Teaching in the Galilee

ADAM GELMON

Just as the school year was winding down for winter break in mid-December, my colleague, Fred Cohen, and I boarded a plane to Israel to spend two weeks at our sister school, Alei Givah. We were headed to the Upper Galilee region as part of Partnership 2000's (P2K) Living Bridge program. Vancouver Talmud Torah school has been involved with the Partnership 2000 program for the past seven years and has enjoyed an ongoing relationship with the students and staff of Alei Givah.

Although I lived in Tel-Aviv as a child, I had very little firsthand experience with northern Israel prior to this trip. It is difficult to hear or read about Israel, especially the northern regions, without being inundated with stories of political tension and instability.

I was looking forward to the trip on many different levels, but wasn't quite sure what to expect in travelling so close to the border, in an area that has been the target of rocket attacks, including August of 2006, when 12 Israeli soldiers were killed by rockets launched by Hezbollah from southern Lebanon. In fact, these rocket attacks occurred at the very same kibbutz that we were visiting.

Alei Givah is located in Kibbutz Kfar Giladi in the Upper Galilee, just minutes south of Metulah, along the Lebanese border. The school is spread out campus-style in one-storey buildings in what feels more like a summer camp than a traditional school setting.

Due to the proximity with historically unfriendly borders, as well as the almost constant underlying threat of attack, some of the classrooms of Alei Givah are located in underground bomb shelters. Not that you would know this at first glance, as they have been painted with bright murals reflecting the warmth, care and enthusiasm of the school community.

Our guide for this trip was the school's P2K co-ordinator, Yehudit, a lifelong kibbutznikit and member of the school teaching staff. Yehudit has been with the program since the beginning and speaks of Talmud Torah and its teachers as if we were down the block rather than thousands of kilometres away.

Yehudit's sentiments were echoed among the staff, students and even in the walls of Alei Givah itself. Pictures and mementos of Vancouver Talmud Torah greet visitors at the entrance of the school and the Living Bridge program is celebrated on a large mural painted across one of its buildings.

Fred and I spent most mornings teaching and visiting with each of the classes at the school. Our intent was to share a little about our school and life in Vancouver and to experience what it was like to work and learn in this very special environment. The week flew by as we taught, sang and danced during our visits with the students and teachers.

The warmth and generosity of the Alei Givah family was apparent both in and out of the classroom and resonated through all of the students and staff.

One morning, between classes, while I was speaking with Tali, the school's principal, a young girl who looked about 10 or 11 approached us. She had arrived late for school that day, with her arm in a sling and a backpack that seemed as big as she was.

"I just got back from the doctor," she explained to us.

Before I could ask her about her injury, she asked Tali and I if she could show me around the school.

"The students are in their chuggim right now, and I think you should see them, the girl explained." Tali agreed with a smile, and off we went.

"My name is Koi ... you know, like the fish," she beamed.

Koi led me around the campus and explained that the students are at different extracurricular programs. The students at Alei Givah have a rich extracurricular life and spend four hours a week in programs ranging from robotics to art to music.

After the impromptu tour, I thanked Koi, and asked if we could take a picture together. "I hope to see you soon," she said with a smile, "and tell the kids at Talmud Torah to come visit."

Both Yehudit and Koi truly embody life at Alei Givah. It's impossible to spend time there and not feel part of the family. The generosity of spirit that these two share runs within the entire fabric of this school, from its very youngest students to its most senior staff.

It seems obvious that our school has a place in the hearts and minds of the students and staff of Alei Givah. It's exciting to think of the possibilities that can continue to come out of a strong bond between our school communities. Undoubtedly, our schools have much to share with each other, and I am truly thankful for the time we spent with our Alei Givah family.

Adam Gelmon is a teacher at Vancouver Talmud Torah school who is currently completing his master's degree in education. He can be reached at [email protected].

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