Israel Seminar officially postponed to Winter 2014- Cohort 17

  July 22's meeting was our first gathering following the San Francisco Cohort's official decision not to travel to Israel given the current situation in Israel. While this meeting was bittersweet, it was also a planning session to organize a separate seminar of programming in the Bay Area, affectionately known as "The Other Summer Seminar", named by the genius Samara Meyer. Over the course of 3 hours, we were able to organize about two weeks worth of events including trips to a roller skating disco and the beach, a Shabbaton at URJ Camp Newman, and a camping trip at the American River. It was one of our most intense meetings by far!

 Later that night, about 10 of our members went to the Church of 8 Wheels, a local Roller-Disco in San Francisco's Hayes Valley district. It was a total blast, and a nice way to decompress after such a whirlwind two weeks of Israel-anxiety. After closing the place down, we all headed to Sparky's Diner for late night milkshakes (and some pancakes and scrambled eggs if you're Oren and Jerry). It was one of my favorite nights of the summer!

-Sophia Weiss 

Pre ISS- Skype, Cooking, Pool and other fun festivities Cohort 17

Many of us met today for a day-long retreat at Gabi's house, two days before we're scheduled to leave for Israel. After the essential schmooze time while people arrived, we had a check in, and debriefed about the Thursday parent meeting. Then we skyped with Ophir and Chelsea, who are both already in Israel. It was great to talk to them, but also difficult because of uncertainty about whether our trip will be cancelled. Later, we tried to skype with Rachel and Philip, our Junior counselors, who are also in Israel. Technical difficulties scuppered the call.

After the morning check ins and skype calls, we moved to the kitchen to make an Israeli lunch. Gabi guided us as we prepared humus, pita, shakshuka, burekas, and Israeli salad. Everything tasted splendid.

After lunch, we walked out to a pool near Gabi's house. For most of the time we had the pool to ourselves, so we played sharks and minnows, which was excellent, and capture the flag, which was fantastic.

We had two programs led by fellows after the swim. In the first one, Oren reviewed the history of the current conflict in Israel with us. Afterwards, Katie and Micah led an activity exploring misrepresentation of facts in social media.

After the programs, we went out to a park. Some of us played ultimate frisbee, while others talked. Back at the house, we ate pizza and discussed strategies for dealing with the shortened ISS schedule. Because we're leaving a week later than planned, some Moshes (leaders of the day) no longer have a day to lead. We discussed possible solutions, but we'll have to remain flexible until the ISS schedule becomes more certain.

 

As we all are dealing with the uncertainty surrounding the ISS, and Israel as a whole, it was good to come together as a group. The serious talks mixed with fun activities was perfect for reminding us that, whatever happens, we're a cohort and we're here for each other.

-Paul Cohort 17 

ISS postponed- Fellow gathering Cohort 17

On Wednesday the 16th, the Fellows had an opportunity to get together and talk about future steps. The day started with an overview of what the current situation is in Israel and reflecting on our personal responses. The Fellows were able to express their feelings toward the changes being made and gain a better understanding of what the Diller Staff is working towards. 

Later, we started planning for the next days to plan. Though we are not together in Israel, we still plan on meeting and finding fun things to do in the Bay Area. We were split into two groups in order to plan the two upcoming days of Diller shenanigans. The groups formulated plans for their specific days and then shared with the other group for feedback. Finally, we all donned our new Diller Sweatshirts and headed to the roof of the Jewish Community Federation building. 

Israel Summer Seminar 2014- Junior staff training cohort 17

After landing 2 hours late we met up with all the other North American JC's and hopped on the bus to Sede Boker. 

While we had great bonding time with the JC's with the beautiful desert landscape right behind us, we also worked hard to prepare for and discuss our hoped to be upcoming Kennes.

We then moved up to Tiberias where we have been staying in the King Solomon hotel, overlooking the vast, deep blue Kinneret. We met up with the Israeli staff and for a few days we worked hard preparing for congress, having meaningful discussions,  and bonding in and out of the hotel. Whether it was making chocolate in a local factory, dancing on a boat in the middle of the Kinneret, or hanging out with everyone at a water park, memories and friendships were made this week that will surely last a lifetime. 

                       

 

I can easily say that this has been one of the most meaningful and eye-opening weeks of my life. Despite the situation going on in Israel, I have never felt safer in my life. I feel that being here now is more important than ever. The connection to the land and to the people that I feel right now is nothing like I have ever experienced. We are soon off to home hospitality where I will be staying with my partner from last year. I am anxiously awaiting to see what amazing things are to come on this trip and I am counting the days until the fellows arrive. 

-Philip Junior Staff Cohort 17

Yesterday, we volunteered at a summer camp at Kibbitz Genosar, where we taught the kids about flags around the world, helped them create a personal flag, and taught them words in English. I had so much fun there running around with all the kids for three hours that I didn’t even realize how tired I was. Thankfully we went straight back to the hotel afterwards were we all took 5 hour naps to restore our energy.

Today we went to Mount Arbel where we saw an amazing lookout over the entire Galilee area. We also learned a little bit about Christianity and Jesus and how the Galilee is very important to the Christian world. Later we all went separate ways to different host homes. Philip is staying with one of our friends from last year and I am staying with a tzama member (Logistical Junior staff) and Ethan who is one of the Baltimore JCs.

Considering all that has been going on this has by far been the best experience I have ever had. I truly feel as if I am living history and not just walking on historic land. I feel completely safe here and we have all learned that its ok to switch up the schedule and be flexible (sometimes it makes things better, for example the chance to make your own chocolate). Although this is not the ISS that I was essentially expecting, it seems to be better and I get to see Israel through a different lens. I can’t wait for you to all get the chance to experience Israel in a way so different than any other.

Lila Tov, (well Boker Tov for all of you)

-Rachel Junior Staff Cohort 17

ISS 2014 Parent and fellows workshop preparing for Israel Cohort 17

Sunday was the last workshop that we had before we leave for Israel! It was a very exciting meeting with lots of preparations for Israel. First, we had all of our parents come  with us to the workshop. We talked about what Israel meant to us and our trips there (if we had been) in small groups and then as a larger one. This activity really showed us how people have had different experiences with Israel, and how unique the Diller trip is going to be in comparison to other programs or trips people have been on. 

We then had a wonderful program led by Micah and Katie about Israel in the media. It was very eye-opening in that it showed the extreme differences in opinion that exist around the topic of Israel. 

Next, we received packets about our trip and went through them with Gabi and our JC’s. From this discussion we learned a lot about the specifics of the ISS, which got us all very excited for the trip. 

The parents and the fellows parted after we learned about ISS. Us kids hung out and played games with Alex, a former fellow and JC, while the parents discussed Israel further and then left. After our break, we continued our workshop and discussed the idea of coexistence. We did this by looking at different posters that related to this topic and talking about them. It was a very intriguing conversation that led to a lot of different perspectives about what coexistence really means and how we should live with it. After this, we met in our overall committees and discussed our next steps before Israel. We then shared our plans with the whole group, cleaned up, and headed home, saying goodbye to everyone for five weeks until Israel!

-Ophir Gilad Cohort 17

Ready-Set- ISS! Cohort 17 first overnight!

Saturday Night

The overnight at the Federation was really fun! We started by catching up with each other and eating food. We then went around to different stations and did arts and crafts or learned more about Israel. One station was painting the flag that we made at our Shabbaton with the Israelis so that it will be ready to use in Israel! We also wrote our names on water bottles (from the Gift of Israel) to also use in Israel. A third station had many fellows at it throughout the “free” time; each fellow decorated their own wooden bead with paint and wrote their names on it and wrote their name on a bucket hat. The beads will be part of a necklace that the Moshe, or leader of the day, will wear in addition to the hat in Israel.

In addition, we also did work to prepare for the Israel Summer Seminar (which is only a little more than six weeks away!!! ):) at the different stations, but we also talked in our general committees (Partnership, Communications, Swag, and Ceremony) to reflect on how our progress has been over the last several months and how we would like to continue to progress into the ISS.

Later on Saturday night, for our maagal layla (closing circle), we all sat together and looked at a piece of paper in the middle that had the quote “Good words are worth much and cost little,” by George Herbert. Our task was to take each of our various colored pens and write anything that came to mind relating to the quote on the large butcher paper. At first, it was difficult to think of what to write. After many minutes of fellows writing and looking at what others were writing, and going back and forth, there was writing all around the quote, taking up all of the previously empty white space on the butcher paper. After the silent activity, we had a discussion about our own responses, other responses we read, and different conversations that took place on the paper. One idea that was discussed was what “good words” actually are and what they mean, different examples based on the quote, and how one person thought of the quote in one way while another person thought if it in a different way.

The night was busy, productive, and fun, and we ended the night by watching a few minutes of two movies and talking in our sleeping bags. The overnight added to my excitement for our Israel trip and all of the activities and programs to come in Diller!

Chelsea Roston- Cohort 17 

After a fun night on Saturday, we all woke up around 8 AM and ate a delectable breakfast on the roof. The morning treats included the usual Bagels and Shmear, but also fruit and of course, a fan favorite, Honey Nut Cheerios. After we filled out bellies with this energy, we headed back down to the library for a program led by Oren and Noah. These two gentlemen spent a few weeks in Israel with their school a couple months ago. After this experience they shared some things they learned about what makes a good program: being engaging, having humor, being energetic and being passionate about what you are talking about. After hearing these things, the rest of the fellows planned their own programs for Israel in pairs. 

Next, following a short break, Gabi put on her old IDF uniform and treated us like soldiers. After hearing her strong voice reprimand us for not making a perfect "Chet" we knew this was serious business. Through this army simulation, Gabi told us about parts of the Israel trip and the basic logistics of our journey. This was a fun way to get important info across to the fellows. 

Once we went back upstairs, we again ventured to the roof, where Rachel led us in some programming surrounding Community Week and what it was going to be like. Each group that is leading a day during the week had to create a movie poster and trailer promoting their respective days. The group that is doing life after high school did a take off of High School Musical, a fun and creative way to promote their day. Once all the groups went, the Sababa Committee gave the final verdict, which was that there were two groups tied in first with 20 points each. After this, we had pizza to go along with our Community Week planning, which was needed, but also served to be quite productive. 

Then our other JC, Phillip, gave us a brief introduction to Kennes, the time in Israel where all 200 North American Dillers gather and have programming. He helped us start to brainstorm for our 90-second performance which will be done when we get to the retreat center in Sde Boker. This was a fun way to start thinking about the trip and to start thinking about San Francisco Cohort 17 pride! 

Gabi continued the excitement of the upcoming journey by discussing the Leaders of the Day (Moshe), something that we will do once in Israel. Each fellow or fellows will have the chance to be the leader of the day, which means that he or she will know the schedule of the day like their right hand, will know historical facts about the places we will visit and will know all the logistics. Learning that we will be receiving this opportunity was exciting and daunting. 

We closed out the overnight by writing in our journals and receiving our new T-shirts! This overnight was a great way to convey important information about the Israeli Summer Seminar but also a great way to pump us up for the journey we will be undertaking this July.

Sam Tick-Raker Cohort 17

Looking back at the NAS and forward to the Israel Summer Seminar Cohort 17

At our workshop today, Brian Lurie, a former Executive Director at the Federation, came to speak to us about the Federation’s ongoing relationship with Kiryat Shomone. It was really interesting to learn more about San Francisco’s connection with the area because it made me realize that our upcoming trip to the Upper Galilee is part of an already existing relationship, which is pretty amazing. Also we were able to ask him questions about the Upper Galilee and since the majority of us have never been to that area of Israel, it definitely helped give us a sense of what would be helpful to do during community week. 

 


We spent a lot of the workshop engaging in a feedback session summarizing and the North American Seminar. It was really nice to talk about the NAS and all the fantastic memories we created during the Israelis’ time here. We each drew a picture or wrote something describing a memory or something we took out of the NAS and then we were given another fellows note and had to present this as our own story. I loved this activity because it really gave us the chance to see all the different things people took away from the NAS because even though we were together for the retreat and the Israelis weren’t here for very long, each of us definitely took different things away from it. During the workshop and throughout this month we’ve been adding more and more details to our plans for community week and finalized our T-shirt design, which has made our upcoming trip to Israel feel so much more real and exciting!  We haven’t had a workshop since the NAS, which was a month ago, so it was nice to be in a more relaxed environment with just the San Franciscan cohort and catch up and work on all our plans for Israel!

Moriah Wolfe- Cohort 17