Jenny Kirsch: The second BFL seminar was November 22 – 24…and I really enjoyed it! There were many things that I enjoyed about this seminar. Our first speaker was Moshe Ya'alon, the former IDF Chief of Staff. Looking back on it now, it was pretty amazing to be included in a small group that had the privilege of having him speak directly to us. I also enjoyed going to Beer Sheba to see the Kfar Ayalim project and to hear about the Open Apartments project through Ben Gurion University. I personally believe that helping those that are less fortunate is extremely important, and it was nice to actually see, with our own eyes, that these programs are helping to make a difference in their communities. Shabbat was also nice because the students from Pardes lead a service, including Bible raps from Matt Bar…which was awesome! However, my favorite part of this seminar was hearing from Meirav Ben Ari. Meirav used to be lawyer, whose whole life changed when she decided to audition for the reality show, "wanted: Leader." She ended up winning the competition and from that has established a center in Netanya for disadvantaged boys called Derech Ha Etgar. It was absolutely amazing hearing her story! It helped me to realize that I can actually affect change. A simple idea can help to change people's lives for the better. Meirav also mentioned that she had to sacrifice her life in order to make Derech Ha Etgar a reality. Although we have heard this before from other speakers, it seemed to have a great affect on me. It got me to think a lot about my future here in Israel. It empowered me to think of what was best for me, and not what everybody else thought was best for me.

At the end of the conference, I did not want to leave. I felt that the seminar was very empowering and I knew that going back to my program would be difficult because I wouldn't be surrounded by people who helped to empower me. This seminar not only helped me see the importance of doing what is best for me, but it also helped me realize how a simple idea can develop into an project that actually changes people's lives. 

 Matt Bar: Last weekend was great. Every one there is getting serious about their project and the enthusiasm was contagious. I really feel like the MASA staff is invested in each participant's project. I feel like the group dynamic is special in its wide-range of views and openness to listen and learn from one another. And of course the food was um-um good!

Matt Bar is currently studying at Pardes, the Insitute of Jewish Studies.  Originally from Ohio, Matt came to Israel last year as a PresentTense Institute for Creative Zionsim (PICZ) Fellow.  MAtt was brought together with seventeen other selected individuals from various “portfolios of initiation” to develop his Bible Rap Project, Matt's personal approach to selected biblical narratives presented through contemporary vernacular coupled with direct biblical quotes and set to a modern beat. For more on Matt and the Bible Rap Project click here.