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**__Rationale __** As soon as I heard about the research assignment as part of our project I immediately thought of Tevel Be’tzedek as the organization I was going to write about. I heard about this organization through my eldest sister, who was one of many volunteers who every year, are sent from Israel to educate and aid Nepalese in different ways I expanded on in the paper. My sister Avigayil was part of a four month program that includes one month of studying Nepalese and learning how to operate through the organization and the other three spent in the country working with locals. I see Tevel Be'tzedek as one of the main influential organizations of today working to repair and build up third world countries around the world. I personally feel as though I’d like to make an impact on the world and never knew how. By standing on the side watching my sister be able to do so much to create better living conditions for these people I began to really understand that everyone has a chance to influence the world in one way or another, whether it is building a home, or saving lives. **__Tevel Be’tzedek __** Tevel Be'tzedek is a nonprofit organization whose main goal is to influence social justice and environmentalism throughout the world. The association's objective is to create Israeli and Jewish communities in places such as Nepal and Haiti, dealing with major global issues such as world poverty, social disparities, natural disasters and environmental destruction. Tevel Be'tzedek was founded on the following principles:"  The world, which is becoming more and more eco friendly and globally aware   all share the responsibility for the fate of the poor and vulnerable, as well as a responsibility for future earth and world ecosystems and promoting a sense of national responsibility."(Tevel Be'tzedek 2) "It is the privilege and the obligation of the Jewish people, at this critical point in history, to participate in creating a vision and rebuild the world, through thoughts, words and actions to create a just future for humanity. Our traditional sources contain much wisdom that can illuminate critical issues and guide us in our search for the path repairing the world ". Tevel Be'tzedek educates their volunteers that it is morally unjust that for millions of people around the world there is no food, no clean water, no sanitation and homes, no healthcare, education or basic human rights and it is the privileged peoples responsibility to change this. They base these beliefs on the concept of Judaism and "Chesed" (acts of love and kindness) while reviving the sense of belonging of the Jewish people in the world, and promoting cooperation between Israelis and Diaspora Jews. "Tevel Be’tzedek's" two main areas of aid overseas are in Nepal and Haiti. In each of these third world countries Tevel Be'tzedek" has projects and communities built to offer assistance to the local people.   **__Haiti __**   Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas. Many natural disasters occur in Haiti including hurricanes, tropical storms and many more. One of the latest and most severe disasters was a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, the most severe earthquake to hit Haiti in over 200 years which resulted in widespread damage. The presidential palace, parliament and many other important structures were destroyed, along with many civilian homes and work places leaving tens of thousands homeless and 220,000 dead according to the most accurate death count. The country has not yet recovered from this devastating tragedy and needs assistance to rehabilitate after this unexpected earthquake. Several international appeals were launched as a result of the earthquake and Tevel Be'tzedek is one of the many organizations reaching out to Haiti which needed to be completely rebuilt from the ground up. Some of the other organizations are the "Disasters Emergency Committee" of the UK, " Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief" based in the USA, and many more. The first immediate emergency aid given by Tevel Be'tzedek to Haiti was mostly directed toward search and rescue unites and providing food water and shelter to Haiti refugees. About a month after the quake a mission of israAID and Tevel Be'tzedek was sent to Haiti to begin the second level of aid needed after the disaster, they worked with the understanding that the need now in Haiti was beyond basic needs, and began helping by focusing primarily on providing immediate assistance in a wide range of more advanced aid including: psycho-social help, education, and community work in three separate camps in Port- au-Prince, which all work to teach locals to adapt to complex living conditions after the quake. **__<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Nepal __** <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Tevel be'tzedek has a program of multiple areas of aid in Nepal: agriculture, women empowerment, youth education and health and sanitation. __<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Ariculture- __

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Enhancement produce in the village is one of the most effective ways in which to assist the community. Increasing this food production prevents migration to urban areas and keeps the communities in their natural form. Aside from this reason, improving the village's nutrition and produce is directed to improve family health. Tevel Be’tzedek works with about 300 farmers in four different villages to improve the quality of food, and through this, a improved lifestyle. __<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Empowering Women __<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">-

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In the developing world, working with groups of women is a significant method to alter the village lifestyle in a quick and responsive way. Women are the heart of the village and are expected to create well running homes. Tevel Be’tzedek helps to teach women basic necessities to run a household. __<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Non Formal education for children and youth- __

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Founders of Tevel Be’tzedek believe that children and youth today play one of the most significant roles in creating change in their communities. “The children of today are the leaders of tomorrow.” (Tevel Be’tzedek) These are the next generation to run Nepal. The more the youth are helped from a young age, the more they will accomplish in their older age when each citizen makes a difference.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">tevel be'tzedek works intensively with children and youth in communities where there is a volunteer activity of up to 200 adolescents and 150 children to work with. __<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Health and Sanitation- __ <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Tevel Be’tzedek rightly promotes health, hygiene and sanitation in communities in Nepal. They believe this is a key way to improve the lives of residents of villages and slums in Katmandu. Tevel be'tzedek operates primarily in public health and sanitation through health education **__<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;">Rationale __** <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Israeli society in such essential ways. I thought about people who give their entire lives to exist in the most difficult circumstances of living for a Jew in Israel, for example, Israelis who live in Hebron, like my parents did as newlyweds. I thought about some of my families friends, who only just acquired the right to call themselves Israeli and how they fought for it with all they had, for example, Chinese boys who have worked for years to become not only Israeli, but Jewish as well. Then the idea to write about Erez Eshel popped into my head, and fit with the project perfectly.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">my eldest sister Avigayil (mentioned in the earlier rationale about Tevel Be’tzedek) worked as a private secretary for Eshel for over a year and became his companion in stabilizing the military academy Ein Prat and making sure it functioned smoothly. My brother, who is a student in this academy also had the privilege to be near this strong spirit and was taught many things from him, from army techniques and strategies, to Zionist history, philosophy and leadership qualities.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">it was my privilege to have these siblings through which I learned about Erez, and was able to come to know better over time of sitting through his classes with my brother, and hearing his idealisms, his goals, and his “Divre Torah” at the end of each week at the Shabbat table.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">I believe that Erez Eshel is a great example to all Israelis of what it means to be a true Israeli and adhere to the law to do “Kidush Hashem” to show others that we are the chosen people of G-d and make them appreciate it. I think he has a good direction in which to hopefully one day lead Israel, and I feel that he has grasped the true meaning of the word “Ahdut” oneness, or togetherness. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">.

**__<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;">Erez Eshel __** <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Erez Eshel served as a company commander in the IDF paratroop brigade and currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the reserves. After his army service and marriage to his wife……., he began founding over a dozen //'//mechinot' (pre-military preparatory academies) across Israel. Students in these mechinot postpone army service in order to devote a year or two to study the meaning of Jewish and Zionist history and tradition. Eshel founded, and for over ten years, directed 'Ein Prat' Israel Academy for Leadership. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A little more about "Ein Prat"- Ein Prat, the pre military academy that Eshel concentrated most of his work on in these past years is located in Kfar Aduminm, where Erez, his wife and four children live today. The mechina strives to develop leadership and commitment to Israel and advancement of the Jewish State and the Jewish people. In the michina they receive leadership training and are encouraged to contribute to society through community service. They are taught ways to minimize social diversity and prevent tears in society today. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">It is a mixed mechina which is composed of all different types of people from Israeli society today (religious and secular, left and right wing, natives and immigrants etc.) who will hopefully become the next generation to lead Israel and strengthen our nation through studies they receive in the mechina and after words. Eshel has devoted his life to building confidence in the capabilities of initiative and leadership within every single student. He hopes to achieve his goals which include striving to create nurturing leadership groups that will influence Israeli and Jewish society by intensifying his student’s identities through the mechina, enhancing their social awareness, and teaching tolerance toward cultural diversity in Israel. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">"Educating young Israelis before their pledges to the army is important to develop deep qualities of personal and national responsibility, to revive genuine patriotism for Israeli culture, deepening the pride in Israeli, creating a bridge of mutual understanding between different layers of Israeli society, intensifying the unification of our nation" Says Erez. That is why he believes that the mechinot will change Israel and strengthen our nation and country "these young adults are our leaders of tomorrow". He believes that postponing the army service by a year or two is essential for young adolescents to build themselves up, and have a strong influence in the army, so that each one of his students can contribute fully to Israel in each of their own individual ways.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">After an impressive career building these institutions, Eshel transferred to help found and work in the Shalem center as director of the B’nei Moshe program and Vice President for Student Affairs. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Research Departments in the Shalem center include: <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Philosophy, Political Theory & Religion <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Middle East and Islamic Studies <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Government, Law and Diplomacy <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Economics <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Archaeology <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Strategic Studies <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The bnei moshe programs ideas are based on the approach to the study of Zionism, Judaism, philosophy, and the modern Middle East. The students relate to this approach, which enables them to place their knowledge in these subjects into a broader, richer context, as well as to identify the roots of the urgent challenges facing Israeli society today. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Eshel is also deeply committed to a number of social justice organizations in Israel, including the Lev Echad volunteer aid network, of which he is chairman. Erez lectures widely on education and leadership to a variety of audiences. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Eshel’s plans for the future include continuing the establishment of the Shalem center, promoting post Ein Prat students towards educating themselves there after their army service, and through his and other Israeli philosophers such as Yuram Hazony and Daniel Gordis along with him, he plans to create a new generation, one that understands Jewish law and will operate accordingly. A generation that brings together all the different social groups in Israel, and solve problems brought forth by the difficulties in society today. Erez’s dream is to create a general feeling of closeness to Jewish tradition and Israeli society believing that this will relieve Israel of its tares in the country. He plans to accomplish these goals by raising awareness and initiative to change wrongs that are made by the current leaders of Israel, stigmatisms, prejudice toward Israel and Jews alike, and faulty public systems, such as the education.

personal connection: <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">As a young girl living in Gush Etzion, there isn’t much to do in my small protected life to make a large impact on society. I am no famous image in Israel, people don’t know my name, yet no matter how small I feel my influence is, it can change the world.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Although I see my influence as almost nonexistent compared to that of others I feel there is a place I manage to influence what people think of Israelis and Jews alike- in the pool.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">When I compete in a international race, when my teammates and I walk into a pool wearing all blue and white, waving our Israeli flags I feel like heads turn, and we create a real “Kidush Hashem”.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Every race, while I am standing on the diving board, focused entirely on the race I am about to participate in, and I sing “Hatikva” (the national anthem) quietly to myself, I feel like a true Israeli. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">In my drawing of my personal connection to Israeli society I tried to show myself in this instance of feeling influential and beneficial to Israel. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">I drew a swimmer, in the pool, as crowds cheer him on, waving Israeli flags. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">I feel that this captures the feelings I get in that moment, It depicts the scene in that instance, and shows Israel as the small yet strong and competitive country in really is. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">reflection: <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">As I looked back on my experiences while writing the project after they had all passed, I realized that I was very lucky from the beginning. I was already expecting what we were required to write about and therefore had immediately been able to begin. I got my idea for the different aspects right away from operations that my siblings had taken part of lately and got right to work. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">As expected I had no problems coming up with ideas for the requirements of the project, and enjoyed sharing some of my ideas with the rest of the class as well. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">As the project progressed I began feeling a bit behind than expected due to lack of time, but was able to catch up. Next year I would change the project by giving more time for the different parts of the project so there isn’t so much overlapping, and I would give more time and help in putting all the different pieces of the project together at its end. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">As I was working on the project I think I learned some important skills- I learned to cite correctly, which I never knew how to do before, I improved my writing skills tremendously, and was able to research and really write about what was asked for in the project and not go off the table in my own direction (something I end up doing a lot in projects like these). <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The subjects I chose to write my project about taught me a tremendous amount about israel’s problems today and different idea of how to solve it, how important it is to have a home and feel like a true patriot to a country, because without that, without the strength from the inside, it is impossible to truly help others. notes: __<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Research: __

"Earthquake." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. 1 Jan. 2012. Web. 03 Jan. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiti>. "Erez Eshel. Tomorrow 2008 - YouTube." //YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.//PresidentialConf, 12 Apr. 2011. Web. 03 Jan. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsNxYBiqa6w>.

"Nepal." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. 3 Jan. 2012. Web. 03 Jan. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal>.

"Our Goals." //Tevel Be'tzedek//. תבל בצדק. Web. 3 Jan. 2012. <http://www.tevelbtzedek.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9&Itemid=10&lang=en>. "Projects." //Tevel B'tzedek//. תבל בצדק. Web. 03 Jan. 2012. <http://www.tevelbtzedek.org/>.

"The Shalem Center." //The Shalem Center, Jerusalem//. VogaTech. Web. 03 Jan. 2012. <http://www.shalem.org.il/>. __<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Graphics: __ []