Today at the Kfar was the 2nd annual "Milk Festival" which is a big two day event for the Israeli Dairy Farmers. Today was the first day, which is much less popular than tomorrow, when they expect tens of thousands of people to attend throughout the day. The heads of the ministry agriculture come to talk about the Dairy industry in Israel and there are fair events like moonbounces and games, an artists market, food stands and music.
To open the festival, Shimon Peres, the President of Israel, came to speak and feed one of the baby calfs. The program that I am on, "Because We Care", it a Masa Israel program. Masa Israel is a non-profit organization based on the dream of Itzak Rabin, the former prime minister of Israel who was assassinated in 1996, for Jews from the throughout the world come to live in Israel for a period of time during their life so that they understand it better than if they only visited. So, the Israeli government began Masa Israel, a non-profit organization originally meant to provide grants to people who wanted to come to Israel for a long period of time. In time, it became a non-profit organization which unified programs and grants for coming to Israel for 5 months or more. For this reason, we wanted to make sure Shimon Peres knew that a Masa program was going on here at the Kfar and use this opportunity for marketing the program. Furthermore, it is a good opportunity for us to get our foot in the door with the government and the wealth of Israel because we want to raise money for the Kfar.
However, Israeli's do not plan such meetings like an American would, so we used the Israeli mindset to push our way into the crowd during the press opportunities. Judith, my roommate, was such a superstar! She pushed us in through a crowd to talk to him and introduced herself and the program to him as everyone else around was yelling "Mr. President, Mr. President!" from a distance. I, too, shook his hand and introduced myself and told him about myself and what I do here before he was whisked away by the security and organizers of the event. It was a fantastic event to have met him!!!! Later, he spoke at the opening ceremony. I have posted a new slideshow of all of this for your entertainment. He was such a kind, warm man and so welcoming to us and excited for what we were doing there. In fact, it seemed to me that he wanted to talk longer with us but was unable to in the situation. He said he wanted to get a picture with all of us but there was no time so you will see just a few that were snapped quickly of him and of Judith speaking with him.
The fair itself was very fun with little kids running around and playing. A famous Israeli actress and model who is very popular among children was there signing autographs. We were watching the children on the moon bounces as our job while eating all of the yummy dairy foods that were around to taste. The dairy in Israel is unlike any other place! The cheeses, milks and ice cream are just so tasty and creamy! My tummy aches a bit right now from all the food but it was SO good!
That is all for now, things are coming along well. Since we are working the weekend we will get time off next week. But last night Judith, Shoshana, Ari and I went into Tel Aviv for dinner at this great asian-fusion restaurant downtown. It was fun and good to get out since we had been stuck inside all day because of a terrible rain storm. It finally cleared up and we went to dinner. We sat there a long time relaxing and having fun thinking we would go to a bar or something after but when we walked out from it was pouring again! So we went home rather than staying out in the rain and got to bed early so we could be up early for the festival. Tonight should be fun, I am going with Judith and Shoshana to Judith's family's for dinner (her grandparents and cousin live nearby) and then out somewhere around here!
Hope everyone is enjoying my adventures, because I am! It is still an adjustment from my routine and I miss home very much but I am trying to get everything possible out of my experience here. Every day it feels better to be here, with things reminding me why I am here and how important my being here in Israel is in my life and for the Kfar!
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