Community Service - CAARI Volunteers by Marcia Bercov

CAARI Serves Israel's Community
"As you might already know, part of the CAARI program incorporates some Community Service, or volunteer work, during the four weeks in which the group stays here in Tel Aviv.  Some people choose to work in an elementary school, tutoring children in Grades 4-6 in improving their English language skills.  Another option is working at Ichilov Hospital’s rehab department, serving breakfast to patients or doing similar tasks.
A few years ago another volunteer opportunity opened up at the Tel Aviv Botanic Garden, and this has been my choice since then. The Garden itself, across the road from Tel Aviv University, focuses on research and education.  As volunteers, we help weed the garden and collect seeds in the Seeds Room.
This year our volunteer coordinator is Iyar, a young man doing his National Service at the Garden."

CAARI also volunteers in the JNF forests - see Blog on Forest Work!


Botanical Garden CAARI volunteers

Ichilov Rehab Center

Bal Shem Tov

Amiel Rambam

 Kfir

Ballfour

Golumb

Israel's National Tree Planting Ceremony - Tu'Bshvat

Today is the day we joined with Israelis for the national tree planting day.  Dressed in the JNF attire, CAARI assisted in handing out the trees and showing people where to plant.   They came  - grandparents, children, parents, students - from all over to plant a tree.  The planting took place in one of the areas, Neve Shalom, that was damaged by fire in the fall of 2016.  The sun was shining and lots of smiles!  Great day!

Saving Israel's Lost Daughters - Beit Ruth Visit and Tree Planting - JNF Lavi Forest

Today is called a tour day!  We are heading north to a place called Beit Ruth.  CAARI has visited this place before and we were so impressed with this facility.  Just to set the stage - over 30,000 girls aged 13-18 are considered at risk in Israel.  Lost to the streets, forgotten and abused in their family homes.  

The Beit Ruth Educational & Therapeutic Village, located in Afula,  is a long-term therapeutic residence and school for the vulnerable and at-risk girls.  The mission of Beti Ruth is to give the girls the opportunity to thrive emotionally, socially and academically, thereby breaking the cycle of violence for themselves and future generations of children in Israel. In a safe, structured and loving home environment, Beit Ruth provides the academic and therapeutic resources necessary to enable at-risk girls to re-enter society as caring, educated, independent and empowered young women.  

Iris greeted us and told us about this wonderful place – how it began, why it is so needed, and a tour of the campus.  We meet some of the girls and although many of them did not speak Hebrew, they made us feel so welcome.  Some of them joined us in an ‘art activity’ where we drew a face and passed it on to the next person, who added something to the face!  Fun!  This was followed by a a TuBshvat Ceremony.  We came away from the ‘wow’ visit with such a positive feeling about Beit Ruth and the work they do.  Perhaps some of us will meet in New York for the Gala on April 26, 2018.  For more information http://www.beitruth.com/gala

Following lunch we journeyed to the JNF Northern Tree Planting Center, in Lavi Forest, for tree planting.  This was our opportunity to physically connect with the land and remember or honor loved ones.

 

In the evening, with sadness and fond memories, we  bid “Li’hitriot” to the 3- week participants and welcomed the 4 week participants!