Dear our wonderful and inspiring parents,
Today was exhausting, and we can put it at that. From a long night of dancing and socializing with the other North American cohorts, the wake up at nine o’clock seemed so early. The day started out with a breakfast in the large cafeteria where we were able to stock on food to get us through the first set of discussions and activities.
After breakfast, all of us had to pack all of our belongings because we were moving because the Israelis were soon to arrive. Around 10 o’clock we reunited with our Israelis. Following that, there was an introduction where we all became familiar with the strange faces that just joined the Diller Congress. In our small group discussions, two Israelis from each cohort (city) were added to our group. So in each group, there are four fellows from each partnership so there were approximately 24 kids in each group. Groups were led by junior counselors and regional coordinators (Steve is ours.)
Our first discussion was about “breaking the ice.” All of the fellows went around in a circle and literally held a block of ice telling strange facts about themselves until it was cold to hold. In the middle of each ice block there is a bag of chocolate where the group got to share after we “broke the ice.” Ironic? Funny?
Later that day, we had lunch and a short period to rest. Soon after that was over, we had our second discussion which was about Judaism and the connection that we have to not only our family, but to our kinsman as a whole. We were able to discuss and lay out a large map where we could each tell the history of our families and it was intriguing to find out how different our families’ histories were, and how similar others were. It was a great experience where we were able to connect and discuss the different stories of how people are able to find Judaism and passion for the culture and heritage of the Jewish people.
Thank you guys for always being there for us and we all miss you. Pittsburgh is probably the same and we are having the time of our lives. We are almost half way through our experience in the Israeli Summer Seminar and we will be home before you know it, so don’t miss us too much.
Xoxo,
Your children
Written by: Zeesha Braslawsce and Eli Gelernter
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