PITTSBURGH VOLUNTEER JOINS HUSBAND IN CARMIEL-MISGAV
by Ruth Markowitz

Volunteers at kindergarten

In December of 2002, when my husband announced he wanted to serve in Sar El, the National Project for Volunteers for Israel, for a second year, I was not pleased at the prospect of being left behind a second time. I wanted to volunteer also, but not in the army. Upon contacting the shaliach in Pittsburgh, Michael Fisher, I was made aware of Partnership 2000, a program linking the communities of Misgav and Carmiel in Israel with the Jewish communities of Pittsburgh and Baltimore. I was told that the city of Carmiel in the northern Galilee was accepting volunteers and so I decided to participate.

My experience in Carmiel was unique. Volunteering in the soup kitchen which serves close to l50 warm meals to needy Carmiel residents, accompanying civil and school security teams as they patrolled the area, packing bags of groceries at a community food bank, spending two mornings at an army base helping to repair telephones used by the soldiers, observing and assisting residents of Kishor Village, a home for adults with special needs, and attending after school clubs in an elementary school gave me the opportunity to gain insight into the educational, social and security aspects of the Israeli society.

I felt that my visit to Kishor Village, an integrated community, based on the kibbutz concept of communal life serving the developmentally challenged was a highlight of my visit, As I understand there is no community comparable to this one in the United States. I was impressed by the fact that the residents are a close-knit community who have responsibilities working in the organic vegetable garden, the dog kennels, the chicken coops, the laundry and painting wooden toys produced in the carpentry shop and other areas of the village, all of which makes them feel productive members o of society.

The group of parents and professional who established this community so that these adults can achieve a life of independence and self-sufficiency are to be commended for their vision and diligence in pursuing this goal.

Housing accommodations were provided, and the three families I stayed with were gracious and friendly and afforded the chance to take part in the everyday life of the Israelis.

I was moved by comments made by many of the Israelis I me telling me how much my visit was appreciated. I now know that my presence there was an indication of my support and concern for the present situation in Israel.

I feel privileged to have been a participant in this joint endeavor of the United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh and the Jewish Agency of Israel.

Adar Aleph 5763 - March 2003