Support My Volunteer Work in Israel-Palestine!

About

My name's Moishele (Mario/Nic) and starting this September, I have the wonderful opportunity to participate in Achvat Amim's Solidarity Immersive Volunteer Program in Israel-Palestine! This will be my first time ever in Israel and as part of this program, I'll spend four months in Jerusalem doing meaningful grassroots work with Palestinians and Israelis to create "a shenere, besere velt" (a more beautiful, better world) of justice, freedom and coexistence. I'll also be learning Hebrew and Arabic! In order to attend the program, I need to raise $4000 of the $10,000 tuition. I'm writing to ask you to support me in pursuing this amazing opportunity by contributing anything you can towards my program tuition.

What is the program?

Achvat Amim's (Solidarity of Nations) Solidarity Immersive is a program that provides meaningful volunteer work with educational, community, and human rights organizations, doing grassroots work with Palestinians and Israelis in both Israel and the West Bank. I'll be living communally in the heart of Jerusalem, building and taking part in a critical and democratic learning process, volunteering in individualized placements with prominent human rights organizations and educational institutes, and engaging in spiritual learning and growth. As a community, the other participants and I will directly partake in solidarity work together on the ground with Palestinian partners.

One placement I'd very much like to pursue is "Hand in Hand Center for Jewish-Arab Education." This appeals to me so much because I love working with children and believe that such an environment, where Jewish and Arab kids learn together in both of their languages, offers the real possibility of promoting understanding and solidarity between both peoples. This is the core of social justice: mutual understanding, empathy and relating to those different from us.

Why am I passionate about this project?

Being Jewish is a huge part of my identity, yet I've always felt like something was missing since I've never been to Israel-Palestine. As a Jew by choice, it's sometimes hard for me to find my voice regarding the current situation there and I never quite felt it was the right time or type of trip for me to visit. Achvat Amim is a wonderful opportunity for me to see first-hand what life is like in Israel-Palestine, to learn, volunteer, and actually do something to make a change for the better in the world. I'm a true believer that the only way forward for peace is through solidarity, empathy and community building. Achvat Amim will offer me all this and more. I'd like to take this experience back with me and use what I've learned to forge a way forward for a better, more just and safe world for everyone.

How will I benefit?

This program will give me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make lasting connections in Israel-Palestine and to explore Jerusalem within a progressive Jewish spiritual framework. It will also allow me to develop crucial community-building skills and give me the chance to work with and learn from fantastic organizations and individuals! Throughout the program, I hope to strengthen my Jewish identity and gain confidence in educating others about life and activism in Israel-Palestine.