(The English Speaking Residents Association)

A dynamic and multifaceted volunteer organization, ESRA (English Speaking Residents Association) recently celebrated the 30th anniversary since the founding of the organization by former Zimbabwean Merle Guttmann.

ESRA has successfully aided the social integration of English speaking immigrants into Israeli society by involving them in a myriad of projects created in their local communities.  Recognized countrywide as an formidable organization giving of themselves to others direct from the heart, ESRA today has 6000 active members throughout Israel and support groups abroad.

Last year a group of ESRA volunteers participated in a one-day seminar organized by the International Department at Givat Haviva who wrote very positively about the seminar in the ESRA magazine read by over 20,000 people in Israel and abroad.

A warm relationship has built up in latter years between the International Department staff and ESRA volunteers for whom Givat Haviva holds great respect and admiration.

In the past the ESRA magazine has also published articles about Haviva Reik, the Peace Pole and the MORESHET exhibitions of Luboml and Women in the Holocaust.  An article on the Drishat Shalom (Postcards for Peace) exhibition of Givat Haviva’s Art Center will be published in the December issue of ESRA magazine.  Back copies of the magazine can be found online at www.esramag.com

Even though weather conditions were harsh around a thousand people turned up for the Limmud style anniversary festival at Shfayim and amongst the workshops on offer throughout the day were International Department staffers David Mendelsohn and Lydia Aisenberg who spoke about Givat Haviva and the surrounding region.

Members of the audience asked many questions and lively discussion held between the speakers and members of the audience who remained after the allotted time was up. 

It is hoped another seminar will be organized at Givat Haviva for a group of ESRA members next year.

ESRA Festival attendees David Mendelsohn, ESRA founder and life president Merle Guttmann with broadcaster, journalist and well-known speaker, Freda Keet at Shfayim

Photos & Text: Lydia Aisenberg, October 2008