and mobile clinics to reach women from all parts of Cambodia, as well as a built-in “beauty parlor” to eliminate the shame that prevents many rural women from visiting doctors.
Funding for the hospital thus far has purchased the land, laid the foundation, and paid local Khmer contractors and construction workers, who receive training and fair pay, mixing the concrete themselves to ensure it is of proper quality and to save money.
The phrase “Nokor Tep” in Sanskrit means “city of compassion from the gods,” or “city of angels.
”The planned inscription for the entrance reads: “Welcome my sister, my daughter, my mother, my wife—do not be afraid for we ( 1 Million People) are with you. Come -we welcome you, we will comfort you and treat you. You are not alone—we are with you."
The million references the million small donors Ritskes hopes to attract in order to complete and maintain the hospital.
For more information and to donate, visit nokortep.com.
Day 3: Understanding the Khmer Rouge
Today we visited two sites in an effort to understand Cambodia’s recent history: Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields. Witnessing the brutality and the scope of the atrocities committed was an emotionally difficult part of the trip.
Beginning April 17, 1975, and lasting for a period of four years, approximately 1.7 million Cambodians died as Pol Pot and his army murdered and starved the country in a radical effort to create an agrarian utopia. This brutal and catastrophic regime was followed by years of civil war.
Tuol Sleng was a site of torture used by the Khmer Rouge that now serves as a museum, while the Killing Fields, an execution and burial site, serves as a memorial to what the country endured.
Day 4: Orientation/Travel
We met at Tabitha headquarters in downtown Phnom Penh to receive a unique orientation from founder Janne Ritskes (and do some shopping from its incredible selection of local cottage industry goods).
She provided historical and cultural context through eyewitness stories of her staff giving unfiltered history from the cambodian perspective, rather than through the foreign policy angle of Western nations. Janne also went over etiquette and how to behave in the villages: how to show respect by properly greeting villagers, wearing modest clothing, and obeying cultural norms about physical touch and pointing.
Joining our group of volunteers for the orientation and trip were Srey (Tabitha staff) and our Khmer friend Keo Botevy and four of her children: Mara, Ma, Nana, and Kasy. Botevy is the mother of a group home in Phnom Penh for 34 children whose parents are unable to care for them. She values the opportunity for her older children to provide service and see sites outside the capital, and their joining us for housebuilding is a highlight for the team as well.
After orientation, we loaded up into two vans and a Tabitha vehicle and headed northwest for the long ride to Preah Vihear, a rural province near the Thai border, where we would build. We were surprised to find that the road was paved all the way there, but later came to realize it was because foreign mining and lumber companies had stripped the majority of lumber and natural resources (soil for gold and precious stones) from the area.
Day 5: Housebuilding!
Houses are usually an item families save for using the Tabitha savings program, but everyone needs a home, and circumstances such as death, illness, or other difficulties can make that need especially pressing and that dream particularly difficult to achieve.
We raised money to provide six houses, and local village council deliberated over and decided who could benefit the most from such assistance. Tuesday morning we sealed the deal by offering our labor to attach floorboards and siding with hammer and nails and make the homes ready to live in.
Volunteers, Tabitha staff, our friends from the group home, and a few locals hammered away for hours, taking breaks to keep cool by guzzling water and occasionally dunking heads. As each house was completed, families took advantage of the shade the new homes provided and set up hammocks underneath. After the last nail was in place, we gave the new homeowners gifts of housewarming quilts.
Day 6: Koh Ker & Beng Mealea
After putting floorboards and aluminum siding on six new houses the day before, we faced the hot sun and buses full of tourists to explore tenth-century Khmer empire ruins.
By this time our multicultural/multigenerational group of Germans, Americans, Israelis, Koreans and Khmers had bonded. We spent the day climbing over stones, taking pictures, and talking about everything from development and environmental issues to favorite soccer teams and KFC—and the high schoolers even gave each other Khmer and English names.
We got a chance to experience the temples built by the Khmer empire, which are of tremendous cultural, historic, and artistic significance. Not only were we able to learn of the great accomplishments of the past, but the foreign volunteers were humbled by the legacy of our Khmer friends and the realization that through recognizing and honoring their heritage Cambodians are gaining the confidence to rebuild their country.
Day 7: Social Enterprise & Touring Responsibly
After Beng Mealea, the group split ways. Some returned to Phnom Penh, while others went on to Siem Reap for additional touring.
In Siem Reap, we visited Artisans d’Angkor and the Paul Debrule Hotel and Tourism School. Both facilities offer skill development, apprenticeships, and job placement in the emerging Cambodian hospitality industry with fair wages for young well-trained professionals. Artisans d’Angkor is a school of Khmer artisanship that trains and employs persons with disabilities, as well as provides a store to sell their products, while Paul Debrule School includes a first-rate restaurant for students to prepare them for all aspects of restaurant and hotel management positions.
We take great care to teach our teams how to give business to hotels and restaurants that support ambitious social vision and fair employment for Cambodians, such as Lotus Blanc (run by Pour un sourire d’enfant) and Friends. During our almost twenty year history of offering Service Learning expeditions, we have carefully cultivated a partnership with Cambodian entrepreneurs who have committed themselves to rebuilding their country through generating respectful, dignified employment with solid potential for upward social mobility. An exemplary group of young businessmen created the Frangipani Hotel group, with houses in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. The chain actively recruits employees from very underprivileged segments of society, makes great effort to facilitate further training and education for its employees and has a laudable and strong charter forbidding sex tourism at any of their establishments.
Angkor Wat has made Cambodia a growing tourist destination. Responsible tourism, in itself, can be an important contribution to the development of a country. forPEACE aims to teach the team members strategies how to support good social enterprise while traveling in any country.
For more photos from our 2015 expedition, please visit hbp2015.iankyddmiller.com
GAIA students learn about native and invasive species in the Czech Republic
The third annual Global Awareness Investigation Action (GAIA) research trip to the Czech Republic was held October 8–12, 2014 in Prague and the surrounding areas. GAIA high school students from Walworth Barbour American International School (WBAIS) in Israel joined GAIA high school students from Gymnázium Arabská and Gymnázium Botičská in the Czech Republic for a week of learning and research.
GAIA Prague Trip 2014
by Abigail Morrison and Rebecca Loveland
The third annual Global Awareness Investigation Action (GAIA) research trip to the Czech Republic was held October 8–12, 2014 in Prague and the surrounding areas. GAIA high school students from Walworth Barbour American International School (WBAIS) in Israel joined GAIA high school students from Gymnázium Arabská and Gymnázium Botičská in the Czech Republic for a week of learning and research.
Students and advisors from the host schools prepared a rich cultural and educational program that supports GAIA’s guiding principles:
- Raise awareness
- Increase investigation
- Take action in environmental issues
The 2014 GAIA theme is “The Year of the Invasive Species.” In the course of planned activities and excursions, students investigated both native and invasive plants and animals in the Czech Republic.
Upon arrival in Prague, the WBAIS students were immediately greeted by host students and started a day of hiking through the Bohemian countryside that included a visit to the Koněprusy Caves (Koněpruské jeskyně). Not a moment was wasted as students learned about topics from cave formations to indigenous plants and animals such as wild boar, deer, and old growth forests in the Czech Republic.
Students also saw first hand some of the damage caused by the introduction of non-native species. An example being the introduction of the black crayfish and decimation of the local crayfish.
Building an "Insect Hotel"
During a visit to the Josefov Meadows and ornithological park, the guide explained to students how each individual can have great impact on their local environment and can take small, but important, steps to protect local biodiversity. One way students learned they could impact the environment was by building an “insect hotel” to house and invite necessary insects into an area.
Students from Israel marveled at the natural formations in Czech Republic such as the Pokličky Sandstone Domes. Even the Czech students enjoyed taking in the scenery and seeing more of their own county. Carolin, a GAIA student from Botičská, said that the trip was a great opportunity for the Czech students to visit places within their own country that they may not otherwise have the opportunity to visit on their own. The Kokořín Castle and Fortress Josefov are two such examples where students had an opportunity to visit and experience the rich Czech history.
Dr. Motti Charter from Haifa University in Israel accompanied the group and guided the ornithological research. As the GAIA ornithologist, he helps students understand how to collect, measure, weigh, and explore nests to learn about birds and the surrounding habitat. GAIA bird boxes are an ongoing project in Israel and the Czech republic for several years with the goal to invite and provide a positive habitat for helpful bird species while helping students learn more about ornithology and the environment. Students were able to measure and collect data from the nests and further continue the project.
In addition to scientific collaboration, the Israeli and Czech students built warm and lasting friendships during their time together. Some had already met on previous trips while others met and formed friendships for the first time. WBAIS students were hosted by Czech student’s families. Through this arrangement, the students from Israel experienced an authentic, cultural immersion. Various students reported going to a street fair, historical sites, cafes, and family homes. Matthias, a Czech host said, “I always love to meet new people. You just learn more and it’s fun!”
Michael, a third year GAIA student from WBAIS, says this is his favorite year so far. He feels there is more organization, structure and coordination between GAIA student officers.
The common phrase heard as the students finished the trip was, “See you in Israel.”. The Czech students are looking forward to visiting the WBAIS students next spring to learn more about invasive species in the desert environment.
GAIA and Jisr az-Zarqa students work together on International Coastal Clean Up Day
A new and exciting long term partnership for GAIA students and Makif High School students in Jisr az-Zarqa.
GAIA Prague Trip 2014
by Abigail Morrison and Rebecca Loveland
September 21, 2014 started out like the beginning of any other week. It was also the start of a new and exciting long term partnership for GAIA students at the Walworth Barbour American International School in Even Yehuda and Makif High School students in Jisr az-Zarqa.
Collecting trash for data analysis
Global Awareness Investigation and Action (GAIA) students are always on the look out for community environmental challenges and partners that want to make the planet cleaner and more sustainable. When they were invited to join forces with the US Embassy and the Jisr az-Zarqa High School to pick up litter along the Mediterranean sea shore, they gratefully accepted. Right away, they decided to make the whole event more scientific by analyzing collected trash.
This year, the Coastal Clean Up coincided with the 30th Anniversary of the International Day of Peace. In Israel, with the support of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Mishar Hof (Coastal Watch), the event was widened to a whole week of clean up activities throughout the country.
It brought together local and international students from many countries for a common cause.
Ambassador Shapiro and his wife Julie Fischer
Approximately 40 GAIA students arrived at Makif High School in Jisr az-Zarqa at 10:00 am. They were met by roughly the same number of local students at Makif High School. There were brief introductions by the Mayor of Jisr az-Zarqa, the principal of Makif, Mr. Murad Ammash, as well as the Ambassador of the United States, Mr. Daniel Shapiro. Ambassador Shapiro reminded the students of the importance of working together and how the their clean-up efforts support the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s Call to Action to protect the world’s oceans and seas — and to build friendship.
The next two hours were spent finding, and logging trash found af the beach for later analysis by the students. Ahmed, a student from Jisr az-Zarqa said, “I thought it was cool to meet new people and work on something together.”
Makif and AIS high school students getting to know each other
Indeed, many of the students found time to visit, and even snap a selfie or two together, during the activity. GAIA has collaborated with many other schools but something set this experience apart. Maya Peleg, who is an eleventh grader at WBAIS, said, “Working with this project has been better in some ways because they have a different culture and way of thinking. I think it’s sort of a culture shock for some of the WBAIS kids.” Odette from Austrailia agreed, “It’s great that we’re mixing with different communities. It’s a great way to build friendship that wouldn’t usually be built.”
Honoring the 2014 Na'amat Technological High School Graduates
Roughly 90 students from the All-Girls Na'amat Technological High School in Nazareth have overcome considerable odds to graduate in 2014. The girls have limited opportunity to travel within Israel or meet students from other segments of society. The prospect of being honored for their courage and achievement motivates them during difficult times when they are tempted to drop out of school.
Roughly 90 students from the All-Girls Na'amat Technological High School in Nazareth have overcome considerable odds to graduate in 2014. The girls have limited opportunity to travel within Israel or meet students from other segments of society. The prospect of being honored for their courage and achievement motivates them during difficult times when they are tempted to drop out of school. Additionally, they receive an opportunity to spend a day at the Walworth Barbour American International School in Even Yehuda, mingling with students from a range of countries and backgrounds. Likewise, the international students normally do not get to meet students from Nazareth.
As the WBAIS tradition of hosting and honoring the Na'amat students deepens, students from both schools develop understanding, bonds of friendship and on their own begin to initiate reciprocal visits. We are grateful to both sides for their warm hospitality and openness to get to know the other side.
forPEACE's First Newsletter!
We are pleased to share this first edition with you, our dear friends and partners throughout the world.
We are pleased to share this first edition with you, our dear friends and partners throughout the world.
It arrives on the heels of a most successful Nazareth English Summer Camp, with emotion and communication between all sides still running high. Through the lens and voice of campers, local and overseas counselors, we attempt to convey to you the hope, promise and enduring spirit of camp. These are pockets of goodwill, learning, growth through collaboration and respectful celebration of difference. They emerge wherever and whenever individuals take time to meet, learn from and serve each other. We invite you to enjoy and take as many uplifting thoughts away from camp as we did.
Nazareth English Summer Camp: 160 Campers. 25 Volunteers. 2 Weeks. 1 Unforgettable Experience.
The mid-morning call to prayer echoes over the Al Gharbij school, which should be empty, abandoned for the summer. But instead, 160 children are gathered there for an English summer camp. And 25 people from seven countries and diverse backgrounds, unified in white, forPEACE polos – all volunteers – are making it happen.
by Kate Bennion
The mid-morning call to prayer echoes over the Al Gharbij school, which should be empty, abandoned for the summer.
But instead, 160 children are gathered there for an English summer camp. And 25 people from seven countries and diverse backgrounds, unified in white, forPEACE polos – all volunteers – are making it happen.
Grade 2 and Ashton Mills and Reem Hamed of ClamourSoundCraft Music perform their original composition about the environment.
In one room, ten-year-olds cluster around a guitar-wielding Oxonian, putting the final touches on their own composition, a song about environmental awareness. Down the hall, an American Christian makes fanoos paper lanterns with her class, discussing the English terms for Ramadan. Seventh-and-eighth-graders work with non-profit directors to craft a life mission statement. And outside, Arab third-graders play “King of the World” with an Israeli Defense Forces member, on a week’s leave to serve at the camp.
“Each year, we are afraid we won’t be able to match the quality and skills of last year’s crop of volunteers,”says Margret Ellwanger, director of forPEACE. “Yet the miracle happens again.”
July 1–12 marked forPEACE’s second year of staffing an English summer camp in Nazareth, working in collaboration with Kamel Barghouti, the dedicated Nazareth municipality volunteer Camp Director.
Hidaya's Haiku
This year, counselors with a wide range of experience and exceptional professional skill levels delivered a range of courses, including Canada, Arts & Crafts (which included a haiku-creating language arts component), Math (a forPEACE signature class – no camp goes without math), Windmills, music composition and performance classes, a life missions writing workshop, Nature, Tae Kwon Do, Environment Stewardship, Sports and Travel & Tourism.
Tae Kwon Do with Counselor William Smith from Canada
Eran Kolber, international computer software consultant, and his son Travis helped campers create their own newsletters using Microsoft Publisher.
Students dissect owl pellets to find bones, fur and other undigestibles to determine what owls are eating.
Guest lectures about owls as agents of biological pest control by Motti Charter, GAIA ornithologist and researcher from Haifa University and University of Lausanne, and a week-long Microsoft Office workshop from Eran Kolber, international computer software consultant, were also a big hit.
“Even though I was there for only one day, I had a lot of fun!” said Dr. Charter.
Jane Smith, originally from Ottawa, taught the course on Canada. She said the kids were "bright and hard-working" and responsive to the variety of material.
"I really feel that the camp makes a difference," said Smith. "The kids do learn, they're exposed to some really great stuff... and it feels really great to be a part of that."
Campers and JCs (Rawan Nseir and Rawan Dahamshy) do-ci-do in Mary Marsh’s music class.
Spelling bee winners pose with Missy Bethke.
Working with children with such a wide age range and English ability was challenging, but the 160 campers from ages 5 to 14 were divided into groups based on year in school, and volunteers from local high schools acted as translators.
These junior counselors, or JCs, were crucial both to camp function and cohesion.
JCs pose for a photo in Acco, on a day trip for volunteers and host families.
“The junior counselors from Nazareth and the neighboring villages were so helpful – in helping with the translation of difficult words from English to Arabic, and also in the translation of culture,” said Sarah Kochav, who taught Travel & Tourism. “Sometimes we did get ‘lost in translation’ and they were always there to help find the way back for the kids in my classes – and often for me as well.”
Many became close friends with the other counselors, students and co-directors.
“It’s so sad for me that camp is over,” said Rawan Dahamshy, JC from Nazareth. “I really liked the peace message (the camp) was delivering... I hope that I will volunteer in the next year.”
Counselors stayed with host families in Nazareth and the surrounding villages. As every year, staying with the host family was an important part of the volunteer experience.
"For me these two weeks come at the end of a two-year living in Israel," said Nir Golan, American International School senior, originally from Boston. "All the time I’ve been with the Jewish community, and you see one part of society. This (experience) gives closure. When you get to know people of a certain group that has stereotypes, you begin to see that some stereotypes are not accurate."
"My hosts were amazing," said Meghna Thomas, another AIS student. "A lot of my stereotypes and stuff (I had a few, I’m ashamed to admit) have all been broken down. I learned not to judge people."
After campers went home each day, counselors and Nazareth hosts participated in vibrant afternoon and evening programs about Nazareth and its citizens throughout the centuries. The agenda included an animated lecture by Nazareth historian Dr Nakhle, a visit with Nabila Espanioly at Al-Tufula Pedagogical and Multipurpose Women's Center and guided tours and outings through the north. In addition, counselors and host families spent time together touring local sites, cooking and eating, and swapping English and Arabic.
If the level of friendships formed between volunteers and community members is any measure of the forPEACE mission to “contribute to peace by building common ground for individuals from different faiths and culture,” the camp was definitely a success. Many made plans to visit or meet up again in the future, exchanging email and social media contact information. The local JCs also developed ties with young forPEACE volunteers from the American School in Israel and abroad. One camper started a “Just for Peace” Facebook group to keep dialogue and friendships going. The group had 38 members in no time and is still going strong.
Ashlee Wrigley, from Salt Lake City, said she felt that she had made friends for life with her host family.
"They tell us we’re their kids," Wrigley said. "Could we feel any more loved?"
Visit forpeace2013.shutterfly.com/pictures/2758 to view more photos from camp.
Most importantly, campers also had a good experience. Whether making Ramadan lanterns, learning to “boot scoot ‘n boogie,” discussing water purification, singing in Arabic or English, or engaging in more serious fare like writing life missions, interacting with a wide variety of people proved enriching for the campers... and fun.
“It’s one of the most exciting experiences I’ve ever had,” said Amina Jarar, student at the camp, posting on Facebook the week after. “I can’t wait for next year.”
Twelve days of English Summer Camp
July 1–July 12, 2013
Day-by-Day Review: July 1–July 12, 2013
by Kate Bennion
Day 1: All hands on deck!
On a steep hill in sunny Nazareth, though school is out for the summer and heat is pushing 90 degrees F (30 degrees C), more than 100 children age 6 through 13 gathered for the fifteenth annual English Summer Camp.
Day one of the two-week camp was colorful and at times hectic as children in eight grades studied another language... through action. With topics ranging from counting to cupcakes to Canada, English learning was all hands on deck as counselors led activities and lessons, junior counselors translated and directed students and children talked, sang, wrote, drew, cooked, ate and played, to name just a few.
More photos, videos and stories to come. Follow forPEACE on Facebook or Twitter for more updates or use the hashtag #nazcamp.
Day 2: Getting the Groove
On the second day of the Nazareth English Summer Camp, 120 campers attended a selection of more than 10 classes taught by volunteer counselors. With first-day kinks worked out, campers and teachers alike were ready to get right down to the business of learning English.
Mariam writes her name on the board in Tourism class, taught by Ms. Kochav. The trickiest part of today's class was learning the proper enunciation of "Annunciation."
Grade 2 is poised and ready to run across the court in Sports as Spencer leads a variation on the game of tag. It's not often you have volunteers to be "it," but in this case every hand went up.
William leads Grade 6 in a series of hand blocks in Tae Kwon Do. Can you learn English while practicing a Korean form of martial arts in an Arabic-speaking city in Israel? Definitely.
Missy reigns supreme as Arts and Crafts master while Grade 7 students adorn colorful drawings with an unlikely decoration: buttons.
Day 2, Part 2: Churches, Mosques and Shawarma
On Tuesday, after camp was done and the campers went home, counselors, co-directors and junior counselors went on a guided tour of Nazareth. They visited such sites as the Greek Orthodox church, the White Mosque, the Old City Market and the Church of Annunciation, hearing stories, taking photographs, and sampling the supposedly best shawarma and falafel in the city along the way.
The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, built over the spring where the Virgin Mary fetched water and the angel Gabriel is said to have appeared to her.
The Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, built over the spring where the Virgin Mary fetched water and the angel Gabriel is said to have appeared to her.
Camp co-director Margret and intern Kate take a seat in the Old City Market.
Counselors and JCs take refuge in the shade of the Old City to listen to some history about the Ottomans.
The tour guide pauses to explain symbology in the local architecture.
With the help of some borrowed scarves, the group entered the White Mosque to see the Muslim place of worship.
The Basilica of the Annunciation. Built over the grotto where the Virgin Mary lived, this is the largest Church in the Middle East.
Day 3: "We believe in you"
Today, in Missy’s language arts class, eighth-graders perfected the art of haiku: a Japanese poetry style that follows a 5-7-5 syllabic pattern. In addition to the poem, students also created artwork to accompany their haiku. The results were pure poetry.
Layla wrote:
“Who You Are”
Never say never
Dreaming is believing, so
Be true to yourself.
Hidaya wrote:
"Don’t Judge Us"
We have a feeling
Don’t judge us ‘cause we’re different
Everyone has a heart!
![Yara, a k-pop fan, wrote:"I [heart] K-Pop" I love Lee Min Hoo; I love Shinees and U Kiss; I love Korea.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/560ccb28e4b0a926fe0c846c/1467568996273-7L0CGPAUYB89P1S4QXQR/image-asset.jpeg)
Yara, a k-pop fan, wrote:
"I [heart] K-Pop"
I love Lee Min Hoo;
I love Shinees and U Kiss;
I love Korea.
Shada wrote:
"Never Say Never"
Don’t give up, be brave,
We always here to help you,
We believe in you.
Day 4: Clamour Sound Craft
After four days of work, today’s camp culminated in a performance of songs written, composed and sung by students.
Ashton Mills of Clamour Sound Craft and Reem Hamed from Beta Musica School worked this week with Grades 2, 3, 4 and 5 to create songs themed around the environment.
How do you get twenty rowdy campers to create one cohesive, original song? Mills explained the process as a continuum: he brings a first line, a few chords, a few words to the first class and then asks the children for the rest, piece by piece. Sometimes he makes a suggestion, sometimes an individual student comes up with the next part, sometimes it comes as they sing.
“I can honestly say that every kid here contributed something,” said Mills.
In a class evaluation session, students spoke to Mills and Hamed in English and Arabic to express their feelings about the experience.
"[Song] is a more exciting, fun way to think about the environment," said one student. "There is a difference between teaching and doing."
Hamed, a flutist and music student at Tel Aviv University, said it wasn't an easy week, but the children seemed to enjoy it, especially the last two days.
"I truly believe music can change people, because the children were changed," said Hamed.
Day 4, Part 2: Discussion on Nazareth led by Dr. Bashara
Counselors and their host families, co-directors, and junior counselors gathered at the school Thursday evening for a discussion on Nazareth led by Dr. Bashara.
Although Dr. Bashara has a medical background, his interest and knowledge on Nazarene history was evident from both the breadth and depth of topics covered: history from thousands of years ago, the establishment of Israel, cultural factors and Nazareth today.
Bashara took a factual approach to the subject, eschewing storytelling and emotional rhetoric for a more scientific philosophy.
Both visitors and Nazarenes enjoyed the discussion, some staying later to ask further questions and learn more about the location of this year’s English Summer Camp.
Day 5: Pool Time!
On Friday, campers, JCs, counselors and co-directors filled three buses to visit a community pool for a day of swimming, playing and relaxing.
Day 6: Best So Far
Saturday is the Sabbath in Israel, so we’ll take a rest and bring you the best so far: top ten things from the first week of English Summer Camp 2013 (in no particular order).
- The amazing, irreplaceable, indefatigable JCs!
- The capes Missy made for students, junior counselors, counselors and co-directors.
- An amazing view from the camp location.
- Touring Nazareth.
- The excellent Chinese yo-yos brought as prizes for excellence in class.
- Students who come back and visit teachers between classes to help or just hang out.
- Singing performances from Clamour Sound Craft music.
- Beautiful life missions from Steve and Margret's session with Grade 7.
- Spending time with and relating to host families. “I feel like I’m just in America, sitting with my friends,” said Mary, camp counselor.
- "This is the first time I like math!" - one of Ashlee's students
Day 7: Akko
On Sunday, junior counselors, camp directors, counselors and host families piled into a bus for a day trip to Akko.
Day 8: Meet our campers!
Here are some of the faces we get to see around camp each day...
Mohee is 11 years old. His favorite subject in school is Art and his favorite sport is basketball. At camp, he has been in grade 5. His favorite class has been Music. He hasn't decided what he wants to be when he grows up yet.
Layla and Hidaya are both in the Grade 8 class and aged 13. They both like Arabic and English at school and their favorite band is One Direction. Layla's favorite class at camp has been Math and she says she is so excited for the next year! They have dreams to be a doctor/singer and a public speaker.
Mohammad and Amina are classmates both at camp and at school. They are in the Grade 9 class. Amina's favorite class has been Music, and Mohammad's favorite has been Tourism. They both like the opportunity to interact with camp counselors from a variety of countries and backgrounds. Amina wants to be a singer and Mohammad wants to be a politician.
Day 9: Meet our counselors!
Counselors and junior counselors from five countries are volunteering their time and preparation this year to teach at the Nazareth English Summer Camp. Here are just a few of the many wonderful people who are making camp happen this year (more to come later):
This is Ashlee's first year at camp after marrying Steve Wrigley, camp co-director, in June. She is from Salt Lake City, Utah, and plans to become a nurse. A highlight of camp for her thus far is her host family in Reine Village, who she says has been incredibly warm and generous.
This is Missy's second year as a camp counselor, and this year she came even more prepared, sewing 120 capes to give to campers in addition to preparing lesson plans and activities. She flew to Israel from Maryland, where she is working on a Masters of Library Science degree.
William is 24 and a university student studying Criminology at Ottawa University, visiting his family in Israel for the summer. He is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and says has enjoyed getting to know people from Nazareth and the surrounding areas.
Jane (who is also William's mother) is retired from the Canadian armed forces and Canadian public services and is teaching a course on Canada for camp. She says that she's enjoyed her experience at camp, especially interacting with the kids, and is hoping to teach again next year.
Also from Salt Lake City, Mary's educational background is in music teaching, specifically chorale. She owned her own music school before retiring to raise five sons. Over the course of camp, she has taught almost every camper to sing "I Can Sing a Rainbow" and dance "Boot Scoot 'n Boogie."
Day 10: Owls and Computers
On Wednesday, campers enjoyed two classes from more professionals (in addition to the usual crowd). Motti Charter, ornithologist and researcher with Haifa University and University of Lausanne led a presentation on owls as agents of biological pest control. Dr. Charter is the lead scientist for GAIA (Global Awareness Investigation and Action), a forPEACE supported High School environmental research program.
Charter leads a discussion on why owls are neither good or bad luck, despite popular belief.
Students dissect owl pellets to find bones, fur and other undigestibles to determine what the owls are eating.
Across town in a computer lab, Eran Kolber, international computer software consultant, and his son Travis helped campers create their own newsletters using Microsoft Publisher.
Fifth-graders bond with a stuffed falcon and owl that came along for camp today.
Students watch as Kolber demonstrates the features of Microsoft Publisher. Kolber explains the ins and outs of creating a newsletter.
Shada, Amina and Mohammad present their final products: newsletters about camp.
Day 11: Spelling Bee
On the last full day of classes, several upper-grade campers competed in a spelling bee.
Words included such tough offerings as "lawyer," "insect," "attic" and "freckles."
Though the competition was fierce, three winners eventually emerged. Congratulations to champion Rinal (first place), second-place Tamara, Shada, who took third, and all those who participated! (And special thanks to counselor Missy for her preparation and direction of the bee.)
Day 12: Another Pool Party!
Campers, families, volunteers and teachers gathered on Friday for a bittersweet camp wrap-up party at American International School in Even Yehuda. Between swimming, talking, taking pictures and exchanging email addresses and Facebook, the morning flew by, but not before these moments were captured:
GAIA Baby Falcon Ringing Event
EVEN YEHUDA, Israel — On Tuesday, May 9th, Project GAIA (Global Awareness Investigation and Action) had their official baby Falcon tagging event at the Walworth Barbour American International School (WBAIS). Students who participate in GAIA gathered outside to watch the gathering of the chicks from their homemade bird nest up above. Ornithologist and Motti Charter carefully selected the six babies to bring them down to weigh, measure and tag them. Students inside the school could also watch via the live stream that WBAIS has installed to track and film the Falcon family. (To watch the live feed, go to www.ustream.tv/channel/wbais-gaia.)
by Anneli Givens
EVEN YEHUDA, Israel — On Tuesday, May 9th, Project GAIA (Global Awareness Investigation and Action) had their official baby Falcon tagging event at the Walworth Barbour American International School (WBAIS). Students who participate in GAIA gathered outside to watch the gathering of the chicks from their homemade bird nest up above. Ornithologist and Motti Charter carefully selected the six babies to bring them down to weigh, measure and tag them. Students inside the school could also watch via the live stream that WBAIS has installed to track and film the Falcon family. (To watch the live feed, go towww.ustream.tv/channel/wbais-gaia.) Students got to see the babies up close as Charter measured their wings and recorded the data to track the chicks as they grow.
The Falcons are part of GAIA’s initiative to create biological pest control by using the birds to help limit the rodent population in nearby cities and fields. By eating the rodents, the farmers are able to use less pesticides and rodenticides, which are harmful to the environment and crops, and helps drive down costs for the farmers as well.
After the birds were tagged and given identification, they were safely returned to their nests, where their mother quickly welcomed them back with a beak full of bugs.
Students from Otto-von-Taube Gymnasium Attend the 12th Annual TIMEMUN at WBAIS
EVEN YEHUDA, Israel — A delegation from the Otto-von-Taube Gymnasium from Munich, Germany was the recipient of a forPEACE travel grant to participate in Walworth Barbour American International School’s (WBAIS) 12th annual TIMEMUN, a student-led simulation of the United Nations. forPEACE provided a pre and post TIMEMUN program for the six-person delegation introducing them to initiatives that develop common ground for a shared future in a tolerant, peacefully cooperating, democratic society in Israel. forPEACE seeks to introduce students and teachers from the international community to residents of Israel to lay a foundation of understanding and allow for the formation of lasting friendships.
Students from Al Qesemi and Otto-von-Taube Gymnasium
by Margret Ellwanger and Kamie Robinson
EVEN YEHUDA, Israel — A delegation from the Otto-von-Taube Gymnasium from Munich, Germany was the recipient of a forPEACE travel grant to participate in Walworth Barbour American International School’s (WBAIS) 12th annual TIMEMUN, a student-led simulation of the United Nations. forPEACE provided a pre and post TIMEMUN program for the six-person delegation introducing them to initiatives that develop common ground for a shared future in a tolerant, peacefully cooperating, democratic society in Israel. forPEACE seeks to introduce students and teachers from the international community to residents of Israel to lay a foundation of understanding and allow for the formation of lasting friendships. Michael Levinson, a recently retired international educator said,
"Bringing students from other countries to Israel and mixing Jews and Arabs is so important if things are going to get better- not only here but on the international level as well. I believe getting people face-to-face is the most effective way of breaking down barriers and creating better understandings. Regardless of religion, culture or race, most people are basically good, want to be understood and respected, and to make a decent life for themselves and their family. It is the small steps that ultimately make for big changes."
After a warm welcome at the airport, the members of the delegation, Andrew and Kathryn Summer, Carlotta Rieble, Daniel Kirsten and teachers Ms. Nina Giebeler and Ms. Linda Heimsoeth, traveled to the home of WBAIS art teacher Nili Mayer-Oser in Ramat HaSharon where they enjoyed a wonderful Shabbat dinner and hospitality of the family. The delegation received an introduction to current political events as well as a history lesson about Israel around an animated dinner table. Students noted that, “Despite Germany’s horrific past, we were welcomed warmheartedly and enjoyed a wonderful dinner with very interesting conversation.” Following the rich Shabbat experience, the group was transported to Paulus Haus, a picturesque German pilgrim's hostel in Jerusalem across from the Damascus Gate, where they spent their first night.
Otto-von-Taube Gymnasium Students Representing Algeria
The next morning the Germans explored Jerusalem and visited Christian and Jewish sites. That afternoon they met Shellye Horowitz, the Jerusalem American International School’s (JAIS) Director, and two JAIS Diversity Scholarship Students with whom they continued their tour of the Old City, including a culinary taste of the Middle East at Abu Shukri’s along the Via Dolorosa. The students and teachers approached the Wailing Wall. From there they meandered through the Dung Gate alongside the Ophel down to the Kidron Valley and the Mount of Olives then up to the Garden of Gethsemane. The group re-entered the city by way of the Lion's Gate where they happened upon a unique opportunity.
On the left side of the Via Dolorosa, a narrow ramp leads onto the campus of the Omariyya Boys School. forPEACE director Margret Ellwanger gained entry to the school on previous occasions and remembered that some classrooms faced the temple mount with a stunning view Roman Soldiers stationed anciently at the Antonia Fortress would have had. The group was given a similar tour. As “thank you” to the gracious Omariyya English teacher who unexpectedly turned tour guide, the JAIS principal proposed a service activity to provide volunteer English teaching at Omariyya.
The following day Farida Majadla, mother of WBAIS graduates Sami and Samah Majadla, prepared a tour of Baqa al Gharbije that included a visit to the Wall, which runs through the middle of town and underscores how a formerly thriving market became a no-man's land punctuated by barb wire. Seeing the wall left a deep impression on the German delegation because it reminded them vividly of the Berlin Wall.
The rest of the morning was spent with activities at Al Qesemi High School, where Mrs. Dania Masarwa’s TIMEMUN students warmly welcomed the delegation. The TIMEMUN team from Al Qesemi represented Germany and was eager to discuss German foreign policy with the German students. Ms. Giebeler’s students delivered an excellent presentation about recent German history and politics for the Al Qesemi students. After a wonderful “ambassador’s lunch” presented by students and teachers of Al Quesemi, students from both schools went together to the campus of the American International School in Even Yehuda for the opening session of TIMEMUN.
The German students represented Algeria in four different committees and learned a lot in lively debates on current issues such as the disarmament of non-state armies, sustainable development in West Africa, the West Saharan conflict, and a possible two-state-solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Through involvement in TIMEMUN, the German students better understand that finding solutions to large conflicts is not easy. Through exchange of viewpoints with different segments of Israeli society, the students gained a sense of the various facets of the conflicts and developed an appreciation for the complexity of the issues. Discussions allowed them to get to know many people and make new friends with Israeli and Arab students.
The Wall in Baqa al Gharbije
Learning to make Maqluba from Amal, a Bedouin woman from Lakiya
After three exhausting TIMEMUN days, the German delegation visited two important Women’s empowerment organizations in the Negev, Sidreh and Desert Daughter. Sidreh-Lakiya Weaving presented the traditional Bedouin crafts of dying wool and weaving carpets as well as their outreach to teach women reading skills. Desert Daughter, founded by Mariam Abu Rkeek from Tel Shefa, taught about developing medicinal healing products made with all-natural ingredients gathered from the desert.
Under the direction of a Amal, a Bedouin woman from Lakiya, the students learned of Bedouin customs and received a hands-on opportunity to prepare and enjoy a traditional Bedouin dish, Maqluba.
Reflecting on the trip, the students wrote, “These kinds of encounters make it possible for us to gain insight in the way of life of Israelis and Arabs in Israel.”
GAIA Wildlife Conservation Event
EVEN YEHUDA, Israel — On Tuesday, January 29th, Project GAIA held their biggest on-campus event of the year at Walworth Barbour American International School (WBAIS) to promote and spread awareness about environmental concerns. The evening began with GAIA schools showcasing their research, findings and equipment. Schools in attendance included Mevoot Yam Marine Biology School, Beit Ekstein, and Kfar Galim Youth Village and WBAIS. Presentation tables allowed students, parents and special guests to view the research of each school. Of special interest to the students was feedback from one guest in particular, the keynote speaker of the event, the 2009 winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Professor Ada Yonath.
by Sarah Kochav and Kamie Robinson
EVEN YEHUDA, Israel — On Tuesday, January 29th, Project GAIA held their biggest on-campus event of the year at Walworth Barbour American International School (WBAIS) to promote and spread awareness about environmental concerns. The evening began with GAIA schools showcasing their research, findings and equipment. Schools in attendance included Mevoot Yam Marine Biology School, Beit Ekstein, and Kfar Galim Youth Village and WBAIS. Presentation tables allowed students, parents and guests to view the research of each school. Of special interest to the students was feedback from one guest in particular, the keynote speaker of the event, the 2009 winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Professor Ada Yonath. As she circled the tables, students told her of their research and findings. Prof. Yonath enthusiastically asked questions. Coinciding with conversations and feedback was a bird box exhibition arranged by the National Arts Honor Society as well as 30 photographs by Israel's top nature photographers, courtesy of Dr. Yossi Leshem.
Student's bird boxes
Ada Yonath visiting with students about their research
Dr. Eran Levin presenting on bats as biological pest control agents
The evening event began with an address from Superintendent John Gates and GAIA Director Dr. Stuart Fleischer, who was accompanied on stage by Co-Directors Margret Ellwanger and Paul van Rijn. Together they thanked all sponsors including the Boeing International Corporation and TowerJazz – two companies that help make GAIA research projects possible. The presentation continued with an address from Ambassador Tomas Pojar of the Czech Republic, followed by Professor Ada Yonath's story of her childhood struggles through poverty and her passion for answering unanswered questions, and Dr. Eran Levin’s (Tel Aviv University and SPNI) presentation on “The Importance of Bats as Biological Pest Control Agents.”
Students from each participating school then presented their research.
Students from Mevot Yam are looking into exploitation of the sea and how it effects their community. They are raising awareness about effects of pollution, over fishing, and the use of sea life as ornaments and jewelry. An oceanography class was started to cater to students interest in learning more.
Students at Kfar Galim planned and built an eco-classroom in their eco-science garden on campus. Middle and high school students learned construction techniques building the room. Now they spend time there learning about ecosystem development and microorganism breakdown. They also began a compost to use as fertilizer on their organic garden.
Students from WBAIS are focusing their research on biological pest management. The school is in an agricultural area making them aware of pesticides often used by farmers involved in mass production. An alternative solution they are researching is using birds, particularly falcons and chickadees, as a pesticide. They are mentored by Dr. Yossi Lesham from Tel Aviv University and Dr. Motti Charter from Haifa University.
Students from Gymnazium Arabska presenting their research
Two Czech Republic schools, Gymnazium Arabska and Gymnazium Boticska, joined by way of online media. Gymnazium Arabska presented their research and Gymnazium Boticska showed a prerecorded video.
The presentation was broadcast LIVE on Falcon TV through the official AIS Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/WBAISIsrael, and Ustream Channel, www.ustream.tv/channel/ais-faclon-tv, allowing an additional 66 people to tune in.
The Beginnings of the GAIA Project in Prague
PRAGUE, Czech Republic — In early March 2012, Tomáš Pojar, the Czech Ambassador to Israel, was checking his Great Tit (Parus major) bird box on the campus of the Walworth Barbour American International School in Even Yehuda. His box was cramped with seven little chicks and it was clear that the project at WBAIS using birds to reduce insects and rodents was producing positive results. I took the opportunity to ask Ambassador Pojar if there would be any interest in the Czech Republic in collaboration and the sharing of research among students on this topic. Two weeks later, the Ambassador returned from Prague with good news. There were two schools extremely interested in joining GAIA.
by Stuart Fleischer, Ph.D. GAIA Project Director
GAIA Students in Prague
PRAGUE, Czech Republic — In early March 2012, Tomáš Pojar, the Czech Ambassador to Israel, was checking his Great Tit (Parus major) bird box on the campus of the Walworth Barbour American International School in Even Yehuda. His box was cramped with seven little chicks and it was clear that the project at WBAIS using birds to reduce insects and rodents was producing positive results. I took the opportunity to ask Ambassador Pojar if there would be any interest in the Czech Republic in collaboration and the sharing of research among students on this topic. Two weeks later, the Ambassador returned from Prague with good news. There were two schools extremely interested in joining GAIA.
The two schools, Gymnazium Botičská and Gymnazium Arabska, both from Prague, joined our research team of students. The date of the first GAIA encounter would occur on November 17, 2012 in Prague. Upon landing at Vaclav Havel Airport, our students were greeted by their host families and immediately whisked away to their warm homes, to be well-fed and rested for an intense four days of collaboration in ornithological research.
The next day, the twenty Czech students met our delegation of seventeen WBAIS students led by our Chief Student Scientist, Mojolaoluwa Obasa, also known as Demi. Each one of our students presented as a gift, a Great Tit box they had built themselves to start the project at each of the schools in Prague. Along with the bird boxes, WBAIS donated to each school a labdisc containing 15 different probes to use during the research collection phase, an iPad 3, an infrared thermometer with laser sighting and a carbon dioxide atmospheric probe. These tools will allow the teams in Prague to accurately and precisely document their research.
One of the GAIA Project Directors and forPEACE Director, Mrs. Margret Ellwanger, led the way in demonstrating the labdisc environmental probe. She was able to show how this portable environmental recording system works in an early morning walk across Prague, recording such data as relative humidity, dew-point, and the amount of sunlight. When she caught a bus for part of her journey, her increased speed was tracked on the computer of every student in the project since the labdisc probe kit also contains a built-in GPS, allowing the data to be matched with global location as well.
In addition to discussing research, the GAIA team was also fortunate to have Dr. Motti Charter from Haifa University and the Society for the Protection of Nature (SPNI) in Israel accompanying the group. He is our GAIA scientist and helped create the academic rigor associated with our research. In a show of collaboration, SPNI extended their Israel Parus major GIS/GPS online nesting project by adding in the data from the Czech Republic. This was the first time data would be collected outside of Israel on the same bird study and with GAIA leading the way!
The trip was not just about research. Building relationships, trust and confidence between the three schools was equally as important to this project. Both Czech schools set up a joint travel itinerary where all of the schools toured and socialized together. On the last day, Tuesday, November 20, the students hiked to a beautiful nature reserve on the edge of the city and then had a final dinner together. We checked our bags and then said our goodbyes at the Arabska School. Our plan was to take the local tram to the airport. However, the students had become such good friends, that saying goodbye was impossible so all of the Prague students came with us to the airport and stayed several hours with us until boarding time.
On March 6, 2013, the students and teachers from Prague will arrive in Israel for the second leg of our joint project. So stay tuned! Special thanks to our GAIA Project Directors, Mr. Paul Van Rijn and Mrs. Margret Ellwanger, who both helped promote a spirit of collaboration that exceeded anybody’s wildest dreams. Of course this would not have happened without the help of an amateur bird watcher, The Honorable Ambassador Tomáš Pojar of the Czech Republic.
"Annika's Gang" Visit the Negev
TEL SHEVA, Israel — A group of German, Indian, Swedish and Canadian diplomats visited Mariam Abu Rkeek's "Desert Daughter" production work shop where she makes cosmetic and medicinal soaps, lotions and oils in the spirit and wisdom of Bedouin tradition.
by Margret Ellwanger
TEL SHEVA, Israel — A group of German, Indian, Swedish and Canadian diplomats visited Mariam Abu Rkeek's "Desert Daughter" production work shop where she makes cosmetic and medicinal soaps, lotions and oils in the spirit and wisdom of Bedouin tradition. The ladies enjoyed a Bedouin lunch provided by two local Bedouin women who benefited directly by catering the meal. While sitting in an authentic Bedouin tent and enjoying the quiet peacefulness of the desert, Mariam answered questions about life in the Negev and her feelings about being a strong woman in a challenging environment.
The attentiveness of the visitors resulted in a donation for much needed shelving to better display products for sale. Since forPEACE affectionately referred to this group as "Annika's Gang" while making arrangements for the visit, it seemed appropriate that the shelves will be purchased from Sweden's Ikea store in Netanya.
ForPEACE would like to thank Annika's Gang for their generous contribution. It was a pleasure to introduce them to Desert Daughter and Sidreh, our Bedouin Partners in the Negev.
Nazareth Summer Camp 2012,"English is your Passport to the World"
NAZARETH, Israel — From July 1-15, the 14th annual English immersion summer camp took place at the Al Gharbij neighborhood community center of Nazareth. It was the first year forPEACE collaborated with Karmel Barghouti, the volunteer Community Center director and his assistant, Elias Haddad, to plan and run the forPEACE camp curriculum with volunteer camp counselors from the United States, Germany, Nigeria and Israel. Additionally, we were fortunate to have specialists present workshops on public speaking and life skills. The camp experience was summed up by two of our German soccer coaches as follows.
by Victor Rehart and Georg Langhans-Sorg
NAZARETH, Israel — From July 1-15, the 14th annual English immersion summer camp took place at the Al Gharbij neighborhood community center of Nazareth. It was the first year forPEACE collaborated with Kamel Barghouti, the volunteer Community Center director and his assistant, Elias Haddad, to plan and run the forPEACE camp curriculumwith volunteer camp counselorsfrom the United States, Germany, Nigeria and Israel. Additionally, we were fortunate to have specialists present workshops on public speaking and life skills. The camp experience was summed up by two of our German soccer coaches, Victor Rehart and Georg Langhans-Sorg, as follows.
Math Olympics with Kandice Knoelk
Fussball with Viktor Rehart and George Leopold
"During these two weeks we had an opportunity to get to know Israel as a country in better detail, while we were also given a deeper insight into the culture of the Arab minority in Israel. We lived in Arab host families, who welcomed us in their homes and families. The families were extremely gracious and extended themselves greatly to ensure our well being during our stay in Nazareth.
Dancing Queen Ashley Rodgers
Our responsibility in the camp revolved around teaching English through sports, especially soccer. From Monday through thursday the children were divided into age groups ranging from Pre-kindergarten through Grade 7, as they rotated through four stations per day. The children aquired English vocabulary and speaking ability through classes in mathematics, dance, general academics, art, crafts, music, American holiday traditions and computer lab. On the week ends the director of the Community Center, Kamel Barghoutiarranged for various activities for our group as well as the children and their parents. We were given an opportunity to explore Jerusalem, Akko, the North and had time at the Nazareath Swimming Pool as well as Luna Gal at the Kinneret.
Public Speaking and Debate with Tamara Berber
Learning English through Music with Anneli Givens
Classes were divided into 1 hour blocks. Our very able Arab junior counselors, mostly High School girls and boys from Nazareth and the surrounding villages, helped us during our class time and escorted the children between stations. We cannot say enough in praise of our wonderful local junior counselors who allowed us to break through the language barrier. They quickly became not only our translators but more so our friends and helpers. We felt our efforts were appreciated by the children and soon an atmosphere of trust and friendship was built between us and them.
Arts and Crafts with Missy Bethke
Computers with Jessica McAvoy
Camp Councilors with New Friends from Nazareth
The immersion in Arab culture was a new and inspiring experience for us. We were grateful for the many activities our host families invited us to share in. Amongst other events, we were priviliged to learn about Arab customs through attending weddings. We exchanged cultural impressions. Anyone interested in learning about economics and politics will look at the Middle East in a new light after such an experience. The reality of life here is much more complex and multifaceted than they media make it out to be.
The camp ended with an evening ceremony complete with the American custom of potluck dinner. Parents and students attended as well as the mayor of Nazareth and members of the Nazareth municipality. We felt good when we heard the praise our camp received for its structure and content by the locals. The camp was a precious experience for us as it expanded our own vision while giving us the satisfaction of providing the children with a wonderful opportunity and experience".
Campers Enthusiastic about Recycling
Camper Receiving her Saving the Environment Award
Visit forpeace2012.shutterfly.com to view, download or print photos from the camp.
A Pool Party with the Walworth Barbour American International School in Israel and Na’amat Nazareth Technical School
EVEN YEHUDA, Israel — On May 16, 2012, the superintendent, members of the school board, teachers and students at the Walworth Barbour American International School in Israel (WBAIS) in Even Yehuda, were the proud hosts of the graduating class of Na’amat Technical High School in Nazareth.
by Sarah Kochav
Class of 2012 Na’amat Nazareth Welcome Sign
EVEN YEHUDA, Israel — On May 16, 2012, the superintendent, members of the school board, teachers and students at the Walworth Barbour American International School in Israel (WBAIS) in Even Yehuda, were the proud hosts of the graduating class of Na’amat Technical High School in Nazareth. Gathered around the swimming pool, the Superintendent of WBAIS, John Gates, grilled dozens of hot dogs and hamburger patties with the help of social studies teacher Pete Sickle and students from the Model United Nations and science teacher, Stuart Fleischer, and students from the Global Awareness Investigation and Action (GAIA) Environmental Club. While everyone likes a barbeque, we were all amazed at the huge bowl of tabouleh and many trays of pastries provided by the Principal of Na’amat Nazareth, Nadera Tannous, and the teachers from the Senior Class. There was also time to take a group of teachers from Na’amat around our school and show them the library and some of the classrooms.
Na’amat Nazareth BBQ and Pool Party at WBAIS
While very different in overall size, the two schools emphasize individual attention and small classes and most importantly share the same values. WBAIS has an enrollment of nearly 560 students at its campus in Even Yehuda and another 125 at its campus in Jerusalem, representing over 50 nationalities. Approximately 40% of our students are American, 20% are Israeli from both the Jewish and Arab communities, and the remainder are from countries all over the world. Our common values include “Peaceful Cooperation in a Green World” and that is demonstrated every day on our campus. Na’amat Nazareth offers a wonderful opportunity to reach out to girls who are interested in the small class size and in supplementing the regular high school curriculum with the opportunity for courses in graphic design and product design, early childhood education and hairdressing and styling.
Superintendent of WBAIS, John Gates, and
Principal of Na’amat Nazareth, Nadera Tannous
Students from WBAIS and Na’amat Technical High School
The next morning, Nadera Tannous telephoned from Nazareth and said that the 12 grade students were all abuzz regarding the fun they had. Firm friendships have been formed and as twelfth-grader at WBAIS, Leah Teichberg Sabath, described the Pool Party,
It was really an honor and a pleasure being at the Nazareth pool party at WBAIS. Meeting girls my age from a different background is always really powerful. It made me so happy to see the girls having so much fun at our school, and obviously makes one appreciate WBAIS (the people, the campus, the atmosphere).
During the party, we had so much fun. We were managing to communicate despite the obvious language barrier. We took photos, walked around, and just had a really great time. At the end of the two hours, we exchanged phone numbers and Facebook names. As I was walking away I heard a girl scream, "Leah!" I turned around and walked backed to the girl. In broken English she asked me, "Can you come to our graduation party?" I was so flattered and excited. I am going to their graduation with a friend of mine from WBAIS, and I am inviting a few of them to mine.
Just this morning, May 26, I was speaking on the phone with one girl, Narmeen. Even though it was only a two hour gathering, I honestly had so much fun and I couldn't be gladder that I went. I think interactions like this one is really important for people our age to experience. Even two hours with these girls made me realize that even in little Israel there are so many groups of people who can come together, despite their background, religion, or language and build lasting relationships.
Also, a small delegation from WBAIS will be going up to Nazareth in June, when Na’amat celebrates the dedication of their new school. We are grateful to Margret Ellwanger for giving us this opportunity to carry on this tradition of friendship between our two schools.
Visit forpeace2012.shutterfly.com to view, download or print photos.
Cambodia: Service Learning Expedition 2012
SALT LAKE CITY, USA — We’re back from another amazing service learning adventure to Cambodia. Already we’re missing the good people there who radiate so much goodness and love.
by Steven Dee Wrigley, Global Outreach Alliance Director
Mother-Daughter Teamwork
Margret Ellwanger manning the first-aid table.
SALT LAKE CITY, USA — We’re back from another amazing service learning adventure to Cambodia. Already we’re missing the good people there who radiate so much goodness and love.
Villagers ready to move in to their new homes.
We again partnered with Tabitha and forPEACE to help get 10 families off the streets and into new homes through the culmination of a micro-savings program.
This has to be one of the most joyous scenes…witnessing the joy that comes from simple efforts to improve quality of life.
A previous volunteer said: “All of us were changed by the profound exchange of love and service: we had given them new houses to live in, they had given us a new way to understand living.” We come with open eyes and ears to learn and absorb the lessons our friends in the global village have to teach us.
Our team was also able to spend some quality time at CICFO. CICFO is a children’s home in Phnom Penh that we (Global Outreach Alliance and forPEACE) work to support. They are a remarkable organization ran by two wonderful, miracle-working volunteer Khmer “mothers.” This children’s home, which cares for 31 children, is unlike any orphanage we have seen before. We do not always support orphanages as their model simply creates “orphans” and dependency on donor dollars–then, the cycle continues–more and more orphans pile in and more donor dollars come to support its viscous cycle of “feeding” children. Consequently, transparency suffers, and well-intended people soon are funding institutions that pocket money and neglect children’s pressing needs for long-term, sustainable development and education.
CICFO Family
However, CICFO is different. They have self-reliant enterprise projects (e.g. chicken coup, organic mushroom farm, hand-made bracelets and greeting cards, and a fruit tree garden), all of which help lighten the load of donors and allow them to educate their children about future possibilities for generating income and self reliance. They focus on education and teaching skills all while preserving their beautiful culture. They even work to get the children back to their families or in responsible families’ homes (which is unheard of with most orphanages). They are not the typical “institutionalized orphanage.” They create a wonderful home for these children all on a shoestring budget of $1.85 per each child, per day. That is remarkable considering that it includes everything to take care of the children (i.e. rent, utilities, medicine/checkups, nutritious meals, clean water, education and private tutoring, school uniforms/books, transportation to/from school and activities, etc.).
Many orphanages we have seen conversely rip your heart out and then stomp on it because they are mismanaged and solicit additional donor dollars by purposely downgrading the level of poverty–they keep the facilities dirty and unsanitary, they don’t feed or clothe the children adequately, they don’t educate, etc–all because if things were better looking, then they could possibly lose funding. In orphanages, double dealing and corruption often runs rampant–not to mention the most mind-blowing disease of all–sex and labor exploitation of precious children. It sickens us! But not here at CICFO. It’s a home. It’s a family. It is a wonderful breath of fresh air! It truly is a small heaven on earth.
Peace Through Teacher Dialogue 2011
WILDAU, Germany — The 2011 Peace Through Teacher Dialogue (PTTD) held October 28-November 4 marked a dynamic third annual working visit between German and Israeli educators, and the overall fourth PTTD since its inception in 2007 with Canyon Heights School in Kaysville, Utah.
by Margret Ellwanger and Kamie Robinson
Day Three – The Open Border to Poland
Day Three – Welcome in Polish, German, and English
Day Three – The Hotel Zur Alten Oder
Day Four – Painting Project at ZAK
Day Four – Presentation of Programs at ZAK
Day Four – An article on display at ZAK about PTTD 2010 written after returning from Israel by German students attending Witthoeft Oberschule.
Day Four – Witthoeft Oberschule, the School with Courage, School without Racism
Day Four – Principal Undine Schell Schmidt presenting an overview of Witthoeft Oberschule’s curriculum.
The Peace Through Teacher Dialogue 2011 Delegation
WILDAU, Germany — The 2011 Peace Through Teacher Dialogue (PTTD) held October 28-November 4 marked a dynamic third annual working visit between German and Israeli educators, and the overall fourth PTTD since its inception in 2007 with Canyon Heights School in Kaysville, Utah.
This year’s PTTD scope and impact was significantly elevated as a result of widening the Israeli Na’amat delegation from one to six schools. Both the Jewish and Arab sectors selected representatives from three schools to travel for one week to Germany for the purpose of studying specific components of the German vocational education system (Berufsschule) and to build upon the professional partnership that had been established between the Na’amat Nazareth Technical High School and the Zeuthener Akademie (ZAK) in Brandenburg.
The Jewish schools were represented by principals and administrators from Haifa (Vicki Furst, director), Rishon Letzion (Erella Shaul, director; Meir Merdler, Gali Cohen), and Petach Tikvah (Iris Weinstein, director; Aliza Gluska). The Arab schools were represented by principals and administrators from Shefar'am (Katy Bishara, director), Tamra (Nadia Shuly, director; Najat Azzam, Riyan Sharif) and Nazareth (Nadera Tannous,director; Lilian Hakim, Khalil Kharman, Najat Nassar). Overall, Aida Levin, the director of the entire Israel Na’amat High School Education Network led the delegation.
Discussions held throughout the year amongst the Israeli delegation members, ZAK leadership, and forPEACE directors had yielded as program objective for the 2011 dialogue the desire to provide an educational and cultural experience for preparing students to become skilled workers (Facharbeiter) in hotels, restaurants and the tourism industry. These topics were especially relevant for the schools from Shefar’am and Nazareth, towns that are adapting to growing tourism and local demand for well-trained workers in the hospitality industry. Additionally, emphasis was placed on vocational and social training programs for youth with learning disabilities, and those coming from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.
After a warm welcome from the city of Wildau and weekend activities to acquaint the delegation with history of their host’s environment, a bus transported the Israeli delegation on Day 3 to Frankfurt and Oder to visit the “open border to Poland.” The town’s academic tour guide, Frau Dr. Kristina Setzkorn, pointed out that many older Germans and Poles were deeply impacted by the not-too-distant developments that lifted the iron curtain between Germany and former East Block nations; such developments enabled peaceful trade and educational cooperation for the next generation.
Later in the day, the delegation received information from Polish EU educational commissioner, Ms. Zomka, about German-Polish cooperation in their “dual education system,” which combines academic school days with practical workdays and allowing students to learn and apply their knowledge or skill in real world situations as they intern with businesses that don’t judge or hire based on borders or nationality. The program included a visit to hotel “Zur Alten Oder” where the owner mentors student interns enrolled in a three-year hotel management program and provides a nurturing family environment where they can feel safe, grow, learn, and prepare for future employment opportunities.
Following the hotel visit was a short stop at a local carpentry shop, Uwe Netzker, to highlight a business that offered training to young men en route to skilled carpentry certifications (Meister Zertifikat).
Day four began with a tour of the ZAK facilities. At ZAK the delegation observed a group of students who were in action refurbishing and painting containers and caravans to be used as mobile stores. The students involved in the project were working toward attaining a certificate to enter trades in the paint industry.
After observing their work, the delegation transferred to Witthoeft Oberschule, a high school that earned the title “School with Courage, School without Racism”. Principal Undine Schell Schmidt presented an overview of the school’s curriculum, gave a walk-through of the facilities and provided a lunch cooked by the in-house culinary students. During lunch the delegation sat at tables and conversed with students; after lunch the group split up to visit different subjects for a class period. Upon reconvening, an administrator from each of the six Na’amat Schools gave a short presentation about their respective school in Israel and the programs their school offered. Dr. Uwe Malich, the mayor of Wildau, spoke to the delegation. He underscored the importance of the partnership between ZAK and the Na’amat Schools.
On day five, the group from Israel was the guest of Oberstufenzentrum KW, also known as a “Berufsschule” in German. The group received an overview of Oberstufenzentrum KW’s three-year curriculum for culinary arts. The delegation also listened to a presentation by a young man who enrolled in the program after being unsatisfied with his previously chosen career. He shared insight from a student’s perspective.
The next stop was lunch, served by handicapped students at the “Ausbildungshotel Zeuthen,” a facility run by the Annedore-Leber-Berufsbildungswerk, which provides special training and support to students with mental, physical or social handicaps. The school’s psychologist, Dr.Schwänzer, spoke about integrating students with significant learning disabilities into the job market.
The day was rounded out with a visit to Kleeblatt Wildau, a community center where Frau Petra Reichmuth, the director, shared experiences with social outreach projects and their children’s day care in the Wildau community. The delegation was deeply impressed by the passion and commitment displayed by Frau Reichmuth.
Day Five – Ausbildungshotel Zeuthen, a facility providing training and jobs to those with a handicap.
Day Five – Learning about Oberstufenzentrum KW's Culinary Arts Program
Day Five – Kleeblatt Wildau Community Center
A bus brought the visitors from Israel on day six to an economically depressed area in Berlin to visit Puk a Malta for discussions about “education with vision” for young people with immigration background. Success and failures of integration were discussed. Of special note was effective use of music to motivate students to articulate themselves in German. The delegation watched a moving rap video, Die Würde des Menschen, that was written and produced by a group of young men and women to address the recent suicide of a young Muslim girl in their neighborhood. The girl, who had been willing to integrate into her new society was locked up and stifled by her father who perceived Germany as hostile to his culture and did not wish his daughter to receive an education outside of being a wife and homemaker. In a different rap production students expressed what it meant for them to now be part of the European Union.
Day Six – Wildau’s Mayor Dr. Malich addressing the delegation at the PTTD closing reception at the ZAK student-operated restaurant Schwartzkopff.
The final event was a closing reception at the ZAK student-operated restaurant Schwartzkopff. The evening was full of conversations, smiles, laughter, gourmet food, expressions of gratitude, gifts of appreciation, and speeches, including comments by Wildau’s Mayor Dr. Malich who said,“The visit of the Na’amat Delegation in Wildau from October 28 through November 4 was exciting and informative for the hosts from Wildau. We got a glimpse of the diversity, the beauty, and the difficulties of daily life in Israel. We would be pleased if a partnership could arise between Wildau and Na’amat for the purpose of educating and integrating young people who come from difficult or challenging backgrounds.”
Wildau PR director Katja Lützelberger added, “This is an honor for us. I am happy and proud that we have institutions in Wildau such as the Zeuthener Ausbildungsakademie under the direction of Mrs. Scholz, that will organize such an exchange.”
Wildau PR director Katja Lützelberger added, “This is an honor for us. I am happy and proud that we have institutions in Wildau such as the Zeuthener Ausbildungsakademie under the direction of Mrs. Scholz, that will organize such an exchange.”
An immediate positive outcome of the 2011 PTTD was group synergy within the Israeli delegation; especially noteworthy since the delegation comprised of educators from both the Jewish and Arab sector. Spending days and evenings together engaged in active discussion allowed members to get to know their associates on a deeper level beyond their occasional meetings in Tel Aviv. A valuable group dynamic formed that the delegation plans to continue to draw upon now that they are back in Israel.
The delegation felt the scope of the program which ZAK director Marina Scholtz and forPEACE had put together was well organized and packed with thought-stimulating lectures and presentations. Those who were a part of the PTTD delegation to Germany two years ago commented that the schedule was not redundant and that it had grown with the program. In addition to educational learning, one delegation member who initially felt mixed feelings about traveling to Germany because of lineage ties to the Holocaust, expressed in a reflective letter that, “It [the program] teaches to tell the story of the new Germany, in another way which is important.”
The delegation was impressed with the German school system and the creative ways projects are organized to pull students in from various walks of life. The collaboration between businesses and schools—particularly the dedication to invest time and energy into training students—was something that they hope to promote and emulate. The educators believe strongly in the role of education and truly care for their pupils. Na’amat director Aida Levin said the Israeli ministry of education is looking to adjust regulations to allow more time to be devoted to workshops and developing focused skills. She prefers not to compare the Israeli system directly to ZAK and the German system because they are different and operate in different environments. She appreciates both in their respective spheres and is looking to adapt ideas from one to fit into the other where there is a need, but not to replicate anything in its entirety.
forPEACE would like to thank all contributors for volunteering their time, treasure and talent.
The entire experience was possible because everyone involved was willing to contribute and personally invest in the experience.