By Judy Yuda, Partnership Director

On the last weekend in June, a group of 23 teens from several congregations in St. Louis visited the Yokneam-Megiddo region.  They were participants in the annual NFTY teen trip to Israel.  Leading the group were Ellyn Polsky, a long time friend of the partnership and Lee Rosenberg, the Youth Director from United Hebrew Congregation.

The group was invited by the teens from Megiddo's Reut Youth Village to join them at their "end of the school year" party that took place at the Neve Yam Beach.  Their hosts were kind enough to find extra sleeping bags for everyone so they could spend the night with them on the waterfront and under the stars. They enjoyed the activities – the highlight being a nighttime beach disco and bar-b-que.  Getting up the next day (those who slept!), they promised to meet again early the next week at the Reut Village.

On Monday, June 30th, the delegation arrived at the Village and work was waiting for them.  The artists from "Shefa – Moon Art" prepared two huge murals in the dining hall for the group to paint.

After finishing their "work of art" they then moved on to the Village Agriculture Ranch where they learned about the ecological nature of the ranch.  They made pita on an open fire and learned how to recycle paper and make fancy gift cards.  But there is no doubt that the real treat was preparing a bench from mud and other "natural animal waste" – stomping in bare-feet to prepare the mud mixture!

After washing up and changing clothes, the guests were invited to dinner at the homes of the Reut Youth Village teens – going to different kibbutzim in the region.