Thursday was quite an exciting day for the Diller group. After a day of shopping in the Waterfront, the Israelis headed over to Riverview Towers, a home which provides a comfortable living environment for the elderly, to set up for the Seder. We planned the Seder to give the Israelis contact with the outside community as well as to share our culture and traditions with the people of the Towers. Later, after our respective schools let out, the Pittsburghers joined the Israelis at the Towers for the Seder. We sat amongst the residents and held our own Seder with songs, prayers, and a meal with matzo ball soup as the headliner. After the meal, we boarded the bus to head to Washington for the next day. The bus rides in the following days were probably some of the most fun parts of our trip because of the extreme bonding that comes from just sitting and talking for hours on end. When we got to our Washington hotel, it was quite late and we headed up to our respective rooms and, with the exception of a few who stayed up to talk, most of us crashed.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
On Wednesday, the Israelis began their day with the usual Ma’agal boker, and then headed out to see different synagogues representing the large span of sects of Judaism represented in Squirrel Hill. They spent time at Poale Zedek, Beth Shalom, and Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha, learning about the synagogues’ varying traditions and practices.
In the afternoon, continuing their exploration of the different Jewish cultures within Pittsburgh, the Israelis met at the JCC with four prominent Jewish leaders and educators in the community: Rabbi Shmuly Rothman came to teach them about Orthodox Judaism; Rabbi Chuck Diamond taught Conservative Judaism; Rabbi James Gibson, who taught them about Reform Judaism; and Malke Frank, who taught them about Reconstructionist Judaism. The four rabbis sat at different tables and gave a brief overview of what made their sect of Judaism unique, and then answered any questions that the Israelis had. Each rabbi sat at a table for ten or fifteen minutes, and then cycled over to the next table so that they could talk with everyone. During this time, the American teens began to arrive, and they were able to provide their own viewpoints on what Judaism meant to them.
When the rabbi forum was over, all the American Diller Teen Fellows had arrived, and families began to arrive as well. A few going-away games were played, such as “How well do you know your fellow?” and dinner was served. None of the Diller Fellows (of either nationality) wanted to say goodbye, so a large group went to Razzy Fresh to continue the evening and get some ice-cream. Unfortunately, it was getting late, so everyone did have to go home.
In the afternoon, continuing their exploration of the different Jewish cultures within Pittsburgh, the Israelis met at the JCC with four prominent Jewish leaders and educators in the community: Rabbi Shmuly Rothman came to teach them about Orthodox Judaism; Rabbi Chuck Diamond taught Conservative Judaism; Rabbi James Gibson, who taught them about Reform Judaism; and Malke Frank, who taught them about Reconstructionist Judaism. The four rabbis sat at different tables and gave a brief overview of what made their sect of Judaism unique, and then answered any questions that the Israelis had. Each rabbi sat at a table for ten or fifteen minutes, and then cycled over to the next table so that they could talk with everyone. During this time, the American teens began to arrive, and they were able to provide their own viewpoints on what Judaism meant to them.
When the rabbi forum was over, all the American Diller Teen Fellows had arrived, and families began to arrive as well. A few going-away games were played, such as “How well do you know your fellow?” and dinner was served. None of the Diller Fellows (of either nationality) wanted to say goodbye, so a large group went to Razzy Fresh to continue the evening and get some ice-cream. Unfortunately, it was getting late, so everyone did have to go home.
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