Jul 14, 2011
Volunteers Share Skills and Create Lasting Memories in Yerucham
On May 30, 2013, five volunteers from Miami embarked on a two-week adventure through the rough terrain of Israel’s Negev to live and work in the city of Yerucham, as part of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s Volunteer BaMidbar (Volunteer in the Desert) program, offered in partnership with Skilled Volunteers for Israel.
The first Desert Volunteers — Gerry and Queenie Rich (Miami/Toronto) Rabbi Larry Halpern (Miami) and Ron and Heather Hoffman (Miami/Toronto) – lent their time and talents to local businesses and nonprofit organizations where their particular skills were needed. In addition, they taught conversational English to Israeli adults for two or three evenings a week. Each volunteer documented their journey through a variety of blog posts, and shared different aspects of their experiences and their new-found appreciation for Israel.
“If we did not come as Zionists, we certainly are Zionists now,” said Ron Hoffman.
Yerucham is a town with a population of nearly 9,400 residents, including Jews from the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Since 2007, Federation has partnered with the Yerucham community focusing on a variety of areas, including business development, school projects and youth programs. Volunteer BaMidbar participants saw those connections firsthand.
“With our Federation…we will continue to be a part of this incredible development of Yerucham and all of the Negev,” said Rabbi Larry Halpern. “In fulfillment of Ben Gurion’s dream – ‘the future’ really is happening in the Negev.”
Volunteers formed and cultivated relationships with the Yerucham community. They joined host families for Shabbat, and participated in Jewish text and spirituality workshops.
This program is offered to volunteers age 40 and older. Volunteer projects involve skills such as writing, marketing, photography, social media and fundraising. For more information about this volunteer opportunity, contact Dahlia Bendavid, Director of Federation’s Israel and Overseas Department, at [email protected] or 786.866.8445.
To learn more about the Miami-Yerucham Partnership, click here.
