It’s a long time since I first attended an ESRA meeting or read articles that prompt me to comment, as something always came along.  However, the last issues have been full of articles which posed the dilemma of not knowing which article I should read first. Reading about Kibbutz Kramim (ESRAmagazine #168) reminded me of the time I spent there briefly in 1986 as a returning Israeli and it really warmed my heart. Just two years ago I took my children to visit and saw the wooden cabins and the Negev as it is depicted in the article. I promised my children that one day we will rent a cabin there and have a holiday on the kibbutz. Telling them about my time shearing sheep and socializing with the people of the kibbutz made me relive a time I was so fond of and which helped me to realize my dream of living in Israel. I have yet to take them on the holiday to the wooden cabins of Kramim but hope that it won't take much longer.

In August I took my son on a barmitzvah tour of Italy. For me the article about Rome (ESRAmagazine #168) with three grandchildren sounded so real. 

Photo by Ruth Porter.

In the past I had been there and although we did not get to Rome this trip I did take him to see the Ghetto of Venice and the Dolomites, which once again fulfilled all the expectations that I had from a visit years before to Italy. My son chose a trip to Italy as his gift for his barmitzvah and, even though I was hesitant, he came away valuing his lessons in Judaism. On his return home to Israel he promised me that Rome would be on his list of places to visit when next he gets to Italy. I mentioned visiting the Piazza Navona and the Coliseum with his father and recollect the fun we had walking the streets and sites of Rome years earlier.
I could go on, but for now I want to thank ESRA for the recent brunch in Dimri, Modiin with  guest speaker Zipporah Porath (ESRAmagazine #169) who reminded me of my late father’s love of Jaffa oranges and the stories of Israel during the early years of the State.

Thank you and keep entertaining us with tales from yesteryear and events which carry us into a bright future.

Mihal Indyk, Modiin

Thanks to member for moving dance experience in Sderot

I WOULD like to express thanks to an ESRA member from Jerusalem who supported an exciting event here in Sderot: two performances by the dancers Amnon and Jill Damti, called Two Worlds, integrating a deaf dancer Amnon, Israeli-born, and Jill, an American born dancer, who introduced the dances using Hebrew, English and Sign-language in an inter-active dialogue with the audience. One of the performances was for youngsters with disabilities. The children were invited to join the dancing on the stage. It was an uplifting experience, seeing the children fascinated and involved. Amnon and Jill have received many prizes and appeared at the White House. Thanks to the donor, to Jill and Amnon and to Gvanim, the NGO, which provided the lovely venue for a very moving experience.

Adele Rubin Sderot

Together we will bring change in society

I have been given the privilege of maturing and developing together with ESRA’s Students Build a Neighborhood Project. I started at the beginning of the project as a young girl, and here I am today – an attorney!   ESRA, you, my pupils here and the community of Hefzibah have been partners in my journey.   I believe that as an attorney I will continue my participation in this community and will continue advertising and explaining this beautiful community to all the people I meet in the future, rather than letting the world hear about the bad side – even though that's what makes good news!     In the hope that together we will bring about a change in society. Thank you Nina Zuck and all who work with you. 

Nomi Meshasha, Netanya 

Project opens a world of nature for my son 

ONCE A week my son Tom, for the second year running, has participated in ESRA’s project of excellence at the Ruppin Marine Science Institute. On arrival they ate in the lovely rural atmosphere of the college, with the sea always in the background. He conducted experiments in the Marine Science laboratories, was introduced to different sea creatures such as the wounded sea turtles being treated at the turtle hospital, sea horses being bred by the Institute and other special species. He enjoyed the sea activities, the sailing, rowing, snorkeling and amazing sunsets. Each session a new world of knowledge was revealed to him by the expert lecturers, who taught the children with such sensitivity and skill. In this modern world where the children spend so much time watching TV or on their computers, this project brings them into a different world – a world of nature and the sea. The teenagers learnt to work as a team, to get, but to give back to the community. This year they helped plant “Neve ESRA”, a new garden in the Institute. Thank you, ESRA, for initiating and financing this amazing project, as well as the many volunteers who always came with a smile, a listening ear, an open heart and such dedication. I hope this project will continue for many years so that many more children can gain from the unique experience. Bless you and thank you.

Nachmit Nechama Fishel Mother of Tom Fishel, student at the Eldad Junior High School

Israel sparkles – and so does ESRAmagazine 

A FEW weeks ago, the May/June issue of ESRAmagazine arrived. I was so excited with this new addition – Israel Sparkles at 65. I stepped inside and was thrilled with the new look. Memories took me back to the early days when my late husband, Joe, and I packed and addressed magazines in your dining room, Merle, in your home in Kfar Shmaryahu. We had great fun. Adele Rubin is the one who got me involved in ESRA volunteering. We also helped the matric students with English conversation on a one-on-one basis in your offices in Herzliya. One of the students continued coming to us at home (on a voluntary basis).   His name was Vladimir – a bright scholar from Russia. I was so proud   when he arrived with his Mum and a bouquet of flowers to tell us of his outstanding marks in the English exam – 96%!   Those were the days. Now with new   presentations and photography, look what you have achieved, Merle.    

Pearl Kaplan  

Praise for the English volunteers who have broken through the ‘language barrier’ with our students

Dear Les, Sid, Beryl, Phyllis, Fran, Elaine, Doreen and Ros,

The time has once again arrived for us to thank you, our dear English volunteers, for your unfailing devotion to our students, and to Ros who expertly manages us all and makes everything possible. Twice a week, this library takes on another dimension. Anyone who happens to be in the library sees this: tables manned by volunteers, each surrounded by a pack of teens and conducting one of the most cherished and oldest forms of communication, something no cellphone, iPhone, iPad or iMac can replace: conversation. It is all in English. The students are so engaged you could scream fire and you would be screaming at yourself. In Junior High they often receive a little Israeli history erudition – in English of course – “Who was the third Prime Minister?” “Who wrote the lyrics for the national anthem, Hatikvah? "I’ve seen maps sprawled across the tables and the students actually studying them. In High School, they tell of their lives, about their boyfriends and girlfriends, and fears and worries. In the end, it is you who know all their secrets. They forget they are speaking in English because the communication is so meaningful. They trust you. Your warm, gentle touch helps them in their struggles to grow and learn and develop. Many come to you, intrepid, terrified of saying a word in English, of making a mistake and shaming themselves. But we've all seen it: they leave you high as kites, empowered by your compliments and doses of “grandparental” love.   We too receive compliments about the children in the staff room. “They were perfect,” you say, “just perfect.” “They give us hope for the future.” For a   shining moment you remind us – our   little malefactors are perfect angels!   I will conclude with a poem by the French poet, Apollinaire:   “Come to the edge,” he said,   They said, “We are afraid. " “Come to the edge,” he said.   They came. He pushed them… and   they flew.  You teach our students that they have nothing to fear when they speak English. You give them wings and let them fly. We thank you for your steady, loving commitment to enriching our students.   As we conclude what is now the sixth year of the volunteer program at Sharett, we wish you a wonderful summer.   With deepest appreciation,