GPM staff and volunteers were thrilled to host the eleven member LIFE-B'Tzedek program participants who kicked off their 4 month India experience with a week in Mumbai. GPM escorted the group to the Kalwa slums, explained the challenges of its residents and introduced the participants to women’s groups preparing nutritious food for the 500 children attending class in the slum. Group members were given the opportunity to ask questions and connect with the women as well as the dedicated teachers in classrooms run by our partner REAP.
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| LIFE-B'Tzedek participants with a class of children in the Kalwa slums |
The LIFE-B'Tzedek participants spent Shabbat in Thane and attended the beautiful services at the Shaar Hashamayim Synagogue. The Shabbat meals, prepared by the GPM volunteers, were an accomplishment onto itself. Never had our apartment in Thane hosted 17 people for Shabbat meals! There was a lot of food and drink, discussions on social justice, equality and global poverty, as well as great fun. Kudos to Sarah for the best humus spread in all of India, Danielle for a lot of awesome Indian & Western food, Jacob for the delicious pumpkin pies, Simon for schlepping, Hanna for the entertainment and Amanda her moral support.
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| New friends |
Saturday night was an evening of fun! A trip to Thane is not complete without a visit to the famous ‘Chocolate Room’ a favorite hangout for GPM volunteers and a great place to order ‘chocolate sizzlers’ and to unwind. Later in the evening we went to the movies at a local mall where intermission refreshments include samosas and vada pavs.
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| GPM volunteers and LIFE-B'Tzedek participants at the 'Chocolate Room' |
Our time spent with the Betzedk-LIFE group ended with a bang, first at Sigalith Isaac’s Mehendi and later at her wedding. The uniquely Indian Jewish wedding was so beautiful and exciting. It was a great honor being part of the celebration and we wish Sigalith and her new husband, Joel, many years of health and happiness!
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| LIFE-B'Tzedek participants at the Mehendi |
Many thanks to Jacob and the entire GPM crew for a wonderful visit. It was fascinating and impressive to learn of the work of GPM first-hand. We were glad to host a visit of Jacob and some of the GPM volunteers in Hyderabad (where we are based) a few weeks later, and look forward to many more occasions for collaboration, shared learning and friendship.
ReplyDeleteYonatan Glaser
Director
B'Tzedek