Activities summary: March 24-30 2012
This program was made possible thanks to the generous contribution of Stiftung Deutsch-Israelisches Zukunftsforum
On March 24th, a delegation of professionals from the "Neighborhood Mothers and Fathers" organization from Berlin, Germany arrived at the Ben Gurion Airport for a week of joint learning experiences with the professional staff of the Jewish Agency's "Youth Futures" program. Throughout that week, all 22 members of the joint initiative (9 from Germany and 13 from Israel) and the wonderful translator Antje Eiger went through an intensive series of encounters with several social organizations, all designated to empower and address the unique needs of different at-risk populations. The team of German and Israeli social workers and NGO specialists united around the subject of searching and providing methods and solutions for their communities' struggling populations. The common interest and passion - to improve and empower the society they live in - was the base for the intellectual interaction and friendships that prospered throughout that week and beyond
On the first day, the group visited the mixed city of Lod. The day started with an opening session, where Shai Lazer- Youth Futures' national director, mentioned 4 goals for this week long experience
A personal encounter between people - to get to know each other on a personal level
A learning experience - to enhance both organizations' knowledge and familiarity with different models of social change
Getting to know the Israeli society - to meet different sectors of the Israeli population and better understand the social structure of Israel
To enjoy each others' company and have some fun along the way
Following the opening session, the "Youth Futures" hosting organization presented their model on a national level, and introduced the complexities and challenges of working in a city that is populated by many opposing minority groups. The group met the magnificent team of the Youth Futures mentors of Lod, which operates as somewhat an island of co-existence, where Jews, Arabs, religious, secular and immigrants from Ethiopia and Russia are all working together mentoring at risk children of all sectors. They all share a common goal - to empower the next generation of Lod. The group went on a short tour in the city and also met another social change organization dealing with Community advocacy in the city of Lod. In the evening, the group went for dinner and dancing, where all felt ice was broken and the warm and friendly social interactions began
The second day was spent in Jaffa and Tel Aviv. For the first part of the day the group was honored to have Mrs. Adina Stern from the ?Stiftung Deutsch-Israelisches Zukunftsforum joining and learning with us. The morning started in the women's court in Jaffa - a unique institution designed to empower girls and young women. After lunch and a tour at the flea market, the group visited "Dror"- A unique center for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender adolescents, who experience rejection and alienation based on their sexual orientation
The third day started in Beer Sheva around the topic of absorption of immigrants in Israel. The anthropologist Ravit Cohen held a presentation about the history and cultural background of the Jewish-Ethiopian population. The group was introduced to the Jewish Agency's absorption center model, visited the Kalisher absorption center and met the immigrants who told them about their journey and absorption process. After lunch in a women's' empowerment venture called "cooking women" in Ofakim the group proceeded to the Sapir College in Sderot where they met the Sapir mentoring program for drop-out girls and young women. A closing session was held, where all members of the group expressed their impressions from the first days
The forth day started in Israel's northern region, with a hiking trip in Mount Precipice. It continued with a visit in the Kadoorie school - an agricultural youth village that is currently a home for youth from various backgrounds including refugees from Darfur and Eretria, who met the group and shared their life stories. After lunch the group visited the Malkishua Drug Rehabilitation Center, was introduced with the model of a therapeutic community, and met a former addict who shared his experiences
The fifth and last day started in the Jerusalem Hills (formerly Bnei Brith Jerusalem) Home for at-risk children. The group met Dr. Yecheskiel Cohen, a prominent member is the Israeli Psychologists society and Chairman of the Executive Board of the "Jerusalem Hills" for a fascinating session about the unique model of the institution. Following that, the group went on a guided tour in the Abu Gosh Village from an urban planning point of view. Later on that evening, a closing session was held at the Anna Ticho museum in Jerusalem
All members of the group shared their impressions and emotions from the experience. They agreed that all 4 goals delineated on day one were accomplished - friendships were established, professional knowledge was gained, the entire group - including the Israeli members - now better know the Israeli society, and of course - it was a lot of fun. Both teams are excited and look forward to the second part of this enriching and meaningful experience this coming June in Berlin
