There has been so much heart wrenching news about the disengagement all over the internet that I have been reticent to post more negative stuff here. I was pleased to have found something positive on YNet. To me this article is typical of life in Israel - despite our many differences we are all Yidden and want to live normal and fulfilled lives.
The original article is here.
Police, settler kids attend summer camp
Far away from the 'festival' surrounding disengagement, Netanya police invite settler kids to participate in summer camp for children of police officers; camp director Moshe Ohayon: We want to give parents the opportunity to function with a clear head. By Raanan Ben-Zur
Staying connected from a young age: Apart from the occasional kid with a kipa on his head, it's hard to find any distinguishing characteristics regarding the campers enjoying the last few weeks of summer vacation at the "Tapuz" elementary school in Pardesiya.
Everyone wears the camp t-shirt, eats in the same mess hall, plays the same games, and enjoys a traditional summer camp experience.
But the activities at Tapuz (the word means "orange", meaning the fruit, but has no connection to the color orange adopted by the anti-disengagement movement) have a special flavor this year: 17 children are bussed in each morning in bullet-proof buses from their homes in West Bank settlements slated for evacuation, while rest come from homes in which one of their parents are police officers charged with carrying out the pullout.
Instilling values
The idea to include settler children in a summer camp with the kids of police officers who will evacuate their parents originated from second-in-command of the Netanya police station, Moshe Ohayon "We want to show we are all part of one people," said Ohayhon. "The Northern Samaria Regional Council was very receptive to the idea.
Ohayon also said the decision to include settler children in the camp was intended to instill values in both groups of young people.
"It is very important to us that settler children see that police officers also have kids, just like themselves. This is also the reason we didn't set conditions for acceptance and didn't check whether the kids came from pro-disengagement or anti-disengagement families," he said.
I am not a Chabadnik, but read this blog because I am interested in the views expressed here, particularly regards to our relationship with Israel. I think that the next month will be crucial in the history of our Melbourne community, and that of Israel. If we can all think of nice things to say about one-another, and, as hard as it may be, be supportive of Israel in public, we will get through this unscathed.
ReplyDeleteThis most recent post by AE about a joint summer camp, is just the spirit I ma talking about. I wonder if a joint summer camp with Chabad and Hashomer Hatzair, who are for and against the disengagement, would ever happen in Melbourne?
What is the opinion of our 33 Rabbis re the religious protester (who wasn't a settler) throwing acid at soldiers!
ReplyDeleteIt is assur to co-operate so this should be kosher!
If you look on arutz-7 you can see a pictorial article.
ReplyDeleteTheres a picture of a settler talking to a soldier, and then in the next photo crying on the soldiers shoulder.
It's a shame, jews shouldnt have to be put into a position where theyre chosing sides against their brothers and sisters.
It's a shame, jews shouldnt have to be put into a position where theyre chosing sides against their brothers and sisters.
ReplyDeleteits not the for first time.
its what we are doing about it thats counts. i think the best srory is about this shabat. mitnachlim that invited soldiers (mefanim) for a shabat meal.
Kishka said.
ReplyDeleteget your facts right
there was no acid
Well I saw on TV the poor soldiers that had acid thrown at them. They were screaming, wiggling on the floor. Once their clothes were pulled of them and they were washed, you could see the burns.
ReplyDeleteNow some sicko will come along and say it was all done for BBC and Sky as an act, or the shabak threw the acid!
Let's see how long it will take for one of the weirdos to come out of the woodwork?
Even the right wing spokesmen condemn these sickening acts while some weirdos make the facts here in Australia, to suit their personal position!!
as the new logic , they are all actually palastinian dressed in israeli uniforms that were attacked
ReplyDeleteA person who is being attacked has the right to defend himself. It may be far better politics to allow oneself to be dragged away without resisting, but those who chose to defend themselves cannot be denied that right.
ReplyDelete