Tucson Hebrew Academy Visits Kibbutz Zikkim in HA

From Ira Kerem:

On Sunday night, May 31, 10 eighth graders of Tucson Hebrew Academy (THA) were hosted by teens from Kibbutz Zikim in Hof Ashkelon, who study at the Shikma School in Yad Mordechai.

The Americans were met by the Israeli teens who took them on a guided tour of the Kibbutz which included visits to the cowshed, to a hill that overlooks Gaza, and to the petting zoo. They played basketball together and baked pita bread on the "tabun" oven on the campfire.

After a dinner prepared by the mothers of the Israeli students, they went to their host families and returned to sing and just hang out together. In the morning, after tear filled goodbyes, the THA kids departed.

Rabbi Billy repeated his thanks to everyone and was as excited and delighted from the visit as any of the students.

If money is an issue for any group of students who want to visit, you should think about staying even more than one night as guests of the Israelis. Our region is close enough to many sites - Beit Guvrin, beautiful Mediterannean beaches, and only an hour from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv that it can be used as a base to explore a good deal of Israel and also allow for the building of relationships between the Israeli and American kids. Not only that but it can save the Americans money since hotels and food are the major land costs for any visit.

Thanks to Hila and Revital for the pictures.

Ira