ptahim

As the national home of the Jewish People, Israel is composed of different populations. The differences are not only in ethnicity or place of origin, but in worldviews, outlooks on life, beliefs and opinions. Unfortunately, there is great ideological tension between the various groups which make up Israeli society. Religious, ultra-Orthodox, secular, right-wing and left-wing have difficulty living in peace alongside each other. Detachment to the point of alienation as well as anger to the point of hatred, burst into the public domain all too often against the backdrop of different events. We believe that these unwanted phenomena are influenced mostly by gaps in knowledge and a lack of true understanding between various groups. These gaps lead to misunderstanding and an inability to accept one another. The objective of the study program “Stirring the Jewish Spirit (in Hebrew, “Laga’at Baru’akh HaYehudit”) is to repair that lack of knowledge; to bring the different groups together; to bring a greater ability to understand one another and live in peace with one another despite our disagreements and as a result, to create public leaders with deep-rooted Jewish identity and awareness. By practical camaraderie and bringing the various sectors closer together, the Jewish People can and will express their famed sense of “togetherness”! The plan is entering its sixth year of existence at Sapir College in full collaboration with the dean of students, Mr. Alon Gayer (who himself studies as a study partner with the program head), and over 250 students have now participated in it. Every student who participates in the program receives a stipend. With G-d’s help, the project has expanded over the past few years to cities and communities in the South and now there are activities in Netivot, Kiryat-Gat, Beersheba, the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council and Dimona. The project holds study sessions, lectures, workshops and discussion groups on topics such as Judaism, leadership, current events, morality and life philosophies. The study plan is composed of diverse elements: personal learning, moderated group learning, lessons, discussion groups, lectures, workshops for thinking and experience-based creativity, movies and more. Sometimes the students stay for a Shabbat meal with the host families and every few weeks the project holds a Shabbat for all the program’s participants. Additionally, we organize parties on holidays and trips.