"The trip was a once in a lifetime experience that opened my eyes to another part of the whole I did not even know existed. It helped to rekindle my appreciation of Judaism and ignite a strong sense of compassion for the Jewish people worldwide." -Laura, Hobart & William Smith Colleges
"The Argentina Ambassador trip allowed me to see the commonalities between the Jewish people across the globe. It was incredible to be able to go to a service in Buenos Aires and be able to pray with the locals in Hebrew." -Joshua, New York University
"It was such a unique and valuable experience to be able to travel and learn about another culture from a Jewish perspective. My experiences in Argentina and the conversations I had with Argentinian Jews taught me so much about how Progressive Judaism manifests itself in other cultures and influenced my perspectives on my own experience of Judaism." -Abby, Macalester
"My experience in Argentina was an eye-opener. It revealed Judaism's prevalence even in the most remote regions of the world, and helped to teach me the value of helping a community in need." -Adam, University of Connecticut
On May 27th, sixteen North American college students traveled to Argentina on the fourth Argentina Ambassadors program.
The trip began in Avigdor, where students spent four days participating in hands-on Tikkun Olam projects to better the community as they helped repaint the playground in the center of town, the Centro de Salud (health center) and the lower school. By beginning the program in Avigdor, over 6 hours from Buenos Aires, the participants had the opportunity to get to know each other without the aspects of a big city interfering with their bonding, which allowed for the community to come together quickly. While in Avigdor, the students joined the lower school for afternoon snacks and activities. The KESHER participants helped teach the lower school students songs such as “head, shoulders, knees and toes” and the children from Avigdor showed them traditional Argentinean dances. Additionally, the participants were joined one evening to learn traditional Argentinean dances by local high schoolers, such as the Tango, after watching the local teens perform for them.
Prior to erev Shabbat, the KESHER Ambassadors made their way to Buenos Aires to spend the next five days visiting the capitol city and the Progressive movement. The participants were invited to spend erev Shabbat at one of the Progressive congregations, Libertad Synagogue, where students enjoyed unique South American services. A special Rabbi’s Tisch followed services. The Tisch was led by Rabbi Sergio Bergman, leader of Argentina’s Progressive Jewish community and founder of Fundacion Judaica, a network of organizations and volunteers that provides thousands of needy Jews with food, medicine, clothing and other support services. The NETZER and TaMar participants (the youth group, ages 8-18, and young adult program, ages 18-35, for Progressive Jews worldwide) from Buenos Aires joined us for the evening so that the KESHER Ambassadors could put a face on Argentinean Jewry. On Shabbat morning, the Ambassadors joined Congregation NCI-Emanuel for t’fillah and torah study. They had the opportunity to witness two B’nai Mitzvah and were called up to the bima for an aliyah.
The Argentina Ambassadors Program is sponsored by the KESHER College Department of the Union for Reform Judaism. Ths 2007 KESHER Argentina Ambassadors program was made possible through the generous support of the David Heller Family Foundation, the Lear Family Foundation Alternative Spring Break Fund at the Religious Action Center, and the Men of Reform Judaism.
Questions? Call us at 212.650.4070 or email kesher@urj.org.
