Volunteering

Thank you, Ben, for the introduction to Bat Yam. It has been amazing so far. The kids at the Kadimahs, both in Keriat Moshe and Bat Yam, have been amazing and the staff welcoming and warm. I am having a great time.

Our responsibilities when volunteering is to have fun with the children. We are in the perfect position of being both a leader and a friend. We don’t have to punish the kids but we still receive the same amount of respect (from most kids). The kids come to the Kadimahs at different times as they are different ages and their schools end at different times. The kids’ day at the kadimah starts off with an hour of learning. This means either homework from school or worksheets given by the centre. Our role is to help them with their work. We usually specialize in English help however I helped with math once and was offered the opportunity to help with tanach but I politely declined. This is followed by activities. I have not yet understood the organization behind the activities but the Madrichim in place seem to know what’s going on.

In Keriat Moshe, the kids were working on their wooden planes that they are preparing the fly. They were supposed to go to a field the day that I was there to fly them but from what I gathered with my limited Hebrew, not all the kids’ planes were ready so they postponed the trip. I did witness one flight and the planes seemed powerful.

At the Kadimah in Bat Yam, I have become close with the middle age group. I go in for their meetings where they sit in a circle and talk about life. I don’t understand all of it but I try. My Hebrew is improving a lot just from talking to the kids.

One time when we were walking home one of the kids, Eli, walked with us as he lived in the same direction. We talked about how we both like basketball. The next time I came he brought his basketball and we played. It is nice to be liked by the kids.

I am going to Tel Aviv tonight. It is amazing that it is so close to Bat Yam. Peace.