Follow the adventure of 20 young adults who ventured off to Israel this month on the OTT Social Action Mission. It was a life changing experience. We dedicated our hands and hearts to the children at Korchick Elementary School. We dragon boated, partied and immersed ourselves into Israeli culture. S.A.M. 2013 awaits you.
Social Action Mission- Final Days
Today had a bittersweet feel as we wrapped up our time at the Korchik School. It is absolutely incredible to witness what we have accomplished in 3 short days and yet we so wish that we could stay and do more for these children who have easily worked their way into our hearts. After completing our projects, our group along with 2 other groups of Ottawans gathered with the children for a beautiful ceremony to thank us for the work we have done. The choir sang (joined by a few of us!!), we watched a slide show created by members of our group, and the mayor of Kiryat Shemona even came to be a part of this event. It was a wonderful way to culminate the last 3 days and to say goodbye to a school that none of will ever forget!!!
After wrapping up with Jeff and Gerda, we boarded the bus to continue our day. First stop was the Naot Factory where some of us got to partake in a favourite Canadian pastime, shopping!!! Then it was off to the Canada Center, a recreation facility where we could partake in other Canadian activities as well as some that are distinctly Israeli. We ice-skated (in shorts!!!), swam and relaxed in the hot tub, and some of us visited the shooting range. We then separated for dinner with our hosts and checking out the shuk (market) to meet up again for a pub night at a local watering-hole called the Mushroom. It was the perfect way to celebrate the last few days and spend our last night Kiryat Shemona!!!
Social Action Mission- School Days
We began our 2nd day at Korchik School by listening to the choir practicing for the big ceremony happening the next day. Their beautiful voices filled us with joy and really made a for a lovely start to the day. Then we broke off into groups to continue the work we had started. Some of us continued to paint another mural in the new kindergarten classroom, others helped teachers buy supplies for this new room, and the rest helped to beautify the outdoors by moving rocks, painting flower pots and benches, and finishing other landscaping details. We even added a touch of home by painting a Canadian flag on one of the basketball nets.
We began our 2nd day at Korchik School by listening to the choir practicing for the big ceremony happening the next day. Their beautiful voices filled us with joy and really made a for a lovely start to the day. Then we broke off into groups to continue the work we had started. Some of us continued to paint another mural in the new kindergarten classroom, others helped teachers buy supplies for this new room, and the rest helped to beautify the outdoors by moving rocks, painting flower pots and benches, and finishing other landscaping details. We even added a touch of home by painting a Canadian flag on one of the basketball nets.
After a yummy pizza lunch and cleaning up, we got on the bus and headed to Hazer Tel Hai where we heard the historical account of the first defenders of the northern region and took in the views of Kiryat Shemona from this courtyard. Then we went to Haslik at Kfar Gil’adi, a location where weapons were hidden by Israelis up until the late 1940s. It was quite an experience climbing down underground into a small ammunition bunker and seeing what was left from so many years ago. From there, we visited Dado Lookout where we could see all of Metula and its surroundings.
We ended our day with a group dinner at Mon Cherie Restaurant, a delicious dairy restaurant where the food seemed never-ending!!! Then we each went our separate ways to have free time with our home hosts. Some gathered at a house party, while others spent the evening getting a taste of Israeli life. Whether we were making Turkish coffee on a lookout or visiting local pubs, we relished the time we had to bond with our new Israeli friends.
Social Action Mission- Introductions
Yesterday, team Social Awesome Mission was fortunate enough to be introduced to the students and staff from the Krochik School in Kiryat Shemona. Today, the work began!!! An enthusiastic team of 20 young adults teamed up with 15 additional young Israelis. From moving three truck loads of lava rocks, to creating new murals in what will be a new kindergarten room, with the third and final group working with the children within the school, we divided and conquered all at once. Being efficient and adrenaline fueled, 2 of the 3 piles of lava rocks were used to create new rock gardens, a beautiful mural was produced and the students learned a new dance and had the opportunity to practice their English. The incredible amount of productivity had the principal, Sarah, in shock as we did 2 days of work in half a day. She didn’t waste any time finding more projects to accomplish with our willing hands to help.
The day continued with more of a social aspect and an awesome experience for the foodies out there. First stop on the tour was the Dalton Complex where we had the opportunity to visit 3 different locations. First was the RimonWinery, where all of their products are pomegranate-based and we tasted multiple wines and jams. A short walk away was the ADIR Dairy and Winery (I’m sure you can sense a theme with the afternoon), where samples of goat’s cheeses, goat milk ice cream and of course wine were all on the menu. Our third and final stop on our tour was at the Butterfly Brewery. With the tastes of gourmet chocolates and snacks, as well as 3 delicious local beers, from a blonde to a stout, the tour had come to an end.
The prelude to our final event was a brief session with members from the Kiryat Shemoneh Center for Young Adults. We learned how these individuals work with the youth post army in helping to encourage further education and assisting with planning for their futures. As we sat in the park, students from the Krochik School found Sam and did the dance that she had taught earlier making everyone smile. The last stop of the day was Kibbutz Daphna. Chemi and the rest of our Israeli counterparts prepared a BBQ for us. With great food, incredible company, and music from Tom, Steve, Andrea, Lauren B., and others, the night continued until sleep became a priority, or moreso once the voices ran out.
Social Action Mission- Wonderful Things are Happening
So many wonderful things are happening here in beautiful Israel. We stay at an amazing kibbutz in Gonen and were lucky enough to spend our first shabbat together there. It was a unique experience for many of us and we all felt very blessed to be together in Israel to share this moment.
So many wonderful things are happening here in beautiful Israel. We stay at an amazing kibbutz in Gonen and were lucky enough to spend our first shabbat together there. It was a unique experience for many of us and we all felt very blessed to be together in Israel to share this moment.
Saturday was most definitely our day of rest. In between session with some hard hitting topics such as : Israel now; Israel’s connection to Canada; and what we hope for Israel in the future and how we can make it happen. We were lucky enough to have an amazing pool to chill out at and relax! We swam, we tanned, we played football in the pool; it really couldn’t have been anymore perfect!
After we had our havdalla ceremony to close out Shabbat, which was again, an unreal experience that helped bond the group to a new level, it was off to the pub we go. We headed into the town to a local pub called Yankuleah. We socialized with each other as well as the local Israelis and had a great time. We called it an early night to make sure we were well rested for the crazy adventures that awaited us the next day.
Sunday: We all woke up bright and early (most of us with some help from the very noisy peacocks) to begin what we knew was bound to be a VERY exciting day. We began our day by going on an ATV tour! Not only was this an amazing thrill but it gave us the opportunity to see an amazing view of the spectacular country side Israel has to offer. We thought we had reached our thrill limit of the day but were we ever wrong. Our next stop was the Manara cliffs to take a ride up the EXTREMELY high cable car and zipping on a roller-coaster that can be best described as a two seater, tin can with seat belts (best time ever!!). The thrill and the excitement of it all was definitely worth it because the view from up top was simply breath taking. We took in the cool breezes and headed back to our bus, sang some very fun (obnoxious) songs and headed to Tel Hai College where we finally met our Israeli home hosts with whom we are living for the second half of our stay in the North. They are participating with us in our social action mission and joining forces in the Dragon Boat Festival this upcoming Friday (which we will likely reign champion…or something along those lines). We spent the day getting to know each other and preparing for our future endeavours which so far have been great and many more adventures to come!
Social Action Mission - Let the Journey Begin
After an extremely long flight to Tel Aviv, we finally made it. We grabbed our luggage, took out some cash and hooked up our phones (little Wollock and big Haldorsen said hello), and were introduced to our knowledgeable and animated guide Joel.
After being herded onto the bus that will get us from point A to point B for the duration of our trip, we set our eyes on the flea markets and the food of Jaffa which happens to be the only natural port and oldest port in Israel’s history. The only reasonable way to unwind after the flight and after learning to bargain (some of us successfully while others were not), was to load on the sunscreen and spread out the towels on the Metzizim beach. The crystal blue water of the Mediterranean Sea was the best way to ring in our Israeli adventure!
After much more excitement and exploration in Jaffa, we file back onto our bus and head north to the Pavo Craft Brewery for some delicious beer and dinner- how lucky are we?
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