Thirty young professionals from Britain on a 10-day Taglit-birthright tour of Israel recently participated in a seminar organized by Givat Haviva’s International Department.

The British group was led by professional photographer Blake-Ezra Cole, a Manchester University graduate of Middle East Studies who is no stranger to Givat Haviva having participated in a number of seminars in the past with groups from Britain.

“I have wanted to lead a Birthright group for some time so when the opportunity arose I jumped at it,” said Blake who was until recently the fieldworker of BBYO in Britain and is now concentrating on his photography already having notched up a very successful exhibition last year in England.

“Birthright is a pivotal program in reconnecting young people to their roots and therefore a great responsibility,” said Blake after the British young folk on seminar in Givat Haviva had heard a talk about the Arab citizens of Israel, received an explanation about the Wadi Ara region and undertaken a tour of the area.

They also met with British university law graduate Amir Gara, a local Arab Israeli who runs his own law office in the nearby city of Baka-al-Gharbiya.

“The Jewish and Arab staff in Givat Haviva explain in depth sensitive realities and complications on the ground and an essential component of any tour to Israel as far as I am concerned,” commented Blake at the end of the seminar.

Whilst still studying at Manchester University Blake met Amir Gara – who lives in the Wadi Ara village of Jatt – at Givat Haviva.  Amir frequently gives talks to groups from abroad participating in seminars on campus as he did with the latest British birthright group with Blake at the helm.

“Not only did I learn a great deal in my previous visits to Givat Haviva but Amir assisted me when I was writing my thesis,” said Blake, delighted to have the opportunity to reconnect with the local lawyer who not only studied in Britain but also has the New York Bar Exams under his lawful belt.

Liran Kessler, one of the Birthright professionals and an employee of the Westminster City Council in London, was very enthusiastic about her Givat Haviva seminar.

“The seminar has been so inspiring and educational.  I also just couldn’t believe that the separated parts of the land as so close together,” said Liran after the group had spent time at the Katzir observation platform studying maps and physical topography of the region before visiting one of the local villages.