Mitzi Alper, a teacher's assistant in the Givat Haviva Art Gallery and the Hannaford's viewing works from the recent ceramics and sculpture exhibition

Many years ago Israel (Christopher) Hannaford made aliya with his parents and five siblings and remained in Kibbutz Mishmar HaEmek after they completed the now defunct Mercaz Klita at that kibbutz.

Some years later Israel's father, a professor of linguistics, decided the family should return to America but Israel decided he wanted to finish his education in the kibbutz high-school and remained there as an 'adopted' son for a further three years before eventually returning to his family roots in the Boston area.

Now fast approaching 50 years of age, a successful computer engineer and father of an 11 year-old son, Israel recently returned to the country for an anniversary get together of his high-school peers – and brought young son Philip with.  It was the first time Israel Hannaford had been back to Israel since returning to the States over 30 years ago.

During their few weeks in Israel, the Hannaford's also had a visit to Givat Haviva and the surrounding region on their itinerary.  They spent some hours on campus visiting the Art Center, the Jewish-Arab Center for Peace and The International Department – the guests of that department staff member Lydia Aisenberg, Israel Hannaford's adopted family for the years he remained 'alone at home' in the kibbutz.

Fellow American-Israeli Mitzi Alper, a former New Yorker who lived many years in Chicago before making aliya to Kibbutz Barkai, showed Israel and Philip around the exhibition of ceramics and sculptures made by some of the 100 students who have been keeping the center abuzz with activity over the last year.

 "These are really amazing pieces of work," said Israel, busy photographing the enormous display – whilst Philip took special interest in a number of rather large eye-catching sculptures.

After visiting other departments and hearing about the co-existence projects involving youth and adults, the Hannaford's received an explanation about the surrounding region of Wadi Ara, the Green Line and the in recent years erected security fence in the area.

They then went out and about with Lydia, first visiting the vantage point at Katzir followed by a visit to Barta'a village – and a tasty lunch in one of the local eateries of East Barta'a, these days an Area B and under the Palestinian Authority.

At the end of the day, Israel Hannaford commented;

"I really wanted to have Philip exposed to as many different aspects of life in Israel as possible and this has been a very interesting and educational day for him, and even more so for me after not having been here for so many years."

Philip and Israel Hannaford check out the Givat Haviva Peace Tree and when out and about on tour of the region, take a break at the Katzir vantage point overlooking the divided village of Barta'a from above