Over the last few years the number of British students, academics, synagogue congregations, politicians, community leaders, interfaith groups and members of youth movements who have participated in seminars organized by the International Department has grown incredibly. The reason behind the sharp increase from the British Isles is three-fold breaking down to word-of-mouth, direct marketing and visits to Britain undertaken by department staff members working hard to maintain existing ties whilst also forging new ones. With the possibility of touch button communication as it is in present times, many participants take a few minutes to email their thoughts and comments (usually positive) after participating in a Givat Haviva seminar tailored to fit the needs of the individuals and groups coming through. We also find the blog writers amongst our clientele generally giving upbeat reports from what they did, saw and heard whilst listening to speakers, visiting various departments and meeting staff members - as well as their impressions of our tours around the Arab and Jewish communities, former border (Green Line) and security fence in the fascinating area known as Wadi Ara. Variations of "I never thought I could learn so much in such a short time," are received, as well as "I now am beginning to realize just how complex these issues really are," and more. Other comments center on the importance of the subjects and tours dealt with at Givat Haviva being included in their Israel program and there are those that take time out to impress upon us what a difference that day made for them and how they will encourage others visiting Israel to do the same. Londoner Simon Davies, a post-graduate student of politics from Birmingham University is one of the latter, as is Alex Stein who visited Givat Haviva the first time accompanying a group of teens on summer tour and returned a year later leading a group of a few dozen students from Cambridge University that he and a friend had organized themselves. Alex, who studied Politics and International Relations, has subsequently made aliya, is presently living in Jerusalem and recently paid us a most welcome visit. Here is what Simon Davies had to say in his email. "I am a 22 year-old Jew from London. I have grown up in the Masorti (Conservative) Movement, and have been a participant in Noam its Zionist youth movement since I was 9 years-old. I have always had an interest in politics and in Israel and spent my gap year before university volunteering in Israel with Noam. Of that year I spent 4 months on the Machon leadership course in Jerusalem. On one of our trips we were taken on a seminar to Givat Haviva to learn about Israeli Arabs, the problems they face and their identity in Israel. I found it a fascinating day and decided to learn more on the subject. After my year in Israel I went to Birmingham University to study Politics. As part of my degree I had to write a 12,000 word paper on anything I chose. Thinking back to my day at Givat Haviva, I decided to focus on the Israeli Arabs. My question was 'what role did the Israeli Arabs play in the Al-Aqsa intifada and why did they act as they did.' In writing this paper I was greatly aided by the extensive papers and research I found at Givat Haviva. They seemed to be one of the few people who were dealing with this subject (certainly in English), and their papers were hugely useful, especially the series of surveys. I now work for Noam as a full time youth worker and hope to make Aliyah at the end of this job. I would like to thank Givat Haviva for educating about this controversial and crucial topic and for helping me with my paper." Thank you Simon for taking time out to let us know just what a difference a day at Givat Haviva made for you, and we look forward to welcoming you again on campus with the 2007 Noam Israel Tour group.
