The Long Walk to Connections...

It’s a sweaty, heat induced 15 minute walk from 11 Imbar street in Bat Yam to Qiryati street. In the 10 a.m. Israeli heat we trudge along with sun drenching our backs in drippyness. Water in hand, bags on our backs, we walk each and every morning to the Youth Centre (Bayt Ha’Noar) where we are with the kids from 10 a.m. until about 4 p.m. And every morning upon arrival, we wave and shout the “Bokker Tov”s to familiar faces. Sometimes the kids smile and say “Shalom, Ma Koreh?” in return. But sometimes they are too busy talking or arguing or just hanging out with friends. But that’s okay. They are kids and they can be trouble. But the bonds we have formed here aren’t easy to shape into words. Sometimes just a game of Taki is the connection we have with one of the youths here. We sit on the couch, cards in hand and take turns placing them in the centre. Not many words are exchanged, but the connection is there. Sometimes it’s sharing a cup of tea or water and asking “Ma Matzav?” The boys have tended to bond more with the boys, and the girls have connected a lot with other girls, (but with the boys, too). Teaching them new things has been exciting as well. Good ol’ Canadian Hockey, English vocabulary, pass the parcel...the list goes on.

But let’s not forget Kiryat Moshe. Different kids, different environment, different Madrichim (guides), but a lot of the same spirit. We’re trying to help them learn the tools for everyday life. Sounds major, does it? Well, we’re not here to change the world, or Israel, or even the lives of new Israelis. We’re here to show them we care. Even though we live thousands of miles away and don’t live on schnitzel, pita, and hummus like they do- we don’t want to see them on the streets. We want to see them pushing their limits and gaining the skills they need to succeed as Israelis.

As we walk back at the end of a long and tiring day. The sun is still at our backs. Our ¾ empty water bottles dangle at our sides. We meander along the streets laughing and chatting about the day. Some go home, some to the beach for some r&r, some make a stop for groceries. Yes, we’re tired, and HOT, but it’s Israel, and this is what we do each day. And we love it.