Monday-August 26th Rosh Pinna and the Sea of Galilee

After visiting the Kibbutz, we stopped in a town called Rosh Pinna. This was one of the Jewish settlements, founded in 1882.
Info. On Rosh Pinna

Rosh Pinna

"Always swing and never forget the blues"

Me, Suzanne and Naama

The Synagogue

A chocolate shop/cafe

Some of the streets were made out of beautiful (slippery) stone

A view from the top of Rosh Pinna

Driving back to Jerusalem

Banana trees

Palm trees everywhere

Tiberias

 

The Sea of Galilee

Naama and I in front of the Sea of Galilee

A cemetery by Jerusalem. It is controversial because people are not officially buried in the earth.

Also part of the cemetery

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Back to my hotel....

Now to decide on "Love movies" channel or "Ego Man"

Monday-August 26th. Visiting a Kibbutz.

     Today I visited Mahanayim, which is a Kibbutz about 3 hours away from Jerusalem. I went with Suzanne and Naama from Bizchut and Naama from Ono Academic College.

A Kibbutz is a way of life for many people in Israel. It is communal and everyone lives together, spread out over acres of land. It's members are expected to contribute and participate in the communal life, but they also benefit from essentially having one (very large) family.

Info on Mahanayim

     This Kibbutz had most things that you would need to live comfortably; including a school, grocery store, Synagogue and different "workshops" to participate in.
     We met with the "Board of Directors" who's son experiences a disability, and is a member of the Kibbutz. This has shaped what Mahanayim is today. They have a small group of about 12 people with disabilities that live in an apartment building close to the entrance of Mahanayim. They have support staff, but are also seen as important members of the community. Everyone is expected to participate in the community and work, not only to benefit themselves, but everyone. Much of the work is catered to what people's interests are. Among the things I saw today was a wood working shop, where they made pallets to sell to a local business. A large herb greenhouse that is still being built, where people get to learn about, and grow different plants. A miniature zoo complete with chickens, peacocks, rabbits, ducks and donkeys. One gentleman mentioned he also wanted to get a snake. There is also a workshop where they make paper products to sell, including completely handmade wedding invitations.
     As we took a tour, many of these people walked with us. We got to see the beginning of an art exhibit displayed in one of the communal halls. The son of the director paints pictures on doors, and a couple of them are in the exhibit. I was told he loves to paint, and has even given a picture he painted to the president of Israel.
     There is a movement within the Kibbutz to connect the young children with the group we met with. One way they are approaching this, is to have the children join in the different workshops once a week. Again, the goal is to have all members involved and living cohesively.

(The director with a picture his son painted)

(Naama and I at the painted doors)

  The Kibbutz seemed very peaceful, and almost idealistic in a sense. It has the feel of a tiny town where everyone looked after one another, disability or not.

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(View on the drive to Mahanayim)

(Leaving Jerusalem)

 (The apartment building where the people that we met share. It is split into three different sections.)

(Another apartment building on the Kibbutz. This one houses four families.)

(Some of the members of the group we met with. Also, Naama and Suzanne.)

(Some of the animals they take care of.)

(Curious Donkeys)

(Beautiful Peacock and chickens)

(The herb greenhouse)

(Some of our tour guides)

(Naama, me and Naama)

(The wood shop)

(Samples of some of the paper products they make)

The Synagogue)

Home away from home...

 I will be staying at Prima Parks for the week.

 Nothing too fancy, but Suzanne picked me up snacks! She is a very kind person indeed.

 A view from my room on the 6th floor.

A view of Jerusalem from my hotel. There is a great bus system here.

The tall thing is the Jerusalem Chord bridge.

Info on Jerusalem Chord Bridge 

Sat &Sunday (Travel days)

 All packed and ready to go...

 First flight was from Portland to JFK in New York.

 Flying flying...

Starting the decent to Tel Aviv, Israel.

The butterflies begin. 

Suzanne, from Bizchut (pronounced Bee-Chute), met me at the airport and drove me from Tel Aviv to my hotel in Jerusalem. She is originally from England, but has lived in Israel for 25 years; and says she loves it. It is obvious she is very passionate about the work she is doing with Bizchut. I instantly liked Suzanne and am very happy to be working with her.

A new Adventure...Israel!

    
     It all started with an email from Margaret, our Chief Executive Officer at Full Access, asking if anyone would be interested in an exchange program involving partnering with another organization, and potential travel for the partnership. I enjoy traveling and new adventures, so I naturally said yes.
      A few months later I was asked by Margaret if I had my passport, because there was a good chance I would be going to Israel! This led to a meeting with MIUSA, which stands for Mobility International USA. There goal is to empower people who experience a disability, or professionals that work with individuals that experience a disability through exchange programs. These exchange programs build relationships between people all over the world, and allow people to share ideas, experiences, and cultures.
     If you want to check out their website, it's: http://www.miusa.org/ .
   
     Full Access was accepted and we will be partnering with Bizchut and Ono Academic College in Israel. Bizchut is the Israel Human Rights Center for People with Disabilities. As their name suggests, they assist in a range of important services for individuals who have disabilities. Specifically; housing, legal advice/representation for people who have been discriminated against due to their disability, and inclusive education (to name a few things). Their office is located in Jerusalem.     
     The second partner is Ono Academic College. They already work with Bizchut, so it should be a natural relationship. Their main goal is to offer an academic degree to individuals that will translate into a place in the workforce, with a lot of attention towards helping individuals that may have a difficult time with this otherwise.
     Please feel free to check out their websites!
Bizchut
Ono Academic College

     I will be going to Israel for a week to share ideas with these two organizations, teach them about Full Access and what we have to offer for individuals who have disabilities. I will also be learning new approaches and ideas in Israel that I will bring back and share with Full Access. These two organizations will then be sending people to Eugene, OR and Full Access will get to host them for part of the time they are here. 

     This is the short story of why I am going to Israel. I am also going because I get to immerse myself in a new culture and experience amazing things. I am excited about seeing historical sites that are so old, it is almost difficult for me to comprehend, the US doesn't have the history Israel has!  I am very excited to explore the Old City in Jerusalem and to try to take in all the amazing things I will see... and the food, markets and maybe even camels! There will be lots more to follow.

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Many thanks to Full Access, MIUSA, Bizchut, Ono Academic College and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (who made this entire exchange possible).