Before visiting the Gaza periphery, the American delegates spent the start of their final day in Beersheba River Park. This park, which was established with the support of KKL-JNF’s Friends in the USA, transformed an abandoned and neglected rubbish dump into a beautiful green expanse equipped with an amphitheater, an artificial lake and a whole host of attractions to be enjoyed by local residents and visitors alike.
At the same time, the French-speaking delegates were visiting Ammunition Hill and Ariel Sharon Park, an extensive metropolitan space that has replaced the huge mound of waste that formerly occupied the site. Today the park serves as a “green lung” for residents of central Israel and as a venue for ecological and environmental education activities.
The Canadians began their tour of the Gaza periphery at the Black Arrow Memorial to fallen soldiers from Commando Unit 101. The delegates looked over into the Gaza Strip, less than a kilometer away, while below lay the fields of the local kibbutzim, which extend all the way to the border fence. It’s not until you get this close, it seems, that you can begin to understand the complexity of life in this part of the country.
KKL-JNF Engineer for the Western Negev Robert Sitbon described to the visitors the difficulties of coping with the incendiary kites and balloons launched from Gaza deliberately to set fire to fields and woodlands on the Israeli side of the border. “It’s heartbreaking to see trees that we planted and cared for so attentively go up in flames in a moment,” said Sitbon. “It’ll take many long years for these woodlands to recover and get back to what they once were.”
KKL-JNF staff members combat fires shoulder to shoulder with state firefighting services and volunteers from local communities, relying on equipment specially designed for operation in open spaces and on the hard-won experience of battling previous forest fires. An all-terrain fire truck donated by Canadian Friends of KKL-JNF in British Columbia provided a demonstration for the visitors.
The delegates continued on their way to Sderot, the city that has become a symbol of Israelis’ determination to build their lives in the shadow of unrelenting terrorism from across the border. “People choose to live in Sderot out of Zionism and from a desire to be part of a warm community,” explained the city’s deputy mayor Elad Kalimi. “A supportive community is the secret of our strength.”
At the center for animal-assisted therapy the delegates met director Hagar Schnell, who explained how animals can help children to deal with security-related fears. “The children hug the animals, talk to them and eventually open up because of them,” she said. “They draw confidence and strength from this opportunity to take care of someone else for a change.”
JNF Canada is currently supporting the construction of a new open and spacious treatment center that will serve large numbers of children and provide a better response to their needs.
“This was the best educational seminar I’ve ever taken part in,” exclaimed Carol Green of Toronto. “We’ve found here what connects and unites us. Not a day passed without my crying for joy or sadness. The Israel we encountered here is intended for everyone.”
“Taking Israel back home with us”
At the end of the day, which was also the end of the entire trip, all the teachers met up at Tel Aviv’s Museum of the Jewish People, Beit Hatfutsot, which, more than anything else, symbolizes the unity of Jews throughout the world. This museum of Jewish culture and art tells the story of the Jewish People through exhibitions, lectures, conferences and educational courses.
“We met a group of educators overflowing with energy and thirsting for study, said Hani Dassa, director of KKL-JNF’s Overseas Education Department. “We’ve reached the point that everyone in Israel hopes for when speaking of closer relations with Diaspora Jewry.”
Chief of Staff at the President's Residence Rivka Ravitz, formerly a teacher herself, came to meet the delegates and talk to them about the tribal divisions within Israeli society: secularists, religious nationalists, Haredim (ultra-orthodox Jews) and Arabs. “We need to learn to live together in such a way that no group feels that its values are under threat,” she said.
Representatives of the teachers from each country summed up their experiences. “We’ve been on an incredible and inspiring journey,” said Shauna Small of Canada. “Now we want to take back home with us the Israel we’ve come to know and love.”
Reyna Rose spoke on behalf of the American educationalists: “As a teacher I devote a great deal of thought to how we should reveal our love for Israel to our students while at the same time presenting the complexities of life here. KKL-JNF’s activities do precisely that. We’ll be keeping in touch after we get home.”
“Everything we’ve experienced here will help us to convey our love of Israel to our students,” said Yisraela Atiya of France. “This amazing week has passed terribly quickly, and we want more!”
The KKL-JNF education envoys to the various countries took their leave of the teachers. “You are our ambassadors,” said Yifat Bear Miller of Canada. “You are not alone, we are always at your side” promised Zohar Velovsky of the US, and Fino Edery of France quoted from the Book of Isaiah: “Arise, shine, for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee,” (60:1).
“We are here for you for anything you may need, and we shall continue to provide you with the tools you require,” said Hani Dassa as she made her farewells.