My Experience Traveling in a Land I Don’t Understand, But Thought I Did

By Alex Sasaki
Way More Israel
ENP Volunteer
Jerusalem

 

First thing's first, it's never a good idea to travel with others who also have no idea where they’re going. Edgy, and adrenaline filled traveling towards the unknown? Yes. While although it does make it more of an interesting journey, almost similar to Frodo Baggins and his quest in the “One Ring to Rule them All,” time efficiency does apply. Knowing little of the native language, exhaustion, hunger while also uncontainably excited we started our own quest towards making a positive impact in the Ethiopian Jewish community of Beit Shemesh. 

When I was first told that we would be working with the Ethiopian-Israeli youth within a bomb shelter, I pictured a small musty room with flickering lights, thick and claustrophobic white walls with impenetrable solid metal blast doors. When we arrived onto Hagefen Street we first passed by the most intricate playground complete with towering slides and a jungle gym almost fit for an army unit to train in, which puts my childhood playground to shame. When we arrived at 24 Hagefen Street, we stood in front of a massive apartment complex that seemed to extend into almost its own close-knit community. The shelters were split into two different age groups, kids 12 and under and those 13 and over. When looking for the shelters, I had first overlooked the vibrantly colored cement slope extending out of the concrete, because it looked far too happy to be a bomb shelter. My first mistake was coming in with expectations of what the program would be like and how a normal day would be spent. My expectations were far exceeded what I had previously pictured. As we walked down the stairs leading into the youth outreach center for the older group, the walls were covered with murals painted by previous participants that also encompassed a historical timeline of Ethiopian history significant to Israel ranging from the 1600’s to present. Inside their main hangout room of the youth outreach center they had a billiard and ping pong table, with a small kitchen and also a classroom with twenty plus youths that were engaged in a discussion. In the other shelter used for the children ages 12 and younger, it also encompassed murals that beautified the shelter and brightened its presence giving it a glowing aura of abundance. Seeing the smiling faces of youths filled with positivity and innocence automatically is contagious for me, and almost refreshingly youthful and rejuvenating for the soul. Our group of four spent the majority of our first day with the children introducing ourselves while playing Jenga, Israeli Monopoly, Ping Pong, and unmelodically trying to play the piano in duets. 

The independence and confidence of Israelis constantly surprises and amazes me. The main focus on family and family values leads Israel into a path of strong internal growth, that conditions them into being the strong and confident independent beings they reflect, on a daily basis. 

The only setbacks I felt that were minor in its aspect were that of the language barrier, most of the children only spoke Hebrew with maybe a few words of English in their vocabulary. Although it was a little overwhelming, more than anything it inspired me to not only learn more Hebrew to be able to better converse with them, but also to teach them some useful English as well. These are minor challenges in the grand scheme of life and the pursuit of happiness and pleasure (according to beliefs in Judaism), when future aspirations and the thirst for prosperity and future accomplishments know no bounds. I feel that the children have as much to teach me if not more than what I can teach them. The student becomes the teacher, while at the same time the teacher spreads his or her wisdom upon their students. I look forward to future opportunities and interactions with the Ethiopian youth of Beit Shemesh, I know each experience will be new and filled with learning on both sides.

***As a side note I recommend Ethiopian food to everyone, especially if you’re a food connoisseur, even if you’re not do it anyways. First, to eat Ethiopian food all it requires is your hands; simplicity at its finest. The flavors are abundant and unique, something you would never experience and regret if you didn’t. Do yourself a favor and if you see the Ethiopian themed colors of green, yellow, and red on the street, treat yourself, or forever confound your taste buds to the familiar.