January 13, 2009 / 17 Tevet, 5769

Children of new immigrants in absorption centers in Southern Israel have been enduring the frequent barrages of Kassam and Grad rocket attacks on their neighborhoods.  The Jewish Agency, with the help of generous donors from North America, enabled these children to enjoy a break from this harsh reality and take a much-needed vacation in the Upper Galilee.

It was not an easy week for students in the Jewish Agency's Kalanit Absorption Center in Ashkelon.  In between the sirens and Grad missiles, the immigrants left for a two-day retreat in Northern Israel.

The immigrants toured the Gilboa hills and the ruins of Beit She’an, and vacationed in Chamat Gader.

In addition to receiving a break from the ongoing stress of missile attacks, the students also learned about Israel’s water supply problems and hiked along one of the streams that bring water to Lake Kinneret – the Hermon stream (known as the Banias).

The immigrants visited the wineries of Katzrin and experienced the beauty of the Golan Heights.  They then returned, refreshed and rejuvenated, to their daily routine in Kalanit.

They expressed their appreciation to the Jewish Agency and the trip’s organizers for giving them this special experience.