Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Day 3

So today was long but really fun. First some of us used stencils to draw on canvases while others worked in the garden tearing up grass. I worked in the garden and it was really hot outside and at times work was hard, but that made seeing all of our work even more rewarding.

After all of our work the guys played football with some of the kids from the school. Then we all had lunch and played team building games. The first time, we had to make it across a “sea” by only walking on paper towels…we weren't very good at this game, we ended up tearing a paper towel to one of our shoes and hopping across the “sea”. I didn't get a paper towel so my team had to carry me across on their backs.

The second game was “bird on a perch,” and we partnered up and we had to jump on our partner’s backs when the music stopped or we would be out. Both games were really fun and really brought us together even more.

From there we went to an after school program, called the Overtown Youth Center, to help the kids with their homework. The building was really nice; it had a gym, a dance studio, computer room, and flat screen TVs. The kids were all really cute and excited to see us. What I found very interesting was that the program keeps track of their students until they are 25. They help them pick a college and go on college visits with them as well. Even cooler than that, this whole program is free! When I left the after school program I was in such a good mood because I kept picturing the girl's face I helped when she finally understood what I was trying to explain the difference between a native and a narrator and I tried everything I can think of. She finally got it and we were both so excited.

This program is so good for the kids because not all of the parents can help their kids with their homework like they have at this program and the kids are encouraged to continue their education to college where if they didn't come to this program, they wouldn't go to college, or even finish high school. The kids at this program were friendly and funny, one of them asked me if I had a sinus problem and that is why I sound like I do.

From there, we went to dinner (and had Indian food), reflected on or day and listened to a Rabbi’s sermon. His sermon really tied the day together and showed us how what we are doing during the day is really a holy Jewish thing. How the goal of Judaism is to touch lives, and that is what we are trying to do.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

My City Year Journey

Students visiting residents at the Miami Jewish Health System


Written by Sydney Gross
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill





At first, I was slightly apprehensive about coming to Miami for the City Year trip because I had no idea what City Year was and the idea of using winter break to relax at home sounded incredible! I came after talking about the trip with Sheila Katz, Hillel staff. She explained that City Year is an organization commited to serving in low-income cities and that this opportunity was not to be missed. We are now in the afternoon of the second full day here, and the lack of regret is overwhelming. This is an amazing experience. We are interacting with others all the time - with our fellow Hillel members from across North America, with local Jews, with local non-Jews, and the feeling that we made a difference at the end of the day is priceless.

Not only have we been volunteering, but we get to hear about the experiences of others directly from them. For instance, last night after dinner three formerly homeless community members each spoke to us about his or her experience being homeless and, more importantly, what led them to it. Kenneth, Angie, and Anita were so honest and open to questions, and the three of them calmly relayed to us countless life experiences which, quite honestly, were beyond imagination for me. After the Faces of Homelessness panel, I became much more aware of how fickle opportunity is and how, had I been put in any of their shoes, I may have died trying to get to where they are now (they almost did.)

This trip is quickly bringing to the forefront the idea that Judaism advocates for helping everybody, not only Jews. We care that others suffer, and we want to hear about it and learn how to fix it. We want to feel some of what others feel, if only for a little bit, in order to understand why we are all different and why that is special and beautiful. Mostly, I am learning that vounteer work may be the most efficient way to teach these values. Volunteering is doing good simply for the sake of doing good. This is the second full day! We'll see what the rest of the week holds.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Miami Heart Rehab Center, Belafonte Tacolcy Center, Panel: Faces of Homelessness

The morning started with a trip to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, where we met with Jeff Levin (Chief Financial Resource Officer) and Michelle Labgold (Chief Planning Officer). We discussed the Jewish community as a whole (one tribe) and Jewish philanthropic work. It is interesting that the money donated to the Jewish Federation is distributed within the Jewish community as well as the around the whole world, regardless of faith.
We continued our day by visiting the Miami HEART Rehabilitation Center. There, we met Rabbi Fred Klein (Director of the Chaplaincy Program at the Greater Miami Jewish Federation) who gave us an overview on what HEART Rehab does for its community. We split up into smaller groups and visited patients that were currently participating in the rehabilitation program there. This was also interesting because us, as strangers, really could see how a simple act of kindness could go a long way and touch a lot of hearts.
After enjoying our lunches at Morningside Park, we went to the Belafonte Tacolcy Center, where we were introduced to Alison Austin (CEO), about her work and the Freedom School fundamentals. We learned about the backgrounds of the children in the area and how the Tacolcy Center, as well as other groups, work to help the community and the children. We were moved to see the amount of energy exerted by the staff to show the local children that learning is fun. It was incredible to meet the children and see their energy. It left us hopeful that in our volunteer experiences, we would be able to excite children and help them learn the way the Tacolcy Center does.
This evening, after dinner we had an incredible experience; something that I think it is safe to say none of us have ever experienced. A group called VISTA came to speak to us about homelessness. We had three speakers who told us stories of their lives. Every person in the room was memorized by what they had to say. It was incredible for them to open up to us and tell us of their lives and where they were born, the immense hardships they went through, and how they overcame everything and got to where they are today. The stories brought some of the speakers to tears, as well as many of the listeners. It was an experience that im sure none of us will forget any time soon. We all learned that everyone has some good in them and can make something of their lives even if they have gone through a lot.
After everything we went through today, we are excited for all that tomorrow holds for us. Let the adventures begin!

Holli Epstein '13 (University of Delaware)
Samantha Friedman '13 (University of Delaware)
Rina Binder-Macleod '12 (University of Delaware)
Alli Chojnacki '13 (Temple University)

Bienvenido a Miami!

Sunday afternoon we all met up in the Ft. Lauderdale Airport, and from there set out to our hotel. Our hotel is right on the edge of University of Miami, which is absolutely gorgeous. There are palm trees everywhere, and everything is so green. The weather was wonderful, and walking and sitting outside was very pleasant.

After checking in at the hotel and getting our room assignments, we headed over to the University of Miami Hillel's Kutcher Auditorium for a delicious dinner! We sat in groups and got to know each other, and then it was time for ICE BREAKERS!!! Standing in a circle of 100 strangers is awkward at first, but......

....in the end turned out to be a very rewarding and beneficial part of the trip!

More to come later tonight (plus pictures!)

Becky Dreifuss '12
Mara Markinson ' 12
Becca Cohen '11
University of Delaware

Sunday, January 2, 2011




Thanks to all of the participants, staff, community partners and community members for a great year of 2010 Alternative Breaks.