Letter from Chaim Peri
April '09, Nissan 5769
"The Flowers of Perhaps" are the first to sprout in our garden this spring. "Flowers of Perhaps" is the name of a famous poem by Rachel, the poetess of the Galilee pioneers. It is about times of uncertainty, when flower buds need to be sheltered from harsh winds. Indeed, these are times of uncertainty, in which there is need to safeguard the garden which we have nurtured together, carefully taking necessary measures to trim whatever could be trimmed, while making sure the children continue to thrive.
Honored by the president... 3 years ago, these boys were refugees in Ethiopia, and here they are now with President Peres after winning first place in Israel's FIRST National Robotics Competition. It's almost inconceivable how our children outdid fifty other high school teams, including prestigious schools throughout the country. Volunteers from the IDF Navy provided them with extra tutoring, to create "RobOrde" - Yemin Orde's winning robot!
New children at the Village... from South America to Eastern Europe, they are the ultimate proof of Jewish continuity and perseverance. These lovely sisters highlight the remarkable phenomena of young people in Poland, who rediscover their Jewish roots. They are the grandchildren of children of the Holocaust who survived by assuming a non-Jewish identity, and so were lost to the Jewish people...
The children that arrived from South America (in picture) came mostly from the Amazon region, where Jews have settled as early as the 19th century. These children, who experienced extreme poverty and hardships, also reconnected with Judaism mostly through living grandparents who kept the memory of their Jewish heritage.
In tribute to a beloved friend... This amazing mural, created before the birth of Israel, envisions the future generations of Jewish children leading our people with raised banners. It was a gift of love to Yemin Orde from Temima Gezari, an exceptional American artist and educator who worked with masters such as Diego Rivera. Temima peacefully passed away last month at 103. She will be remembered at Yemin Orde as in the picture: hands wide open to embrace the children.
Guests at the Village: Five AIPAC missions as well as a variety of civic leaders' groups such as the Christian Coalition have recently visited here. It is striking to see the interaction between African-American visitors and our young African-Israeli immigrants. They visit the authentic Ethiopian synagogue-hut (Masgid) to get a first-hand exposure to the rich spirituality of African Judaism. Their thrill at discovering this facet of Judaism definitely proves how powerful the Ethiopian Jewish story is for understanding what Judaism is really all about. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the Jewish children in America could also be introduced to this story as part of their education? It would expand their self-perception, broaden their spiritual boundaries and empower them as members of a multi-cultural society.
Israel's Channel 1 TV has just aired a prime time 1 hour documentary on Yemin Orde's leadership program - "The Mechina". The film is a dramatic and moving testimony of how at-risk youth can transform into leaders. It is the story of an unlikely brotherhood formed between immigrant youth originating from totally different backgrounds. This year, the intensive program culminated in a joint journey to Ethiopia. The participants worked in orchards to pay for the trip's expenses. One of the film's most exuberant moments was the re-consecration of an abandoned Jewish synagogue in a distant part of the Ethiopian plateau. Viewers from throughout Israel were overwhelmed by the unbelievable change the youngsters have gone through, from insecure school drop-outs to confident, sensitive adults.
This week our graduate Col. Zion Shenkor is appointed to be Israel's first Ethiopian-born regiment commander. He received his ranks from his sister and General Shemny.
Renewal, transformation and growth are just what I wish for you, our friends and partners. Happy Passover and blessings for spiritual self-fulfillment, good health and the freedom to enjoy giving and receiving.
