Rachel's+I-Face+Project

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I thank G-d every day for my "ezer kenegdo" and for the opportunity to now build my own home in my precious country.

When I look around me, I see amazing people. Each of them volunteering and doing so much to help others. There individuals are making a tremendous difference for the people and for the country. I am grateful to be able to do my part and encourage others to do so as well. Each of us are soldiers and we all have responsibilities.

=//__POETRY CONNECTION__//=

The earth is soft beneath my feet, the sun ablaze with desert heat, The quiet stillness does not last, intermittently gun-fire blasts. I stand on guard, alert and ready, my gun positioned, my hand is steady. Within my being I feel the ache of prices paid for victory's sake. Although I'm weary of death and war, I must be brave at twenty-four. Pain and grief tucked away, replaced with strength renewed each day, that's been embedded centuries deep, and glow with hope for us to reap. And everywhere a silent prayer emitted from a soldiers heart rings out upon this historic land, of which we are a part.
 * A Soldier's Prayer By Joyce Zasler **

This poem tells the story of a soldier who understands the difficulty of war and the need to be brave. Being a soldier is not something you are given much choice about, it is a duty. This is not just any war. It is for the survival of Israel.

This poem talks about the feelings of a soldier during war, the fear of death and at the same time the need to be brave. This is a war that has been fought throughout history, a fight to protect Israel and its people. Knowing this is what gives this soldier the strength to risk his life for his country, as difficult as it may be. This soldier stays positive, as he is fighting for something very valuable.

The feelings this soldier expresses are felt in some way or another by everyone in Israel. The frontline is not only the border between Israel and its enemies, but also every city and every street. We all fear terror, but at the same time we know we must be brave and strong to fight for what is ours. Prayer is very important as we fight for our land. It gives us strength and hope to do everything we can to continue the fight.

When I have looked at a soldier in the past, I have seen him as strong and brave. This poem has reminded me that every soldier is a regular person with all the fears and pain of going to war and possibly being killed. I will now have only more respect, as I will remember how difficult it is to be a soldier.

This poem rhymes something which strengthens and makes the poem more powerful. It helps to connect each idea and makes it more pleasurable to read and hear. For example "alert and ready…my hand is steady". The title explains that what is expressed by the soldier is something he feels within his heart, something very personal. In addition, the fact that the poem is written in first person makes you feel more connected to the soldier's feelings.

To see the poem and more poems, click here : http://www.jewishmag.com/106mag/joycepoems/joycepoems.htm

=//__BACKGROUND RESEARCH__//=

**A TRIP OF A LIFE TIME**

During this past Chanukah, thousands of people came to Eilat for their vacation. Among them was a group of around 120 people who all had one thing in common- they had some kind of cancer, although they all came from different homes and backgrounds.

This visit was arranged by Zichron Menachem, which is an organization that was established in 1990, in order to lesson the suffering of young cancer patients and their families. During the year, Zichron Menachem holds three camps, which "functions as power stations for the sick children, giving them strength which they need everyday of the year." These camps like the ones in Eilat, give the children something happy to think about and to look forward to. During these camps "the child forgets his painful past and doesn't think about a sickly future. He only focuses on the present moment- having the greatest time!"

These trips are staffed with very dedicated volunteers, "oncology doctors and nurses equipped with a mobile hospital and blood lab accompany the child compares. This enables Zichron Menachem to allow even very ill children to attend camp.

During the visit to Eilat the children do anything you can imagine, such as: camel riding, Para sailing, jeep rides, boat rides, etc.

Zichron Menachem website says: After the camp, "when a child is in pain or is frightened of what may happen next, he can recall the greatest fun he had at the Zichron Menachem camp and continue his struggle to win over his illness." Every camper "is given a professionally edited video or DVD movie as a souvenir of the camp. While resting at home, or at the Zichron Menachem Day Center, the children watch the movies- in which they are the stars- and they relieve and extend their great moments of non- stop adventure camp fun."

For each child, this camp is the trip of a life time.

For more information about Zichron Menachem click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zichron_Menachem

http://www.zichron.org/index_h.php

=__//REFLECTION//__= = = At the beginning of the year when I came into class I had an idea of what I would like to accomplish in English. I thought it would be like every year: book reports, assignments, home work, etc, but my expectations changed once I heard of the" Our Faces Project". My English teacher, Melissa, explained to us about a project we will be working on for a period of time. At first I was not excited about the project, nor was I looking forward to choosing a person who made a difference for Israel.

At the beginning I had several people in mind. For example, former famous people involved in establishing our country or Torah figures. I had an idea of who I would select, but of course nothing is simple. I was told that I must interview the person I chose. (So I can't interview someone dead). Then I asked my family for ideas. My parents suggested different people but they weren't what I was looking for. I wanted someone close to me that I would feel comfortable interviewing. That's when my oldest sister Ccame to mind. C is an example for me because she is someone who has made a difference. Before I started to interview C, I thought I already knew much about her life and what she has done. However I quickly learned many new and interesting about her. This includes information about things she did at school and during Sherut Leumi.

Today I look at C see so much more than an older sister, whom I love, admire and look up to. She is an amazing person who has given so, much of her self to helping others. This has taught me that although our leaders have made a difference, it's us, the regular people who have made the greatest impact. I learned all this and more from this assignment. I am very happy and grateful that I have been able to do this project and gain so much from it.

During this project, I have worked on my vocabulary, grammar, spelling and writing skills. With half a year having passed and "Our Faces Project" soon coming to an end, has not only taught me new things about my sisters, but also improved my English and interview skills.

This project has been very interesting and has taught me that we can all make a difference.

=//__CRAETIVE PROJECT__//= Israel is a country of immigrants. Throughout the past 60 years, Israel has welcomed individuals and groups from all over the world. It has become the center of Jewish life world wide. Jews from different countries and backgrounds now live together, as they work to make Israel a better and safer country. Each immigrant, person, Is what makes Israel very unique. It's because of this that I chose to draw a picture which shows how Israel is made up of so many different people. The person in the center of my picture is wearing clothing and accessories from all different countries. What I'm trying to show is that these items represent immigrants from many different countries which all together make the average Israeli. Through this we are witnessing the fulfillment of G-d's promise "If your dispersedwill be at the heaven, your G-d, will gather you in and from ther He will take you". ( From- Deuteronomy 30,4)

=//__APPENDIX__//=

**QUESTIONS**
1. Where were you born?

2. Where did you live growing up in America?

3. What was school like in America?

4. At the age of nine moving to Israel was very important for you. Explain?

5. Where have you lived since making aliya?

6. What was the hardest part of making aliya?

7. Did you find it hard coming to school in Israel and learning in Hebrew?

8. What was it like having to make new friends?

9. What do you remember most about high school?

10. Tell me about some of the volunteer work you did during high school?

11. What did you enjoy most about being in Ezra youth movement?

12. What made you choose to do two years of national service?

13. What did you learn from the year at the Beit Hayeled?

14. Where did you find the strength to work at Zichron Menachem?

15. What made you decide to attend Midrasha?

16. You have now lived in Israel for 10 years. What makes Israel so special for you?

17. When I say the word marriage, what do you think?

18. Where are you living since being married?

19. How does it feel to be the oldest of six girls?

20. What are your plans for the future?

=//BIBLIOGRAPHY//= Zasler Joyce. "A Soldier's Prayer." 9.2.08. <[|http://www.jewishmag.com/106mag/joycepoems/joycepoems.htm>.] = = "Zichron Menachem." Wikipedia. 19.1.08. <[|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zichron_Menachem>.] "Zichron Menachem." Zichron Menachem. 19.1.08. http://www.zichron.org/index_h.php

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