[9 a.m. — 1 p.m.]
It’s only the second day here at the Village and it’s been truly amazing! This morning we went to visit the local high school, Pisgot. We first took a quick tour, and then we got to speak with some of the students there during their senior-level English course. It was really interesting to learn about the differences and similarities between us.
Unlike in the U.S., there was a gatekeeper when we entered the school and a huge courtyard where students would hang out. Pisgot’s term system changes every year and its classes are usually 45 minutes long. In Israel, students could choose two “majors” to learn more about when they reach 10th grade. Our tour guide chose biology and chemistry and he will come to Pittsburgh for service instead of joining the Army when he turns 18. Also, Israeli high schools don’t focus much on team sports; instead, they have PE classes for students to attend. Pisgot also has a gifted class for students talented with arts; we went inside the building and their paintings were incredible!
After our visit, we had the opportunity to meet with Sandra and Anwar who both lived through the South African apartheid. We were told their incredible story and how even though the apartheid broke them up, they managed to get back together in the end and settled down in Israel.
These are the artworks Anwar created. He is very artistic and during his time of rehabilitation from brain surgery, he tried to paint over and over again in order to get his body operating.
Later we took a short historical tour around Karmiel, the city we are living in currently. We learned about the local nomadic people and how the Israeli government negotiated with them to have them adopt the modern living style. This is one of the houses they live in right now to keep goats and cows nearby:
[1 p.m. — 7 p.m.]
After we came back from the morning visit, we immediately joined lunch with our Mishpachton (family unit). Three kids in my family had already finished school and all the rest returned before 3 p.m. to prepare for the holiday of Purim!
Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates a story recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther. It is about a Jewish woman who married the King of Persia, discovered the violent, antisemitic conspiracy of Haman, and saved the Jews from being massacred. Today, everyone would dress up or put on a mask, dancing and singing together to celebrate their regain of religious freedom.
This year the theme of our Purim is time travel: children in the village and mishpachton(s) all prepared their shows according to this theme. Some people dressed up as game or movie characters and some as fancy fairies, heroes, and cowboys. My costume was a Persian princess. After we finished doing makeup and dressing, we went to gather with our families and head to the parade!
It was such a fascinating and colorful parade with fancy carts, beautiful decorations, and lovely children (thanks to all volunteers and parents here)! The shows were all very impressive — great singers and dancers in the Village — and everyone had an incredibly fun and memorable experience. After the series of shows ended, dinner started at 6 p.m.: the gyros (shawarma) had the best grilled chicken I’ve ever had in my life (so soft and deliciously flavored)! There were also many little “shops” beside the road, providing free treats, cotton candies, photographs, and games! I was so impressed by the atmosphere of Purim and how positive and exciting the kids were. It was truly one of the happiest days in my life!
(This is the fridge-magnet we got!!!)…