Hanukkah in Delaware was a delight for us teachers from Arad and Tamar at the Dead Sea Israel. What better way to spend the holiday but with our counterparts in Delaware. Routi, Bertha, Nina and Batia from Arad and Gundi and I (Alison) from Tamar Region were greeted in Delaware with a great Hanukkah breakfast complete with latkes and apple sauce – a real touch of home. Having enjoyed this repast we were taken on a very interesting visit to Beth Emeth and Gratz, two synagogue Sunday schools.
After a short trip onward, we arrived at Kutz House, where the residents were enjoying a Hanukkah party. We joined in with dancing and singing and even managed to get some of the more able residents to get up and dance along with us. Faith and Lou Brown, who were in fine voice, gave a great performance creating an atmosphere of fun and merriness. Later, for a really special treat, we were taken to Longwood Gardens to see the simply fabulous display of lights and Christmas plants. This was simply outstanding and something we don’t have In Israel.
The next day was busy, busy, busy. A visit to the JCC and an impressive tour of the JCC. We were not at all surprised to be greeted by friendly smiling faces, some of whom we knew from their visit to our area in Israel. The Early Childhood Centre was delightful and this was followed by a visit to the Albert Einstein Academy, including a great meeting with Rami who is very eager for the children on both sides of the Atlantic to correspond and communicate through the wonderful world of technology, sharing, perhaps, Jewish holidays together through the computer. We were treated like VIPs at the AEA with lunch, a full tour, ice cream of all flavors with our coffee and a staff meeting which was enlightening and promising.
With just a little time to shop – well what do you think, we must get our priorities right! – We returned to the JCC for a discussion “What is a Jewish Educator?”. I have to admit this sounded very daunting. ‘What do they mean?’ I asked myself, ‘Will I have something to say?’ We were greeted by Rabbi Brad Hirschfield who gave an engaging and compelling talk on the subject. We all left the room with a lot to think about including how we are as educators. Thank you to all concerned – especially Rabbi Hirschfield – for involving us in this issue.
The next day we were all invited to do what we wanted. Thank you to Ruth, who took us to Philadelphia and gave us the chance to see the fabulous Art Museum and thank you to Elaine who took Gundi on a Nature Trail Walk. You see America really does have something for everyone. Even I – who had to have emergency treatment at the dentist! – had something to do!!!! The rest of the day we were hosted by Beth Shalom Religious School and Beth El Religious School where we saw wonderful children learning Hebrew and celebrating Hanukkah. We were really impressed by the atmosphere at both schools; the children were really friendly to us and seemed to be committed to their studies.
The highlight of the trip was without a doubt having the privilege of attending the Albert Einstein Academy’s Hanukkah Celebration. The evening was opened by the orchestra, and continued with a lovely Hanukkah story performed by the academy’s pupils. The whole evening saw determination and purpose on the part of the children and taught us all how important it is to give our children opportunities in order to build their confidence – Well done to you all. The evening was an absolute delight.
This article wouldn’t be complete without a word to thanks to everyone – and there were many – who helped to make our visit successful. You can all be assured that you haven’t heard the last of us. We will be back!! Anyone who wants their child, family or even school to be a ‘penpal’ to an Israeli family, please get in touch with me. We will do our best to see that you find friends here in Arad / Tamar.