MIDRESHET AMIT – ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES THE DEPARTURE – Paula Moskovitz, Class of 2011-2012
I
smile whenever I look back at my year in Midreshet AMIT. A rush of memories fills my head as I realize how extremely fortunate I was to spend a year abroad at Beit Hayeled in Jerusalem, a place that I can now call home. Throughout my year I formed unique relationships with my teachers, peers and “mishpachton” - foster family. By creating these strong bonds, my love for Israel was able to grow and I ultimately established a stronger connection to the land. I learned about Eretz Yisrael through my teachers who taught me new approaches to Torah and Judaism. We had deep and insightful conversations during which every girl felt comfortable voicing her opinion. Teachers also invited students for Shabbat and some of my favorite Shabbatot were at their homes. We also went on different Shabbatonim throughout the year. One of my favorites was Kochav Hashachar where I stayed with a welcoming family and met inspirational people. It was wonderful to see different parts of Israel and experience Israel through other people’s homes. In addition, we had many tiyulim and touring Israel with friends was such a blast! Hiking in the Golan, swimming in Eilat and doing chesed for various organizations, above and beyond Beit Hayeled, such as Hazon Yeshaya and Yad Eliezer, made me feel as though I was helping Israel at large. However, my favorite way that we experienced Israel was at Beit Hayeled. I loved that we lived in the same building as the mishpachtonim – (foster families of children from troubled homes) since this allowed me to better absorb the Israeli lifestyle. I assisted children with homework during “learning hour.” This was a structured hour in which all of the children were at their desks and focused on work. It was a time that they knew I was available to help them. Since I want to be an elementary school teacher, this tutoring greatly enhanced my future teaching abilities. I also adored tucking the children into
bed and singing Shema together. Even just sitting and talking to a child in Hebrew while they ate lunch would make my day. All of these small acts developed into a unique bond with each individual child. I was very fortunate to have a relationship with Golan and Limor Amar and their children. Golan is the assistant director of Beit Hayeled. Golan and his wife volunteered to head a mishpachton many years ago and returned to Gilo this past year. They were extremely hospitable and welcomed me with open arms. I was constantly in their home, connecting with the family and playing with the children. As a result I had not one mishpacha at Beit Hayeled, but two. Whenever I spent Shabbat in Beit Hayeled, I felt that the mishpachton was a remarkable unit. They instilled joy in the lives of these children who are from broken homes
and have difficult lives. Shabbat was special to them. Beit Hayeled strives to create the family environment that these children have lacked - and Beit Hayeled succeeds! Overall, through my interaction with teachers, peers and my mishpachton, I emerged from my year at Midreshet AMIT with a deep passion for Eretz Yisrael. It is incredible to know that whenever I come to Israel, whether to visit or make aliyah, I will always have a family at Beit Hayeled. Thank you Midreshet AMIT for a fabulous and meaningful year! <
Paula Moskovitz is from West Orange, NJ, and will be attending Barnard this fall.
26 :: Fall 2012 :: AMIT MAGAZINE
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