Shabbat is just around the corner, but I have to say I'm not in the calm state of mind I usually am in right now. Yesterday was a range of emotions; for the first time, one of the little girls I've been playing with broke out of her shell and hugged me, her voice choking out, "I ain't letting you go." It was one of those deep, heartfelt hugs you don't get to enjoy often, especially from a kid you met less than a week ago. Her and Lareisha, my other mentoree, have really opened up in the past week; unfortunately, the day when I felt the breakthroughs in our relationships was my last day, and it will probably the last day I'll ever see them. If I've learned anything on this trip however, it's not to obsess on those societal injustices that just corrode your soul; it's much better to observe and convert it into simple motivation and nothing more. That was one of many lessons I learned from our speaker last night, Rabbi Leonid Feldman. A Soviet Jew from Kishinev who escaped from the communist regime in the 1970s by the protests of American Jews and his own 11-day hunger strike, he anchored the trip in Judaism in a way that was engaging, as well as original. I won't go into much detail; I plan on inviting him to UVa to speak, so that my community can hear his story, and his unique message towards the Jewish tradition. Surprisingly, the most brilliant part of the trip so far for me (in addition to the kids themselves) was the discussion our UVa group had after Rabbi Feldman's talk. As with the Rabbi, I won't go into much detail, but it's only because I don't think I can capture the brilliance, the compassion, and the heartfelt empathy and analysis I saw my peers engage in. If I could, I'd write down every sentence to keep and motivate myself in my middle-aged years (G-d willing). Despite the intense poverty and the personal guilt I feel, I feel so blessed that I have a group of 12 shining models to develop my doubts and frustrations in a conducive, and frankly, beautiful way. Thanks, guys. You all have meant a lot to me.
Ben Bissel
UVA
Friday, March 12, 2010
Fun with Senior Citizens
Yesterday we volunteered with Jewish Senior Citizens which was really fun because we got to do something different. We sang Karaoke and danced with the elderly which was great, because I love doing those things already and it made it so much better to be doing them for a good cause.
I met a woman who is 104 years old, Isabelita which was inspiring, becuase even after such a long life she is still up and dancing.
Jackie Schwartz
Michigan State
I met a woman who is 104 years old, Isabelita which was inspiring, becuase even after such a long life she is still up and dancing.
Jackie Schwartz
Michigan State
Thursday Goodbyes
Seeing the kids faces on another day was very impactful, but it was really hard to say goodbye to them.
We had some nice hugs and they did a dance. Antwon and Lamot are the best third graders ever.
Elliot
Michigan State
We had some nice hugs and they did a dance. Antwon and Lamot are the best third graders ever.
Elliot
Michigan State
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Flower Children
Yesterday, we decorated flower pots and wrote poetry with the kids in the afterschool program at Phyllis Wheatley Elementary Scho0ol. Most of the kids decided to write their name and the name of their Hillel buddy on the flower pot so that it could be a souvenir reminding them of this week. The best part of going to play with the kids in the afterschool program is seeing their smiles when we get there; every time we have to leave to go back to the hotel, the kids ask if we're going to come back the next day, showing how much they enjoy hanging out with us. And as much as they like playing and talking with us, I'm pretty sure we love it even more than they do, because these kids are so full of energy and personality! I feel really lucky to be on this trip, getting to know these amazing kids, and building things which will make their school a little brighter. Here's to an awesome experience and a great next few days!
underappreciative
Throughout the week we have been coming together to not only build things for Dunbar School in miami but we have also been given the opportunity to connect with the children of the Overtown Youth Center and get a deeper feeling of what their lives are like. This project has made me realize how fortunate I am; a lot of these children live under the poverty line and can not afford luxuries like a new toy or pair of shoes. Despite the hardships that they are facing, these children are the most well behaved children that I have ever had the pleasure of working with. The smiles on their faces speak louder than words. Although they do not have much, they appreciate what they do have and revel in the fact that we are playing with them and making their day that much better. I am overhwhelmingly thankful for this experience that is changing the way that I look at life forever,
Arielle and Lindsay
University of Central Florida
Arielle and Lindsay
University of Central Florida
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
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Adventures in Miami
There is nothing better in the morning than waking up to a wide variety of cereals. We arrived at overton youth center and immediately began constructing benches. After hundreds of broken nails and twice as many blisters, multiple benches were finished. But the party didnt really get started until the students arrived. Working with many age groups gave us a diverse atmposhere. We finished the day at a shopping mall where bargains were found and wallets were emptied. Because this is a jewish trip, it was only natural that we needed another event to eat. Therefore, we went back to the jewish federation for a panel discussion. This was one of the most enlightening expierences being in a room full of prominant figures in the local and national and jewish community.
-Steve Schapiro
College of Charleston
-Steve Schapiro
College of Charleston
UCF Girls!
Yesterday, (3/9), we worked at the Overtown Youth Center in Miami all day. In the morning , we built benches for Dunbar Elementary and in the afternoon we worked with the children in the youth center. It was so much fun! However, it was also organized chaos- the children were excited and ready to play with us, and VERY expressive about it. We've all fallen in love with the kids though, and we had so much fun with them. As we reflect on the events of the day in the evening, we also reflect on what we look forward to each day. The consensus from our group is an overall feeling of joy and strength that allows us to continue to work (and play) each day.
Miami Day 2
Today was a very circular experience. We began the day producing the fruits of our labor by making murals for the local children's center. During the day we saw the faces of donors who made our experience possible. We discussed with them our views on service and our reasons for doing so. The roots of this journey became fully exposed during our conference with a greater community of donors and a panel of speakers. The talk was provocative to the mind and made me realize the importance of the facilitation of service programs. Many of the older people said that they never had opportunities to do service in the way we are and I truly felt sorry for them. Today was a good reflection period and it made me realize that my time is important and should be spent in a constructive way.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Miami Day 2
Don’t let the great blue skyscrapers, tropical breeze, or idyllic, pastel houses fool you; Miami is a city of blatant, sometimes upsetting dichotomies. It’s only been a day, but for every moment I’ve reveled in temperatures that are double digits above Charlottesville, I’ve seen bits of the sheltered life my parents carefully built over 18 years disintegrate. It started with a girl I helped in an after school program today, while we were painting flowerpots. I helped her mix colors, red and blue for purple, red and white for pink, watched her paint a bed of flowers, and listened as she rattled off her life story until the fourth grade, glancing up every now and again to make sure I was really listening. I learned that her favorite color is purple, that she knows her time tables by heart (when I asked her for proof, she told me 9 x 9 is 81, duh), that she loves to play football, and that her father is unemployed. She’s living with her mother now, she told me as she painted a heart-shaped flower, and shows no signs of bitterness at her fate, even though I could feel a visceral indignation welling up inside me. I didn’t have enough time to speak with her; the bus came, and she left quickly to make sure she would make it, clutching the flowerpot in her hands. Her classmates followed, 97% of which have free or reduced lunches, all shuffling out into the hot Miami heat, living another day in a life I’ve only read about in books.
We also heard two women speak later today; they both had been previously homeless, and were working with an organization to create lasting governmental change in the way homeless people are treated. I approach these things with a certain bit of skepticism, something built up over years of experiences with ragged, sometimes aggressive, homeless people clamoring for spare change. That was until one of the women spoke of her 8 children, her attempts to find soap and integrity on inner-city streets, her brutal beating by street youths with spray paint guns, and her battle with heroin addiction that underpinned everything. The other woman was no better off; her life, she told us, started in a brutal, alcoholic family, which led into her drug use and the prostitution she used to provide for it, and climaxed in the devastating news she was HIV positive. When her voice broke, and tears streamed down her face, I took solace in the fact that much of the audience grew misty-eyed in empathy, including yours truly.
Even with all the heavy gravitas, Miami has given me a real optimism; the kids are motivated and irrepressibly hilarious. Both of the women have recovered, and are living the life they’ve missed out on for decades. I’ve met Jews from all over the country, laughed, ate, and sung with people I barely know, and have already made lasting change in an elementary school that desperately needs it. If anything else, I’m going to bed tired, hopelessly sore, surrounded by intelligent, compassionate people, and cognizant of the chance I have in this amazing week all of us have just begun.
Ben Bissel
University of Virginia
We also heard two women speak later today; they both had been previously homeless, and were working with an organization to create lasting governmental change in the way homeless people are treated. I approach these things with a certain bit of skepticism, something built up over years of experiences with ragged, sometimes aggressive, homeless people clamoring for spare change. That was until one of the women spoke of her 8 children, her attempts to find soap and integrity on inner-city streets, her brutal beating by street youths with spray paint guns, and her battle with heroin addiction that underpinned everything. The other woman was no better off; her life, she told us, started in a brutal, alcoholic family, which led into her drug use and the prostitution she used to provide for it, and climaxed in the devastating news she was HIV positive. When her voice broke, and tears streamed down her face, I took solace in the fact that much of the audience grew misty-eyed in empathy, including yours truly.
Even with all the heavy gravitas, Miami has given me a real optimism; the kids are motivated and irrepressibly hilarious. Both of the women have recovered, and are living the life they’ve missed out on for decades. I’ve met Jews from all over the country, laughed, ate, and sung with people I barely know, and have already made lasting change in an elementary school that desperately needs it. If anything else, I’m going to bed tired, hopelessly sore, surrounded by intelligent, compassionate people, and cognizant of the chance I have in this amazing week all of us have just begun.
Ben Bissel
University of Virginia
Day 1 ASB Miami - Ilana Rosenbloom
Dunbar Elementary school is a special place. Despite the difficulties - involving poverty, possibly abusive homes, broken families - that these children are faced with at home, they appear as joyful as any child I've encountered in the comfortable community I was raised in.
As my group and I painted their playground, the fresh colors were personified on the children's faces through looks of excitement and smiling faces. These deserving children seem so appreciative of the work we are doing.
My favorite portions of the day involved the Faces of the Homeless seminar, in which we met and heard the stories of two courageous, previously homeless women, and playing with children in an after-school program. Through both these activities, statistics of poverty and various hardships are given faces and their troubles seem more relateable.
It's hard to believe we have only been here for one day! The next six days are sure to be unpredictable and highly rewarding. I'll keep you posted!
As my group and I painted their playground, the fresh colors were personified on the children's faces through looks of excitement and smiling faces. These deserving children seem so appreciative of the work we are doing.
My favorite portions of the day involved the Faces of the Homeless seminar, in which we met and heard the stories of two courageous, previously homeless women, and playing with children in an after-school program. Through both these activities, statistics of poverty and various hardships are given faces and their troubles seem more relateable.
It's hard to believe we have only been here for one day! The next six days are sure to be unpredictable and highly rewarding. I'll keep you posted!
Digging, Doing, Learning
Yesterday was an experience. There was a lot to do and a lot to learn. At Dunbar Elementary we had groups working on a stage that was going to be an outdoor classroom for the children, and their blacktop was being painted. One group had the task to built the stage, another group, which I was a part of, had the taks of digging the holes, another group painted the kids blacktop colors that the kids picked out themselves. From my side, I can say it was hard work! Harder than I thought. Digging into limestone isnt the best thing to do but it was worth it. I actually got to help paint some of the blaktop. All of us agreed that it was rewarding though hard and seeing the kids throughout the day wave and be curious to see what they were doing to the school was great too!
My group went to the OYC youth center. My group got to work with the elementary school kids who played dodge ball and then went to drama class. It was so rewarding seeing these kids have so much fun and to be so friendly. I had a little girl come up to me and claim me as her new friend immediately which I did not mind. They are so bright. At OYC they have 7 rules, which I cannot remember but the kids can remember. One of the staff tested them and had them recited a couple rules that were not even in the order of them. They got them perfectly! I was so happy to see a group that had a great place to go.
Lastly there was the Homeless panel. Two women were actually homeless at some point and the other women were people who now work with them on their message to spread the word. It was life changing to see what people can get into and get out of most importantly! They really opened our eyes and at least from my expereience, encouraged me to strive for my goals that I consider I should not be complaining about trying to achieve compared to what they have lived.
It was a hard working and rewarding day and I cant wait for the next one, especially with helping the kids!
My group went to the OYC youth center. My group got to work with the elementary school kids who played dodge ball and then went to drama class. It was so rewarding seeing these kids have so much fun and to be so friendly. I had a little girl come up to me and claim me as her new friend immediately which I did not mind. They are so bright. At OYC they have 7 rules, which I cannot remember but the kids can remember. One of the staff tested them and had them recited a couple rules that were not even in the order of them. They got them perfectly! I was so happy to see a group that had a great place to go.
Lastly there was the Homeless panel. Two women were actually homeless at some point and the other women were people who now work with them on their message to spread the word. It was life changing to see what people can get into and get out of most importantly! They really opened our eyes and at least from my expereience, encouraged me to strive for my goals that I consider I should not be complaining about trying to achieve compared to what they have lived.
It was a hard working and rewarding day and I cant wait for the next one, especially with helping the kids!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Jewish teens from universities across the country come together to volunteer
Most spring breaks consist of excess partying and tanning on the beach, however, myself along with about fifty other students decided that we wanted to give back to the community and make a difference during the week of our spring vacation. It is day two of the trip and we are just starting to learn about the activities that we will be participating in. I think it is really awesome that students from all over the country can meet and form friendships in as little as a duration as one day. Relationships were made, bonds were formed; memories are being created that will last a lifetime. I am eager to see what this trip has to offer and revel in this once in a lifetime experience! We are beginning our first work day in just a few minutes and the anticipation is mounting! Wish us luck! :)
Miami - Day 1
It was difficult to understand how Miami could be one of the poorest social settings while at the same time holding such an attractive reputation in gathering tourists, vacationers, etc.
When I was initially tranferring to the US, University of Miami was one of my first choices since I assumed it would be most like my previous mediterranean campus in the heart of downtown and across the beach. However, my initial impression of the campus setting proved to be very different. This campus setting alone was able to highlight the social and touristic discrepancy in Miami. The Hillel gathering room was very humble in setting, which was very different from what I would have expected from a Miami Jewish organization. This is already a very mind-opening down to earth experience.
Everything is going very well and smoothly so far! People seem to be adapting well to their setting and getting along really well with each other. Our supervisors are very friendly with infectiously high spirits and liveliness! I look forward to our first day of community work!
When I was initially tranferring to the US, University of Miami was one of my first choices since I assumed it would be most like my previous mediterranean campus in the heart of downtown and across the beach. However, my initial impression of the campus setting proved to be very different. This campus setting alone was able to highlight the social and touristic discrepancy in Miami. The Hillel gathering room was very humble in setting, which was very different from what I would have expected from a Miami Jewish organization. This is already a very mind-opening down to earth experience.
Everything is going very well and smoothly so far! People seem to be adapting well to their setting and getting along really well with each other. Our supervisors are very friendly with infectiously high spirits and liveliness! I look forward to our first day of community work!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Day 1 in Miami
We've arrived in Miami, and our group had a great evening. After a long day of travel, everyone was excited to be together in the sunshine.
We had dinner and an orientation together at the University of Miami Hillel and everyone is excited for our first day of service tomorrow.
Check out the picture of us all "linking" together, sharing things that unite us and different ways we all have in common into one cohesive linked chain.
We'll report back tomorrow on our first full day!
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