Posts from May, 2009
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Solidarity born of shared horrors
The JC.com
By Noam Schimmel
Created 21 May 2009 – 1:19pmCollective tragedies become a part of the consciousness of a people. So it is with Jews and the
Shoah.From a young age, I learned that however much the Jewish people suffered and were
persecuted, they remained fundamentally resilient and unbowed, a people, a religion and a
civilization that revelled in community, learning and doing the right thing. I found much joy in
Judaism, never finding it weighed down by the sadness and pains of the past, however
enormous and overwhelming.So when I came to Rwanda, knowing our history I thought that although the individuals I would
encounter and their stories of survival in the face of unspeakable terror and brutality would be
painful, I would not break down emotionally.I was wrong.
[To read more of this post, Solidarity born of shared horror May 2009 download the PDF]
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Tufts Hillel and JDC sends 20 students to the Village
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), in partnership with Tufts Hillel, has sent 20 students to the village. There, they will volunteer with the kids. This project was made possible by generous supporters of both the JDC and Agahozo-Shalom.
To read about their experience, you can follow a daily log at http://jdcrocksrwanda.blogspot.com/
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Village News – From the Health and Wellness Center
I just returned home a couple of days ago after a prolonged break in the US and I am extremely happy to be back in the Village where I have resided for the past four months! I must have hugged and kissed almost every single kid and adult I encountered along the way that first evening. I received warm welcome backs from our “big, hospitable family” which made me realize all the more how special this place is and how privileged I am to be working here.
Things feel and look differently around here: the planted grass has grown everywhere around the houses, on the soccer field and basketball court which are nearly completed, thus creating a cleaner and more peaceful environment. Something else is different in the “air”, there seems to be an apparent change in the children’s lives. Not only have they gained weight after the vacation break probably from drinking “cow milk” but they seem more “present and comfortable” at ASYV.[To read more of this post, Health and Wellness Center May 2009 download the PDF]