Learning from your
peers at the Klein branch

By Lauren Fritsky
Times Staff Writer

As the kippah-clad Rabbi Sandy Berliner stepped to the front of the room, a dozen Israeli students whispered murmurs of surprise and whipped out their cameras to snap pictures of her.
While a beloved chaplain who often appears at the JCC Klein branch in Somerton, Berliner’s local fame did not provide the key reason for the photo op.
"They’ve never seen a woman with a kippah on her head," explained Eran Twito, 26, a counselor from Israel.
The students gathered with local teens and rabbis to discuss Jewish pluralism as part of MIFGASH Ambassadors for Partnership, a program that started nine years ago through Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.
The exchange program pairs 16- and 17-year-olds from the Philadelphia area with students from Israeli to witness the similarities and differences of each nation.
The local teens returned from a 10-day stay in Netivot/Sedot Negev, deemed the sister city of Philadelphia, about two weeks ago. There they learned about Israeli history and culture and visited Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the Masada, the Dead Sea and Lake Kinnert.
Their Israeli pals arrived on Aug. 6 to embark upon their own week-and-a-half excursion to local landmarks, New York City, Washington, D.C., Six Flags Great Adventure and the U.S. Naval Academy.
According to Lisa Sandler, the former community initiative director for the federation who now works in adult services at Klein, the usual tourist targets held the most appeal for the Israeli visitors.
"They all want to run up the Rocky steps," Sandler said.
The students also have their own version of the Liberty Bell, complete with a crack and all, in their home city.
Judah Gross, a past participant who now interns with the program, said the experience forges lifelong relationships. In fact, Gross will return to Israel for several months before starting classes at the University of Maryland.
"You definitely do get to know each other," said Gross, 18.
Abington resident Sarah Weitzman, 16, enjoyed her time in Netivot/Sedot Negev.
"It’s so different," she said. "Their lifestyles are more laid back."
Linoy Fhima, 17, the Israeli student staying with Weitzman, said her host family has been kind and accommodating.
"Today I woke up and all the food in the refrigerator was kosher," she said.
Barbara Shotz, adult services director at Klein, took in Twito, the Israeli counselor, but doesn’t get to see him often as the MIFGASH outings keep him busy well into the evening.
"He’s great," she said.
During their visit to Klein, Israeli students learned about Jewish pluralism. They heard from Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist rabbis and discussed the similarities and differences of each in small groups.
Regardless of any distinctions between Israeli and American Jews, the MIFGASH students treat one another like family.
"It’s so much fun," said Weitzman. "I don’t want them to leave." ••
Reporter Lauren Fritsky can be reached at 215-354-3038 or lfritsky@phillynews.com