Dear Friends,

During this period of early Spring before Passover, we are in the midst of an intensive absorption process. A key factor in becoming part of a community is to contribute to it. Ibim students have taken that crucial step and the response has been warm and encouraging. Our students collected donations to prepare Purim baskets (mishlochei manot) to IDF soldiers and to the elderly in old age centers in the area. They also performed at (see below) an old age center in Sderot for the holiday. Their next project is a collection for the needy for Passover Eve.

Our students are truly motivated. They are showing us all that, they too, are part of the larger community by giving of their spirit, their time and their energy. This coming month, the students will participate in a one-week pre-army training program–wearing uniforms, sleeping in tents and learning about Israel's history. We hope this knowledge and experience will bring them closer to the Israeli people and to their Israeli compatriots.

I take this opportunity to wish you a happy and healthy Passover.

Soni Singer and the entire staff of
the Ibim-San Diego Student Village

Sharing the Purim Spirit

The Ibim Dance Troupe performs for and
with residents of a Sderot Old Age Center 

A group of Ibim students spent the week before Purim taking turns stationed in front of Sderot's supermarkets collecting donations for the needy. They amassed a respectable amount of goodies and then prepared special Purim baskets for the elderly in an old age center in Sderot. "It wasn't just a case of dropping off the baskets and leaving," explains Cultural Director Arik Saban. "The students then spent the afternoon at the Old Age Center, Ibim's Dance Troupe performed, and the students sang and danced together with the elderly. With enough hamantaschen and festive spirit to go around, all enjoyed the Purim celebration and the opportunity to get to know the older generation.

Other students set off to totally "chill out" at the Tel Aviv Amusement Park and then off to a Dance Club in Beer Sheva.

The Whole Megila

As has become custom, students from the yeshiva in Sderot come to read the Book of Esther to the Ibim residents. The whole village listened carefully to the story of Purim, and all enjoyed making the traditional racket at the mention of evil Haman's name.

Ibim students at the "Adloyada" or
Costume Carnival, in Beer Sheva.

On the morning of Purim, the bus was filled with colorful characters dressed up on their way to the Purim March in Beer Sheva. Traditionally, Israeli towns sponsor Purim Parades or Costume Carnivals known as "Adloyada" or roughly translated as "until we can't tell the difference (between cursing Haman and blessing Mordechai)". In Beer Sheva, the Ibim revelers joined thousands (mostly teenagers) for a four kilometer march through the center of town. The Ibim students were delighted to spot Beer Sheva's mayor dressed as a cowboy.

Lights, Camera, Action… Film students from the nearby Sapir College chose Ibim as the venue for their final project. The excitement drew Ibim students out of bed in the early morning, and kept them enthralled until late afternoon. For most of them, it was the first time they saw a movie being filmed, and in many, it aroused interest as a possible creative outlet in the future.