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May 16, 2003/Iyar 14 5763, Vol. 55, No. 38
Israel volunteer receives rich memories in returnMARCIA HELLERAlthough I've visited Israel a number of times, first as a student and then as a tourist, the difficult times that the people of Israel are encountering called for an additional effort on my part. I was inspired by Los Angeles Rabbi David Wolpe and members of his congregation who visited and encouraged patients in hospitals. After receiving an invitation to my nephew's bar mitzvah celebration in Har Nof, I decided now was the time to volunteer in Israel.My profession is speech therapy. I work with children to improve their language, articulation and feeding skills. I also use a new technique called neuromuscular electrostimu-lation to help kids with swallowing, drooling and facial paresis. I felt that I had something to offer to children in need of help in Israel. In my work, I use a laptop computer with animated word games to teach language skills. Although the programs are for English speakers, the English is confined to an audio output that can be turned off for non-English sessions. I knew some conversational Hebrew from my college days. Using that knowledge and working with my Hebrew tutor, Haya Silberman, I determined the correct words to fit the programs that I use. Finding a job match for a three-week stay in Jerusalem required some effort. I was successful by surfing the Web. I also had luck with a publication from the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix that contained advertisements and articles of institutions in Israel for philanthropic purposes. Using e-mail and the telephone, I was able to line up a school and a hospital that were interested in my services. I left without hotel reservations since I wasn't sure which hotels were close to the places where I would work. The one hotel that my husband picked for me on the Web had been bombed twice and the restaurant had an incident with intentional food poisoning by an employee. That one was off the list. My first stop was the Dvora Agmom Preschool, which serves children and adults with disabilities. This is a school for non-resident children with normal intelligence who need speech, occupational and physical therapy. The 60 students attend school six days a week and are serviced by 10 teachers, 18 therapists, a psychologist and a neurologist. Compared to special education schools in the United States, these children receive considerably more therapy. I was impressed at how hard the therapists work there. And many have a long commute. Some teachers are observant while others are not, but they cooperate together without friction. The school uses different techniques with their kids, but the teachers wanted to learn about some of the methods used in the United States. Most of my time at this school, and later at a hospital, was spent evaluating children and giving recommendations to parents, teachers and therapists. I also gave five lectures on oral motor, feeding and swallowing therapy at various facilities. Near the school, I found a small religious hotel called Prima Palace, on the outskirts of Mea Shearim, and stayed there for the duration of my trip. The weather was cold and rainy and it felt good to relax in a warm room after working every day but Shabbat. Although the Israeli children seemed more reserved than American youngsters, I eventually established a rapport with them. Part of my trip was spent at Alyn Pediatric Rehabilitation Hospital. This hospital has a school for children with special needs and provides for patients who need round-the-clock care. Children maimed by suicide bombers spend their days along with children with genetic syndromes. It is not a place for those who are faint of heart. Arab children are helped as well. I spoke with an Arab-Israeli student who works at the hospital. At first, I thought it sinister that Arab children were separated from the Israeli children, but the reason is based on language, not bigotry. Despite the threat of terrorism, the people I met have strong spirits. The shop owners I met on Ben Yehuda Street had rebuilt their stores and restaurants. I worked with a little girl whose father brought her every day from Hebron so that his daughter could learn to swallow. The Israelis were so appreciative of my help and for my coming to Israel. I was showered with presents, dinners and Shabbat invitations. Although three weeks is a short time, I felt that I made a contribution to a country I love. For those readers who have considered volunteering in Israel, I would be happy to share my experiences. Heller may be contacted at 480-844-7448 or by e-mail, marciaheller@hotmail.com. |
