Dear Friends,

The past few weeks have not been easy ones. We are dealing with daily rocket attacks, which range from unnerving to simply frightening. Despite this, we continue with our daily task of education; helping our students study and become part of Israeli society. We are sure we have not seen the last of the rockets, yet Hamas' attempt to dismantle our daily routines will come to naught. Our 55 new Ethiopian students are our proud response to the Hamas.  We maintain a vibrant, warm, dynamic community which continues to draw new students. By the end of March, their number will reach 230. 
 
We welcome the warm embrace of the Jewish communities overseas and of those governments who have identified with our plight.

On April 16th, 2001, the first kassam rocket was fired into Sderot, and over the past six years 2800 rockets have fallen. Sometimes it seems as if the news items of another rocket falling reaches deaf ears, even though many of those rockets mean damage to property, frightened children, injured and even dead citizens. I add the collapsed real estate market, the losing battle of small businesses to stay alive and the ensuing unemployment, poverty and the collapsing social services. The yawning gap between the standard of living of residents in the shadow of rockets, and those in the center of the country is no secret. It seems as if we have become all too used to the media coverage: panicked residents, complaining residents, fleeing residents, politicians visiting, politicians promising and politicians' broken promises. 
 
Yet, despite the difficulties and despite a feeling of growing distance from the rest of the country, which goes about its daily life with no hindrances, we offer a message of cooperation and hope. All the small and large gestures of support from the outside and from each other, warm our hearts and fortify our determination. Our volunteers, our guests, and the caravans of support from around the country, asking to help in material and spirit, strengthen us and our desire to lift our heads high and believe that only too soon when we hear the call "Red Alert," it won't be a warning to enter a secure area, but a call to view the carpets of red wild flowers blooming in the adjacent fields.

Best Regards,

Soni Singer and the entire staff of
the Ibim-San Diego Student Village

Snowy Soujourn

While the Hebrew of the Purim Megilla may have confounded even some of Ibim's best language students, not a one missed Haman's name when it was read. Only too reminiscint of Iran's despicable President Ahmadinejad, each time round, Haman's name evoked a hefty chorus of angry jeers. After the Megillah was completed, the students headed off to a big party to celebrate the villain's demise with games, dancing, a costume contest and food stands.

Staff Respite

As much as the San Diego-Ibim Student Village staff try to keep a stiff upper lip and try not to let the pressures of living amongst falling rockets affect their cheer and stamina, the breaking point may be closer than one wishes. The Jewish Agency wisely encouraged the staff and their families to take an R & R weekend at the Dead Sea. Upon our return, no other than Ze'ev Bielski, the Jewish Agency Chairman arrived to show his support for the staff and students. Bielski toured the village, saw our newly secured dining room, our clubhouses and our new synagogue.