Counterpoint Israel in the Negev

This summer, twenty-five YU students headed off to Israel to participate in the CJF’s Counterpoint Israel summer program. The students ran four summer camps throughout the Negev for youth at risk. As part of Counterpoint’s mission, the Stern and Yeshiva College students were engaged in both activism and learning.

The activism component included creating a camp environment for teens in grades eight through ten where campers could learn English, enjoy themselves, and bond with their American counterparts. Every morning the university students, who were divided into teaching pairs (or triplets), taught English lessons and led discussion groups on topics relevant to the Israeli teens, such as Internet safety, health and Israeli pride. The YU counselors encouraged the campers to have fun while learning English- they made the lessons come alive and promoted an interactive environment. After the English lessons, counselors and other professional instructors ran chugim (workshops) for the campers in the areas of art, cooking, sports, break dancing, and darbukot (drumming). Each day ended off with a camp wide night activity that always proved to be a big hit- for both the counselors and the campers.

As a result of the Counterpoint program, the Israeli teens uncovered their talents and strengths. They were able to feel confident about their abilities and what they had accomplished over their summer. Additionally, they campers uncovered the importance of English as a gateway to professional jobs and being an active part of the global community.

However, the campers were not the only ones who benefited out of the camp. The Yeshiva students learned a tremendous amount as well. YU students learned about the Negev and Ben Gurion’s dream to settle and cultivate the area. They met residents and communal leaders of the south and visited places such as a lone farm and a student village. They were exposed to a side of Israeli society and culture that many of the participants had not previously been aware of. And because of this exposure, YU students were able to connect with their Jewish brethren and further strengthen their bond to the land and the people.

Everyone involved in the Counterpoint program enjoyed their summer- the overjoyed faces of the campers and counselors in the photos make that clear. However, what stands as the monumental proof of the programs success is the fact that the WhatsApp groups between the counselors and campers are as active as ever. Now that’s a triumph.