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Yahel Alumni

Aliza Herzberg Yahel Social Change Program 2021-22

I joined Yahel in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic - when just about everything in life was uncertain and moving abroad was off the table for most folks in my life. During that period of uncertainty and isolation, I discovered a deeper sense of purpose - a calling to give back to the world. This led me to challenge myself by moving abroad and pursuing volunteer work. I I decided to join Yahel, move to Lod and join a group of other brave young people who also had the will and courage to give 9 months of their life to do volunteer service and learn about social change.  

In my Yahel service placements, I supported a diversity of initiatives and organizations ranging in scale and capacity. One placement focused on supporting resource development, content creation and youth center operations with NGO partner Fidel Association. I also led educational and agricultural initiatives related to food production, animal therapy, and ecology in urban farm school. A few times a week, I helped initiate the Yahel “Library on Wheels” literacy program in a community park. I also facilitated English conversation groups at the Young Adult Center and Elderly Community Center. Working in the local community garden, established and led by a remarkable resident named Lia, proved especially meaningful. The relationships I built while teaching the women who gathered in this space have endured long after my time there, blossoming into lasting friendships.

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The bond I formed with my host family remains one of the program's most treasured aspects. Living with them opened doors to deep, authentic connections within the community - relationships that continue to flourish today.

"The Yahel Fellowship pushed me to excel at juggling many diverse projects at once, focus on both professional and interpersonal growth (in a cross-cultural context), build relationships from people from many different walks of life, and inspired me to consistently bring a loving, nuanced and justice-related perspective into future work and life experiences."

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Since Yahel, my perception and prevailing question of where I will find work has unquestionably been - where can I serve this community? What skills and experiences can I contribute into making this community more equitable, just, inclusive and joyful. After Yahel, I moved back to the San Francisco Bay Area and began working with Jewish family and children’s services as the Shupin Social Club Activities & Volunteer Manager. I developed and facilitated client-inspired recreational activities, groups, and programs, seeking to build a sense of community while enriching the lives of residents and social club members. I also served as the Special Connections Dating Coach, offering support for adults with autism and other developmental disabilities to build their dating and relationship skills through individual coaching sessions. 

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In the last year, I’ve moved back to Israel and started working for “Knafayim Shel Krembo” (כנפיים של קרמבו), a youth movement that serves kids with and without special needs. I knew that this job would be a huge challenge for me as my Hebrew skills are still a work in progress, but I knew that it would be a wonderful opportunity to integrate into my community, serve a population that I care so much about, and inspire teens to develop their leadership skills within the organization. 

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