It Takes Time

By Meredith van der Walde

(Summer Intern at Bakehila; 20-year-old college student from Massachusetts)

Throughout my years in school, I have grown accustomed to expect results almost immediately. Study hard, take the exam, and receive a grade within a couple of days. I am beginning to learn, however, from my time in the Bakehila office and various neighborhoods, that reversing social injustices takes time. Change is not something that can happen instantaneously—especially when we are dealing with real people and real issues. 

This concept of time and gradual transformation is also particularly relevant for me as an American intern. During my first few encounters with the year-in-service volunteers and schoolchildren, the language barrier seemed extremely prominent. Since I do not speak Hebrew and know only a few basic phrases, I felt as though I was more of an observer than an active participant in many conversations.

Whenever I begin to question if my inability to speak Hebrew may limit the impact I can make at Bakehila, I always think back to the conversations I have had with my supervisors, Ofer and Yair. During my first week at Bakehila, Ofer described two separate, but still intertwining paths that I can pursue over the next two months.

I will have the opportunity to assist the organization throughout the summer by producing materials in English and perhaps by even developing a new program. Though I have begun to blog and preliminarily create activities for students to practice their English, I have spent a majority of my time thus far in the neighborhoods. By visiting each of the neighborhoods and meeting the children, teachers, and volunteers, I have been able to develop a greater perspective on Bakehila. It is obvious from the interactions between the students and volunteers that these young adults provide a source of emotional support and friendship for the children. 

Since I am extremely eager to be a productive intern and contribute something meaningful to the organization, I initially began to view path #1 (visiting the neighborhoods and schools) as simply a way to arrive at path #2 (consisting of projects and goals that are more tangible). I realize now, however, that it would be unrealistic to begin marketing for Bakehila and planning a program without fully understanding and knowing the neighborhoods and people.

If I consider my visits to Gilo, Katamon, Neve Yaakov, Pisgat Ze'ev, Talpiyot, and Beit Zafafa as only a means to an end, then I could potentially overlook those experiences as sources of enjoyment and opportunities for learning. And I've already had quite a few wonderful ones. I have spent time with the volunteers in their communes, traveled to a kibbutz with the children from Gilo, and visited enrichment classes in Katamon.

Instead of trying to rush time, then, I want to embrace each day at Bakehila, both in and out of the office.  

Why Bakehila?

By Meredith van der Walde

(Summer Intern at Bakehila; 20-year-old college student from Massachusetts)

Though I had spent months toying with the idea of spending my summer in Jerusalem, my decision to travel to Israel came to fruition just weeks before my plane took off from John F. Kennedy International Airport. During this time, my thoughts were consumed by the notion of finding the perfect internship. Since I had previously heard that Israel does not have an "internship culture"—meaning interns are not as commonly utilized in the workplace as they are in the United States—I became a bit worried. I began to wonder, would there be enough for me to do?

           

I firmly believe that internships for college students have a dual purpose; they have the capacity to benefit both the interns and the organization. Having an internship enables young people to acquire professional experience in their field of interest and to foster connections via networking. It is important to recognize, however, that the focus should not solely be on what the intern can gain. The intern has a responsibility to positively contribute to the mission of his/her organization as well.

As my departure date for Israel became closer, I still did not have a position solidified. It seemed to me that perhaps my idealistic expectation of a summer internship—one in which I would be able to learn from the people around me, explore potential career interests, and work at an organization devoted to social justice—would not be satisfied.

I had previously described to my Internship Coordinator, Noah, the type of organization that I could realistically see myself working at during the summer. I explained to him that I am extremely passionate about helping individuals from vulnerable populations advance in society. Though I have previous experience advocating for domestic workers and homeless families, I told Noah that I was eager to work with any group of people in need of assistance and support.

After perusing Bakehila's website, I learned that this organization has a mission grounded in social and economic justice. Bakehila provides children and teens from disadvantaged neighborhoods with necessary tools to overcome socioeconomic barriers and prosper in society.

I tend to throw around the term "social justice" quite frequently, particularly when explaining to others potential career paths that I want to pursue post-graduation, namely non-profit work and/or law. Even though I have only interned at Bakehila for a little over one week, I can already tell that the organization embodies what I stand for and believe in: helping people, community impact, and change.