Sara In Akko

This year has seen a continued growth of National Service participation among Arab youths within their communities. Akko has been awarded for the exceptional services offered by it's Arab youths in their dedication to their community.

I can't think of anything more important to emphasize than this achievement. Many Israelis and foreign onlookers are quick to criticize the community service offered by youths within the Jewish sector.

"Why don't they do more for all the residents of the entire city?"

I have heard this question before. This question implies that a teen who works in a Jewish school has neglected the needs of the Arab sector. This question also shows that it is being asked by a person who doesn't see the larger picture, the scope of need within a city quite like Akko. It is layered and complex and certainly not as simple as if one population is being served than another must be neglected.

I have often wondered how people could believe that a single solution would possibly fit for an entire city and it's many needs. There is no such magical one-size fits all solution to societal distress. It takes many partners to care for an entire city and it's varied population.

The rising number of Arab youths concerned about their own communities and volunteering to better the situations of children and families in need is exemplary. Its scope of impact, creating safe afternoon options for 70 children 5 days a week, is a service this city is truly in need of.

See the full article in Hebrew here

Here's the big exciting project Yeshivot Bnei Akiva is letting me work on. This was filmed in a single hour all around Akko and with a plain digital camera. Using only free applications and open-source programs I'm attempting to build a new approach to the Annual Dinner. More details to follow.

(This was first written about a year ago but seemed applicable enough today)

When I began to inquire about what school would be like for my daughter, I heard this:

"Make sure she speaks Hebrew in the Gan. Kids can be so mean. They'll call her Russian."

The Israelis were clearly concerned that our background as Russian-American-Religious would be a constant hindrance to what we, in Israel, term the "Chevre."

Speaking mostly Russian, my child entered Gan. After a week she was transformed into a singing, conversing, Israeli child. To those concerned that her linguistic preferences might keep her on the out's in the schoolyard, a proud parental moment presented itself.

Returning home, I found my 3 year old looking slightly stormy. My husband explained that she was apprehended by her Gannenet. The Chevre were caught wetting toilet paper and tossing it at the wall. 5 children total.

Clearly unacceptable. I thought of her sitting in the "Meditation Corner" being disciplined for this foray off the track of playful impishness towards preschool monster, and yet, couldn't help but be proud of this tiny person's ability to triumph and become a true Israeli child.

The odds are against her.

Friends enjoy cheese on white bread, she eats peanut butter and jelly packed in reusable pouches. When they receive candy in class (and there is always candy), she has fruit. Other children bring baggies of goodies for their birthday, her birthday in Elul included over 20 handmade fairy-castle-glitter invites and two total attendees.

In review, she is a totally Israeli child, her 3 year old Chutzpah is proof. I'm the one a bit out of place. I'm the immigrant, not her.

Much like the acclaimed "One Laptop Per Child" program that seeks to lessen the gap between technologically advanced nation's youth with those in developing nations, Akko too has been hard at work leveling the technological playing field.

In it's fourth year, Akko's City Hall and Department of Education intend to distribute 300 computers to children in need. See Akkonet's story.

The only problem as I see it, Israel is one of the most advanced nations in the world as far as computer related innovation, technology and general development in these fields. More scientific patents are filed in Israel than any other nation per capita. Hi-Tech start-ups are kind of "our thing."

So why are there school children crowding around computers, and sharing time just to type up reports or utilize online resources to advance in schools?

Simple facts: Akko is overall a poor city. The residents are overall poor. Unemployment is high. The average age of residents is high. All of these things together add up to kids who need every possible advantage to be successful against the rest of the nation's youth.

A Computer for Every Child in Akko seems like the best way to help Akko's youths stay ahead in a rapidly dichotomizing society.