Boardroom in the News
December 31, 2011
South Florida And Israeli Schools Skype To Share Chanukah
Sharing an experience dating back to the second century BCE – the Chanukah story – kids from a South Florida Jewish school and an Israeli day school used 21st Century technology – the Internet and Skype – to discuss Chanukah. As part of their exchange, the students in Nesher, Israel, sent Chanukiot – the candelabra used during the Jewish festival of lights to the students of Broward County, Florida.
The effort was part of a “twinning” program between children at Temple Bat Yam Religious School in Fort Lauderdale and students more than 6,600 miles away at Glilot, a day school in Nesher, located in Northern Israel, said Pepi Dunay, Vice President, Israel and Overseas for the Jewish Federation of Broward County. The program is “a great way for all of us to learn from each other,” Dunay said.
Currently in its inaugural year at Temple Bat Yam, the chanukiot sent as gifts from Israel created “a wonderful exchange,” added Cantor Wendy Autenrieth with the temple. The Broward students created a video about their school and themselves made especially for their friends at Glilot.
“The children were thrilled as all the Chanukiot were personalized for each student,” Autenrieth said. “We have been Skyping and speaking about the meaning of Chanukah. It was a lovely moment in our first year as part of the twinning program.”
Receiving Chanukiot made by students from Israel was a very joyful moment, said Elissa Mogilefsky, a Federation board member who brought the Israeli Chanukiot to Temple Bat Yam.
“It was great fun to watch the children all receive Chanukiot made especially for them,” Mogilefsky said. “The students were able to use Skype to thank the Nesher kids soon after receiving them. It was very touching.”
Lorrie Axelrod, 10, a student at Temple Bat Yam, would agree. When she received her Chanukiot from her Skype-pal Lior, she was “very happy,” she said.
“I like that it came from a friend who is far away,” Axelrod said. “We are friends who haven’t met in person. I also loved making the video for the Nesher students – we sang songs and danced, and told a little about ourselves.”
“Cultural exchanges of this kind really help bridge the miles and turn strangers with a uniquely common bond into closer friends,” said Eric B. Stillman, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Broward County. “It’s remarkable to use modern technology like the Internet and Skype to celebrate a 4,000-year-old festival.”
The Jewish Federation of Broward County acts in concert with its network of beneficiary agencies to lend them a helping hand; safeguard and address local educational and social service needs; perpetuate Jewish tradition and heritage; and ensure the continuity and survival of Israel, and Jewish communities around the world. Learn more at www.jewishbroward.org.
