14 of March - Purim Carnival for Ethiopian children
While the major Ethiopian immigration occurred in 1985 and 1991, there is still a slow trickle of Ethiopian Jews into the country that is under the radar of most Israelis. Kedma, an international student organization that focuses upon social action, recently ran a Purim festival to welcome 21 new Ethiopian Jews currently studying in Talpiot Mizrach (East Talpiot). Studying in a special class to help ease their acculturation, these children have not yet experienced the rhythm of modern Jewish life that many of us take for granted.
In order to teach them about Purim in a fun environment, thirty Kedma volunteers representing various seminaries around Jerusalem, such as Shaalvim for Women and Midreshet Harovah dedicated much time and effort to prepare for this past Friday's carnival held at the school.
Kedma's Shira Zimmerman greeted the children warmly and proceeded to engage them in the many activities offered at the carnival. The children pinned the scepter on Queen Esther, made groggers, had their faces painted and threw hoops to win prizes. The Kedma volunteers were especially inspired by the new immigrants' ability and desire to write Hebrew messages, which accompanied the mishloach manot that they created and presented to one another.
While the cultural and language differences posed some challenges, both the children and Kedma volunteers deemed the enterprise an overwhelming success, encapsulated by the smiles and camaraderie evident throughout the day. The new immigrants not only learned a great deal about Purim, but it was clear that they deeply appreciated the attention that they received from the foreign students, especially as they struggle with a new country and culture.
While Kedma currently runs
an array of volunteer programs within Israel, it is clear that the
success of this program will translate into further activities for these
new immigrants.
As is often the case with volunteering, the Kedma students felt that
they received at least as much as they gave.
As Yael Schonfeld, student coordinator of the event said, "Before I went to Friday's carnival I thought that I would brighten up a child's day or even change one child's world. However, as I left the classroom at the end of the carnival, I realized that these amazing children have brightened up my day and changed the way that I perceive life."
March 2008 - The Kedma SDEROT committee
The community of Sderot is plagued almost daily by Quassam rocket attacks. The attacks have caused many deaths, injuries and terrible mental distress to Sderot residence. In addition, the city’s businesses have been severely damaged as many are afraid to shop in outdoor unprotected places.
Students studying in Israel for the year could not remain unaware of what is happening in Sderot and many have resolved to put energy into assisting the fraught community. Kedma Student Organization created the “Sderot Committee”, a committee consisting of dedicated students who are willing to take a big chunk of their time to help Sderot. The committee organizes projects that aim at raising the morale of the people and helping struggling businesses.
Miriam Trent from the Sderot committee worked initiated a program to sell cookies from a Sderot bakery in various Seminaries in Jerusalem. The students in the Seminaries buy the cookies for families they go to for Shabbat. Cards are placed in each box of cookies that explain what is going on in Sderot and how to help. “It was very successful so far”, said Miriam. “It is very convenient because girls need something to buy for their families. At the same time it raises awareness about the situation.”
Another project being organized by the Sderot Committee is an arts and crafts supplies drive. Students in various Seminaries have put up posters and are creating fundraising activities to raise money to buy supplies for the children’s centers in Sderot.
Victoria, a student in Midreshet Harova who is co-organizing the project said, “We want to let people know that these people are living in the Land we were promised and it is amazing that they are there. Everyone should help them out.”
22 of January 2008- Tu Bishvat Planting at Herzog Psychiatric Ward
This Tu Bishvat a group of female psychiatric patients in Jerusalem’s Herzog Hospital participated in the festivities. Kedma student volunteers, equipped with pots, seeds and soil, came to sing and plant flowers with the patients. The planting was done in mostly one on one with the volunteers encouraging the patients to work independently.
“We worked specifically with patients who are often ‘forgotten’ by the general population and encouraged the volunteers to overcome their ‘fear of the other “said Batya Zamshtein Health Projects Coordinator for Kedma.” We wanted to get the patients to do something where they put in effort and have something lasting of their own.”
A few of the volunteers are in Kedma’s medical clowning internship program and arrived at the program dressed up.
“We got as many patients involved as we could, spent time with them afterwards, and let them do as much as possible. Tried to make them work independently “said Danielle Spizlinger, a medical clown in Sha'alvim for Women. “It was a nice change for them to have people come visit. It doesn’t seem like they get that many visitors.
“It was exciting for them to see us dressed up”, said Rachel Stern, one of the medical clowns from Be’er Miriam, “We had a good connection with the patients. They were singing with us. It was really amazing to see how happy it made them. It was one of the most fun days I’ve ever had.”
19 of January 2008 - Press Release - Choir Competition 2008
Jerusalem's beautiful Pavillion hall will be echoing the melodious harmonies of 18 different seminaries Saturday night January 19th. Songs of varying styles, tempos and themes are scheduled to be preformed by the musically inclined of the young women spending their year studying in Israel. The students have tirelessly been preparing for months for the annual inter-seminary choir competition coordinated by Kedma, an international student organization, and Yeshiva University.
"There are so many musical girls but even girls who don't have much musical background are very enthusiastic and come to all the practices." said Freddy Laury, student choir head for Midreshet Yeud, "There's a piano in the basement. We have practices every day for the different parts and different times. We've even downloaded a computer program that helps us write our own sheet music."
The choir competition, which began almost 10 years ago, is a highlight for many female students here on one year programs. Most religious women don't have many opportunities to perform due to restrictions from Jewish Law. The competition is a platform for the students to express their talents in from of a large audience. They have a lot of fun, cheer on their friends, and root for their own schools all while helping a good cause.
The competition, called "Kol Chatan v' Kol Kallah" donates all of the proceeds to underprivileged women. Part of the money goes to Rabbanit Kapach for brides who can't afford a wedding through her "Hachasat Kallah" fund. Rabbanit Kapach, winner of the Israel Prize, founded the fund in order to help needy brides with wedding dresses and household necessities. The rest of the money goes to various chesed projects assisting battered women, mothers who can't afford baby supplies, and women who are elderly or have been hospitalized.
The money is collected by the students both by selling tickets and through fundraising done by each participating school. Among other projects, students make raffles, sell breakfasts, and even design cookbooks in order to raise money for the event.
The event will take place Saturday night January 19th at the Pavillion hall in Talipot, Jerusalem.
14 of December 2007 - Helping at a farm in Ashkelon
A group of students from Midreshet Harova and Midreshet Yeud spent last Friday morning in Ashkelon lending a helping hand to former Gush Katif farmer, Ronit Balaban. The disengagement has cost her 5 million shekels, as she did not even receive half of the compensations promised by the Israeli government.
“She told us about her huge farm and her home that she worked so hard on,” said Lauren, a student volunteer, “and how now she has no home, just a caravan which she may not even have for long.”
The 12 volunteers helped Ronit move plants from smaller pots to bigger ones, a job that would have already been accomplished if she had all the help that she needed.
“My feeling is that we were forgotten by the government.” said Ronit to Kedma, “The students really helped me, both by helping with the physical work and by lifting my moral and reminding me that we have not been completely forgotten by the Jewish nation.”
9 of December 2007 - Spa for Victims of Domestic Violence
Sunday morning, the 5th day of Chanukah about 20 Kedma students put together a Spa for women who had been victims of domestic violence. The hall in Har Nof was transformed into relaxing and fun Spa with student-run booths offering different services. The 40 women who came were able to get massages, facials, manicures, have their hair styled and get a makeover. In addition, a booth was set up selling beauty care products that the women could purchase using a gift certificate they were given.
The activity was run by Kedma in conjunction with “Bat Melech”, a non-profit organization which operates shelters for religious women who are forced to leave their homes due to domestic violence. Twice a year Bat Melech organized a day for women who had been in the shelter and left. Rikki, coordinator for Bat Melech, explained that their organization tries to help the women reclaim their sense of self. Before the shelter they had lost themselves altogether and days like these are part of the rehabilitation process. “The women don’t have this.”, said Rikki referring to Kedma's Spa ativity, “they neither have the money for such a thing nor the very idea of treating themselves.” Regarding the success of the activity RIkki said, “It was amazing. It was the highlight of their day. The students were wonderful- both in the warm and friendly way they related to the women and in their professional attitude,
Yael Katzeff, a student participant in Sunday’s activity said that initially she was nervous that the women would feel they were being pitied but during the activity saw that they enjoyed it a lot. “It was a great opportunity to connect with different people in Israel, said Yael, “and it was wonderful to see that a little hairdo and a chat could help. You can make someone’s day in such a small way.”
4 of December 2007 - Gush Katif Pre Chanukah Shopping Spree
The night before Chanukah, 200 students came to help support Gush Katif start-up businesses. The students, full of energy and enthusiasm, bought from the several businesses that arrived and some helped sell items with “Gush Katif” emblems.
For Monday’s event, Kedma worked in conjunction with “JobKatif”: an organization dedicated to rebuilding the lives of former Gush Katif residents by assisting them in gaining employment. Together several businesses were brought to Michlalah in Bayit Vegan selling jewelry, books, natural herbs, house ware, clothing, sweets, art and more. The event was organized both to support the new businesses and to raise awareness amongst the student public regarding the former Gush Katif residents’ current situation.
“It was very nice…” said Elinor Salomon from Shaalvim for Women, “…there were many different types of things to buy and it was informative in a way that we could see how businesses from there were trying to start up again.”
Contact sheets were distributed so that the students and their families could continue supporting Gush Katif businesses.