Miri Hasson, Israeli emissary to the Central federation, is helping to select young Americans to serve as summer camp counselors on the Kefiada program in Israel.
March 20, 2008
Just half way into her own year serving as part of the “living bridge” between Israel and the United States, Miri Hasson finds herself helping to select others to make that connection — but in the reverse direction.
Hasson, the Israeli shliha, or emissary, to the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey, is helping select American counselors for summer camps in Israel.
The eight young people from New Jersey and Delaware will work in Arad, Tamar, or Kibbutz Ein Gedi on the Kefiada (Hebrew for “fun”) program run by the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Jewish federations participating in its Partnership 2000 program.
Arad and Tamar in the Negev are among the sister communities of the Central federation and 110 other regional federations under P2K.
The June 24-July 21 program is open to high school graduates ages 19 to 25. The only cost to the counselors is a $250 tuition fee; their flights, accommodation, and most food is covered.
Knowing what being an emissary takes — and what it gives — Hasson is very clear about the qualities required.
Kefiada counselors “need to be people who connect easily with other people and who are open to learning new things,” she said, talking in her office at the federation in Scotch Plains, its walls adorned with maps and posters of Israel.
Hasson, 24, comes from Beersheva and knows Arad, which is about a 45-minute drive away. She fairly fizzes with enthusiasm when she talks about the program. Teaching people here about Israel has been such a labor of love for her, she said, and she is passionate about what actually being in the country could do for the participants.
“When they come back, they will be able to be emissaries for Israel themselves,” she said.
Participants will also be able to show Israelis what the country means to those in the Diaspora.
“When you live in the country, you don’t think about how special it is, how beautiful, what a privilege it is to live among Jewish people, to have your own country to fight for and develop. When I hear people here talk about what it was like for them visiting Israel, I get so excited. I love it even more.”
When she was selected by the Jewish Agency, which runs the Israeli end of the shaliah program, she was puzzled by the thoroughness of the screening. No longer.
“Now I understand what a good match they made, sending me to this community,” she said, adding that “this has been the most wonderful place to be.”
Modern Orthodox, she has been welcomed by families in Elizabeth, where she is staying in an apartment. “I know that these people will be my friends for life,” she said.
Her days are filled with classes and presentations at the YM-YWHA of Union County, the Jewish Community Center of Central NJ, and at schools and synagogues. Driven by an intense awareness of her responsibility — to inspire children’s interest in Israel — she has been striving to come up with the most engaging and enjoyable lessons she can.
This was the one thing she feared before coming — that she would not be able to engage the local children. In Israel, as a teacher-soldier during her time in the army, she worked with many children and loved it, but she thought this might be different. Those doubts are long gone. “It has been wonderful. I love these kids,” she said.
And that is how she wants the Americans to feel working in Israel. “They need to be able to create their own activities, to come up with lots of ideas,” she said.
Arad does not offer bright lights or much night life. “This is not for people who are looking to party,” she said. “This is a beautiful, meaningful opportunity for people to really get to know this particular side of Israeli life.”
During the day the Americans will be with the children, and in the evenings they will be with their fellow counselors — an opportunity she sees as a great bridge-building opportunity in itself. On weekends they could be with host families or visiting other areas.
Reyna Steinberg, 22, of Springfield went on Kefiada in 2006 and again in 2007, proof, Hasson suggested, of just how much fun it is.
In an article on the Jewish Agency Web site, Steinberg said, “It just gets better from year to year. I hope I’ll come back again next year.”
Kefiada applications
Applications for the Kefiada program need to be submitted by Monday, April 14. Those selected will have an orientation in Cherry Hill on May 18, when they will meet with people who have gone on the program in the past. For more information, contact Miri Hasson or call 908-889-5335.
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