Lone Soldier writes home Editor’s note: Sami Meir-Levi graduated from high school in the Lehigh Valley in the spring of 2012, then headed for Israel. She writes to us each month of her experiences as a lone soldier -- an Israeli soldier without family living in Israel. Shalom Hakol Readers, Living on a kibbutz, I’ve realized many things regarding people, culture and society. Some of what I’ve learned happens through experiences like the recent annual tradition in the kibbutz I’m living on, Maoz Haim. It’s a competition called Machaneh Irgun (Organization Camp). The entire kibbutz split up into three teams and we built our own camps. It reminded me of JCC camp during Maccabi. There was a lot of cheering and there were side competitions, too. It was fun to interact with all the “kibbutznikim” and work on these projects. What made it even more fun was that our conversations were in “Hebrenglish,” half Hebrew and half English. Luckily, we were able to complete the projects and they looked fantastic. Now, when people say, “in a kibbutz everyone knows everything,” they aren’t kidding. I can hardly believe how fast things get around. For example, some of my friends in my garin (group that moved to Israel together) really like some of the kibbutz kids. If they get mad at each other or hug or did this or that, the next day people know about it. My adopted family has asked me questions about specific people in my garin and I still don’t understand how they know so much. It can be good and bad, but either way it’s something I need to get used to. One major difference from the U.S. that I’ve noticed is in the way people run their businesses. If you want to buy something and the manager is having a conversation with another person, you’ll wait until they are done speaking and then pay for your items. Another difference is lines. From going to the supermarket to getting a train or bus ticket, there’s no such thing as a line. The only organized places are usually for appointments
Each team built bunk beds for a competition. somewhere and that’s only because you have to take a number. There are many aspects that I’ve enjoyed, such as how welcoming and friendly the people are. Our host families always invite us for Shabbat dinner or lunch or to go on a family outing. My family loves a sport called “orienteering.” It deals with navigation and a lot of running on different types of terrain. I went with them once and it was a lot harder than I had expected -- but I can’t wait for next time. Experiences like these make me feel at home and happy to be living here. I’m very excited to learn more about the culture and to get the most out of this experience.
Sami Meir-Levi The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley and other Federations in North America fund the Lone Soldier program.
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Lehigh University welcomes
Rabbi Gershom Sizomu spiritual leader of the Abayudaya Jews of Uganda Public lecture November 8th at 4:10 pm Lehigh University, University Center Room 303 Reception to follow Check our website for updates on Rabbi Sizomu’s visit, including a Guitar Clinic: www.lehigh.edu/~inhil Sponsors for this event include: Congregation Brith Shalom and the following offices at Lehigh University: Office of Academic Diversity and Inclusion Office of Advancement Africana Studies Department Berman Center for Jewish Studies
BBG BBG is off to a great new programming year! September and October were filled with exciting meetings and events that everyone enjoyed. Our first meeting was September 4; we all had a blast reconnecting with our chapter friends. At the following meetings, we decided that this year we are going to “Stand-Up” against domestic violence by working with the local organization, Turning Point. This Stand-Up cause will be the cause we strive to support throughout this year. At our October sleepover, one of our fellow members, Sarah Holtz, ran an educational program informing us on the details of this cause and its main goals. “The program opened my eyes to some of the hardships women face,” said Blair Krassen at the end of the night. We are excited to work with Turning Point. It’s an amazing cause! To celebrate Rosh Hashanah, we attended a co-ed program with the AZAs called Apples to Apples to Apples. This program was fantastic and we all had an amazing time! First, we went apple picking at Strawberry Acres and all the apples we picked were donated to a local soup kitchen. Later in the night, we had a fun
Chaplain's Office/ Dialogue Center Global Union Hillel Society of Lehigh University Office of Jewish Student Life Martindale Center Microfinance Club Jill & Steven Edwards '69 '01P '05P '07P
Ji-In Freiss, Naomi Pitkoff, Madeline LeFrock, Amy Miller, Rachel LeFrock
havdalah service and roasted marshmallows around the campfire. Overall, it was a great night of New Year celebration. This year, Allentown is the lucky host of one of the biggest conventions for CRE BBYO: Tournies! October was filled with planning for this threeday regional convention taking place November 9 to the 11 at the Allentown JCC. Tournies is a convention that is run like a tournament. All chapters in the region compete in a variety of activities including basketball, dance, chess, debate and so much more! The theme for Tournies this year is Musicals, and each chapter represents a different musical. At one of our meetings, Allentown BBG voted to represent Legally Blonde! Preparations for our Legally Blonde-themed dance, cheer and banner has really brought
out the creativity in Allentown BBG and, of course, the competitiveness. All of the girls are getting ready to dominate Tournies and show all those other chapters who is boss! Now that we’re back in full swing, Allentown BBG is prepared to have the most exciting year yet! Your Mazkirah, Hannah Kahn For more info on BBYO, please contact: President Dana Shustik at dana. shustik3@gmail.com, Hannah Kahn at allentownmazkirah@gmail.com, advisor Barbara Yudis at byudis@aol.com or Cori Rubel at car02982@ huskies.bloomu.edu or Regional Director Jeff Koch, jkoch@bbyo.org HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | NOVEMBER 2012 29