Dear Friends,
I write this shortly after Memorial Day which concluded with the commencement of Independence Day festivities. For most of our young immigrants, this is the first time in their lives that they are exposed to the solemn Holocaust Day and Memorial Day commemorations, and Independence Day celebrations. At this stage of their absorption, the students have begun to feel a part of this country. They stood at attention as the sirens sounded across the entire country both on Holocaust Day and on Memorial Day. Watching the movement virtually come to a halt for a full two minutes was an emotional moment for all the students as the nation remembered a dreadful and heroic past.
As Israel celebrates 57 years, I wish all of us, in Israel and abroad a Happy Independence Day. May we continue to maintain warm relations and may we at Ibim be privileged to absorb many more new immigrants and be a part in the continued building of the State of Israel.
Soni Singer and the entire staff of
the Ibim-San Diego Student Village
Parents' Day
At the evening ceremony, the proud parents were treated to dance, songs and poetry. |
The Kedma students busily tidied their rooms and practiced their presentations the morning of Ibim's annual Kedma Parents' Day. The complicated logistics of bringing the students' families to Ibim were coordinated with absorption center staff around the country. From the Galilee, the coast and the Negev, relatives poured into Ibim for a glimpse into the lives of these young adults who will soon take their place as productive members of Israeli society, we believe some as future leaders of the Ethiopian community.
Parents' Day began with a tour of the Sapir College campus and the ulpan. The group then traveled to the nearby hydrotherapy center where they saw the wonderful work being done with physically challenged adults and children. The center also has a swimming pool and a spa to which Ibim has rotating yearly memberships for the students. After a lunch at Ibim, the families were given a tour of the Village by Director Soni Singer and Coordinator for Ethiopian students, Shlomo Balas.
Each student then brought his or her parents to see their apartments. The day concluded with a ceremony for the entire village. The Selah program dance troupe performed to folk tunes; and the Kedma students presented a hasidic dance. Greetings in Hebrew were translated into Amharic for the guests and the Kedma students then serenaded their families with Amharic favorites and poetry.
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Right foot, left...
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As has become tradition, Ibim students took part in a challenging week of army experience before the Passover break. Setting out from the desert base of Sde Boker, the students learned military discipline as they participated in difficult treks; testing their navigational and physical skills. They returned to Ibim, tired, yet content, and a little more prepared for their army service. | |
Vivé la Difference!
The small village of Ibim is home to students and youth from around the globe. Each new immigrant brings a rich cultural heritage to this hearty mixs. For Ibim's annual ethnic celebration, dishes and dress characteristic of Russia, the Ukraine, Caucasia, Ethiopia, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Venezuela, Israel and the Bedouin culture, were displayed.
Soldiers from the Nahal group who reside at Ibim prepared the Israeli and Bedouin dishes, and guests from the local Zionist Council joined the celebration as well. The dance contest was prefaced by each group teaching a traditional dance to the entire village community. Cultural Director Arik Saban notes that "the Ethiopians unquestionably stole the show with their lively dances and sumptious dishes."