before i start with my own story, i have another story to tell: that of yahel, the service-learning program that i will devote the next nine months of my life to.
like many american jews, i was brought up to support and believe in the jewish homeland from a very young age. to question israel was to question our heritage and america's commitment to its allies, and that just wasn't done. i'm not saying israel isn't great-- it is! but it also has its struggles, including widespread marginalization of its poor immigrant communities. fortunately, there is a movement in israel to empower these communities and achieve social equality. when i decided to go to israel, i knew i wanted to be a part of this change.
what is yahel?
yahel is a service-learning program for young adults that places volunteers in two israeli cities to be a part of community change in that city. it is supported by MASA Israel, an organization that funds trips to israel for young Jews. Yahel teaches true collaboration between volunteers and neighbors, aiming to improve quality of life while empowering its participants to foster change.
where will i be?
i was placed in lod, a small city 15 miles southeast of tel aviv. it is a diverse city, with thousands of arab, ethiopian, and russian civilians living alongside israeli jews. however, lod is also known for its poverty, crime, and poor quality of life.. which is exactly why i chose to go there.
what will i be doing?
yahel has two component: service and learning. some mornings will be spent learning, either in hebrew ulpan (lesson) or studying the history of israel, its communities, and social change theory and community organizing techniques. the other mornings of the week will be spent volunteering in one of two placements: either tutoring english in an israeli school, or working with a local nonprofit to assist with english-speaking administrative work. finally, my afternoons will be spent at a variety of local placements, including community centers and gardens, and tutoring sites.
why yahel?
upon graduating, i knew i wanted to work abroad and i knew i wanted to go to israel. but i didn't want to experience israel as a visitor-- i wanted to contribute, and to have a real stake in the country's future. in part, i feel an obligation to the jewish homeland and a duty to do my part to improve the lives of jews. at michigan, i spent four years learning about political contexts and development, as well as theories of social change and community organization. now, past michigan, i want to actually put my knowledge and passion to work.