Often, activism for Israel consists of lectures and campaigns. But at Emory University, CAMERA-supported group Emory Students for Israel wanted to bring Israel to life, so they held an Israel fest right in the middle of campus.
The festival was divided between different sections, representing different cities in Israel. One station represented Haifa and the Bahai Gardens, where participants could plant seeds in pots to take home, or decorate Hamsas with Hebrew class students. In “Jerusalem”, students could put a note in the Western Wall, put on tefillin with the Chabad Rabbi, and hear the Arab Culture Association students talk about Arab culture. There was also a “Shuk” where students could buy Israeli food.
There were other stations, for the Negev, Tel Aviv and more. Students were given a mock Israeli bus-pass, a “Rav-Kav” which they got stamped at each station. When they had been to enough stations they then got their Israeli pita and falafel (of course)!
The event was tremendously successful – 1,500 students took part in ESI’s Israel Fest, and got to experience Israel in the heart of Georgia. We are looking forward to their next Israel Fest, which will hopefully brings the sights, sounds and experiences of Israel to even more people.
Contributed by Aron White, CAMERA intern