Touched by Bat Yam on Birthright Israel (January 2010)

By: Vanessa Bloomfield (Banff, Alberta)

I recently went on Taglit-Birthright trip to Israel with Canada Israel Experience. I am extremely grateful to Canada Israel Experience and my madrachim (trip leaders)for this incredible opportunity. While it was eye opening in many respects regarding my personal beliefs about Judaism—the most eye opening experience came on the final day of the trip. We went to Bat Yam, a small, poor Ethiopian immigrant community on the outskirts of Tel Aviv. While in Tel Aviv you can feel the wealth and capitalism. There are shops, markets, hair salons and modern apartment buildings strung in rows upon each other. The people walking the streets speak English and Hebrew; there are tourist attractions, local pubs, and advertisements for businesses. Tel Aviv, is, in every sense, a modern city.

As we drove to Bat Yam the apartments became more run down, smaller. The streets became different. Maybe it was my imagination, but it felt darker. We were told that these children have come to Israel with nothing, usually only the clothes on their backs. They are, literally, starting from scratch. We went to an after school program where the children are given a positive space to play and learn after school. We made boxes for soldiers and pom-poms out of tissue paper to cheer on the basketball game that was to occur.

The kids were shy at first, but despite the language barrier were obviously excited and pleased. Underneath the excitement the sense of poverty was apparent. The play room was a former bunker, and the school heavily relied on charity to create this space for the children of Bat Yam. This place could be the difference between a life of crime on the streets or a life of bettering the world with whatever contribution the children choose to make. And choice is the key, here in the slums of Tel Aviv. These people have all chosen to come to Israel; to make a better life for their families. They choose to pursue their dreams in a place of hope surrounded by enemies and prejudice. Yet still the children are faced with a choice of right and wrong in a very real sense of defining their entire lives.

The positive after-school space helps provide an escape, a warm meal, and the ability to define themselves in terms of sports or dance. We, our bus, took them ballet gear and basketballs for their sports program. The children were thrilled! Have you ever felt that sense of poverty, and the fire of the will from the people in this situation?

The capitalism is apparent in Tel Aviv; and these children want what everyone else has. The will of the children to learn and grow is only topped by their pursuit of fun. A girl shouts “Sit down” to a participant. He sits. She shouts “Sit Down” again. Now he's confused. He tells her “I'm already sitting”. She shouts “Sit down” with a gigantic smile on her face. So he lays down. “Sit down” she yells. Now everyone is confused and he stands up again. A teacher wanders over and speaks in Hebrew with the girl; apparently she does not know what “sit down” means, but she knows how to say it. The teacher explains in Hebrew and the girl giggles. I look over and another participant is playing a game of chase with two girls, much like any dad would do at the park with his daughters. He runs, slowly, letting the girls 'escape' then runs after them roaring while the girls shriek with laughter.

I am touched by the love and laughter of this place; in the place of abject poverty I feel no sadness, but a love of life. I found out that even in the poorest of circumstances, money does not dictate laughter and love. The richest may not be the happiest and that even the simplest activities like playing a game of chase or laughing over a shared language barrier may bring the greatest joy.

We should all look to our children for inspiration of positive and simple ways to laugh. It eases the heart of an adult and gives children such a sense of accomplishment that we find value in their ways and thoughts. This alone creates a positivity that can change the world. Even though we were in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Tel Aviv,we were amazed at what generosity from Canadians can do for a few children’s futures. We all agreed that was one of the most incredible moments of the trip. For many of us, it even topped floating in the Dead Sea! Which was great! I would love to go back and volunteer, but in the meantime, I will volunteer in my own community to increase the laughter and positivity of children, give back to the world, and strive to create positive space wherever I go.