Valentines Day. 2/14/15
Much is closed on the Sabbath, but most museums are open. Today 2 fellow travelers and I signed up for 5 hour trip to Akko ( Acre). This port city had been ruled by the Canaanites, then the Romans, Crusaders, Turks and British (until 1948 when Israel became a nation). Layers of these civilizations have been carefully uncovered and restored. The underground tunnels leading to the displays are extensive. We had a knowledgable guide, so despite more rain and wet shoes it was a good day excursion.
After a late afternoon power nap, I took a cab with one other volunteer to say good bye to my host family. Very nice people. I will see them in Cambridge in April when he is at Harvard for some research.
Just a few more days till I head home. It has been a marvelous month, but I am feeling ready to return to my normal life. Of course it has not been a normal winter in New Englad, so I don't really know what I am returning to.... Will enjoy the last few days and hope that there will be less rain and more sun to enjoy the final moments in Haifa. We were lucky to have 3 glorious weather weeks, when we arrived, so those are the Haifa memories on my mind to keep forever!
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Friday, February 13, 2015
Bus Ride, Art work, Hebrew songs, Wild rain and Hail
Another busy day. We had early start to the Ralli museum complex . On the way we stopped at a school to donate a punching bag for thepir gym, in appreciation for the principal's talk with us last week. We were supposed to tour the school but the rain was so bad the principal boarded the bus to accept the gift, to protect us from getting soaked in the rain!
The Ralli museums are dedicated to the Jews who perished in Spain and Portugal during the Inquisition. Sister museums are in South America. Art work collections rotate among these museums. Numerous sculptures surrounded the outdoor property as well as being on display indoors. Admission is free, they have no audio tours, no gift shop and no cafe. They explain that they are dedicated to keeping it simple and allow the visitor to experience the museum in one's own individual way.
On bus ride back from hotel we Sang Hebrew songs traditional to welcoming Shabbat. It felt like camp!
Back at the hotel we gathered for blessing over wine and challe to greet the Sabbath. After this a speaker gave a half hour presentation about the history of Zionism. Good informative history of post WW II efforts to form a Jewish State. Then a group of us walked to nearby restaurant for shabbat dinner. As we were leaving, the heavens opened and we were treated to a fierce hail storm. We waited it out in the safety if the restaurant and then carefully walked on icy paths back to hotel.
The Ralli museums are dedicated to the Jews who perished in Spain and Portugal during the Inquisition. Sister museums are in South America. Art work collections rotate among these museums. Numerous sculptures surrounded the outdoor property as well as being on display indoors. Admission is free, they have no audio tours, no gift shop and no cafe. They explain that they are dedicated to keeping it simple and allow the visitor to experience the museum in one's own individual way.
On bus ride back from hotel we Sang Hebrew songs traditional to welcoming Shabbat. It felt like camp!
Back at the hotel we gathered for blessing over wine and challe to greet the Sabbath. After this a speaker gave a half hour presentation about the history of Zionism. Good informative history of post WW II efforts to form a Jewish State. Then a group of us walked to nearby restaurant for shabbat dinner. As we were leaving, the heavens opened and we were treated to a fierce hail storm. We waited it out in the safety if the restaurant and then carefully walked on icy paths back to hotel.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Fierce Weather continues: wild & windy... good day tutoring & great visit to Haifa University
Thursday 2/12/15
Today's challenge was four 5th grade boys with limited English & boundless energy. The teacher did not provide an assignment & suggested we use the time for them to practice their conversational skills. The kids were so roundy, I used the hand signal for " time out " and told them we had 2 rules. They had to be nice to each other and they had to be nice to me! They laughed and settled down. I reached back into my memory of my own kid's elementary school experience and suggested each student have a turn, speaking in English and telling the group something nice about each of the other students in the group. They helped each other to find the English vocabulary words and really got engaged in the process. I then distributed sheets of paper and asked them each to write something nice about their teacher & give it to her when they returned to class, which they did. At the end of the day the teacher sought me out to show me the pile of papers. She was very pleased. since I am generally not around children, I have taken great delight in the tutoring experience!
This afternoon we had an outting to Haifa University. After an indoor tour of the facilities (too much rain to walk around campus) we went to a small conference room, learned about the various research programs.
Then 3 undergraduate students spoke with us. A young woman who participates in student United Nations. She has been on the Israel team at various international conferences and reports they have won many honors. She is of Ethiopian heritage, a political science major, smart, personable and an engaging speaker. The second student coordinates an online Ambassador program, which is a social media sight which responds to anti Israel and anti Semtic postings on the itnernet. And
the final student was a 20 year old Arab young woman ( approx. 30% of the university are Arab students) who speaks 5 languages. She feels linguistics is the key to creating understanding among groups. She has started a language program in the local community she lives in, for 4-7 year olds, teaching the Jewish children Arabic and the Moslem children Hebrew. Poised, talented, commited and articulate, at age 20! I left the presentation feeling great optimism about the quality of young people pursuing their education & dreams to build a peaceful, stronger nation.
Our final stop was at the marine science lab building. A professor presented an overview of the research and also discussed the recent discovery of the natural gas source under the Meditteranean. Later then we met with 2 PhD students and visited their labs. they briefly explained their projects. I took written material about the programs, but don't remember much of the details, as I grew tired and on information overload!
I hear more snow is expected in Boston this weekend. Hard to believe. ... Heading home 2/18/15, re-entry may be a challenge!
Today's challenge was four 5th grade boys with limited English & boundless energy. The teacher did not provide an assignment & suggested we use the time for them to practice their conversational skills. The kids were so roundy, I used the hand signal for " time out " and told them we had 2 rules. They had to be nice to each other and they had to be nice to me! They laughed and settled down. I reached back into my memory of my own kid's elementary school experience and suggested each student have a turn, speaking in English and telling the group something nice about each of the other students in the group. They helped each other to find the English vocabulary words and really got engaged in the process. I then distributed sheets of paper and asked them each to write something nice about their teacher & give it to her when they returned to class, which they did. At the end of the day the teacher sought me out to show me the pile of papers. She was very pleased. since I am generally not around children, I have taken great delight in the tutoring experience!
This afternoon we had an outting to Haifa University. After an indoor tour of the facilities (too much rain to walk around campus) we went to a small conference room, learned about the various research programs.
Then 3 undergraduate students spoke with us. A young woman who participates in student United Nations. She has been on the Israel team at various international conferences and reports they have won many honors. She is of Ethiopian heritage, a political science major, smart, personable and an engaging speaker. The second student coordinates an online Ambassador program, which is a social media sight which responds to anti Israel and anti Semtic postings on the itnernet. And
the final student was a 20 year old Arab young woman ( approx. 30% of the university are Arab students) who speaks 5 languages. She feels linguistics is the key to creating understanding among groups. She has started a language program in the local community she lives in, for 4-7 year olds, teaching the Jewish children Arabic and the Moslem children Hebrew. Poised, talented, commited and articulate, at age 20! I left the presentation feeling great optimism about the quality of young people pursuing their education & dreams to build a peaceful, stronger nation.
Our final stop was at the marine science lab building. A professor presented an overview of the research and also discussed the recent discovery of the natural gas source under the Meditteranean. Later then we met with 2 PhD students and visited their labs. they briefly explained their projects. I took written material about the programs, but don't remember much of the details, as I grew tired and on information overload!
I hear more snow is expected in Boston this weekend. Hard to believe. ... Heading home 2/18/15, re-entry may be a challenge!
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Wind, rain, hail and a flying roof!
Wednesday 2/11/15
Today was a crazy weather day! We were advised not to use umbrella as the would be dangerous in this kind of wind. While tutoring this morning a portion of a roof detached from an area adjacent to our classroom, and the wind kept knocking the detached roof against the side of our classroom building. The kids said it had happened last year and was repaired, apparently not well enough!
The kids are amazing. Especially impressed with some of the immigrants from Russia. So hard working and focused. I had an 18 year old today, who is preparing for his oral English exam, which will may qualify him for officer training in military, as well as college afterwards. He is the oldest of 3 children and described his mom as protective. I explained the concept of "helicopter parenting " and he laughed!
Since weather is so bad, Once we returned to the hotel after lunch we did not venture out again. Had my Hebrew class late afternoon. I am a slow learner... I can now count to ten and know about 10 other words. Language has never been a strong point. This evening We saw an Israeli documentary with English subtitles. I actually recognized a few words, so at least my ear is getting used to the sound of the language!
The film was about the 2006 war with Lebanon. Haifa was the primary target. News broadcasts showed many of the neighborhoods we now walk in. Very sobering.
The power of the documentary was how it highlighted the way Jews, Arabs and Christains helped each other during the attacks. There seems to be a harmony in this city unlike other parts of the country...
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Afternoon trip to Tzvat
Tuesday. 2/10/15
Excellent moring of tutoring with 4 groups of kids. I continue to be impressed with their eagerness to learn and ability to express themselves in a 2nd and sometimes 3rd languages. The more advanced students help the others. Today the English teacher gave us two poems to review and discuss. Fire and Ice by Robert Frost. And Richard Cory by Edward Robinson. ...
In the afternoon we headed to the ancient city of Tzvat. Visited an old synagogue and spent 2 hours shopping. Picturesque narrow winding streets with spectacular views. Barely any shoppers. The tourist season is very poor at this time.
Back in Haifa. The wind is howling. Nothing compared to Boston snow, but winds that are more fierce than I have ever experienced. We walked 3 blocks to a nearby casual restaurant and had to hold on to each other for fear the wind would knock us over. Hope it calms down by morning, as it is a 15 minute walk to school!
Excellent moring of tutoring with 4 groups of kids. I continue to be impressed with their eagerness to learn and ability to express themselves in a 2nd and sometimes 3rd languages. The more advanced students help the others. Today the English teacher gave us two poems to review and discuss. Fire and Ice by Robert Frost. And Richard Cory by Edward Robinson. ...
In the afternoon we headed to the ancient city of Tzvat. Visited an old synagogue and spent 2 hours shopping. Picturesque narrow winding streets with spectacular views. Barely any shoppers. The tourist season is very poor at this time.
Back in Haifa. The wind is howling. Nothing compared to Boston snow, but winds that are more fierce than I have ever experienced. We walked 3 blocks to a nearby casual restaurant and had to hold on to each other for fear the wind would knock us over. Hope it calms down by morning, as it is a 15 minute walk to school!
Monday, February 9, 2015
Monday. 2/9/15
Eli Beer: The fastest ambulance? A motorcycle | Talk Video | TED.com
https://www.ted.com/talks/eli_beer_the_fastest_ambulance_a_motorcycle?...
motor cycles, earthquakes and a government civics lesson
Monday. 2/9/15
Eli Beer: The fastest ambulance? A motorcycle | Talk Video | TED.com
https://www.ted.com/talks/eli_beer_the_fastest_ambulance_a_motorcycle?...Take a moment to view this Ted talk.Today the co founder of the company spoke with us and brought the motor cycleAmbulance to show us Most inspiring organization, staffed with 2000 volunteers andsmall paid staff!Earlier today, while at the school tutoring we did an emergency evaccuation drill to preparefor earthquake. We walked a few blocks away from school to a large open parking lot.(Understandably you don't go to bomb shelter for earthquake disaster. )' Very nice 16 year oldboy from one of my classes lead me to and from school, so I did not get lost!I had a break after school and before the ambulance presentation so fior the first timeI took the Carmelite without a Hebrew spreading person. Bought the ticket ( the vendingmachine has an English option) and took the fennicular down the mountain to aLocal shopping area for an hour.3:30pm was my Hebrew class. I find it very challenging, so I sit next to the teacher ,In the hopes that proximaty will increase my comprehension!We ended the day with a guest speaker, lawyer who provided an overview of Israeligovernment, court system, labor party system etc.... Thankfully there was no quiz at the end.
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