10/11/10 was Communities in the Negev Education Day
We visited Be’er Sheva, an elementary school in a Bedouin Village, had lunch in Yerucham’s park, Ben-Gurion’s home in the desert, Sde Boker, and then a goat farm. In each location we learned many interesting facts that all related back to how the Negev was settled.
In places like Be’er Sheva and Yerucham, pioneers came there to settle and build a community. People like David Ben-Gurion wanted to populate the Negev so he worked extremely hard on promoting it. As for the Bedouin Village, this particular one was home to 6,000 Bedouins. Out of all of the villages in Israel, only 7 villages out of 50 villages are recognized. A current issue for the Bedouins is that it is difficult to maintain their traditional ways due to the ever-changing Western culture becoming a part of their lifestyle.
At the goat farm, smack dab in the middle of the desert, we experienced the milking process, learned some history, and even got to taste some goat cheese.
Many people think negatively of the Negev, but from this educational day, we could see that there are many who are dedicated to improving the Negev.
10/18 was Environmental Education Day
The day started out on the campus of an agricultural university in Rehovot. This day was packed with information about the environment all around the world and of course an emphasis on Israel. At the university, we met 3 researcher/scientists/professors who discussed the topic of biological control. This process deals with using living organisms to restrain pest organisms so there is no environmental damage.
The next location was called Better Place. This is where they have created their first electric car. These cars use rechargeable batteries, and they make no noise. Better Place stated that towards the end of 2011 the cars will be launched in Israel and Denmark. Let’s see what happens! And of course with us being there we ALL test drove the cars! That was my first time driving in Israel.
After Better Place we traveled to a garbage waste dump and a closed landfill. There is an environmental education facility there where we stayed for the rest of the day and discussed the environment and also how Judaism played a part in the environment. The building we were in was created out of all recyclable materials and everything we ate with was made out of recycled material.
The landfill is closed because there is a plan to create a 2,00 acre park: Ariel Sharon Park will take its place, aiming to open in 2012. Its plan is to be one of the most environmentally-friendly parks in the world. Most of the area will be made of recyclable material and there will be recyclable water.
Israelis do not seem to be as caught up on recycling, and environmentally friendly habits, but some hope to believe that in a few years, Israel will be like the rest of the world.
10/24 Howard County Mission visit
Sunday, which is typically a day full of Ulpan and volunteering with tutoring English, was filled with 60+ couples from Howard County or Baltimore, Maryland. Since Ashkelon is Baltimore’s partnership city, through Jewish Federations Partnership 2000. This group came to experience a day in the life of OTZMA. Ulpan was cut short to have the groups interact with us, they got a little taste of what we learned. Then we were all individually paired up with a couple and they graciously took us out to lunch. I got to know my couple well, they were so sweet! Then the group split up to attend different volunteer groups. We had a couple of them come to Emunah (English tutoring) and we had an activity planned and interacted with the girls. We taught them about Halloween!
My roommates Lauren and Ellen have been running around Ashkelon a lot at night. The weather feels nice and we run right next to the beach. I found this 3.5 mile loop that we managed to complete! I am going to miss running with them in Ashkelon.
There is something about running by the ocean at night with the cool breeze, clear sky, fresh air that just clears my head of any doubt or worry that I have.
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