Shnat Netzer - Update 11

Dear parents, shnattim and snifim shalom rav!

This week our shnatties visited Latron- learned about the "Burma Road" that was a makeshift route built by Israeli forces during 1948. Jerusalem had been under siege intermittently since the beginning of 1948.

The British officered took up a strategic position at the Latrun Monastery and police fort that dominated the road and prevented supplies from reaching Jerusalem.

Yesterday Etgar went to participate in the monthly "women of the wall", shacharit in the Western Wall (Kotel).

They were exposed to an educational dilemma whether to support the principals of the Reform movement, represented by the Women of the kotel or to conduct according to the Israeli state lows, who declare that no women should carry the Torah or  put on a Talit on her near the Kotel.

To read more about this event:  http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1129040.html

The Netzer staff is very proud of each Etgarnik who made a knowledgeable decision - whether to join the protest or to support Israel's laws, even if it is not going hand in hand with the reform perspective.

We wish you all a great Shabbat!

Rinat and the Netzer staff.

Report from Etgar by Hannah Goldstone:

Shalom to all,
This week started with a lot of screaming and hiding. Hide and Seek led us of course to an energetic Sunday morning. Nice to see how mature we are all becoming.
Sunday continued with our very own Sammy leading our kehila (community) session. We discussed things like dynamics in the flat and accepting other people's points of views. Next we split off into our Hebrew classes, personally I think we are all progressing in Hebrew and I think we have all learned a lot in these two and a half months. After a short lunch break we had the legendary Mark Lazar!
Monday commenced with more leadership lessons. Sammy and (his trustworthy stand in) Hannah Goldstone, led a very informative session on the art of 'how to get some in Israel'. The 'some' of course referring to something suitable to be referred to in a Parents Report. :)
Then, we all got dressed up in winter clothes - scarves, gloves hats and leg warmers - as it is now really cold in Jerusalem; put on running shoes and we were ready for Marks lesson. We traveled to one of the main sites of the 1948 Israeli War of Independence - Latrun. Sitting amongst a tank graveyard, we spoke about the logistics of the 1948 war, and read passages from 'O, Jerusalem' whilst looking down the hill at the far off Separation Wall.
Later, we went to Burma Road, looked at another memorial and then Mark split us into teams. The group was divided into two teams - men and women. It was at this point that I realized how competitive the people we live with are. The rules of the Wide Game were supposed to be vaguely parallel to the occurrences of the 1948 war, and the women representing the Arabs outnumbered the lads who were trying to get past us, into the monument (safe) area. I have never been so scratched by brambles and thorns, as I RAN through them in a skirt and tights being chased by Andrew speeding like a bullet.
After Tuesdays Hebrew lesson, we had a group debate about the possibility of separation of Religion and State Law. Rabbi Arty Fischer introduced the debate, and we spent an hour fiercely arguing it out. Later that day, we went to the cinema! Etgar watched 'Looking for Eric', I was almost forgetting what England looked like, so it was a nice snap back to reality. The boys particularly enjoyed the football related script.
Wednesday was amazing! The men and women of Etgar woke up at 6:30 in the morning to go to the Kotel (Western Wall). It was a big day for Anat Hoffman who has been campaigning for over 25 years for women's rights in Israel. So, we went with Anat and other Orthodox women with a group called 'women at the wall' to the Kotel early in the morning and made a service in which we (notably the women) sang out loud all the prayers. In Israel, 'the women of the wall' have been granted [after much lobbying by Anat] permission to sing prayers out loud for 11 hours a year.
Then, a medical student put on a Talit (prayer shawl) and prepared to read from the Torah. The act of a woman wearing a Prayer Shawl at the Kotel is against Israeli's (democratic) law. The medical student was arrested and taken to the police station. Most of Etgar protested with other women outside where she was taken, singing Jewish songs, and prayers. We were really united. Most of us signed off the program (you remember the call?) as the protest continued through the Muslim part of Jerusalem. After hours of waiting, finally this brave young woman was freed, still carrying the Torah. The trial will be later this year.
Everyone have a good week, and Shabbat Shalom.
Love from all of Etgar

Report from Machon by Neil (Machon Madrich)

This week's parents report comes from the Netzer Olami office as Machon are on Tiyul.  Next week they will update you in full about what they got up to.  They are currently in the south of the country, and from all accounts are having a great time!

Next week will be an exciting week as they are getting involved with a Palestinian Youth dialogue programme which I'm sure will be a great opportunity to see another side of the situation in Israel today.

On a personal note, the Machon group from Netzer are a fantastic bunch of people, and despite some illness, are really getting the most out of their time here.

It is great to see!

All the best,

Neil

Click here to read last week's update