Weekly Newsletter 4 July 14, 2017

BALTIMORE ONWARD
Shabbat Scoop
This weekends Onward Breakout Seminar was Ecology and Nature. Dori, Arielle and Sarah Mazer
attended the seminar and had a unique and awesome time. They were pushed out of their comfort
zone, but learned a lot about farm life and sustainability. They learned about the dierent crops that
grow in the farm, and the steps to make compost from organic waste. Their madrichim taught many
survival skills including camouflage, wood carving, and fire making - and they even made their own
toothpaste!

Sarah Mazer, Dori and Arielle at their Breakout Seminar (Left to Right)

Many people decided to travel this weekend. Maia, Adam, Chase, Alex, Matt, Koby, and Miranda
were all in Jerusalem for the entire weekend to celebrate Shabbat. Jenna Miller, Evan, Allison and
Jess also went to Jerusalem to explore the Old City, but came home before Shabbat. Lindsey, Ari
and Sara Kattler-Gold went to Haifa to explore a new place for the weekend as well! Molly and
Jenna Balk explored closer to home and walked around Jaa. Emily and Elana also saw some
beautiful work at the Artist Market on Friday. For those who were staying in Tel Aviv, many people
got some sun and went to the beach or met up with other friends and family. Overall, the weekend
was fun and busy for all!

Adam, Alex, Maia, Matt and Chase at Evan, Jenna Miller, and Jess at the Elana and Emily at the Tel Aviv Artist
the Western Wall (Left to Right) Mahane Yehuda Market (Left to Right) Market (Left to Right) 1
Weekly Newsletter 4 July 14, 2017

Tuesday Tracking
This Tuesday we took the time to learn more about Tel Aviv. We went to the Central Bus Station to
learn about refugees in Israel and hear more about the government process for those seeking
refuge in Israel. We then toured the surrounding area and made our way towards Rothschild
Boulevard. Once at Rothschild, we learned more about the area and its history. We also went to see
the first skyscraper ever made in Israel and analyzed a mural to tell us more about the citys history.
We concluded the day with a group discussion.

Baltimore Onward and Sports, Hospitality and Baltimore Onward and Sports, Hospitality and
Business Onward groups learning about refugees Business Onward groups at the first skyscraper in
in Israel at the Central Bus Station Israel

Participant Spotlight - Molly Booko

Shalom! My name is Molly Booko and I will be starting my sophomore
year at Tulane University in the fall. I am currently undecided in my major,
but am leaning towards Sociology with minors in Psychology and Jewish
Studies.

I am interning at Rainbow Nursery, a bilingual (Hebrew and English)

daycare center in Tel Aviv that teaches and cares for children from 6
weeks old to 4 years old. I work specifically in the Kindergarten with
children ages 3 and 4. The kids at Rainbow are absolutely adorable and
so full of curiosity, always eager to sing songs, learn new things, and use
their creativity when playing with one another. I especially enjoy the fact
that the bilingual nature of the daycare allows me to practice my Hebrew
skills by listening to and communicating with the children.

Back in May of 2016, I came to Israel for a month with my graduating class and fell in love. Knowing
that I wanted to come back for a longer period of time in a setting where I could truly experience
what it's like to live in (not just tour) Israel, I chose to participate in Onward. It provides the best of
both worlds: I can continue gaining valuable work experience while living in, exploring, and falling
more in love with Israel.

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Weekly Newsletter 4 July 14, 2017

In my free time, I enjoy wandering the various streets and neighborhoods in Tel Aviv/Jaa, spending
time relaxing on the beach and swimming in the Mediterranean, and especially exploring the
endless food options that Israel has to oer. My favorite meals that I've had so far are the dinner
from my host family in Ashkelon, Malawach (traditional Yemeni fried bread filled with various
vegetables and spreads) from the Jachnun stand at Shuk Machane Yehuda in Jerusalem, and
homemade Shakshuka that I make almost every morning for breakfast. This past month has been
amazing so far, so I can't wait to see what the next month has in store!

Participant Spotlight - Chase Berman

Before coming to Israel with Onward, I recently finished up my
Sophomore year at Elon University where Im majoring in Human
Service Studies. There, I have become involved with Habitat for
Humanity where I serve as the Director of the chapter on campus
while also becoming a facilitator for a new program called Step up!
Active Bystander Program that was made this past year. Moreover,
I am a member of the Executive Committee for the school where I
work to enhance the club and program atmosphere oered to
student-life. On a more social perspective, I participate in almost every intramural sport Elon oers
and play Club Tennis during the respected seasons.

Although I have travelled to Israel prior to this experience, I always knew I wanted to come back.
With a two-month program oering a tremendous international internship and a significant amount
of time to submerge ones self within this countrys roots, this summer option really stuck out to me.
In order to gain an in-depth cultural perception of what Israeli work-life is like, I could not think of a
better alternative than Onward Israel. Throughout this opportunity I plan to embrace the Israeli way
of life, strengthen my connection to my religious background and make an impact for the
organization I work for.

My internship is with the Israel Family Planning Association (IFPA). The IFPA is Israel's leading non-
profit organization advancing the human right to sexual health. Nicknamed 'Open Door,' it is a
national network consisting of 14 information, counseling and treatment centers. The centers deal
with issues of adolescence, such as intimacy, love, prevention of sexual violence, and healthy and
responsible sexual behavior. They function as open and safe places for youth, in particular at-risk
individuals. 'Open Door' serves Jews and Arabs, secular and religious, native Israelis and new
immigrants, in a variety of languages and with cultural sensitivity. It provides accessibility to
individuals with disabilities as well.

Earlier this year I decided I want to live my life helping other people but there is a large multitude of
options that can fulfill that purpose. Personally, I love talking with others and helping them confront
and overcome their problems or whatever seems to be troubling them; at the moment I wish to
become a Psychiatrist.

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Weekly Newsletter 4 July 14, 2017

Based in the city of Tel Aviv, the work I do with the IFPA is centered within their resource
development center. Consisting of basic filing, translating Hebrew texts and documents into
English, and communicating with other company/foundation managers. My overall goal is to help
the non-profit raise and receive fundraising for their upcoming projects. Specifically, I am in the
midst of constructing a grant that, if all goes as planned, will be funded by the Euro-Mediterranean
Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders for a significant amount that would allow one
the IFPA projects to oer facilities to women in-need within the country of Israel.

Outside of work, I spend my free time exploring the city of Tel-Aviv with others in the Baltimore
group along with other Onward participants that are based around Tel-Aviv too. This program truly
gives one an opportunity to become more independent; one needs to be able to properly construct
a daily/weekly schedule, abide by it, and learn from mistakes.

Internship Spotlight - Jenna Balk from

Yuval Samuels Vet Clinic

Hi! My name is Jenna Balk and I am a rising sophomore at the
University of Maryland, College Park. I am an Animal Science pre-
professional major, intending to go to veterinary school in the
future. As soon as I heard about Onward and its flexible nature in
providing participants with internships that are directly linked to
their career path, I immediately applied. I eagerly wanted to spend the majority of the summer in
Israel as I wholeheartedly love this country. I have been on two other organized trips to Israel, and I
have had the time of my life both times. I was particularly interested in Onward when I discovered
the program as it involves a much longer stay and more independence. When I applied for Onward,
I planned to further my professional experience, as well as to delve in the Israeli culture for a
substantial amount of time.

This summer, I am interning at Yuval Samuels Vet Point Vet Clinic. It is a small clinic, right in the
middle of a bustling area of Tel Aviv, with an absolutely amazing and gifted sta. I am rather early in
my college years, but I have learned so much already from the doctors there. They are enhancing
my knowledge of the language and the culture on the side, but more importantly, they are allowing
me to truly experience the life of a Vet. Not that I have performed surgery (I wish), but they permit
more intriguing and consequential tasks compared to my previous experiences at other vet clinics in
the States. I believe that this program is an extremely eective way to fully immerse oneself in the
Israeli lifestyle. I have fallen in love with this clinic, with the sta, with this country, with so many of
the dogs and cats there - I feel so grateful and fortunate to be a participant on this life-changing
program.

Best Homemade Meal

Evan has made some incredible dishes since hes been here! This week, he made a
beautiful caprese salad on top of fresh bread as an appetizer to his meal.

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Weekly Newsletter 4 July 14, 2017

The Week Ahead

This weekend we have a few people attending the Galilee Exposure Onward Breakout Seminar!
Were excited to hear about their weekend!

On Tuesday we will be going on a Conflict Tour to hear from an Israeli and Palestinian to learn more
about disputes in the region.

Photos from the Week

Shabbat Shalom from Baltimore Onward!