From the Desk of Yossi Garr

Dear Parents,

Shalom! It has been one week since we met your children at Ben Gurion Airport and so much has already been accomplished.

The first few days in Israel were devoted to orientations and group activities. On Wednesday, the Nativers began the day with tefilot and breakfast and then came together with their staff for an orientation to their year in Israel. Then, the Nativers toured the neighborhood of Beit Nativ, met their fellow group mates, and discussed their goals for the upcoming year. Later that evening, Nativers worked together to prepare a delicious, homemade barbecue dinner. On Thursday, the Nativers attended orientations at Hebrew University, the Conservative Yeshiva, and Ulpan to prepare them for their first semester experiences. This year there are 20 students studying at the Conservative Yeshiva, 85 at Hebrew University, and 11 on the Ulpan track. The Yeshiva students were introduced to the different classes, including Talmud, Tanach, Halacha, Jewish Philosophy, and Midrash. The Yeshiva year officially began on Sunday and Nativers met the other Yeshiva students who are all college graduate students. The Hebrew University students met with Shimon Lipsky, the Vice Provost of the Rothberg International School (and the first director of Nativ) and Orit Livnat, their academic adviser, who introduced the program and the different courses available to them. As the academic adviser, Orit will meet with all the student to assist them throughout the process of selecting and registering for classes for the fall semester which will begin on October 5. The Ulpan students began their studies at the Mila Ulpan and on Sunday will begin their volunteer work.

During the first few weeks of Nativ, the Nativers that are studying at the Hebrew University participate in the Mini-Semester. During this time Nativers who were placed in the lower levels of Ulpan began their intensive Hebrew classes in the mornings. The rest of the students chose to take two of the following four classes:

1. Introduction to Israeli Society, lectures and tours with Dr. David Mendelsson
2. History of the Arab Israeli Conflict, with Yonatan Fine
3. Jewish Texts and Historical Context, with Dr. Alick Isaacs
4. Modern Jewish History: Continuity and Change with Dr. Sarah Schmidt

After a long week of studying and unpacking, our first Shabbat proved to be an enjoyable and relaxing respite. We welcomed Shabbat through singing, lighting candles, and hearing the siren in Jerusalem that announces the arrival of Shabbat. We then prayed Kabbalat Shabbat at nearby Yemin Moshe from which we had a view of the Old City walls. On Shabbat morning, everyone experienced Shabbat Tefilot at different synagogues in the area. Later in the day, the madrichim taught the Parashat Hashavuah, and we had enlightening discussions on Jewish identity and Israel-Diaspora relationships. We concluded with Seudah Shlishit, zemirot, Ma'ariv, and Havdalah.

After Shabbat was over the group boarded buses and headed to Ramat Gan to see the Israeli national team play against Switzerland in soccer. It was a very exciting game and the Nativers cheered the Israeli team together with 35,000 other fans. The game ended in a 2-2 score after Israel managed to score their final goal in the last minute of the game.

On Sunday evening, the group met with David Horwitz, The Chief Editor of The Jerusalem Post, who elucidated the most crucial issues in Israel today and helped the Nativers understand and know what to look for in the coming year.

The next few weeks of the Mini-Semester will be very intense weeks for the Nativers. However, I am confident that they will successfully transition from high school to college as well as adapt to life in Israel and on the Nativ program.

The staff's impression, after working with your children for the last week, is that we have an excellent group of individuals this year. The Nativers are all highly motivated to experience, explore, and learn. The group is extremely excited to be in Israel.

I would like to thank you for entrusting us with your children this year. I believe that this coming year will be one of personal development and life-altering experiences for all the Nativ students.

Be'vracha,
Yossi Garr