Shalom lekulam! Ma shlomchem?

Well time is really flying by and I only have another week and a half up north before the project ends. It has been a really interesting experience for me and one that I will not soon forget. With the students being so young and so far away from home, I have often felt like a mother to them and not just their teacher. It has been really important for me to remember to ask them how they are, how they are feeling, how things are going for them and generally to be available to listen if they needed to talk. Studying psychology has proved invaluable at times!
In Judaism there is a very important principle for parents and teachers regarding education, it is that the left hand pushes away while at the same time, the right hand brings closer. It is very important to remember when we are angry with a student or a child that we mustn’t only punish him but we must also bring him back and restore him!
All this said, I am really looking forward to getting back to the Ulpan and normal life. Kibbutz life is so different from being near Tel Aviv where people dress in clothes other than what looks like pyjamas and where you see life, shops, cinemas and restaurants, etc. I guess I am just more of a city girl at heart………
Shabbat Shalom,
Saray Pentzak
Ulpan Aviv - Teacher

Shalom, Shalom! Ma shlomchem?

Shalom, Shalom! Ma shlomchem?
This week I am writing this blog in between my Australian students' lessons up in the Kibbutz near Galilee. It really is a beautiful day and very hot for the month of November. The Kibbutz looks lovely in the autumn sunlight. Everything is going well here and I am getting used to the rhythm here on the Kibbutz. It is great fun to have Efat here with me to share the experience. Last week was a very special week. It had 2 major events in it. My new little nephew's Brit Mila (circumcision) and a friend from work's wedding. Both are very significant moments in our lives as Jews and especially here in Israel. Both were very special and moving moments in their own very different way. With so many moments of uncertainty, sadness, or fear here in Israel, it was very touching to be able to celebrate life and its joyful side, twice in one week. On Thursdays, I am still teaching at the Ulpan in Tel Aviv and was really happy to welcome back one of our students, Bram, whom you may have read about in one of our recent newsletters. He continues to make really great progress and had a job interview this week. We really wish him all the best with his interview and every success. Bechazlacha Bram!

I hope you all have a great week and look forward to writing my blog next week. Shavua Tov le kulam!
Saray Pentzak
Ulpan Aviv - Teacher

Shalom le kulam! Ma nishma?

Well, I have finished my first full week at the kibbutz and so far things are going well. As I said last week, the residents and staff on the kibbutz are really friendly and helpful and have been great in making us feel at home. I am also really enjoying the classes, although I had forgotten just exactly how much energy you need to teach teenagers. (Especially teenagers who are a long way from home on their own for the first time ever!!!) This last week or so has made me realize just how different teaching mostly adult students on a one-to-one basis is, from teaching a group of young people. First of all, our students at the Ulpan have chosen to come and study with us and are therefore really motivated to be able to make the very most out of each lesson, and also there is the financial motivation; having paid for the course, they attend and are focused on what they are doing!
I think that in some ways I have the perfect mix, being able to experience both sides of teaching. One certainly makes you appreciate the other and they do say that variety is the spice of life!
I will be taking a day off from teaching at the kibbutz tomorrow to go to my new little nephew’s circumcision. I now have 10 nephews and nieces which makes our Shabbats and Chagim together crazy, but lots of fun!
I hope that you all have a great end to the week. See you all here next week!