Two Australians this winter decided to volunteer at Ramat Hadassah Szold for two weeks in January. Linda Blatt, 21, a law student at the Melbourne University worked as an assistant counselor, among other things, taking the village’s students on a four-day hike in the Negev.

“It was all very informal,” she explained, “and that helped the kids open up and talk to me. I think they also learned a lot of English.” Six more volunteers from the AVIV program are expected in the Spring.

Rebecca Polgar, 22, also a Law student at Melbourne University said, “we had to work hard to earn the children’s trust and respect. But it was worth it." During January more than 200 Australians on the AUJS Birthright Israel Program visited Ramat Hadassah Szold.

Shvat 5764 - February 2004