Nativ

Yossi Garr, Director 

Listen to Yossi Garr describe Nativ

In just a few days the halls of Beit Nativ will be loud and busy again after the quiet of the past two weeks of vacation comes to an end. The first semester of Nativ ended about 10 days ago after a very exciting Israel Experience week. During the week the Nativers choose between one of four options:

- Archeological Dig

- Gadna in the Israeli Army

- Volunteer week in Haifa for a week

- Poland

Each group had a very different and unique experience.

The archeological Dig group spent the week in the Teveria area. One day they dug at a site of an ancient synagogue from the first century that was discovered this past August and is one of only seven such synagogues found in Israel from that time period while the other days were spent digging in the old Roman Amphitheater. Their afternoons were spent touring old Archeological sites and hiking in the north.

Tiyul

The Gadna group spent a week in the Southern Army base of Sde Boker. Upon arrival they all transformed from regular Nativ students to soldiers as they put on the Israeli Army uniform. A week of running, push-ups, army drills and learning about the goals and history of the Israeli army ended with the group exhausted but very pleased with what they had accomplished.

The Group in Haifa got a first taste of volunteering as well as a taste of a new city – Haifa. While living at Beit Rothenberg on the top of the Carmel, they headed out each day to volunteer in schools, worked with special needs children, the hospital and the zoo. In the afternoons they explored Haifa and the unique aspects of the city. Meeting with Arab teenagers, a visit to the Baha’i Gardens and the Science Museum were just a part of their overall experience.

The Poland group spent a very cold and special week touring and learning about the history of Jewish life in Poland before the Holocaust as well as the tragedy of the destruction of European Jewry during the Holocaust. After weeks of preparations the group had a very meaningful visit in synagogues, museums, cemeteries and Concentration and Death Camps. Despite the heavy snow the group managed to see everything they planned. By the end of the week they were all very ready to return to Israel with a deeper understanding of the events that took place over 65 years ago.

Removing snow from a memorial in Poland

We now are looking forward to the Israel Today Seminar that will take place next week followed by the Southern tiyul that will end in the splitting up of the two groups. During the Israel Today Seminar the group will see different aspects of Israeli society such as: Israel and the Environment, High Tech in Israel, Art and culture, Politics and more.
We will be attending a very special show in old Jaffa which is performed by people who are hearing impaired and blind. At the end of the week we will devote some time for orientations for the second semester and on Thursday morning head down south for a 6 day trip to Ein Gedi the Negev and Eilat.
A combination of Camel riding, hiking, desert art workshops, sand dunes, water sports and much more will be what makes the southern tiyul the perfect way for the groups to spend their last week together before splitting up.

On February 10th the two groups will part from each other in Eilat and will begin their new adventures in Yerucahm and Kibbutz Ein Zurim.

We are looking forward to a meaningful, eventful and successful second semester.

Bogre Nativ in the Kingsley Dining Room

Making Hanukkiot (Hanukkah Menoras)

Registration for Nativ 30 has already begun and applications are available on line at www.nativ.org .

8 Agron Street, Jerusalem
Telephone (02) 625 - 6386, Fax (02) 623 - 4127
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7456
Jerusalem, 94265
E-Mail: Rabbi Ed Romm
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