Baltimore Diller 2008 Alumni back in Ashkelon

We have just said goodbye to a delegation of nine Diller Alumni, who visited Ashkelon from 26th May until 9th June, with their coordinator Elise Henry.. The Baltimore teens were warmly welcomed and hosted in the homes of their Ashkelon Diller partners from 2008. The Ashkelon teens are now all in the army serving their compulsory military service, but somehow managed to get some time off from the IDF to spend quality time with their friends from Baltimore. After all the skype, facebook and emails, a face-to-face meeting was appreciated. You can't hug via facebook!

Ashkelon's AMEN coordinator Dafna Biton put together a schedule that was jam-packed with activities. Among other volunteer activities, the teens packed Shabbat food parcels for the underprivileged at Matan BeSeter ("give Charity secretly"), worked in the secondhand clothing store for teens, volunteered with the kids at Beit Canada absorption center for Ethiopian new immigrants,  at Halperin Center for the Elderly, at kindergartens for special needs kids and with "Knafayim shel Crembo" (Wings of Crembo) youth group for disabled kids.

The Baltimore teens connected with all their good friends in Ashkelon; enjoyed shwarma, felafel, humous and cous-cous;  swam in the Mediterranean sea; volunteered in different programs all over the city; painted a colourful mural; took part in various social activities; and of course visited Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea and even the Kinneret. One highlight was a visit to the army base, in the baking hot desert, where Noy is doing her military service.

Most of all, this trip was about connection. Connection between Diller friends in Baltimore and Ashkelon. Connection with old friends and new friends. Re-connection with the city and people of Ashkelon, and with Israel, and with the Diller ideals of leadership, and volunteerism in the community.
We hope to see you all again soon! Lehitraot !  

Partnership Event 29th November

On 29th November 2010, everyone involved in the Partnership gathered together at the Gvanim hall at the Barnea community center for a social evening. This occasion was the kickoff to the start of a new era for the partnership now operating under the new Vision, formulated after many months of discussions with our partners in Baltimore. New members were introduced and activities of the partnership were highlighted: past activities, present, and future ... There was a full turnout, good food and good company! Maccabi arts participant Gal Bental opens the event with a virtuoso flute playing performance. Behind her, "Highlights of the Partnership" slideshow.

Social Services staff shared a table

Alan and Ilana Marcus

Meir contemplates the spread....

A Gift for everyone...

Einat, Vered and Ilana with their gift mugs

And a "soofganiya" from Sigal & Einat

Lizzy (Maccabi Arts Coordinator), Marcelo Burdman & Shlomo Cohen

Maia tells everyone about the upcoming Family Mission

Dafna and her A-Team!

10th Grade students pick volunteer spots

This month the high schools in Ashkelon focus on volunteer opportunities for their 10th Graders.

Each school holds at least one "focus day" when students view an interesting play about civic responsibility and spend a morning listening to representatives from local organizations who come to describe their activities, to recruit volunteers from the schools.

Below, Gad Manor from Katzenelson Community Center describes a variety of programs needing volunteers to Henry Ronson High School 10th grade students.

10th graders must complete a minimum of 60 hours of volunteer work in the community during the year, but they can choose where they volunteer.

Below, at left, Oriana Hadad from Beit Canada absorption center and Dafna Biton of AMEN together with her assistant, Itamar Shumen, and Ilanit from Hatzalat Hayot (Animal Rescue) read the board advertising various volunteer options for Henry Ronson school students.

Below, a representative from Halpern Old Aged home explains volunteer options for those interested in working with senior citizens.

Many organizations show a short movie or a presentation. Below, the first screen of a presentation by Hatzalat Hayot (Ashkelon Animal Rescue)

Below, a Magen David Adom representative outlines the duties of their volunteers

After the presentations, students must sign up for one of these volunteer options. The idea is to get the students involved in the community in a field they care about. Most students become involved and work far beyond their 60 hours, often continuing to volunteer for many years.

If the students are regular volunteers during their last 3 years of high school, they receive a "Civic matriculation certificate" which awards them 10 additional bonus points when applying to institutions of higher education.

Below, a Sherut Leumi volunteer explains what "Kav LeHayim" does, working with kids and young adults with cerebral palsy, and how volunteers can help.

Nicole

Sue Liebman Visits Us

Sue Liebman was in Ashkelon for two days this week. Along with Sigal Ariely, she met with Mayor Benny Vaknin, with Eli Dayan - Director of Keren Ashkelon, and with Galit Amzallag, Director of International relations, all of whom have just returned from their visit to Baltimore. Here Sue meets with Deputy Mayor Shlomo Cohen, and Alan Marcus, together with Sigal.

Another meeting, this time with Dafna Biton, Head of AMEN (Ashkelon's Youth Volunteers).

Solidarity Mission

Marc Terrill and Jessica Bronfein were in Ashkelon to meet with Mayor Benny Vaknin, see first hand the effect of the war on the city and its residents, and visit some of the projects supported by The Associated.

While they were in Ashkelon they also met with a family whose home took a direct hit from a missile. Luckily family members were in the bombshelter and escaped injury, while their home was destroyed.

See the video diary filmed during their visit HERE

A visit to the Teen Center to meet with Dafna Biton and the Youth of Ashkelon: AMEN volunteers, also a project supported by The Associated.

During the war AMEN teens entertained kids in shelters and the "Medical Clown" project was very active in the Barzilai Medical Center.

Notice the fabric quilt proudly displayed on the wall at the Teen Center. The quilt has messages of solidarity and support from the Baltimore Jewish Community to Ashkelon.

Dinner in Ashkelon with Mayor Benny Vaknin.

"Hands on Tzedakah" donate supplies

After a relative quiet 24 hours, this morning seemed to be calm. It's a beautiful sunny day out side. We recieved a generous donation form "Hands on Tzedakah" ( Boca Raton , Florida ), an organization that already funded 2 other teens projects in Ashkelon. The money is designated for supplies ,toys and games that our teens volunteer are using to keep children busy , in shelters while their parents go to work. The first day 9 shelters were opened , and today, a week later- 39 !!! So, Dafna Biton , the Amen coordinator and I went to buy kits for the children at the shelter that was just renovated by "Hands on Tzedakah ".( Boca Raton, Florida ) The other part of the shelter was turned into a music room , funded by the "Arlene and Sheldon Bearman family foundation". You know me, I can't say no to shopping. Well, we had 2 sirens when we left the shelter , and when we got back ...But our mission was completed, all the stuff will be there this afternoon. Whlie I was there a company from Tel Aviv sent 6 counselors with animals- rabbits, hamsters, mice , so the kids can play with them. Sakal , and Lev Ohev sent 30 kits of musical instruments to amuse the kids and games that will be distributed to the shelters. It'a amazing to see our Teens, Amen volunteers , take such a role in making sure the home front is functioning , the kids are taken care of, and children are happy and smiling and most important - safe .