This summer I spent two weeks — June 22 to July 6 — in Tiberias as part of Partnership 2000’s Face-to-Face program, through the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.
When I thought about applying for this program I really did not have any idea what I would be doing as a volunteer in the Sovev Kinneret region, the area around the Sea of Galilee. Actually I was amazed that I was chosen to be in the program. I felt that whatever activity I was asked to do would be fine; I would be flexible about all opportunities that became available to me.
The most amazing part of this program was the people. I had traveled to Israel twice before as a tourist and I did have some cousins that lived in Jerusalem. But this trip was totally new and exciting.
My two weeks in Israel felt like much longer. In just half a month, I developed meaningful and deep relationships. In just two weeks, I felt the bonds of family.
All of the staff went out of their way to make us feel comfortable and at home. We were placed with warm and generous families for Shabbat that made us feel like a part of the family.
Everyone opened up their homes to us and welcomed us as a part of a huge family. Many Israeli members of the steering committee and parents of Israeli teens in P2K programs already had connections with my friends in Milwaukee. So I felt an automatic connection; so many of my close friends had hosted their children in various programs.
When it was time to leave the program, it felt as though I was leaving part of myself behind with my friends in the region.
One of the most meaningful experiences was working at the army supply base. We were lucky to be packing the backpacks for the troops that were stationed at the Syrian border. The army had received brand new equipment for the troops. The supplies were all packed in these huge backpacks and we had to put in the flak vests and the pocket vest. Senior volunteers packed the uniforms, helmets, glasses, water system, kneepads, camouflage gear etc in the packs.
We felt that our job was very important since this new equipment had just arrived and they needed them packed as quickly as possible.
Many high-ranking colonels and generals came to the base to see the operation, the new supplies, and observe the process of packing the gear.
The staff truly appreciated how hard we worked to get the job done, and we often showed the young soldiers how to pack equipment to fit neatly in the small space.
At the end of our two weeks, the commanders made each of us a special certificate and had a ceremony complete with refreshments to award us our certificate. Maya, the woman in charge of all the volunteers, said that she could not have completed the job without our help. I was truly moved by their words and efforts.
I plan to return to see my friends in Israel in the next year or two. I feel as though I have family to visit in the P2K region. This experience has motivated me to do more in my community to encourage others to participate in this volunteer opportunity.
I also plan to share my experience with my students when I return to teaching in September. I have already established a group of students to do community outreach in my school.
Now I feel that I can use this experience and expand our program in the school system. I believe that as I share my feelings with my students, they will more fully understand what an impact their actions can have upon others.
A Glendale resident, Marsha Denny is an elementary school teacher. She is active in Milwaukee Jewish Day School and Congregation Beth Israel, where she has served as president and as steering committee chair for the congregation’s capital campaign.
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