Volume 5, Issue 2 / Shevat, 5762 / February 2002
Planting Seeds of Hope in Gilo
By Debbie Berman
Although the day was dismally gray and stormy, the spirits inside the kindergarten in Gilo Gimmel were hardly dampened. In celebration of the holiday of Tu B'shvat, the traditional Jewish New Year for trees, The National Women's Constituency of the UJC Mission joined with the children of Gilo in a song-filled planting ceremony.
The Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo has borne the brunt of continued shooting and mortar fire from the Palestinian village of Beit Jala, just across the valley. A mortar shell hit Gilo Gimmel's kindergarten last summer. Luckily the shell fell late at night and the damage to the kindergarten entrance was minimal. Early in the morning after the UJC Mission visit, the neighborhood came under fire again.
Kindergarten teacher Adriana Yehoshua, an immigrant from Argentina who has been living in Israel since 1976 and in Gilo since 1982, said that she "worries constantly about the children's safety." After the shell hit last summer, the Israeli army sent an educational team to prepare the children for emergency procedures.
"One child had a very bad reaction to the army simulation. He was afraid to come to kindergarten. He asked me to promise him nothing bad would happen to him here," said Adriana. "I told him that I could not promise that, but that we would do everything to protect him and keep him safe."
The group of women entered the kindergarten and took their seats among the children. Their miniature hosts greeted them with a rousing "Welcome to Y-is-rael", which they had been practicing to prepare for the American visit. Adriana delivered welcoming remarks, thanking the group for coming "during these dangerous and difficult times." She said that it was "heartwarming to know that American Jews think about us and want to help make our lives more comfortable."
It didn't take long for the kids and the women to warm up to one other. To the background of a song and dance presentation depicting the planting of trees, the little "birds" invited the guests to fly with them and join in the dance. Before long the festive mood was contagious and the celebrants, young and young at heart, intermingled in joy. It was hard to tell which group was having more fun.
After the musical presentation, everyone proceeded to the day's work. Since it was raining heavily outside, tables were set up in the middle of the room with planters and earth and the flower planting commenced. The children then presented their guests with the fruits of the land, platters of dried fruits and nuts, leaving everyone with a sweet tasting memory.
Visiting Jerusalem during this time of crisis, the participants of the UJC mission were brimming with support for Israel.
Margot Garon said, "If we don't show our solidarity for Israel today, when will we show it? Being here now is as natural as breathing." Garon, from New Orleans, who is staying on after the mission to spend time with her children and grandchildren who live on Kibbutz Revadim, claimed that "When I'm in Gilo and I see these children I get such hope and inspiration for future generations. No matter what anyone tries to do to us, we are here to stay."
"Part of me is nervous about being here," admitted Diane Wohl from New York, "but just coming to be here now, makes me feel an obligation to go back and tell others to come to Israel and show their support."
According to Wendy Block, who hails from Wilmington, coming to Israel now is comparable to her first visit to New York after September 11th. " I was overcome with emotion when I looked and saw the Towers weren't there. Now, when I walk down the street in Jerusalem people come out of their shops and say 'Thank you for coming'."
Today her experience in Gilo has been a happy one. "The joy of the children makes me see beyond the depression. It is an indication of life going on."
Credits: Photos by Douglas Guthrie
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