Rachelli Sharon, director of the Volunteer Program at Kibbutz Hazorea in the Jezreel Valley, is an ardent supporter of the seminars and study tours of the Wadi Ara region organized by Givat Haviva's International Department.
"This is the third time in the last year or so that I have arranged for the Kibbutz Hazorea volunteers to participate in this seminar and tour. I think this is sufficient in itself to explain just how much importance I attach to the volunteers having this learning experience," commented Rachelli who recently, together with Aya Sagi, director of the Kibbutz Movement Volunteer Department in Tel Aviv, accompanied a compliment of 20 Hazorea volunteers for a one-day seminar with Givat Haviva lecturer and guide, Lydia Aisenberg from the neighboring kibbutz of Mishmar HaEmek.
Hazorea Volunteers following the Green Line
Rayko Presky (USA), Fernando Cadena Borja (Equador), Adam De Nyangos (USA), Mika Permack & Lauren Feurer (Canada), Signe Toth (Denmark) and amongst the spring flowers, Wook Kang from South Korea
The seminar incorporated a talk giving background information with regard events in Israel and the Middle East since the 1940s to present times, followed by a tour of a few hours duration – commencing at the Salem point just past Kibbutz Givat Oz. It is here that the security fence, coming across the Jezreel Valley between the Tanachim moshavim and Palestinian West Bank villages, can be seen clearly, passes by and continues on up toward the city of Umm al-Fahm on the Amir mountain range.
Explanations were given of the area, the course of the security fence and the events that led up to the decision of the Israeli government to build it. Salem is the place where the initial construction began.
The volunteers – who hail from different countries in South America, the United States, Canada, Denmark, South Korea, Belgium and more – continued along the Green Line and security fence toward the Shaked block of Jewish settlements and Dotan Valley. At two vantage points they were able to see over a large portion of the city of Umm al-Fahm (from Mei Ami) and the Shaked block of settlements (from a high peak between Umm al-Fahm and the Palestinian village of Anin).
The Salem track, running parallel to the Green Line and security fence and overlooking the Palestinian village of Zabuba, Jezreel Valley and Gilboa mountain range
With maps in hand, the volunteers keenly followed the route and asked many questions about what could, and could not be seen, in the vicinity of each vantage point.
"I am beginning to understand now some of the security problems that we hear about but not really understand – I didn't realize that Israel was really that small," said one of the boys as he was comparing a detailed map of the area to what he could actually see ahead of him – the width of the State of Israel practically at his feet.
"There is so much to take in – it is quite overwhelming," said another of the volunteers as she looked down at the map in her hand trying to figure out exactly where they were standing at that point.
With 25 kibbutzim still hosting volunteers the number of youngsters from around the globe presently working, living and enjoying a kibbutz experience is around 400. Kibbutz Hazorea is one of the stalwart kibbutzim who have offered the opportunity of volunteering to overseas youngsters almost non-stop since 1967 when the first volunteers came to Israel specifically to lend a helping hand during wartime and what quickly became one of the most sort after opportunities for traveling youth from around the world. A stint on an Israeli kibbutz allowed some respite from traveling, the opportunity to get to know a very unique way of life, work for one's keep and also get to know young people from all over the world.
With this year being the 100th anniversary since the inception of the Kibbutz Movement, one of the many planned events will be a number of two-day seminars for kibbutz volunteers to be sponsored by the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
Aya Sagi is working closely with Ministry representatives and International Department staff members at Givat Haviva, to build a suitable program dealing with the kibbutz movement, past, present and what of the future; Israeli society in general and other related topics.
The volunteers of Kibbutz Hazorea, who average a stay of 3 months in the kibbutz, were appreciative of the seminar Rachelli Sharon organized with Givat Haviva and commented they looked forward to more learning experiences during their stay in the country.
The village of Barta'a &. Hazorea volunteers tucking in to a tasty meal at the end of the seminar
Rachelli Sharon (right) and friend Ayala Tal from Kibbutz Hazorea at Salach's Restaurant in East Barta'a
Text & Photos: Lydia Aisenberg & Ayala Tal
