First Returnees Seminar - Taking Part in a Dream
by Judy Rosenberg

Having returned from the First Melton Returnees Seminar nearly three weeks ago, I remain today on a high, still basking in the thrill of what was an extraordinary experience. The trip was scintillating, invigorating, and enlightening, and left me with a far deeper appreciation for the miracle of the State of Israel and its people.

Participants in the first International Returnees Seminar overlooking Mount Gilboa at the end of a study session on David's lament at Saul's and Yonatan's deaths on the mountain (see Samuel II )

The theme of this seminar was Altneuland Revisited. Based on the early writings of Theodor Herzl as well as the visions of several of Israel's founding fathers, we examined how the State of Israel of today compares with the early dreams.

Our study of Israel's chalutzim took us to the port of Jaffa,where we explored the myriad visions of Israel's pioneers. What kinds of communities would they establish? How would they organize themselves and what legacy did they wish to leave to their children? Where would they settle Israel's new immigrants, and how would they integrate them into the newly developing Israeli society? What role would religion play in the new state? What would be the role of women, and how would they protect themselves from thier enemies?

Our encounter with these questions took us to the Atlit prison camp
where illegal Jewish immigrants were detained by the British, and the Ayalon
Institute, where members of the Haganah, operated an underground munitions factory, instrumental in preparing for the War of Independence. We visited Nahalal, Israel's first Moshav, Beit Alpha, where secular Kibbutnikim discovered an ancient Synagogue, and Sde Boker, the home of Ben Gurion. We visited Yerucham, a development town in the south and representative of Ben Gurion's vision of developing the Negev.

When school PTA chairs meet: Peter Phillippsohn and the chair of "The Hope" Bedouin junior school near Hura share concerns - and hopes - in a remarkable meeting during the first International Returnees seminar in May 2004.

Simultaneously, we explored the issues consuming Israel's chalutzim of the 21st century. We visited an army base that addresses the special needs of Israel's new immigrants and at-risk soldiers. We had an encounter with an innovative school in an unrecognized Bedouin Village, an opportunity to walk through the streets of Wadi Nisnas to see how Israel's Jewish, Christian and
Muslim artists depict their views of "Utopia", and a chance to help pack
food packages for Israel's destitute. We visited Midreshet Sde Boker where Israeli brainpower and scientific expertise are coming together to advance Israeli technologically, ecologically and economically. We welcomed Shabbat at Shira Chadasha, Israel's first Egalitarian-Orthodox Shul.

Throughout the seminar, we encountered numerous Israelis who, like
Herzl, dare to dream. This was highlighted in our final study session which
involved studying the Kinneret Declaration, a document produced by an
eclectic group of Jewish Israelis, articulating what they believed to be a
shared vision for the State of Israel. We saw that the dreams for the
future of Israel are neither static, nor easily attained. Nonetheless, we
saw that Israelis are not afraid to put their dream under the microscope and
to address the troublesome obstacles that face Israel today.

The most gratifying aspect of this seminar was sharing it with the
wonderful Melton participants. Although we were a diverse group, spanning
different continents, our shared experiences of having studied the Melton
core curriculum and attended the first Seminar in Israel gave us a great
deal of common language and perspective. We learned a great deal from each other and realized that we too, want to take part in the dream.

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