"Salt of the Earth" Seminar

July 16, 2007 / 1 Av 5767

Last week, the "Salt of the Earth" seminar, conducted in the Eshkol Regional Council, concluded.  The enrollees in the seminar are now qualified to serve as emergency counselors and this accounts for the seemingly bizarre title of the seminar that actually has a double meaning. The word, Melach, in Hebrew means salt, but the acronym in Hebrew also means: counselors capable of acting in emergency situations, and these young persons are literally salt of the earth.

During the seminar the trainees experienced activities related to the security situation in order to form an in depth knowledge of the security reality and the social phenomena which derive from it.  An educational psychologist gave a seminar on coping with children in an emergency. Additionally, the trainees underwent exercises on the topic: Education as a tool for social change and they participated in creative workshops. The culminating exercise dealt with the future role of the counselors and their willingness to assume responsibility.

In the evenings, the trainees took a break, went swimming or enjoyed cultural events. Gal Feintuch, the seminar coordinator, had the following to say: "The seminar was quite moving. What is most important in my opinion, is that the trainees had a forum to talk over the situation, to disclose their fears and speak about an issue that is shunted aside in day to day living. The trainees showed that they had a lot to contribute and that there is someone who is there to listen, identify, and give them a hug…".

81 Sderot Campers

The Sderot branch of the day camp is functioning beautifully. The number of campers is growing every day, following the positive feedback which the day camp received at the very beginning.

There are now 81 campers in the day camp!

Last Friday, the campers enjoyed an Israeli day culminating in group Sabbath prayers. Today, the campers are enjoying a sports day with all the trimmings.  These pictures provide an inkling of the camp spirit.