Boston-Sderot Community Center!
What have we done this year?

Luna Amusement Park
Tel Aviv, October 10, 2017
To kick off our 2017-2018 program, during the Sukkot vacation, a large group of our camp kids accompanied by some of their counselors ventured off to Tel-Aviv to the Luna- Amusement Park. We had 50 people attending this trip, ranging from kids, younger siblings, parents, and camp counselors. Upon arrival each group split up to explore the attractions they desired and were all accompanied by either a parent/counselor. Our group spent the entire afternoon exploring the park, going on rides, and eating lunch. It seemed that wherever you turned in such a large park, Sderot was represented by groups of our kids. This was a great way to kick off the year and give the kids one last fun trip of the summer before beginning their busy school year.

Hannukah Seminar
Southern Israel, December 17-19, 2017
In honor of the long Hanukkah vacation we were invited by KKL-JNF (Karen Kaymeth LeIsrael) to participate in a nation-wide Leadership Seminar for Teens all over Israel. Our group consisted of 20 eighth graders, all from Sderot who regularly attend the club for English/Math class, Summer camp, and holiday parties. Maria Shohat, Haim Shamilov, and Luba Viskun, all alumni of the community center and past counselors at the camp, were the counselors leading our group. Their leadership, patience, and ability to inspire this generation was amazing to witness, as they were all once also kids attending these seminars. The seminar took place in the Negev Desert area in the South of Israel. We began the trip with a challenging hike, involving steep declines, large heights, and a big teamwork component. The kids motivated each other to overcome their fear of heights and all successfully made it through the challenging path. We got the full Bedouin experience at “Kfar Nokdim” for our first night. We were served a traditional Bedouin meal for dinner, and got to hear a musical performance as well. The kids were assigned to two large tents where they had to meet kids from other cities in Israel and share a living space with them. For day 2 we set off on a hike through Mitzpe Ramon followed by a visit to the Ilan Ramon Museum. For dinner the kids partook in a “Master Chef” cooking competition, and had to create the best meal to impress the set of judges from KKL. On day 3 we were taken on a beautiful bike trip around Lake Yeruham. Finally, to end the seminar we were brought to an “Outdoor Training Area” where the kids participated in a series of team building activities that tested their trust, teamwork, and cooperation skills. I was very impressed with our group after day 3 and felt as though each kid had made a small transformation during the seminar, where each individual overcame their fear or went out of their comfort zone. I left with a slightly different, more mature, and bonded group of future leaders.

Hannukah Party
December 14, 2017
For our Hannukah Party this year, the oldest kids along with camp alumni planned and organized the entire event for our kids and parents. We created activity stations in each room of the Communtiy Center and allowed children to go freely between stations partaking in each activity. Some of our stations included: Cotton Candy Machine, Musical Chairs, Suvganyot (Israeli donut) contest, Face Painting, Oragami Dreidle making, and a Professional photographer with a magnet printing stand. All together we had about 50 people who attended, ranging in kids attending the club, their parents, and younger siblings. Together we lit the third Hanukkah candle and played several group games with the children. They won prizes, ate donuts and left happy!

Community Garden Group
October 2017 - Present
This year we started a new Pilot activity working together with student volunteers from the local college in Sderot, Sapir. On Mondays and Thursdays the children, together with the students, arrive at the Community Center and create a communal garden together. They prepare the land, learn about nature, plant plants, and decorate the garden. The children are very excited each week for a new activity and enjoy the students’ company. The garden has attracted a lot of outside attention, as everyone who walks by or into our Community Center sees the lettuce, flowers, spices, etc growing and want to participate too!

Tu Bshvat Party
January 29, 2018
In honor of the Tu Bshvat Holiday which celebrates the “birthday of trees” our Community Garden Group together with another group of volunteers from Sapir college, “Tozerat Haaretz”, put on an activity/party for all of the kids in the club. We had about 30 children, and 15 volunteers participating in this activity. They began by planting trees, flowers, and plants in our back garden. Following the work in the garden, the kids partook in a scavenger hunt all around the club and worked in teams to solve the clues created by the volunteers. It was nice to see the younger kids working together with our teens in creating something beautiful in a place they both love. Additionally the volunteers brought dried fruit and treats for the kids to enjoy.

Nachshon Preperatory School Volunteers
October 2017 - Present
In addition to the volunteers from Sapir College we also have 5 volunteers from The Nachshon Preparatory School here in Sderot. This is a program throughout Israel, where teens have the option to volunteer at assigned non-profit organizations for a year before their army enlistment . Our 5 assigned volunteers come every two weeks on Mondays and Wednesdays,and spend their time tutoring kids, helping them with their homework, participating in the preparation and nurturing of the community garden, and running an arts & crafts activity open to all the children of the center. Our volunteer group is led by an American volunteer from New Jersey, Michael, who recently moved to Israel to join the army. One of the most unique aspects of our community center is the “American environment”. Parents are often surprised when they enter and hear all of the volunteers, teachers, and managers speaking english to each other. Due to this, our kids are getting additional exposure to the English language and can practice their developing english skills with almost anyone at the center. You can already see the connection that has formed between the children and volunteers from Nachshon Preparatory School and we hope to see it preserved and developing!

Women’s Art Group
November 21, 2017 - January 23, 2018
Another Pilot program we had this year was an all Women’s Art group run by Sharon Kandor, our wonderful ceramics teacher, and Limor Max her co-partner in this project. The goal was to create an open and creative environment where women from Sderot could come relax, use their imagination, get a little messy, and take two hours to do something for themselves. The program developed by Sharon and Limor was great, where each week they had a new project using completely different materials. The projects ranged from collaging, stamp making, canvas painting, ceramic work, to wood printing. The program ran for 10 weeks, and was a great success! Sharon and Limor are currently working to continue this woman’s group for another session in the spring.

Adult Groups
October 2017 - Present
As in previous years, our adult group, led by Natasha, continues to meet consistently twice a week. One day of the week is devoted to learning about the History of Israel, and another focuses on the history of Judaism. Additionally, Natasha offers an “Ulpan” Hebrew learning class once a week in the mornings. Together this group celebrates the Jewish holidays, and and also go on trips around Israel. So far the groups have had a Rosh Hashana, Hannukah, and Purim Celebration. They’ve had trips to Tiberia, Tel Aviv, and the Jerusalem.The group is an active part of the community center. Recently the adult group had a special guest speaker, Elena Ulanovsky, who ran a book discussion and signing.

Caloniyot Trip
February 24, 2018
The South of Israel is famous for “Darom Adom” which directly translates to “Red South”. Each year during the month of February, there are red Anemone flowers called “Calonyot” in Hebrew ,blooming all throughout the south. These Anemones only grow in the South and are a common attraction for people all over Israel. The residents of Sderot are lucky to have these beautiful red flowers right in their backyards. Continuing the tradition, a group of 25 kids from our community center met on a Saturday afternoon and ventured off to these flower fields together. As many of the children who attended do not use electricity during Shabbat, our trip was by foot. We walked for about an hour as a group led by our oldest boys. Once we arrived at the field, the kids ate their packed lunches, relaxed with their friends, played sports games, and looked at the beautiful flowers. I was proud of our group for making the venture to the fields and back with no complaints.

Purim Party
February 27, 2018
This year’s Purim party was a great success! As always, it was held outside of our Community Center, and run similarly to our “Casino Night” at camp. Each older kid ( grades 9-12) was responsible for their own game station, where they would charge and give out “Deckles” ( dollar/sheckles) at their assigned stations. The kids earned these deckles at each station and then could use their earnings to buy a prize at our prize table. We had face painting, sponge throw, water ping-pong, penny slide, various card games, bowling, and lacrosse. Some of our oldest girls helped by distributing hot dogs and popcorn to all of the guests. We were also happy to host a few members of the Israel Lacrosse National Team, who volunteered their time to run a Lacrosse station at the party. The kids were very intrigued by Lacrosse and all tried this new and exciting sport! At the end of the party we announced our costume contest winner, Yasmin a 4rth grader who was dressed as a lightning queen.

Collaboration with Israel Lacrosse
February 2018 - Present
Over the past month I have been in contact with Team Israel Lacrosse, which is also a non-profit organization sponsored by US donors and run entirely here in Israel. Their program aims to start Lacrosse teams throughout all of Israel, and make it a more popular sport in the long run. The members reached out to me in hopes of working together with the Boston-Sderot Center in opening a girls team, and additionally volunteering their own time with our kids. Since our collaboration we’ve opened the first ever girls Lacrosse team in Sderot. We are excited to go against other neighboring towns in games in the future months! Go Sderot Stunt-Girls!