Carmiel Mayor, Mr Adi Eldar, Participates in Gandel Study Sessions

Mr Adi Eldar on his recent visit to the Gandel School in Karmiel, first met the Russian-speaking group studying the "Circles of Kinship" course, and joined in the lesson dealing with the question of kings and kingdom.

Students told Mr Eldar how this course was giving them not only the knowledge of Judaism that was lost for the former USSR Jews, but also a love for Israel, the values of Israeli society and was a focal point of their week. One of the participants introduced himself as a guest who had come to assist with the audio-visual on the day and take some photos. He was so impressed with the studies he joined the class then and there. Tsafy told them the story of how the Gandel idea came from a photographer on the Melton Israel seminar in Jerusalem. Mr Eldar promised to send the Russian PR person in the municipality to the class.

He then visited the 3rd year class studying Jewish Ethics, and heard how the ideas that were discussed in class were to be practiced in the participants' real life. There was a visitor present from Tel Aviv, who complained that there is more going on in Carmiel in terms of quality Jewish learning than in Tel Aviv. Tsafy Simons, National Coordinator, invited her to join the new class which is about to open in Tel Aviv.

The third group was studying Pirkei Avot. Mr Eldar joined them and studied for about an hour, actively participating in class even though he had other committments. "I could not leave" he said on his way out "as the discussion was so exciting and intriguing. I would have loved to take part in the class and will probably do so next year. I was impressed with the students' stories about the discussions they have with their children and grandchildren. I was especially moved when Shmuel, an ex member of our Council, said that he has absorbed so much from the courses that he feels he has become a different person and for the best."