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This year was particularly challenging. In addition to the Covid-19 pandemic, many Israelis found themselves amid a barrage of rockets as part of Operation Guardian of the Walls. If this is part of the complicated reality for those who live in Israel, one can only imagine how Fellows in MITF felt – youngsters from English-speaking countries who arrived last August to teach English in school and who will return to their homes with a new perspective on Israel.
One of the Fellows is Emmanuel Layward Wells (26) from Birmingham, UK. Emmanuel has an MA in music and taught students in a conservatory in England. Because of the pandemic, he found himself with few professional opportunities in teaching. The desire to explore his Jewish roots along with the option of teaching in Israel led Emmanuel to join MITF, a program of Masa Israel Journey which was established by the Jewish Agency and the Israeli Government.
"The option of teaching English in Israel was especially tempting and exciting and enabled me to continue working as an educator, even if not in music" he explains. "Additionally, I was really curious to learn more about the Israeli culture, society, and the country itself - many things I didn't know - and of course to learn Hebrew."
Emmanuel explains that the fact that he arrived in Israel during the Covid-19 pandemic when most of the teaching was done via Zoom, made the experience even more interesting. "I taught English to students from Petach Tikvah through drama, music, and poetry. We were able to connect to the English language through these forms of art. Even though initially the teaching was online, we developed great connections with the students and when we finally met in person I felt that I already knew them well."
Finding strength in challenging times
Dealing with the unfamiliar security situation, especially during Operation Guardian of the Walls, was an additional challenge that, according to Emmanual, just strengthened his connection to the country. "It was my first experience hearing sirens and running to the shelter and it gave me the right perspective about what it means to live here in Israel. I learned to find the positive in all the challenges we faced. At the end of the year here I'll return to visit my family in England, but I'm planning on returning here in the Fall and I'm seriously considering making aliyah."
Yael Sahar-Rubenstein, the manager of the flagship MITF Program in Masa Israel Journey, which is celebrating a decade of activity, explains that the Fellows teach in schools in Beit Shean, Haifa, and Nazareth, and even reaching Ramle, Rahat, and Be'er Sheva, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. "The youngsters come with a connection to Israel, and a desire to learn more about their Jewish identity and a sense of Zionism, and from a place of wanting to do something impactful and contribute to societal change,'' she says.
"A minority decided to leave because of Covid-19 or the security situation. Most remained focused on finishing the program despite the challenges along the way, and that was inspiring. Above all else, Masa Israel Journey's goal is to bring young Jews to Israel and for them to live here like locals and to be part of Israeli society. At no point did they consider returning home."
Monica Kleyman from Denver, Colorado, is another Teaching Fellow who teaches English at the Tzlil School in Netanya. "I joined the program because I heard a lot about Israel, and I wanted to experience it firsthand." She shares, "During Operation Guardian of the Walls, I understood the conflict that Israel is in, from the perspective of someone living here. I've met a population here who courageously faces this complicated reality."
Monica explains that she connected with the students she taught, even when she was teaching them via Zoom. The connection was mutual and according to her, when they met in person, the students asked to hear about her life in Colorado. During the operation, she insisted on staying connected to the students and worried about their wellbeing, even when school was canceled. "I was really impressed by their resilience," and concludes "they, and generally everyone living here, never give up."
