In early November we decided to visit our son and his family in Jerusalem for the month of December. It had been a year since our last trip to Israel with our local Federation,s mission. We also wanted to participate in Partnership 2000's volunteer program in Arad. Because of the lack of volunteers signed up in recent weeks, the coordinator of P2K in Arad , Shmuel Kaplan agreed to have us come for ten days. Three weeks is the minimum term for volunteers. We were really delighted and excited to be "accepted" and warmly welcomed by the community. Our welcome was so warm that a tinge of sadness accompanied our delight knowing that volunteers are literally fearful of coming to Israel at this time. As late as the week before our departure, following two more horrendous terrorist incidents, Shmuel phoned to ask if we were still coming. We responded "Of course".
 
From the moment we arrived by taxi from Jerusalem, Shmuel, a former Chicagoan was our help and support. We were taken to a spacious lovely one- bedroom apartment and all our needs were anticipated.
 
We chose among several volunteering options to assist in a children's day care facility in Arad, run by WIZO (Womens' International Zionist Organization).We opted to work with the "older" children ages 2 ½ to 3 ½ for four hours each day except Shabbat. This was a most satisfying and instructive experience. The regular staff were admirable for their hard work and loving dedication to their 36 children. The children were very diverse in culture and background. Some were Russian immigrants, others from Yemenite, Indian, and Morrocan roots. Kids in this age range are not an easy bunch to handle. Several times during a typical day we would be confronted with two children locked in violent combat over a toy,a ball, or a swing even tho' there were ample other balls, toys etc. nearby. It appears that violence is a part of the human situation from the outset. The teachers harnessed this raw energy into meaningful and highly creative activities.
 
Overall structure and cooperative behavior in the center were praiseworthy. At mealtimes these children of such a tender age waited patiently to be served, were happy to receive their portions, and mostly cleaned their plates. There were no refusals or tantrums at the table. After the noon meal each child found his very own mattress and went to sleep by themselves with almost no exceptions. As we moved from activity to activity the children gathered up the materials and toys and returned them to their proper storage containers with very little adult direction. We asked the teachers how they trained the kids to be so cooperative and responsible. They explained that at the start of the year they structured the program and it was smooth sailing thereafter. Teachers and aids were firm and kind and consistent. High school age girls from a nearby school came in to assist for short periods every so often during the week.
 
Arad is an isolated peaceful desert town (population about 25000) with a large percentage of Russian immigrants. Walking around the city we felt completely safe and at ease. Arad is situated about a half hour east and slightly north of Be'er Sheva and another ½ hour or so further r east to the Sea of Salt or Dead Sea. It has a modern two story indoor shopping mall , a cinema, 2 small hotels ,many B and B's, a number of very small synagogues including a beautiful Ethiopian Shul constructed with funds from a donor in NJ, a small egalitarian conservative congregation, a large population of Gerer Chasidim, a large cultural and Community center, several parks and playgrounds, a sports stadium ,tennis courts, and several government sponsored schools both secular and religious, a "Democratic" school (experimental in nature) which NJ-Delaware supports, a weekly giant open air market, two supermarkets, an industrial area including a large factory that produces bath ,cosmetic and therapeutic products from the Dead Sea .
 
We had some pleasant" extracurricular" experiences. Philip was asked by WUJIS(World Union of Jewish Students) to lecture on his longterm study and book connected with the 613 Mitzvot. The students come to Arad from all over the USA and other countries ,for a 9 month post graduate period of intense Judaic studies. They are all college graduates and the aim of the course is to interest them in employment in Israel in their chosen professions prior to returning home. They are housed in Arad's immigrant absorption center and mingle with the new arrivals from Ethiopia and Russia and other countries. We spent two evenings with a group of Israelis who have future assignments in the USA. A few have already visited our Jewish community. We "practiced " English speaking with them. Our discussions centered around their perceptions of the USA and also facts and even history of Jewish life in NJ. During one evening discussion one of the participants apologized for arriving late explaining that she had just returned from a shiva call to the home`of a relative in Immanuel , who was slain in a recent terrorist attack. Thus the aroma of violence reached us even in remote Arad.
 
On the last day of our work at the Day Care Center, the regular routine was interrupted. A touching farewell ceremony was held in our honor. We were showered with songs by the children, words of gratitude from the staff as well as a beautiful homemade certificate commemorating our volunteer program. Again, we felt humbled and undeserving of such praise for such a brief time of service.. It isn,t often we feel so valued and loved. Our response was WOW.
 
Arad has exceptionally pure air and water. When you get up in the AM and look out towards the eastern horizon, the spirit within you is lifted by the sight of ancient mountains across the Dead Sea and closer, in Israel. These ranges have witnessed eons of history, and ask us to reaffirm our belief that the pettiness ,meaness, and desperation that lead to violence will dissolve in the long course of time, and that we will find our way to peace and mutual respect.

Iyar 5762 - May 2002