Students divided into small groups and volunteered in one of six cities. 

Akko
Students who went to the city of Akko spent their time at the Weitzman School, which focuses on science for its low-income population. One student wrote that the school: "makes some of the highest marks in the country however, when the morale of Akko was very low the school was very close to being shut down. With the encouragement of the current principal they kept the school open, and we visited to give it a facelift!" Indeed, Hillel students spent much of their time transforming the building. They refurbished the exterior, painted elaborate murals (see one of them nearly completed in the picture), and installed carpet. Students spent their afternoons playing games and bonding with the children. In the evenings, they explored Akko and spent one evening at a nearby Druze villiage where they learned about the culture.

Beit Shean
The students in Beit Shean divided into two working groups. One group worked at a home for troubled teens. There, they beautified the facility by painting the outside of the building, weeding the yard, and creating benches and tables from recycled tires. Hillel students also had the opportunity to interact with the girls living in the home. The second group painted the entrances to public housing apartment buildings and some individual apartments (see photo). They spoke with residents about why they came to volunteer and the issues people who live in the neighborhood face. In both instances the students hope the residents will take better care for their living area now that it has been given a fresh look. On the last day, the entire group came together to volunteer at an elementary school to paint a mural with the children. In the afternoon, students joined their new friends in music and English classes.

Tel Aviv
Students in Tel Aviv had the unique experience of meeting and working with African refugees. They brought bright color (see the yellow walls and red column in the picture) and some much needed warmth to an old night club, which serves as a shelter to more than 150 refugees each night. Refugees hailing from the Ivory Coast and Sudan shared their stories with the students, which involved treacherous journeys and the challenge to stay in Israel. On their last day, Hillel students worked at a day care center for migrant workers' children, where they refurbished a classroom and spent time with the children. This group grappled with intense issues. Several American students openly shared their feelings of guilt and privilege and all struggled with Israel’s role in providing a safe haven for persecuted people. In addition to the work, there was a cultural evening with the African refugees, sessions on the status of refugees and migrant workers, and walking tours to expose the group to the socio-economic and cultural issues of the area.

Haifa
Students worked in two moadoniyot (after school day care programs) in an underprivileged area of Haifa. The first is a center for preschoolers to come for the afternoon to eat a free hot meal and have a safe place to play. Hillel students repaired and painted outside walls, weeded the back yard and laid down turf, and created a beautiful mural. The students also sealed up a sandbox that teachers told them constantly needed to be cleared of junkie’s needles. Afternoons were spent with the children, doing art projects and playing games. On the last day, students went to a center for middle school aged children, where they jointly painted a mural. During the evenings, Hillel students met with Haifa Hillel’s students to grapple with texts and explore the city. On the last evening, the Ethiopian community, which many of the children come from, organized a cultural evening including a presentation, food, and dancing.

Tiberias
Students in Tiberias worked in two groups. One went to a moadonit (after school day care program) which they cleaned and renovated and spent time interacting with the center’s children. The second group worked with the public housing organization Amidar which cares for low-income housing facilities. Hillel students painted interior hallways and exterior walls of apartment buildings. They got to know several local social service workers who told them about the lives of the residents and their families. One resident told the group that he had lived in the apartments since 1976, and this was the first time he saw the hallways being painted. The hands on experience gave the group great opportunities to explore questions about life in Israel, comparing poverty in Israel vs. America, the need and value of social service, and other important questions. Overall, the group learned a tremendous amount about each other and the community of Tiberias.

Afula
Read about the group that went to Afula

Read reflections about the experience
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