Israeli emissary Sael Abecassis, left, led the seven Israeli camp counselors in setting up the Israel Day at the Y, from left, Ofir Aharon, Oded Harush, Yulia Merkulovich, Nadav Maoz, Gili Zerahia, Orit Shitrit, and Reut Stern.
Advertisement
July 16, 2009
According to the seven young Israelis serving as counselors at the YM-YWHA of Union County and the JCC of Central New Jersey’s Camp Yachad this summer, local kids are pretty much like Israeli kids except for two things, one that may come as a surprise to parents and one that won’t: The American youngsters are a little more obedient, and they are hooked more than their Israeli counterparts on their pocket video games.
The shlihim — emissaries recruited by the Jewish Agency for Israel — are among the approximately 1,000 chosen to serve in Jewish summer camps across North America.
They were selected, they said, from a final group of applicants about five times that size. Orientation and training sessions prepared them for the challenge of dealing with American kids of all ages. Their task is to acquaint those youngsters with the culture, history, geography, and the everyday life of Israel
Most have just completed their national or army service or are close to completing it. They are in their early 20s, ready to embark on college courses or further travel. All are high energy, at least partially fluent in English, and passionate about their homeland.
Asked what has struck them most about New Jersey, the collective answer was: “The greenness!”
As for American kids, they say they find them open and enthusiastic, and sometimes surprisingly knowledgeable about Israel.
Camp Yachad counselors
Yulia Merkulovich, 21, the cultural specialist for Camp Yachad, lives in Arad. She completed her army service — providing support for soldiers in need of social and economic help — late last year.
Ofir Aharon, 22, is also from Arad. He was a combat soldier in an infantry unit, and before the army, he worked as a security guard at an electrical plant.
Nadav Maoz, 22, is from Afula, in the north of Israel. He finished his army service three months ago. He was responsible for communications on his base. In the first session of the camp, he is handling sports; in the second month, he will be with a travel group.
Gili Zerahia, 21, also a cultural specialist in the camp, lives in Ramat-Efal, near Tel Aviv. When she returns to Israel, she will have two more months of army service.
Union Y counselors
Reut Stern, 20, comes from Mitzpe Hoshaya. She was a commander by the end of her army service four months ago, and taught soldiers studying for their high school finals. Her first month she is staying with Baruch and Orah Sheinson; for the second, she will be with Mark and Shari Bloomberg.
Oded Harush, 22, is from Dimona. He finished his army service eight months ago as a tank commander in the armored corps. His hosts in the Central community are Marvin and Lynn Rosenzweig.
Orit Shitrit, 20, comes from Kiryat Mozkin. She served as a teacher of Jewish values in the army. Her hosts are Yisroel and Bracha Schechter.
Comment: comments@njjewishnews.com
--TOP--