fam u israel

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Family University 2008Activity: El-Al Flight 23

EL-AL FLIGHT 23Objectives: Teachers will welcome students and take attendance.

Students will experience a security check and flight to begintheir journey to Israel.

Procedure: Each student should have received a passport and boardingpass when checked in by parents in the front lobby. Students are greeted by El-Al security outside their assigned

classrooms, for a passport check. (Students, not in possessionof passports or boarding passes will receive them at this time.) Students give their boarding passes to teachers. (Teachers:please staple all boarding passes to your attendance sheets forsubmission to Deb at the end of the morning.) El-Al flight attendant shows students to their seats, and giveseach student a sack and marker to write his/her name. Flight attendant distributes Israeli flag pins and airplanesnacks, while telling students about their arrival in Israel. (See

A Family University programin celebration of

Israels 60th birthday.

Childrens programming offersan interactive morning

touring Eretz Yisrael.

We begin on an El-Al flighpassports in hand, as we watca short film highlighting wherour travels will take us.

By the end of the morning, wwill have danced in the streetof Tel Aviv, slipped a messagin the Kotel, bargained at

shuk, visited a kibbutz, dug foartifacts in Hadera-Eiron, anbeen initiated in the IDF as wbring Israel to JacksonvilleFlorida. Shalom!


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attached.) At 9:05 a.m., teachers direct students (with their sacks) to thefirst station. Security and flight attendant change clothes and proceed totheir next assignment.

Set-up: Painted airplane windows on display boards on desks; chairsarranged in rows of 6 with a center aisle

Volunteer: (1) Security person in dark suit, white shirt, tie and earphonesFaculty: (1) Airline attendant in white shirt, navy slacks or skirt, red

bandana, Israeli flag pin

Supplies: 15 additional passports and 15 additional boarding passesPens and stapler 60 sacks and markers

60 airline snacks 60 Israeli flag pins1 red bandana and flag pin for faculty

EL-AL FLIGHT 23

Shalom, Aleichem, welcome to El-Al Flight 23.During your stay in Israel, you will visit several cities and places of

interest. You will learn about being a kibbutznik at Kibbutz Ketura,an agricultural community in the southern Arava valley.

You will train with IDF soldiers at an Israel Defense Forcestraining camp. We cant tell you where the camp is located, forsecurity reasons.

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In Tel Aviv, youll have fun learning traditionalIsraeli folk dancing. Tel Aviv is where theaction is in Israel. A very modern city, Tel Avivhas something for everyone: white beaches,the sea, nightclubs, plenty of shopping andappetizing restaurants.

You will enter Jerusalem's Old City through Jaffa Gate. After a visit to the Kotel,

you will explore the bustling market streets, shopping lanes and quiet back alleysof the Jerusalem shuk. There you can shop until you drop, and bargain to yourhearts delight.

You will travel to our P2K sister community,the Hadera-Eiron Region in central Israel,situated between Haifa and Tel Aviv. Whilein Hadera, you will participate in anarcheological dig. You must be verycareful not to damage the relics you mayfind.

On behalf of the flight attendants and crwe want to thank you for flying El-Al. Enyour time in Eretz Yisrael. Lhitraot!
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Family University 2008Activity: the Kotel - Jerusalem

JERUSALEM THE KOTELObjectives: Students will learn about the Kotel.

Students will write prayers/messages to insert between thecracks of the Wall.

Procedure: Upon arriving at Jerusalem, students will divide into two groups,by grades. After 10 minutes, students as groups switch activities. First group: the Kotel

1. Students go through the City Gate to the Kotel and takeseats at the tables. The staff affixes a red star sticker to

each students passport.2. After the staff presents a brief history of the Wall, eachstudent receives a pen and a piece of parchment on whichhe/she writes a prayer or a message, assisted byvolunteers.

3. Staff then helps each student insert his/her parchmentbetween the cracks of the Wall.

Second group: the Shuk

Set-up: Gate just inside social hall doors from the promenade

the Wall with 2 chairs on each sideDivider as mekitzah(3) 8 tables with 10 chairs each

Volunteers: (2-3) for the Kotel: men with tallitot and kipot, women in skirtswith arms covered

Staff: (4) for the Kotel dressed in skirts with arms covered

Supplies: (200) pieces of writing parchment and 40 pencils

(200) red star stickers

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JERUSALEM THE KOTELWhen Rome destroyed the Second Temple in 70 C.E., only one outer wallremained standing. The Romans probably would have destroyed that wall aswell, but it was just an outer wall surrounding the Temple Mount. For the

Jews, however, this remnant of what was the most sacred building in theJewish world quickly became the holiest spot in Jewish life. Throughout thecenturies, Jews from throughout the world made the difficult pilgrimage toPalestine, and immediately headed for the Kotel ha-Ma'aravi(the WesternWall) to thank G-d. The prayers offered at the Kotelwere so heartfelt thatgentiles began calling the site the "Wailing Wall." This undignified name isnot used among traditional Jews.

Three times a day, for thousands of years, Jewish prayers from around the

world have been directed toward the Western Wall. As Rabbi Judah HaLevyso poignantly said: "I am in the west, but my heart is in the east

(Jerusalem)."

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The custom of inserting written prayersinto the Kotel's cracks is so widespreadthat some American-Jewish newspaperscarry advertisements for services thatinsert such prayers on behalf of sick Jews.

The mystical qualities associated with theKotelare in a popular Israeli song, a refrainof which says: "There are people with heartsof stone, and stones with hearts of people."A rabbi in Jerusalem once said that theHebrew expression, "The walls have ears,"was originally about the Western Wall.

The entire area in front of the Western Wall was leveled and converted into a

large, paved, open space. The lower square near the Wall is the prayer area,where one may find people praying or studying, singly or in groups, day andnight throughout the year. The surface of the wall, from the pavement and upto about a man's height, differs by the color and feel the stones arepolished by the human hands that have touched them in prayers through thecenturies.

In addition to the large crowds that come to pray at the Kotelon Shabbat, itis also a common gathering place on all Jewish holidays. This is particularlyso on the fast ofTisha BAv, which commemorates the destruction of bothTemples. Today the Wall is a national symbol, and the opening or closingceremonies of many Israeli events, including secular ones, are conductedthere.

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Unfortunately, even a symbol as unifying as the Kotelcan become a sourceof controversy in Jewish life. Ultra-Orthodox Jews have long opposedorganized women's prayer services at the Wall; prayer services, theymaintain, that may be conducted by males only. A mekitzah exists toseparate the womens section from the mens section.

Women of the Wall, or in its more familiar abbreviation, WOW, is a group ofmostly religiously observant women who believe that women should beallowed to pray as a group at the Kotel, read from a Torah scroll and weartallitot. Currently, Israeli law does not permit women to perform these acts atthe Kotel, and those who do so anyway are subject to a fine and up to sixmonths in jail. Once a month on Rosh Hodesh, WOW members cometogether to form a minyan and pray at the Kotel. They complete the shacharitservice and Hallel in front of the Wall and then move to a nearbyarchaeological area in order to read Torah and conclude the service.

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Family University 2008Activity: the Shuk - Jerusalem

JERUSALEM THE SHUKObjectives: Students will learn about the open-air markets of Jerusalem.

Students will experience a mock Israeli shuk.

Procedure: Upon arriving at Jerusalem, students will divide into two groups,by grades. After 10 minutes, students as groups switch activities. First group: the Kotel Second group: the Shuk

1. Students begin their shopping experience at the end of thepromenade opposite the display cart; (2) staff will give

each student a silver star for their passports and (3) coins.2. Students divide themselves into 2 shopping groups, one on

each side of the Shuk. As they shop, (1) staff personstationed on each side presents information aboutshopping (and bargaining) in Israel.

3. Students may keep what they purchase, adding chotzkesto their sacks. The collected coins are returned to thebaskets for use by the next group.

Set-up: Display cart

(6) 8 tables with brightly covered cloths and backdrops (3 tableson each side of the promenade, directly across from each other)(8) chairs total: (3) behind each row of tables; (2) at the end ofpromenade opposite the display cart

Volunteers: (6): 1 behind each table to assist with shopping, dressed incolorful outfits

Staff: (4) dressed in colorful outfits with bangles and beads

Supplies: (12) brightly colored plastic tableclothsTape for backdropsChotzkes for sale with price signs(2) baskets with coins(200) silver star stickers

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JERUSALEM THE SHUKYou would think that the central focus of the Old City would be the religiousand historical aspects of it... and in general, it is! But, the tourists (and thelocals) cant stay away from the markets and shops.

The shuk - one of Jerusalems most popular tourist attractions - is a noisy,colorful market where one can buy decorated pottery, candles, souvenirs,ethnic costumes, mats, rugs, beads, books, jewelry, glass lamps anddecorative items. The merchants call out their wares and the food standsemit tantalizing aromas. One of the most outstanding attractions of thismarket is that shoppers are expected to bargain for wares; no one expectsyou to pay the shopkeepers original price.

If you're the shy type, at

least act like you arethinking aboutbargaining. Shopping inthe old-world markets isonly part of the fun...enjoy the experience ofhaggling with someoneyou've just met whotreats you like a VBFF!

(very best friend forever)

Jerusalems open-air market is the place to goto feel the pulse of the Jewish community; or topick up a piece of pita bread for lunch.

Israel is one of the worlds leading flower exporters.



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The true hidden treasures are found in the side alleys.

One shop sells only Halva, the sweet sesame-based snack, in a variety of flavors from

pistachio to maple syrup.

A sign advertises Gush Katif bug-free vegetables.


the Candy Man


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The shuk is undergoing a change. While many of the old stores remain and thrive,frequented by loyal customers who have shopped there since childhood

a new clothing boutique opens its doors next to a fish store.

Older Jerusalemites gather in the courtyards toplay backgammon, cards and dominoes.

Kipot are sold alongside fruits and vegetables.

Family University 2008 dskuhPictures courtesy ofwww.israelnationalnews.comPhoto Essay: A Visit to Jerusalem's Shuk Machaneh Yehudaby Ezra HaLevi
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/http://www.israelnationalnews.com/


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Family University 2008Activity: Archeological Dig

ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG - HADERAObjectives: Students will learn about our sister region of Hadera.

Students will participate in a simulated dig.

Procedure: Staff will welcome students to Hadera by affixing gold starstickers to their passports. Students will divide into 2 groups, by grades. After 15 minutes,groups switch activities.

First group: Students will sift through sand to find relics. Afterfinding a relic, each student receives a document of authenticityfrom a volunteer. (Dave with volunteer) Second group: Students will learn about the region of Haderaand the significance of archeology in the region. (Vickie withvolunteer)

Set-up: Sign: Hadera: Archeological DigGrids and sand2 tables set up with 2 chairs for relics and documents

Volunteers: (2) dressed comfortably in khaki shorts and T-shirts with neckbandanas and bush hats

Faculty: (2) in khaki shorts and T-shirts with bandanas and bush hats

Supplies: GridsSandRelicsAuthenticity Documents

PensBrushes, toy rakes and trowels(200) gold star stickers for passports



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ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG - HADERANo visit to Israel is complete without a visit to

our P2K sister community, the Hadera-Eiron Region.

Hadera is an area in central Israel, situatedbetween Haifa and Tel Aviv, founded in1890 by a group of Zionist immigrants fromRussia and Eastern Europe. The nameHadera comes from the Arabic meaning("the Green"), referring to the color of theswamp vegetation of the area. In 1895,Baron Edmond de Rothschild, a wealthyFrench philanthropist, gave the settlers ofHadera funds to drain the swamps bybuilding canals and planting largeeucalyptus groves. The eucalyptus tree soon became Hadera's symbol.

The Hadera-Eiron Region is well-known for its historic sites, agriculture, artistcolonies and industrial parks. Also, no visit to the Hadera-Eiron region is completewithout a stop at the Caesarea archeological dig and its adjacent artist colony.Constructed more than 2,000 years ago, Caesarea is one of Israels mostambitious archeological excavations, revealing a major Roman city that wasinstrumental in chartering the course of ancient Israel.


At first, agriculture was the mainoccupation of Hadera's settlers; bas the population increased, theeconomy expanded andindustrialized. Today, industry hasbecome the main element in theregion's economy. Situated thereare the American Israel Paper Miland the Alliance Tire and RubberCompany, food-preserve plants aother enterprises. Entry taken fromJunior Judaica, Encyclopedia JudaicaforYouth"
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Partnership 2000

The Southeast Region of the U.S.A. Jewish Federations and the Hadera-EironRegion have entered into a long-term partnership of mutual benefit, includingexchanges of teachers and students, support of business ventures and the arts,and economic support of Hadera medical, recreation and civic programs.

www.jewishpinellas.org

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Family University 2008Activity: IDF Training

IDF TRAINING CAMPObjectives: Students will learn about Israels Defense Forces.

Students will learn about and recite the IDF Purity of Arms Code.Students will participate in a mock training course.

Procedure: Upon arrival, each student receives a green star sticker affixed tohis/her passport. Divide students into two (2) groups. Each group to last nomore than 5 minutes. Students switch as a group. All students

will eventually participate in both activities.Group Aleph: runs the obstacle course with Coach Mitchand Coach Liza (IDF soldiers). Upon finishing the course,

each student receives a dog tag. (Volunteers cut opendog tag packages as they hand them out.)Group Bet: Staff (Andrea Hernandez and Andi Perrin)teach students about the IDF.

After both activities end, all students come together as onegroup. Soldiers and staff recite the Purity of Arms Code,repeated by the students.

An Israeli officer is always expected to lead from the front.The famous cry of the officer is "aharai", after me. You maywant to use this cry when the kids are climbing the equipment.

Set-up: Aleph: Obstacle Course on playground equipmentBet: Area behind blue playgroundSign: IDF Training Camp

Volunteers: (2) 1 for each station in shorts and T-shirtsStaff: camouflage and IDF caps and dog tags

Supplies: (2) whistles (200) green star stickers(200) Dog-tagslaminated Purity of Arms Code


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IDF TRAINING CAMPIsrael Defense Forces

Tzvah Haganah L'Yisrael

Israel's ground, air, and naval forces, known as the Israel Defense Force (IDF),function under a unified command, headed by a chief-of-staff. Founded in 1948,the IDF ranks among the most battle-trained armed forces in the world, having hadto defend its country in five major wars. Currently, the IDF's security objectives areto defend the State of Israel, and deter all enemies and curb all forms of terrorismthat threaten daily life.

Males serve for three years and females for 21 months. Those who are exemptfrom service include some minority groups, those who are not physically orpsychologically fit, married women or women with children. New immigrants,religious males who are studying in an accredited Jewish institution, and religiousfemales who choose to pursue 'national service' (community work) are granteddeferments. Upon completion of compulsory service, each soldier is assigned

to a reserve unit.


All recruits go through a basic training

program where they are taught armydiscipline, shooting, first aid,information on chemical and biologicalwarfare, and physical fitness.With a handful of exceptions, everysenior officer has worked up throughthe ranks. Israel does not produceofficers through academies, but on thebasis of their leadership and commandcapabilities.

Except when combat duty is involved,men and women soldiers of all ranksserve side by side as technicians,communications and intelligencespecialists, combat instructors, computeroperators, doctors, lawyers, and the like.In Israel, military service is compulsoryfor both males and females. Israel is theonly country in the world that has

obligatory military service for women.

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The IDF of the 1940s The IDF of the twenty-first century

Israel's small population means the country has never had the security of a largestanding army despite the immense security and terrorist risks it faces. For thatreason, released soldiers continue serving as reservists into their early 50s. Thesystem of reserves frees up the vast majority of its soldiers to take an active partin society and the economy. At the same time, the army is able to mobilizehundreds of thousands of reserves within hours and the full strength of the armywithin 48 hours.


The modern day IDF is quite a contrast from the volunteer soldier farmers whofought for Israels independence in the 1940s. Today, the technology-driven IDF isthe developer of the world's first high-energy laser weapon system - capable ofshooting down a rocket carrying a live warhead and is the pioneer of what isconsidered the world's most secure tank. The IDFs research departments havemade world-class breakthroughs in ballistic missile technology, wirelesscommunication, electro-optics and other fields.

Reservists make up the backbone of the army's personnel needs.


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The Israeli army has a strong ethical and moral code based on the laws andinstitutions of the State of Israel, the traditions of the Jewish people anddemocratic principles.

A religious soldier praying Shaharit

Israel has a principle that weapons and force can only be used for the purpose ofa military operation and not to harm human beings who are non-combatants orwho are prisoners of war. This involves avoiding at all costs damage to human life,dignity and property. Enemy troops and civilians in areas under the control of theIDF have to be treated with the letter and spirit of the law. Soldiers have to showrespect for the beliefs, values and historical sites of all civilians and military

personnel.

All IDF personnel are required to carry acopy of the Purity of Arms Code with them atall times.

An Israeli soldier giving food to a Palestinian woman.


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Family University 2008Activity: Kibbutz Ketura

KIBBUTZ KETURAObjectives: Students will learn the history of kibbutz life.

Students will learn about Israeli agriculture.Students will experience an agriculturally-based kibbutz.

Procedure: Upon arrival, each student receives a green star sticker onhis/her passport. Divide students into three (3) groups. Each group to last no

more than 5 minutes. Send each group to a station. Students switch as a group. Allstudents will eventually participate in all activities. At each station, students will participate in the planned activitywhile hearing about kibbutz life.

Dairy: Students will sit on chairs to milk 1 of 4 cows.Laundry: Students will wash socks and hang them on alaundry line.Produce Market: Students will select a snack from the

numerous bushel baskets, and will pick a fruit (fruit chew)from the fruit trees. Encourage students to eat theirsnacks at the picnic tables outside of the Gazebo.

Set-up: # 1 Dairy Station(4) cardboard cows with latex glove udders(4) milking chairs and buckets(1) wading pool with extra udders

#2 Laundry Station

(4) wading pools filled with socks and soapy water(2) clotheslines with clothespins

#3 Produce Station(2) picnic tables with baskets full of produce(4) cardboard trees with Sunkist fruit candies

Volunteers: (3) Dairy dressed in shorts and T-shirts(2) Laundry station dressed in shorts and T-shirts



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(2) Produce station dressed in shorts and T-shirtsFaculty: (6) dressed in shorts and T-shirts

Supplies: Latex glovesWhite tempura paint thinned with water (hose)Push pins

4 Buckets4 Chairs from PreschoolFruit candiesDouble-stick tapeSocksClotheslineClothespins5 BasketsTablecloths (2)

Fruit & veggiesExtra sacks for snackStaple gun and staples(200) Green star stickers

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Kibbutz (Hebrew word for communal settlement) is a unique ruralcommunity. The first kibbutzim (plural of kibbutz) were founded some 40 yearsbefore the establishment of the State of Israel (1948). Their founders were youngJewish pioneers, mainly from Eastern Europe, who came to create a new way oflife. Overcoming many hardships, they succeeded in developing thrivingcommunities.

Kibbutz Ketura is located 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Eilat, in the southernArava. Since members do not own their own cars, and the kibbutz itself has few

cars, most traveling outside the region is by rented car, plane, or bus.

On the kibbutz itself, we have a music room, a darkroom, and a ceramics studio.Ketura's cable TV system features thirty-five Israeli and international channels, aswell as a closed-circuit channel that features an electronic bulletin board. Forrecreation we have tennis courts, a basketball court, a swimming pool, a soccerfield, and a stable with a small herd of horses available for riding. There is also alarge regional sports complex at neighboring Kibbutz Yotvata.



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Kibbutz members function as a direct democracy. Day-to-day activities arehandled by committees. The incomes of kibbutzniks who have jobs outside thekibbutz, go to the kibbutz treasury for the benefit of the whole community.

LAUNDRY

Most members work in the kibbutz itself, assignedto positions for varying lengths of time. Routinefunctions such as the laundry, kitchen and dininghall duty are performed on a rotation basis. Womenare equal participants in the labor force, with jobs inall parts of the kibbutz open to them. Older membersreceive suitable work assignments according to theirhealth and stamina.

DAIRY

Israels dairy industry is the largest industry of its kind in the Middle East. Today, acountry that started out with barely a cow to its name, has the largest selection ofdairy products (over 700 types of items) - enjoyed the world over. Israels successis remarkable considering the heat, humidity, limited land and water resources thathad to be overcome.

The Israeli dairy farmer incorporates all modern equipment, improving overall

performance. Israel isnt bound by agricultural traditions, and Israeli farmersintegrate many new ideas into their farming systems. For many years muchattention has been given to minimize the heat stress on the dairy cow. Even inIsraels extreme climate, the Israeli Holstein Friesien Cows are among the worldsbest performing dairy cows.


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PRODUCE MARKET

Making the Desert Bloom

When Jews began resettling Israel in the late 19th century, their first efforts wereto reclaim the land. Rocky fields were cleared, swampland was drained, forestswere planted, and salty land was washed to reduce soil salinity.

In the year 2000, Israels agriculture was about a $3.3 billion industry. Israel'sagriculture continues to thrive, and supplies most of the country's food needs. In2000, the country's farmers produced some 1.2 million tons of vegetables. Today,Israel depends on technologically advanced methods, including soil-lessgreenhouses with climate control systems. An annual average of 200-300 tons oftomatoes are grown in greenhouses under controlled climatic conditions.

Did you know?

Israel produces approx 1,170,000tons of cow's milk annually. Milkproducts make about 9% of the total

agricultural products market value.

The Israeli-Holstein breed has beendeveloped by the Israeli GeneticImprovement System. This cow is bestfit to the Israeli long and hot summers.

The Israeli cow has the highestnational milk yield(production/cow/year) in the world, inmilk volume and in milk solids. year.Special cooling systems help improvethe cows conditions and milk yield.

More than 2,500 families raise sheepand goats: from traditional nomadicherds keepers to intensive zero-grazing dairy and meat farms.

Since Israeli cows yield less milk

during the hot summer, the extra milkthat is produced during the winter is


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Citrus is the country's oldest and the third largest agricultural export, averaging250,000 tons of oranges, pink and white grapefruits, lemons, and severalvarieties of easy-peeling tangerines, annually. Israel also exports citrusconcentrates, juices and other products, including special varieties of grapesfor a wide range of prize-winning red and white wines.

In the Arava Valley, where Kibbutz Ketura is, agriculture provides almost the solemeans of livelihood for the population. The winters on Ketura are warm,pleasant, and brief. Typical winter days feature sunny skies and anafternoon temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius (about 70 degreesFahrenheit). The scarce rains (about one inch per year) fall in the winter. It isthis mild winter that makes desert agriculture viable and even profitable.

The summers are generally hot and oppressive. Afternoon temperatures over 37C.(98.6 F.) are common, and often go as high as the mid 40s (over 110 F.).For this reason most out of doors work starts at sunrise and is finished by

midday in the summertime. The arid climate makes dehydration a real andconstant danger, so residents make a habit of drinking water regularlythroughout the day.

The fact that agricultural production continues to grow despite severe water andland limitations is no accident. Farmers and scientists work together todevelop a flourishing agriculture in a country that is more than half desert.

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