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= = =Rationale: =  Sharon Katz is responsible for many social and cultural events in the Gush Etsion area. Sharon Katz was in charge of all the women's plays of "raise your spirits" together with other women from Efrat and the Gush area. I decided to interview Sharon because I think that she is an amazing person and I would like to learn all that there is about this incredible women, and in fact there are so many things you can learn from her. I think that a person like Sharon should be appreciated for her hard work of helping others and her huge world of kindness towards a lot of people and especially towards Israelis. hope that I can learn how to help my fellow Israeli brothers and sisters. With g-d's help that this wish of mine will come true.

= = = = =SHARON KATZ- PROFILE: =

In the summer of 1991, Sharon Katz, her husband- Izzy, and four of their boys were visiting in Israel. While they were visiting they saw an ad in the newspaper that advertised about a happening in Netanya, "What's a happening" they asked themselves. They got so curious ,they decided to take the chance and go see what it was all about. A photo taken by the "voives magazine" site- []

When they got to the happening they saw a lot of stands filled with a variety of different things, such as- music and cotton candy. Sharon and her family had a great time. In the end of the street that was filled with all sorts of different activities; right on the beach there was a giant ferris wheel. Little did they know that this ferris wheel is soon to change their lifes from one end to the other. Sharon and Izzy decided to put there children on the ferris wheel, the kids were so excited and had a wonderful time.

While his children were enjoing the ride, Izzy noticed that there was a little Ethiopian girl standing near the ferries wheel, with her eyes and her mouth wide opened with amazment and shock. Izzy approached the little girl and asked her if she would like to go on the ferries wheel, but the little girl didn’t understand any Hebrew and wasn’t familiar with what this white man was saying. The little girl called her older brother who was about twelve years old, so Izzy asked again "would you like to go on the ferris wheel?" the little boy looked down and replied that he doesn't have any money so Izzy said-"it's okay, I will pay for you, I will pay for all of you!". The little kids jumped up and down with joy and excitement. They were shouting and screaming- "this white man is going to pay for all of us to go on the ferris wheel". Sharon and Izzy lined them up with their own children, and this time on the ferris wheel there was a little black kid sitting next to a little white boy, a little white kid setting next to a little black kid. All of the kids were waving and screaming and were filled with joy and happiness.

While they were on the ferris wheel Sharon and Izzy looked at each other and said-" we have got to live here", because when they looked up at the scene of these little Ethiopian kids and little white kids from New York, Sharon said, "what we really saw was the ingathering of the exiles and it seemed that the prophesy of g-d that he will bring the Jews from all the three corners of the world was really coming true. The thought that we were actually living in a time that prophesies were happening and that we are a part of it was very overwhelming." And right then they knew that they just had to move to Israel.

When summer vacation was over, Sharon and her family went back to New York and started telling all their friends that they are moving to Israel. theire friends were shocked! They didn’t understand what made them come to this outrageous decision. Sharon and Izzy were very involved in their community. Sharon was the president of the PTA, and Izzy was an officer in their synagogue. Nevertheless, Sharon and her family left a year later, in the following summer. They didn’t know where theywould live. Sharon and her family came from a suburb near New York and they weren’t used to a big city. That’s why when they had heard from a lot of people that Katmon is a great neighborhood to live in, they didn’t think that it was suitable for them. The Katz family is a family of koehenim (priests). That’s why they decided that they have to live near the Temple (Beit-Hamikdash) so that when the templeis rebuil, they should be close enough to the temple, less than a twenty minute drive from the temple. Sharon and her husband started looking on the map for places that were in the range of twenty minutes from the temple. They discovered that most places in that twenty minutes range from Jerusalem were in the process of being built and each place that they looked at promised that in the future they would have all kinds of different things like-schools and shopping-centers, but none of the places actually hadany of those things at the present. Until they came to Efrat, and in Efrat they weren’t promising things for the future, they actually had all those things and places there was a supermarket, a school a library and even a pizza shop! Efrat had the answers to all of their needs. They had found a place that seemed almost too good to be true.

So they decided to move to Efrat. All of their kids were really excited to be moving and they felt that it's a big blessing to be living in Israel. One day her son came back from school and told Sharon that he couldn't follow on what is going on in the class and that he couldn't write because the teacher talked to fast, and the school doesn't have a copy machine. Sharon was shocked. But this was less as shocking to Sharon, when she heard that the school didn't have a women league. When Sharon heard this, she couldn’t take it any more and straight ahead she organized a meeting to try and organize a women league. Twohundred women came to that meeting and from that meeting and for the next eight years Sharon was the president of the women league. They helped the school a lot. They organized a lot of fund raisers and helped the school purchase all kinds of different supplys that the school needed. Not only did they help the school financially but they also helped to raise the spirits in the school. This is one way I believe that Sharon has helped society in Israel. But Sharon's long story of contributing and giving to others doesn't end here; in fact, this is only the beginning of wonderful things that Sharon has done to help the society in Israel.  A few years later the "Oslo Peace Accord" was signed and it seemed like the northern hills of Efart- the Dagan, the Tamar, and the Zait would be lost. The people of Efrat were worried that those hills would be given away to the Arabs. There were a few wonderful people in Efrat, tat organized families to go live up in the Zait in trailers. Sharon says that it was a very ecxiting operation and she says that there were about fourteen trailers in the Zait. One night, Sharon heard that Arabs were shooting at the trailers. Sharon got together with a few    "expedition". They told them to pack up sleeping bags and food. These people were all asking- "where are we going"? Sharon and her friends answered-"we can't tell you, it's a secret, just trust us! "They told them that they are having a picnic. So they went on the "expedition"-planted trees, ate lunch and had a wonderful time! After a while the police came to knock them down. They took them down and arrested half of the people that were up there. After a lot of battles and fights over the Dagan, there is a now yeshiva community and a lot of families living on Givat Hadagan. Thanks to Sharon and her friends, Givat Hadagan is an inseparable part of Efrat. This is another way I believe Sharon helped the community in Israel, not only did she help the community in Efrat double its size but she also did one of the most important mitzvoth in the Torah- which is "yeshov haretz"- building and developing the places in our holy land of Israel. A photo of Givat Hadagan in Efrat taken from- [|www.peacenow.org.il]

Sharon has always done so many wonderful things for the people in israel and especially to the people in her beloved home-town of efrat and Gush-Etsion. I want to tell you a little bit of two amazing projects that Sharon had founded. One of these projects is the "Raise your spirits" project which helped people grow and develop after the horrors and the terror attacks that <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;"> occur d in the last few years, to read and learn more about this project go to the Background research. Another amazing project that Sharon had developed is called the "VOICES" magazine, the "VOICES  " magazine came to life in  January 1996. In the magazine Sharon shows that you can live in Israel and this place is GREAT! This magazine gives a voice to those people in Israel that you rarely hear from. This magazine is so special because it only  writes  good thin  gs about the people and about Israel, and never hearts anyone.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 80%; text-align: left;">Sharon believes that the world was created for and exists because of the kindness and goodness that we show towards one another. She thinks that even if some people are religious and some people are secular, even if some people are rightists and some people are leftists, if we all had kindness towards one another, if we all care about one another, if we all reach out to one another and treat one another as brothers, g-d will bless us. Sharonshows such kinness and goodness towards others. She has helped so many people and helped raise the spirits in so many different ways. These women should be an example of kindness to all of the people out there. If all the people in Israel were to be like her, there would be non-stop kidns and goodness in Israel, and all the hate towards one another would vanish. Maybe after all, her words will really come true and g-d will really bless us.

= = =<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Background Research: =

= =

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">In my interview with Sharon Katz she talked a lot about the Raise Your Spirits foundation. This foundation and its establishment had a big effect on Sharon's life and she gave a lot of her own time in to this project. That is why I want to learn a little more of the foundation that had such a big impact on her life.

A few years ago, there was a very depressive atmosphere all around Gush Etzion caused by many terror attacks. " A group of women in Gush Etzion leaded by Sharon Katz joined together to raise their spirits and the spirits of women all over Gush Etsion. Rather than being sucked in the depression caused by daily terror attacks, they decided to start a project that would give them a positive way to express their feelings and emotions". So they decided to put on a show. The first show that they put on was called "Joseph".
 * __Raise Your Spirits:__ **

According to the Raise Your Spirits web site -"It was a project that forced them to concentrate on something other than the latest horrifying news report". The result of their efforts was the Raise Your Spirits Summer Stock Company production of "__Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream coat__" by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The by women-for-women production was a great success – raising the spirits of the 130 women and girls involved in the production as well as 6,000 women from throughout the country who came to watch the performances that went on until the following Passover, they also raised close to 150,000 NIS. The money they made was given to charity for families who had become victims of terror attacks.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">According to the raise your spirits web site-"The women spent the entire summer rehearsing and supporting one another through terrible times - most notably the suicide bombing at Sbarro's pizzeria in Jerusalem." Bus loads of women came to Gush Etzion from Jerusalem, Bet El, Chashmonaim, Bet Shemesh, Gush Katif, Haifa, Raanana, Hevron and other areas. They even got women from the Knesset to come and be a part of this wonderful, up-lifting experience. The women who came were: Former-Minister Naomi Blumenthal and Knesset Member Yael Dayan. The cast also performed parts of the show at the Knesset ans it was a big success!

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">** __Bibliography__ ** :

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">http://www.raiseyourspirits.org. Sharon Katz, Arlene Chertoff, Toby Klein Greenwald. December 29, 2009.
 * __Text Bibliography:__ **

__http://www.raiseyourspirits.org/Morim.htm__ .Pomorants Bat-sheva. January 2005.

Pomorants, Bat-sheva. "Women of Gush-Etsion deal with the ravages of terrorism with a musical", Etrog journal published by the Fund for professional Promoting, Issue 26, January 2005.

Kats, Sharon. Personal interview. Sharon's house, December 28, 2009


 * __Graphics Bibliography:__ **

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">http://www.raiseyourspirits.org. December, 29.2009

= **__Literary connection:__** =


 * אבא אמא וארץ ישראל **

__לחן__: אילנה אביטל ** יש לי שני הורים שאוהבים לטייל הם עברו ברגל כבר את כל ישראל כשהייתי בת שנה נסעו לגליל וסחבו אותי איתם בתוך התרמיל.
 * __מילים__ **** : יורם טהרלב

כל שבת יוצאים אנחנו כאיש אחד כובע על הראש ומימיה על הצד פעם אל החולה לבקר בשמורה פעם בכרמל לראות איזו מערה.

אבא, אמא קצת יותר לאט אבא, אמא תחכו מעט אין לאן לרוץ ואין לאן למהר ארץ ישראל פה לעולם תשאר

כבר ראיתי בגלבוע את הפריחה ומהר תבור ראיתי את הזריחה כבר עליתי למצדה בשביל הנחש להורי תמיד קראתי בקול חלש:

אבא, אמא קצת יותר לאט אבא, אמא תחכו מעט אין לאן לרוץ ואין לאן למהר ארץ ישראל פה לעולם תשאר.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">** Father Mother and Israel: **

__Words: Yoram Taharlev Tune: Ilana Avital__

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">I have two parents who love to travel They went on foot through all of Israel When I was a year they went to the Galile Dragged me along in a backpack.

Every Saturday we go out as one Hat on his head and a water bottle on the side Once in The Hula Valley to visit the reserve Once in the Caramel to see some caves.

Dad, Mom a little slower Dad, Mom wait a little There's nowhere to run and nowhere to hurry Eretz Israel will ever remain

I've seen the blooming in the Gilboa From Tabor mountain I saw the sunrise Already went up Masada in the "snake" path To my parents I always read in a small voice:

Dad, Mom a little slower Dad, Mom wait a little There's nowhere to run and nowhere to hurry Eretz Israel will ever remain.


 * __Literary connection:__ **

This song talks about a child and his parents who love to travel in the land of Israel. They had gone all over Israel from the Gilboa, to see the wonderful and amazing blooming on the mountain, until the Galilee to see the amazing views, to Masada to see the amazing building that had been there for more than 2000 years. The song talks about how wonderful and amazing our little country is, even though it's such a small country there are so many places to go to so many wonderful things to see, exploring Israel never ends, there are always more things to see. The little child that is walking with them is saying that they should slow down a little, because he can't keep up with there walking pace. He's trying to tell them that there is no reason to walk so fast because the land of Israel is going to be here forever. The song is showing us what the exploring of Israel means to this little child, how he loves walking all around Israel; he's belief in the land of Israel, which it is going to be here forever.

I feel that the author's main point is that Israel is such an amazing country. Some people think that because Israel is so little there is nothing to see in it, and there are no places to go to in Israel. I think that the author would say that these people are wrong, and these people don’t understand the real powers and the amazing places that Israel holds. Only the person who really explores Israel and go all around Israel would find these hidden secrets and wonders. I think that the author is applying to those people who don’t appreciate the wonderful gift that we have. The little kid is saying that there is no reason to be running, and that Israel is going to be here forever. I think that the author wrote that from a childs point of view, because the child is not always so aware to the things that are going on around him. And maybe the parents are right by going so quickly and in a fast pace because there are so many places to see around Israel and the places to see just never ends.

I decided to include this piece of literature in my project because in my interview with Sharon Katz she talked about how much she likes Israel, and how much she likes traveling in Israel, and exploring our land. Sharon told me that every year she and her husband- Izzy like to go and explore a new place in Israel that they had never been to before. When I saw this song I thought of how much this song reflects Sharon and her husband. They love the land of Israel and appreciate every inch in it. I think that each person who defines himself as an Israeli or even as a Jew has a lot to learn from this song, and especially from Sharon Katz and her husband who are a perfect example to what this song talks about, and what this song is trying to teach us.


 * __Bibliography:__**

[|**http://www.mp3music.co.il/lyrics/**]. Dimitri Kashin, december 25, 2007.

[]. Lary Paig, april 28, 2010.

=**Creative connection**:=

My Israel-

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">When asked about what the land of Israel means to me, and make something creative out of it, I just couldn’t think about one creative piece that will show what and how much Israel means to me. So many things went through my head- Israelis, falafel, humus, Jerusalem, Jewish land, holy land, bible, Tel-Aviv, family, friends, kindness, and so much more. Since I just couldn’t fit all of my Israel into one piece I have decided to arrange a photo collage, with a lot of photos that include a verity of different things, such as- foods and places, all the photos together they complete my Israel. After finishing the photo collage I discovered that my Israel includes so many little details but there is one thing that beats all those details - Israel as my one and only home. In my collage, I circled my city of Efrat because that is my favorite place in Israel.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 12pt;">Its always fun to travel, but there is no better feeling than coming back home ! A sample picture of my creative connection (the blank map was taken out of the web site-"matach")

=Reflection:=

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: left;">When I first heard about this project, to be honest I wasn't excited at all. I thought that I would not really learn anything new about myself or about Sharon and her connection to the land of Israel. I was a bit scared of the interview; I thought that it would just be awkward and embarrassing. My whole attitude  changed from the minute I walked into Sharon Katz's house. She greeted me with such warmth and kindness that I have never seen before in my life. I immediately felt at home. The interview went great and I really felt like Sharon is really trying and focusing at me and really trying to help me as much as she can. Because this is the kind of person Sharon is- warm, kind and really try's to give her 100% for the person who needs it.

I think that I had learned so much from this project, and especially from Sharon. I learned how I am truly connected to this land and nothing will separate me from my homeland- Israel. I learned that if someone really feels connected to something he would be willing to give all that he is for it. That is why I felt that in Israel only a person that does "chesed" or is willing to do "chesed" towards another person should be called a true - Israeli- because the word Israeli is not like any other citizens in a country in the world whether  he is French, Spanish or Russian. The word –Israeli- means, friend but more than that, it means - brother, part of my family. If an Israeli truly believes that he is another Israelis brother he would give everything that he is to that other Israeli, and to Israeli land.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Another great thing I learned during this project, is using the- "wiki", the "wiki" is a very useful thing for anyone who wants to post things in the internet. It is very easy to work with, although sometimes there are problems with it but like anything in life, you just learn how to work with the problems. I think that "wiki" is very useful for projects like the one that we are working on- it allows you to post photos, videos and much more. I am really glad I was introduced to this amazing tool and hope to use it in the future for all kinds of different things.

=<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Bibliography: = = =

[] .Sharon Katz, "voices magazine", 1.3.2010

__http://www.raiseyourspirits.org/Morim.htm__ .Pomorants Bat-sheva. January 2005.

__http://www.raiseyourspirits.org. Sharon Katz __, Arlene Chertoff , Toby Klein Greenwald. December 29, 2009.

[|**http://www.mp3music.co.il/lyrics/**]. Dimitri Kashin, december 25, 2007.

[]. Lary Paig, april 28, 2010.

Pomorants, Bat-sheva. "Women of Gush-Etsion deal with the ravages of terrorism with a musical", Etrog journal published by the Fund for professional Promoting, Issue 26, January 2005.

Kats, Sharon. Personal interview. Sharon's house, December 28, 2009

[]. "matach", blank map, 1999.