For my Bar Mitzvah project, I've chosen to support social justice and equality projects in the Negev Desert in Southern Israel. I will be spending time this summer with my cousin, Adva, a medical student at Ben Gurion University in the Negev, distributing food to families in need in Beersheva, the largest city in Southern Israel. I will be joining a group of committed students called Selek (“Studentim La-Kehila”- or Students for the Community) who each week gather produce donations from Arab and Jewish merchants at Beersheva’s farmer’s market and then package it for distribution.
In addition to joining with Selek, I've learned of a wonderful school in Beersheva, called Hagar in Hebrew or Hajjar in Arabic. The population of the Negev is 70% Jewish and 30% Arab, and Hagar is a bilingual, multicultural elementary school that uniquely serves Arab & Jewish students in the same classroom. Each classroom has an Arabic-speaking and Hebrew-speaking teacher, and equal attention is given to Jewish, Muslim and Christian observances, as well as Israeli holidays. One of only five similar schools in the entire country, this wonderful institution provides hope towards a future of peace and coexistence. I encourage you to join me in supporting their mission.
For more information please check out their website, and this great video:
