In order to understand the origins of the Tikun Olam program, it helps to be familiar with Israeli society and the concept of a Garin Nahal as part of one's military service. (See www.tikunolamisrael.org) College graduates from abroad who join the MASA-affiliated Tikun Olam program gain that understanding, and far more. Project director, Nir Dagan, describes how the program was derived from a project that provides volunteer opportunities for young Israelis to work in resource-scarce communities in Tel Aviv. The goals are set high: reducing social gaps and promoting social justice. Participants, Israelis and college graduates from abroad alike, live in the neighborhoods where they volunteer and become an integral part of the community.
The eight participants from abroad, all college graduates, ages 23-26 spent six weeks at a kibbutz studying Hebrew and participating in workshops to prepare them for the eight months of volunteer service. Now living in the south Tel Aviv neighborhood of Kiryat Shalom in two rental apartments, they continue studying, while committed to a weekly minimum of 12 hours of volunteer service. Each participant volunteers in several locations, simultaneously with 70 of their Israeli peers. The volunteer work reflects an educational approach and involves youth from kindergarten through high school.
Privacy protection laws for minors make it difficult for Shalva, the madricha (counselor) for the eight volunteers from abroad, to elaborate on the details of the volunteer experiences. Nonetheless, she suggests speaking to Josh from Los Angeles, who is volunteering as an English tutor at Rogozin High School preparing teenagers for the state-administered Bagrut, matriculation exams, while also working at a clubhouse, Makom B'Lev, for 7-9 year olds; or Amriel who also volunteers at Rogozin, as well as at a homework help center known as Tov L'Daat and providing English support for a computer vocation course provided by the Jewish Agency.
Josh Hack, 24, has a degree in English Literature from UCLA. He was drafted into volunteering at Makom B'Lev when the Israeli volunteers were called up for their compulsory military draft. He reluctantly went to fill in the vacuum, concerned about how his negligible Hebrew vocabulary would allow him to communicate with these young children. Josh was forewarned about the common denominator bringing the children to this after-school center: a state social worker has designated them for attendance, as a last alternative to removing them from their homes. Josh volunteers at the center every Sunday and Tuesday. Despite language barriers, Josh says he helps children with their math homework which is reasonably simple to explain. He notes that what he has to offer must overshadow the communication problems, because some kids clearly reach out to him. He appreciates that these are children with issues regarding trust and consistency. As a regular volunteer since December, he observes change in attitude towards him as a function of trust-building. Some of the troublemakers, having become adjusted to him, now take the initiative and seek him for help with homework, or to be pushed on the swings.
From a population of children primarily from Jewish families of Bucharian origins at Makom B'Lev, on alternate days, Josh goes to the Rogozin High School where most of the students are not Jewish; at least 50%, he says, are children of foreign workers. He tutors 12th graders studying for the Bagrut; however, as an English literature major, one teacher recruited him to teach Hamlet and works by Harold Pinter. His general evaluation of the experience at the school can be summarized succinctly, "They're engaged in the material and want us… and it's good for us!"
Amriel Kissner, 23, from New Jersey with a degree from Rutgers University in Linguistics immediately says that if you have already spoken to Josh, you must have heard that everybody says that Rogozin is a really tough school. Whenever possible, teenagers choose to be bussed to other schools and not attend Rogozin, but Josh and Amriel see the achievements that are made by these youth as they strive to improve, despite victimizing stigmas.
Beyond the stigmas, this volunteer experience has provided Tikun Olam volunteers with insight into complex social issues. An example that Amriel describes is a teenager, born to foreign, non-Jewish parents in Israel, who would like to enlist in the army along with her peers, yet her status precludes the option. On that note, Amriel claims they have become genuinely close with some of the kids. A Colombian girl in the senior class told him that she wants them to attend her graduation, "like she feels that we contributed to her getting there!"
