ISSN 1945-7588
ISSUE 30 | DECEMBER, 2015 | 5776
er
nte
volu
CONNECTION
THE
NOTES FROM
PAMELA
The summer is over and along with it, all
the holidays. We need a lot of volunteers
for the winter season so start your new year
the right way by signing up for VFI/Sar-El.
Remember—your heart is here; now just
bring your body here. I hope to see you soon. A permanent reminder for all applicants:
Beginning in 2016, all volunteers must
begin the program on Sundays; there are
no Monday starting dates. Volunteers must
arrive at the airport before 5:00 p.m. If in
Israel before the starting Sunday, call Pam
at 052-821-9945.
THERMAL SOCKS FOR SOLDIERS
Speaking with a group of lone soldiers the
other day, it came up that they need thermal
socks to stay warm during the winter.
I thought that this would be something
volunteers could bring in their luggage as
they are cheap and take up little space.
Please give them to me on meeting day and
I will get them to the combat units.
The new VFI PLUS Program
For 33 years, Volunteers for Israel has sent hundreds of Americans each year to
Israel to volunteer on an IDF base for 1 to 3 weeks. Most volunteers make their
own personal flight arrangements, hotel accommodations, dining and touring
arrangements if any, and regional travel connections. VFI PLUS is an enhanced 17-day program which bundles volunteering on an
IDF base with a program of intensive guided touring in a private bus. This
arrangement maximizes value as an escorted, turnkey, All-Inclusive Program
for volunteers. VFI PLUS is designed to simplify travel and touring for international travelers. The program is keyed to appeal to first time visitors to Israel, solo volunteer
sojourners, volunteers seeking to round out their experience with expert sightseeing, volunteers who desire all arrangement to be managed for them on an
All-Inclusive basis, and, affinity groups who desire a volunteer service, enhanced
with escorted touring. During your 17 days in Israel, volunteer your time and effort on an IDF base
for eight nights, and tour world-class historic sites in a private bus for eight
nights. Enjoy the personal spiritual experience of an All-Inclusive adventure,
travel value, and an unmatched experience to relate to your jealous friends.
The 3 program dates are Jan. 22 – Feb. 7, May 13 – 29, and Nov. 18 – Dec. 4. The
cost decreases with participation. For a minimum group of 10 volunteers the cost
for the May program is $2,172 (double occupancy) plus your airfare to Tel Aviv.
The cost decreases to $1,657 with more participants.
VFI has engaged GIL Travel Group, Inc. (www.giltravel.com - 800.223.3855)
to provide all non-IDF ground services. Volunteers contract directly with
Gil Travel Group for the VFI PLUS program. For comprehensive details see
www.tinyurl.com/VFIPLUS-GIL
—Pamela Lazarus
We look forward to greeting you in the Land
of the Bible where time seems to have come
to a stand-still, and where the heart of the
Scriptures come alive. You don’t have to
close your eyes to imagine — you just have
to open them.
—Steve Plotkin
VFI President’s Message
Dear Volunteer –
As you read the pages of this newsletter, you can see that VFI
has been very busy creating exciting new programs, and more is
yet to come.
Our highest priority is to attract more college age volunteers to
our program. Thanks to the tireless effort of Ariel Scheer Stein, our
National Campus Coordinator, we now have student representatives
promoting our program on 14 major college campuses throughout
the U.S. Our goal is to be on over 20 campuses next Fall. Last
year we began a pilot program to provide grant money to Hillel’s
to help defray the travel costs for groups of college age volunteers.
As a direct result of this program, we have close to 100 students
committed to volunteering during their upcoming Winter and
Spring breaks. We will continue to expand this program, allowing
college students to experience Israel from the inside, and have a
meaningful opportunity for tikkun olam (repair the world).
For the young at heart, on the cover page, we have launched VFI
Plus, a new program that combines two weeks of volunteering on
an IDF base with 8 nights of sightseeing with a private tour guide.
This is the perfect program for those volunteers traveling to Israel
for the first time, for those that are
traveling alone, or for anyone who
wants prearranged door to door
service, including hotels, meals, all
transfers, and tips.
In the near future, you can look
for VFI to bring our volunteers
totally new opportunities for
volunteering in Israel.
To our volunteers and our donors, thank you for your service to
Israel. Volunteers for Israel is a unique program that provides us
with an opportunity to help with our hands as well as your hearts.
You are all to be recognized and commended for sacrificing some of
the comforts of home to make a difference in a land we love.
Shalom,
Larry Feldman
National President, Volunteers for Israel
[email protected]
Notes from the Editor
It’s a new “Volunteer Connection” but the
reason for that urge to volunteer are still
the same and the responses from the SarElniks as varied and wonderful as ever. What
should not surprise us is that volunteers flood
Israel during a crisis and Protective Edge was
no exception, in a long line of never ending
conflicts. How tiny Israel continues to thrive
and inspire world wide support in the face
of overwhelming international criticism is a
modern day miracle. Volunteers are an integral
part of Israel’s continued existence and belong
to a proud band of alumni. We need to increase
our strong numbers and with your efforts at
recruitment and your glowing stories we will
keep them growing.
Please send comments, images, your experience with VFI, and regional
happenings. I welcome all of it and will be delighted to include your stories in the
next VFI newsletter.
—Sandi Simon at [email protected]
VFI Officers and
Board Members
FOR 2015-16
Officers:
Larry Feldman, National President, MD
[email protected]
Marian Sacks, Vice President, MD
301.603.9099, [email protected]
David Gessner, Treasurer, MA
301.437.9423, [email protected]
Irene Newman, Financial Secretary, IL
312.867.0850, [email protected]
Jay Shaffer, Recording Secretary, NJ
845.642.9240, [email protected]
Board Members:
Jay Bernstein, NJ
Sol Bernstein, NJ
Larry Feldman, MD
Jason Gart, MD
David Gessner, MD
Stephen Kapnik, CO
Ed Kohl, MI
Anna Krasko, MA
Karl Kwait, CA
Steve Litwok, NJ
Alan Mintz, GA
Irene Newman, IL
Richard Okrent, WA
Steve Plotkin, PA
Marian Sacks, MD
Jay Shaffer, NY
Jack Solka, TX
Barry Stein, PA
Carol Stein, PA
Eric Steinberg, NY
Mark Werner, NC
The Volunteer Connection is the national quarterly newsletter of Volunteers for Israel® (VFI). Copyright 2015, all rights reserved. ISSN: 1945-7588. VFI is a nonpolitical,
nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation with headquarters at 330 West 42nd Street, Suite 1618, New York, NY 10036.
Telephone: 866.514.1948 • E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.vfi-usa.org.
Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided the following credit line is used: “Reprinted by permission from Volunteers for Israel, www.vfi-usa.
org.” All trademarks herein belong to their respective owners. VFI and the Editor aim to publish accurate information and recommendations. Responsibility cannot be
assumed by VFI, the Editor, contributors or any member, in the event of a claim of loss arising from any recommendation. Statements of contributors are their own and do
not necessarily reflect VFI policy. SUBSCRIPTION FREE UPON REQUEST to [email protected] or toll-free 866.514.1948.
—Sandi Simon, Managing Editor
— Regina Stinger, Graphic Artist — Steve Plotkin, Contributor
www.facebook.com/volunteersforisrael1
www.twitter.com/vfi-usa
Volunteer Program Schedule for 2016
January 2016
June 2016
September 2016
1/3 to 1/21................................3 weeks
1/3 to 1/14................................2 weeks
1/22 to 2/7 VFI PLUS.................. 17 days
1/24 to 2/11..............................3 weeks
1/24 to 2/4................................2 weeks
6/5 to 6/9.................................. 1 week
6/19 to 7/7................................3 weeks
6/19 to 6/30..............................2 weeks
6/19 to 7/7................................3 weeks
International Youth Program: 6/19 to 7/7
International Youth Group (17-25 years old)
Shavuot — June 12-13
9/11 to 9/29..............................3 weeks
9/11 to 9/22..............................2 weeks
February 2016
2/14 to 3/3................................3 weeks
2/14 to 2/25..............................2 weeks
2/14 to 2/18............................... 1 week
March 2016
3/6 to 3/24................................3 weeks
3/6 to 3/17................................2 weeks
3/27 to 4/14..............................3 weeks
3/27 to 4/7................................2 weeks
Purim — March 24
April 2016
4/17 to 4/21............................... 1 week
Passover — April 22-29
May 2016
5/1 to 5/5.................................. 1 week
5/13 to 5/29 VFI PLUS................. 17 days
5/15 to 6/2................................3 weeks
5/15 to 5/26..............................2 weeks
Yom Hazikaron – May 11;
Yom Ha’atzmaut – May 12
July 2016
7/10 to 7/28..............................3 weeks
7/10 to 7/21..............................2 weeks
7/10 to 7/28..............................3 weeks
International Youth Program: 7/10 to 7/28
International Youth Group (17-25 years old)
August 2016
7/31 to 8/18..............................3 weeks
7/31 to 8/11..............................2 weeks
7/31 to 8/18..............................3 weeks
International Youth Program: 7/31 to 8/18
International Youth Group (17-25 years old)
8/21 to 9/8................................3 weeks
8/21 to 9/1................................2 weeks
Tisha B’Av — August 14
9/30 to 10/30 — NO PROGRAMS
Rosh Hashana – October 3-4;
Yom Kippur – October 12;
Succot – October 17-24;
Simchat Torah — October 24
November 2016
10/30 to 11/17...........................3 weeks
10/30 to 11/10...........................2 weeks
11/18 to 12/4 VFI PLUS............... 17 days
11/20 to 12/8............................3 weeks
11/20 to 12/1............................2 weeks
11/20 to 11/24............................ 1 week
December 2016
12/11 to 12/29...........................3 weeks
12/11 to 12/22...........................2 weeks
Chanukah begins December 25
Consult the VFI website schedule for any program changes.
The Smile Program At Amazon
World Jewish Population Nears
Pre-Holocaust Levels
Amazon.com automatically donates to VFI a portion of your purchase
of any of their vast selection of products. And it costs you nothing. How?
It’s easy. Register by going to smile.amazon.com and select a charitable
organization — Volunteers for Israel. That’s it.
Thereafter anytime you order anything from your Amazon account,
they will donate a small percentage to VFI! Your Amazon masthead will
say “Supporting: Volunteers for Israel”. It’s very easy to do this!
The global Jewish population has reached 16 million and now stands
at almost the Level of the 1930s, according to a new survey released by
the Jewish People Policy Institute in Jerusalem. If accounting for those
with one Jewish parent and people who identify as partially Jewish, the
number reaches almost the pre-Holocaust levels of 16.5 million Jews.
The rise was due to natural growth, mainly in Israel. In addition,
around three-fifths of adult children in the U.S. who have one Jewish
parent identify as Jewish. After Israel, which is home to approximately
6,103,200 Jews, the United States has the second highest Jewish
population, estimated at 5,700,000. The JPPI says that over the last
decade, 2005-2015, the Jewish population has increased by eight
percent, the biggest increase since the end of World War II.
Why Israel Needs Our Help
• Israel is one of the world’s smallest nations
• 8,000 square miles (only 2 ½ times the size of Rhode Island)
Sar-El hits the world of the novel.
• 60 miles at its widest
“The Tribalist” by Louis Marano, is “ostensibly
a work of fiction but at its core is a kind of love
song by a gentile journalist for the state of Israel.
In the course of the novel, the protagonist, DiRaimo,
a stand in for Marano, experiences Israel not only
as a journalist but after retirement, as a volunteer
in the Sar-El program. He rails against the spiritual
groupies who rant about social justice and tikun olam while seemingly
rejecting all of the rich and vibrant heritage of Israel.
• 3 miles at its narrowest
• Approximately 6 million Jews
• 65% of Israel’s population lives within a narrow strip
(average 9 miles) along the coastline.
• The only Western style democracy in the Middle East
• Surrounded by 22 nations 640 times Israel’s size
www.youtube.com/volunteersforisrael
October 2016
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866.514.1948 | www.vfi-usa.org
Donations Received by VFI (March 1 to November 12, 2015) — Thank you!
Sam & Florence Abolofia
Elaine Ackman
Raymond Adams
Donna Adan
Dr. Richard & Gerry Adelman
Marilyn Albert
Barbara Alexander
Joel Alterman
Sigmund Amster
Stephen Arnold
Stuart Ashenden
Andrew Auerbach
Leonard Avarbuch
Ruslan Averbukh
William Azerrad
Debora Bailey
Thomas Bailey
Barbara Baron
William & Bettye Barter
Robert Barth
Ken & Deanna Bayer
Ronald Beals
Brian Beck
Florence Belding
Gerald Bellsey
Charles Berkman
Ira Berkowitz
Edward & Randy Berns
Martin Bernstein
Samuel Bernstein
Victor Bernstein
Janet Bertman
Gary Biale
Steven Birenbaum
Shaoul Birshan
Martin Bischoff
Marie Blair
Marvin Boaz
Charles Bradford
Benjamin Bregman
Maury Brenner
Ruth Brinn
Michael Britton
Lee Broad
Howard Bromberg
Lou Ann May Brunwasser
Johnny Cahn
Vivian Cahn
Karen Carson
James & Delores Carter
Jorge Chavez
Darrell Child
Kenneth Chorzewski
E.M Clough
Edward Cohen
Geoffrey Cohen
James Cohen
Marcia Cohen
Robert Cohen
Saul & Miriam Cohen
Sharon Cronin
Sunnie Curry
Lisa Dahan
Judith Davis
Patricia Del Marmol
D. E. Dettmer
Lita Diamond
Irene Dicker
Russell D Donnelly
Al Dorevitch
Alexander Drukarev
Stuart Eisen
Bernie & Susan Eisenstein
Nathan Eisner
Candido Elejalde
Glady Ellinport
William & Corinne Engelhart
Myra Epstein
Richard and Eileen Epstein
Patricia & William Estes
Sally and Michael Feder
Elinor Feig
Brigitta Feinberg
Renee Feinswog
Stephen Feldblum
James Feldman
Larry Feldman
Ray Feldman
Laraine & Lowell Fine
Paula and Hal Fine
Lucille Fisher
Robert Flaum
Lewis Fleishman
Judith Ford
C. Joseph Fox
Arlyne Frankel
Bernard Freedman
Yuri Fridman
Bernard Friedman
David Friel
Louis Fromm
Sergio Gallardo
Harvey Ganz
Stan and Evie Garnet
Eva Gelfand
Jan Ira Gellis
Jill & David Gessner
Joy Getzenberg
Edward Gietl
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Bruce Gimpel
Sidney Glauser
Ethelyn Goldberg
Alan Goldblatt
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William Gordon
Charlene Green
Lois Green
Stanley Greenfield
Sonny Greenwald
Ellen Grossman
Lewis & Paula Gruskin
Annette Guida
M Gail Gutierrez-McDermid
German Guzman
Virginia Harp
John Harrington
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Martin Hellman
P. Sydney Herbert
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Jacob Hiller
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Leonard Honeyman
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Murray Horn
Sarah Hornfield
Judith Horowitz
Mark Horowitz
Janet Howell
David D. Huguet
Chaya Hurwitz
David Hyman
Sharon Hyman
Michael Ichow
Ron Ihlenfeldt
Expression Inspired
Jack Izower
Robert Jackson
Harry Jacobi
Robert Jaffee
Elaine Brooks Jatkoff
Ralph Johnson
Todd Johnson
Kenneth Kabb
Lawrence Kantor
Joan Kasner
Bernard Kattler
Henry Katz
Henry & Deanna Katz
Joyce Katz
Neil Katz
Stuart Katz
Owen & Barbara Katzman
Susanne Kemp
Isidor Kerszenbaum
James Kessler
Madwed Ilene Kirschner
Barrie Kirshner
Jeffrey Klein
Jerry & Linda Koenig
Jacob Koff
Ed Kohl
Regina Kohl
Roger Konarski
Barry Konner
Alvin Kramer
Harry Krampf
Anna Krasko
Michael Krassenstein
Steven Krich
Herman Kroshinsky
Robert B. Lahlein
Jeffrey Lance
Vita Land
Rachelle Lans
Marsha Leifer
Ellen Levin
Sam & Nancy Levine
Doris & Norman Levitz
Ethel Levy
Milton Levy
Igor Leybovich
Irene Lillebo
Gladys A. Lionbarger
David Lipman
Alexander Litvak
David & Sandy Loeffler
Esteban Lomnitz
William Loos
David & Doreen Lowitz
Cary Mack
Helaine Mann
Jessica Many
Jack & Marcia Markowitz
Robert Markowitz
Bruce Marks
Ronald Marks
Judy Maziar
James McBriar
Judy McCloskey
David Meltz
Stanley Meretsky
Russell Meskin
Leon & Barbara Meyer
Mitchell Meyer
Barbara Meyers
Microsoft Matching Gifts Program
Caryn Miller
Ted Miller
Alan Mintz
Arthur Mintz
Saundra Mintz
Marion Mittelman
Stephen Mittleman
Semyon Mogilevsky
Michael Scott Montgomery
William Moody
Barbara E. Moore
Alan Morganstein
Paul Morganstein
Edward Moss
Adele Myers
Renee Neikrie
Irene Newman
Arkady Noble
David O’Dwyer
Richard Okrent
Edward Opper
Alex Paley
Morton Pancer
Bella Parnes
Robert Pazornick
Vadim Perlin
Jeffrey Piekarsky
Steve & Marcia Plotkin
Robert Polansky
Edward Pollan
Mitchell Portugal
Bethany Price
Richard Purdy
Quantum Real Property
Robert Ralston
Ronald Rasmussen
Arthur Ravitz
Sheryl Rechtman
Michael Resig
Elliot & Ruby Ressler
Charles Reynolds
Thomas Rheinstein
Barbara & Bruce Ribner
Lori Richards
Marion Richer
A. J. Robison
Deborah Rodger
Rogg Family Trust
David Rojas
Daniel Romano
Jacob Rosenbaum
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Barry Rosenthal
Lila Rosenweig
Luellyn Ross
Rhoda Rothberg
David Rothschild
Alan & Joan Rubenstein
Martin Rubinson
Susan Ruttenberg
Rick Saber
Myron Sachs
Marian Sacks
William Saltzman
Robert Sandberg
Ronald Sann
Anthony & Sheila Sauber
Jacob Schachter
Marilyn Schear
Arlene Schenker
Kenneth Schneider
Joyce Schneiderman
Stanley Schocket
Ed Schubert
www.facebook.com/volunteersforisrael3
Herbert Schulman
Harriet Schultz
Leonid Shafiro
Alex Shapiro
Peggy A. Shapiro
Stanley Sheftel
Janet Sheiner
Stanley Shulster
Jeannette Shute
Deborah Siegel
Arthur Simon
Ilene Singh
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Berney Snyder
Richard Snyder
Jack Solka
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Barry Stein
Sharon Stein
Stephaine Steinberg
Steven & Florence Rothman
Maury Storch
Mitchell Strauss
Michael Subin
Bob & Lynn Sustak
Sandra Sutain
David Talmas
Stuart Taussig
Gail Taylor
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Joe B Thompson
Maxine Tobey
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Andy Uhr
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Wesley Walker
Betty Wank
David Wasserman
Marta Wassertzug
Sheila Weinbach
Stanley Weinberg
Lois-Anne Weiner
Linda Weinroth
Gayle Weinstein
Brett Weisberg
Louis Weiss
Sheila Weiss
Herman Werner
William Whittemore
Elliot Wiesner
Linda Wildman
Mary Wilhelmus
Richard Wills
Marilyn Winer
Adrian & Linda Winick
Ross Winner
Elliott Winograd
Ferne Winograd
Henry Wisner
Eugene & Adele Zauber
Paul Zemel
Vladimir Zilberstein
www.twitter.com/vfi-usa
Letter from Ariel to Hillel Directors
September 1, 2015
HelloMy name is Ariel Scheer Stein and I am the National Campus Coordinator for Volunteers
for Israel a program for anyone looking to experience Israel like an insider. During my 3 years as a full-time Hillel professional I participated with VFI for one week
with a group of other college students from the U.S. We spent a wonderfully rewarding week
living and volunteering on an IDF Paratrooper base in the north of Israel.
Please let me know about any students who may be interested in the VFI option, specifically before their Birthright trip, so I can put
them in touch with a local VFI representative ideally before they finalize their travel plans in Israel.
Sincerely,
Ariel Scheer Stein
National Campus Coordinator, Volunteers for Israel
[email protected] | 617-410-8807
Volunteer Programs for Israel for Young Adults
INDIVIDUAL TRIP: Volunteers for Israel is a program for anyone
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH PROGRAM: Are you 17-25? This IDF
looking to experience Israel like an insider. VFI is the exclusive
representative of Sar-El in the United States, which places volunteers
year round on IDF bases doing civilian work for 1-3 weeks. I recommend
it to all of my students who are looking for a fun and meaningful way
to see Israel. VFI is a way to experience Israel through an insider’s look
rather than just through a tour. Individuals can volunteer at any time of
the year — just check out the schedule at here: www.vfi-usa.org.
base summer program is specially designed for you! You will live, work,
socialize, and have fun with young Israeli soldiers and other volunteers
from around the world during one or both of the 3-week sessions. VFI CAMPUS AMBASSADOR PROGRAM: This unique cohort
of student leaders and Israel advocates share the goal of increasing
excitement and promoting VFI at their school. These collegeaged VFI alumni help us promote the program and recruit their fellow
students for it. The program gives Campus Ambassadors hands-on
resume building, social media and word-of-mouth marketing experience,
a semesterly stipend, and connects
them with a strong network of young
leaders from all over the country. We
are looking for students who are
outgoing,
well-networked
on
campus, and passionate about
Israel. We would like to increase
the number of schools where we
have a presence. Do you know a
student who has what it takes?
Please send Ariel names and email
addresses of college students who
you know. You can LEARN MORE
and APPLY AT: Volunteers for Israel
Campus Ambassador Application. BIRTHRIGHT EXTENSION: Volunteers for Israel is the perfect extension
to a Birthright Not only is the program completely free, but participants
are also provided with housing and food as well as have access to a
youth hostel on the weekends at no cost. It is a natural fit for students
who want to extend their Birthright trip, experience more of Israel,
and make a difference. Interested participants should look up the
scheduled volunteer trip dates on the VFI website and apply for the
dates closest to the end of their Birthright trip. ALTERNATIVE BREAK PROGRAM AND SPECIAL GRANTS FOR HILLELS:
We are partnering with Hillels across the country to organize private,
customized trips of 10 -12 students to volunteer through VFI for 1, 2,
or 3 weeks over the school’s winter or spring break or summer vacation.
VFI will subsidize the airfare cost to Israel by offering $500 per student
— up to a total of $6,000. We launched 3 Alternative Break trips
last year with Boston University, University of Maryland, and Brandeis
University and they were very successful! These subsidies are only
available to a limited number of campuses.
www.youtube.com/volunteersforisrael
Contact: Ariel Scheer Stein — [email protected]
4
866.514.1948 | www.vfi-usa.org
VFI HAPPENINGS AROUND THE COUNTRY
GREAT LAKES REGION
In Nov. VFI displayed at the Friends of Israel
Gospel Ministry “Thank God For Israel Day”,
and annual event for the Christians and
Jews in support of Israel. There were 200
enthusiastic pro-Israel supporters attending
the luncheon. Thanks to Regional Director
Paul Matlin, we are delivering winter socks to
the soldiers via our volunteers. On Sept. 27 we
held our annual Great Lakes reunion attended
by 45 volunteers and guests. Regional Director
Carol Kent is connecting with all of our Great
Lakes volunteers and enlisting them into the
Ambassador Program. Great Lakes Regional
Directors: Carl Kent, Paul Matlin, Ed Kohl.
Contact Ed Kohl at 248.420.3729
ARIZONA REGION
LONG ISLAND REGION
We have held 3 “Celebrate Israel” events in
Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tucson with over
200 attendees. They were co-sponsored by the
Israel Center and Pastors for Israeli with Israel
entertainment. On display was VFI, Stand With
Us brochures, and samples of locally available
Israeli products. Our motto was Buy Israel, Visit
Israel, Learn about Israel. Despite having a
broken neck, Helen spoke at each of our events,
with her neck brace, about volunteering.
MIDWEST REGION
The LI Region is promoting a Mission to Israel
group trip iduring March 2016. Our sponsors
include five congregations, the Mid-Island
Y-JCC, and VFI Ambassadors. For more details
contact Elliot Setton at [email protected].
Seeking volunteers to “man” the VFI booth
for the Jewish Festival 2016 in June. Midwest
volunteers always welcome to become involved
in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.
Contact Charlotte at [email protected]
NORTH CENTRAL REGION
North Central Region volunteers welcome to
help out in Minnesota, South Dakota, and North
Dakota. Contact Charlotte at [email protected]
CONNECTICUT REGION
NORTH/WEST FLORIDA REGION
We held a weekend “get-together” of
ambassadors this year in The Villages, Florida
with 5 ambassadors from throughout Florida.
It was a great opportunity and thank Barry
Cooperstein and his wife who hosted the group.
Each ambassadors related their backgrounds, why
they decided to volunteer for VFI, and take on the
additional responsibility of being an ambassador.
We spent the rest of the day discussing promoting
VFI and interviewing techniques.
We have a terrific group of dedicated
ambassadors in FL to be counted on. For more
information contact Jerry Barnett at 850-8971767 or [email protected].
NY REGION
Jessica Bernstein, a former presence in the
New York office, has made Aliyah. After a
rocky beginning she is settling in Beer Sheva
and currently has a part time position teaching
English three times a week. An unpleasant
incident, in which some of her valuables were
lost hasn’t daunted her spirit nor her love of
Israel. Her ambition is to make a contribution
to her new homeland.
VFI NY also participated in an evening at
Park East Synagogue where along with other
organizations they had a table offering
information on the program. A film of the
Rambam Medical Center was shown.
In May, our VFI display was popular during
the JCC Yom Ha’atzmaut festival and 2 two
Arizona team members lit the candles at the
Yom Hazikaron Memorial service. During the
Summer and Fall, team members held small
“Get to know Israel” home parties to familiarize
their friends, colleagues, and neighbors about
volunteering. We made a presentation at the
East Valley JCC and two synagogues this Fall.
A VFI regional reunion at the Scottsdale JCC
will be held in December with a speaker on
Israel’s current situation.
For more information contact Helen Freedman
at [email protected]
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGION
Our 17 ambassadors cover a wide area. We
made presentations at local synagogues and at
Ventura County Jewish Center, had a table at
Brandeis and the table at Jewish Day in Santa
Barbara, was impressively handled by three first
time volunteers. We are in close contact with
the Jewish Federation of LA and received a grant
of $125 from the San Diego Jewish Federation
Rachel Lester, our Youth Ambassador is on
Facebook with her experiences on the IDF base,
and her Harry Potter-like video in defense of
Israel has gained worldwide audience. We are
also working with Hillels at USC and UCLA. Our
newest Youth Ambassador is also active at UC
Riverside. Our presentation for the joint Men’s
and Sisterhood at Thousand Oaks Conservative
Temple Etz Chaim is scheduled for Dec.6. All
regional Ambassadors are fully trained and can
do interviews. For further information, contact
Karl at [email protected].
During 2015 Connecticut has been active and
involved. We proudly acknowledge Ambassadors
Edward Berns and Jacquie Schulefand who
volunteered last year during the Gaza war and
went above and beyond the call of duty. Ten
volunteers completed the VFI experience and
of course, the feedback was great with all
expressing an interest in returning.
We added an additional ambassador, now
totaling five. We also had six JCC and temple
presentations. I presented our support for
Israel on Yom Kippur, at our temple. We are
planning a region reunion in Spring 2016.
For more information contact Mitch Beck at
[email protected].
FLORIDA REGION
Florida Region has been busy fielding many
inquiries generated by the word of mouth
advertising from previous volunteers and
others. They follow up with returning volunteers
and provide literature for 1:1 group meetings
as well as providing pamphlets to religious
groups. Margie and I are scheduled to provide
a presentation at a local Temple in December.
Jerry Barnett, the North Florida Regional
Manager. has organized an Ambassador
workshop and has staff assisting in
recruiting and interviewing applicants. For
more information contact John Barber at
[email protected].
PHILADELPHIA REGION
At our Oct 13 meeting we heard from Dr. Asaf
Romiowsky who discussed “The New Mideast
Order.” His talk enlightened about 55 attendees
on the parallel schism within the modern Islamic
community. We had a booth at Congregation
Beth Or’s Israel Day festival on November 1.
Application fees for first-time student volunteers
17-25 in our region, are waived, thanks to the
Jeanne Schachter Scholastic Memorial Fund. Our
next meeting is scheduled for March 15, 2016.
Call Beverly Cohen at 610-584-0468 or
Carol Stein at 215-646-6381 for more regional
information.
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Israeli Culture: What the Heck Just Happened Here???
A
n IDF base, somewhere in Israel: Day 1 of your Great VFI
Adventure! Your madrichot said work begins at 08:00, so at
07:55 (jet-lag be damned!) you are at the workshop and ready
to go—only to be greeted by a few soldiers sitting (or lying) on
benches, sharing snacks and chatting on cell phones. When you
ask where the shop supervisor is, they tell you he called to say
he’s stuck in traffic and will be there in about ten minutes. They
squeeze together on the bench to make a sliver of space for you
and offer sunflower seeds. For THIS you schlepped halfway around
the world to volunteer?
Informality is a positive value to most Israelis, which means
dress tends to be casual and hierarchies flat or non-existent.
Spontaneity, thinking on one’s feet and the ability to improvise are
much admired, even though from an outsider’s perspective things
may seem disorganized, ambiguous or chaotic. From the Israeli
perspective, the kind of careful, step-by-step planning that is so
important in the U.S. may seem plodding and unimaginative.
In contrast to the U.S. value of individuality, Israelis tend to be
strongly group-oriented. The most obvious evidence of this is a
lack of clear personal boundaries: everything is everybody else’s
business. On meeting someone for the first time, Israelis may ask
what Americans might consider overly personal questions about
marital status, salary and political opinions,! The U.S. preference
for personal space and privacy can seem cold and aloof to Israelis.
The communication style of Israelis is quite different, and can be
startling to Americans. Compared to most Americans, Israelis tend
to favor a direct, even blunt, communication style. Understatement
and indirect politeness—for example, “I have kind of a different
opinion about that,”—may seem hesitant or show a lack of
conviction compared to a straight, dugri-style, “You’re wrong!”
From the U.S. perspective, Israelis may seem rude or aggressive as
they do not see the need for conversational “softeners”.
Mazal tov! You have just experienced a genuine Israeli culture
shock. Although Israelis and Americans share so much, there are
major differences in Israeli and U.S. behaviors, based on different
cultural values and world views. By looking at the cultural values
that motivate the behaviors—the “whys” behind the “ways”—you
can better understand the actions and reactions of the Israelis
you’ll encounter, and gain insight into your own.
Israeli conversational style also tends to be expressive and
emotional, in contrast to the more composed style preferred in
the U.S.. A “gut reaction” may carry more weight than rational,
dispassionate facts. Several people may all talk at once, interrupting
each other in excited interchange, without feeling the need to
apologize. The volume may also be higher than what you are used
to, which may sound like an argument if you don’t understand the
language.
Israel is a Middle Eastern country, and its flexible time orientation
reflects this. In the U.S., “time is money” and “of the essence”, but
in Israel (and many other countries), time is a force of nature and not
always subject to human control. In fact, human relationships may
be more important than an impersonal schedule, and more than one
Israeli bus driver has diverted from the route to deposit an elderly
or incapacitated passenger at his or her door without provoking a
mutiny from other riders, who will simply be a few minutes late. An
American who insists on sticking to the schedule at all costs can lose
wonderful opportunities for friendships while “saving” time.
Looking back at the scenario we began with, we can now see that
the Israeli behaviors which seemed so baffling at first stem from
Israeli cultural values of flexible attitudes about time, informality,
strong group orientation, and direct communication style. You
may still be annoyed about waiting to start work, but at least the
behavior of the soldiers and supervisor is understandable—from
their cultural perspective. And you may even find that if you relax
a little and try to go beyond your own cultural assumptions, you
actually enjoy squeezing onto that bench, sharing some sunflower
seeds and having a chat until the supervisor shows up! Remember,
your contribution goes beyond the actual work you perform and
includes the memories you leave with the Israelis you’ll meet.
This casual attitude extends to rules and regulations in Israeli
society. Good Americans generally follow the rules to the letter,
and are upset when someone else violates them. From the Israeli
perspective, someone who does not bend a rule when it is to his
or her advantage is a frier (pushover, sucker). Bonus cultural note:
many Israeli driving habits can be explained by the need to avoid
becoming a frier! This relaxed attitude towards rules also means
that in Israel, almost everything is negotiable, even beyond the
shuk (market).
www.youtube.com/volunteersforisrael
Written by VFI Ambassador and Intercultural Consultant—
Ruth Mastron, [email protected]
6
866.514.1948 | www.vfi-usa.org
CATCH THE JEW
by Tuvia Tenenbom
Published by Geffen 2015
A
wonderfully irreverent romp thru the topsy turvy world of
Israeli politics, sandwiched inside a fun and instructive read.
Written with an oversized tongue in cheek it exposes some of the
thinly disguised schemes and the organizations behind them posing
as do gooder outfits. Tenebom, parading around his oversize bulk
in lederhosen, appears alternately as Tobi, the German, a Muslim
named Abu Ali, and sometimes as himself a Jew named Tuvia. The
book takes on a slapstick tone full of unbelievable and hilarious
adventures but never takes its focus off the deadly serious business
of middle eastern chicanery.
The main theme is that there is a toxic brew of Jew hatred in
Palestinian society masquerading behind supposed human rights
activities. The majority of those are not only funded but also
directed on the ground by some 150 European NGO’s with Germany
at the forefront.
Energetically supporting these undertakings are an assortment of self hating left
wing Israeli journalists and intellectuals who
oppose the idea of a Jewish state, while continuing to live work and
thrive in Israel. Many have no knowledge of Arabic, no Palestinian
contacts but support a cause they have little understanding of.
Tenenbom takes them all on the self promoting PLO execs, the
black clad Haredim, the spiritual groupies labeling themselves
human rights activists, the Jewish settlers, the Christians from
abroad, the fastidious monks and Bedouins living in glorious
shacks. He gets to know them, disarming them as they break bread
together and mingles with anyone and everyone.
The book was a number one best seller when it hit Israel last
year, a number 1 best seller in Germany under the title Juden unter
Deutschen (Jews among Germans) and a leading book on Amazon.
SHIFTING STATE STATISTICS FOR VOLUNTEERS
swelled to 91 in 2014, in second place behind California, but good
enough to pass New York. Ohio, Georgia, Maryland, Connecticut, and
Vermont have recently had notable Increases.
2016 is off to a good start with New Jersey volunteers already
at 14 and California closing in at 13. Keep those volunteers coming
Israel wants you and needs you.
ISRAELI CULTURE: WHAT THE HECK
JUST HAPPENED HERE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
The big three states seem never to be out of contention in sending
volunteers to Israel. New York, California and Florida regularly seem
to share the honors and jockey for top position.
Since 2012, New York volunteers have been the most frequent
with 90 in 2012, 106 in 2013, and 87 in 2015. California topped the
charts in 2011 at 78 and again in 2014 with 119. Florida numbers
To how many
people will this
be circulated?
www.youtube.com/volunteersforisrael
VFI HAPPENINGS AROUND
THE COUNTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
www.facebook.com/VolunteersforIsrael
VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS FOR ISRAEL
FOR YOUNG ADULTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
http://twitter.com/vfi_usa
LETTER FROM ARIEL TO
HILLEL DIRECTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
DONATIONS RECEIVED BY VFI . . . . . . . . . . 3
Visit us on the web at www.vfi-usa.org
Are you receiving VFI e-mail updates?
To receive them, simply send an e-mail to [email protected]
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM SCHEDULE . . . . . 2
HAS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED?
Do you know anyone who would like a free subscription?
Please e-mail us at [email protected] or call toll free 866.514.1948
VFI OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS . . 1
NOTES FROM THE EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
VFI PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
What’s Inside
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