Yesterday morning the Galil community was thrilled to leave for our day of tikkun olam. For a few years now we have decided to devote our day to the JRA, the Jewish Relief Agency. Once a month volunteers line up inside the JRA warehouse and pack up a variety of canned goods assembly-line-style to be distributed to needy Jewish families in the Greater Philadelphia area. This amazing organization started eight years ago with only three volunteers, but it has grown enormously with the participation of over 500 volunteers every month, and the organization of the loading and routes is quite astounding.
Donning our chultzot and Galil shirts, we arrived full of energy and our now renowned ruach and began to move the boxes down the line like hot potatoes. All the while we sang our Galil songs at the top of our lungs. Along with the other volunteers, we loaded almost 14 1/2 tons of food. After loading the food, we hopped aboard the busses which took us to our delivery destinations, and small groups of chanichim knocked on doors to deliver the boxes of food to the families in need.
All in all it was a great experience, and the kids could really see the direct impact of their work of the day. Tochnit erev was l'fi shichva, and the Amelim sat around the midurah and took turns telling campfire stories. The Tzofim had a movie night and watched Step Up 2, relaxing after a long day.
After all the kids went to bed, the Bonim went into action. Every summer the Bonim plan and run Aliyah Bet, where they lead the younger chanichim through the woods while recreating Aliyah Bet, the illegal immigration to British-mandated Palestine by Jews during the Second World War. Madrichim and Madatzim were positioned throughout the woods to create sound effects, pose as soldiers, or to help the olim. The Bonim woke the kids and together with the Bogrim led them through the different routes to end up in Palestine, where they were greeted with celebration, foods, and hot chocolate. Everyone, including the Bonim, were relieved to finally retire for the night, and enjoyed a well-deserved sleep-in.
L'hitraot,
Alon
tikkun olam - fixing the world
chultzot - movement shirts
ruach - spirit (and wind)
chanichim - campers
tochnit erev - evening program
l'fi shichva - by age group
midurah - bonfire
madrichim - counselors
Madatzim - counselors-in-training
olim - immigrants to Israel
No comments:
Post a Comment