The Paths of Israel and the Ways of the People
By: Eran Aharon Glazer
The Paths and Trails of the NLC
The State of Israel abounds in trails, showcasing the beauty of the country and symbolizing the good and beautiful in it. The trails are different in nature and move from the green and blooming north to the infinite desert known for its virtues.
Like the Land of Israel’s trails, the Israeli society is also made up of different people from a variety of sectors of the social spectrum, and together they complement the human map of Israel.
Israel's many different trails allow for encounters among people carrying the backpacks of experiences from the trail of their lives - life experience, joys and at the same time suffering and trauma. At the National Leadership Center in Ariel, we meet many people who are on the trails in their lives. We wish to be the “gluing factor”, bring them together and connecting them in the Center – and in the middle.
About the NLC
The National Leadership Center was established in 2010, in the city of Ariel. The vision of the NLC, presented upon its establishment, was presented upon its establishment, is inspired by the values of the Bible stories, which enables us to build the educational process. Participants in the Center's activities cope with tasks that prepare for leadership and require disclosure of responsibility, creative thinking, and leading alongside collaborative work. Participants cope with tasks, and challenges, overcome difficulties, and reach a goal through teamwork and shared decision-making.
People's Paths – The Meeting Place
The human paths that symbolize the beauty of the Land, are crystalized here, at the National Leadership Center, and unite in challenging activities and circles of dialogue and consolidation. Groups of people that may be considered from opposite ends come for joint activities. Among those that come to us there are students from the city and the village; from the periphery and Central Israel; Religious and seculars; Arabs and Jews. Everyone is looking for their Promised Land, everyone obeys the command of Lech Lecha; everyone is ready to make a "leap of faith" in their lives.
“Lech Lecha” activity - the Odyssey Track
"Lech Lecha" activity – The Odyssey Track
"Odyssey" means journey. "Go!" is a personal as well as a national journey. It is a journey of personal observation and creation. A strong society that enquires how it can build a model society. At the Odyssey track, the trainers of the National Leadership Center, speak with the participants about Abraham’s journey and of the command he heard: "Lech Lecha".
“Now ADONAI said to Avram, “Get yourself out of your country, away from your kinsmen and away from your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1)
The Odyssey summons a connection between individuals within the group in order to reach the "Promised Land", to the end of the task. When a Jew and an Arab or a religious and a secular person meet on the rope bridge, they must hold hands, support each other; otherwise, they will not be able to finish the route. When you stand between heaven and earth, in the heights, you realize that the Land is guaranteed to all of us, and we just have to join together to reach it.
Leap of Faith
The "Leap of Faith" is a personal journey that invites the individual to be active in a group, for a personal and community journey. When viewed from the ground, the Leap of Faith track may look frightening. The facility consists of a pole at a height of about 13 meters, with a small base on the top and a trapeze at 2 meters away from the pole. The participant has to climb to the top of the pole, stand on the little wooden base, and from there jump to the trapeze. It doesn't matter if he holds on to it or not. Maximum concentration is required when jumping from the pole to the trapeze. Even though the participant is firmly tied and secured, fear grows, and the task is complex.
The Leap of Faith
Although the task is primarily personal, the group has a crucial role: provide encouragement! Our discourse on the "Leap of Faith" track deals with David the boy who became king. When David went into battle to face of Goliath, those around him didn’t exactly encourage him; but his faith was what motivated him.
And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” (1 Samuel, 17, 33).
David went to fight that battle when he was in an inferior position to the enemy. But David won because he did not listen to the discouraging chants. Unlike David's brothers, the participants at the NLC encourage those who climb. (By the way: The pole at the Leap of Faith track symbolizes Goliath)
“Yes, you can! You can!”, “Keep climbing!”, “Don't be afraid!” These are just some of the words of encouragement heard around the tack, when group members stand on the ground, at the foot of the pole, sending reinforcement upwards, to those who stand on the little base at the top.
Neta, a high school student: "My classmates are my anchor. Thanks to my friends, I believe that it will be good here, it will be better! The meeting at the height made me realize that there are physical and spiritual resources that give us strength to bring about a better future." The power of the group is strong and [help people to] connect, and here - at the National Leadership Center - the power of the group crystallizes into a pure moment of love for others, of support and of giving strength that can make a person reach new realms.
Conclusion
The life journey of the Israeli society is shrouded in fog. The disaster that attacked us on October 7th, made us realize that the strength of Israeli society lies in a shared journey to create the "Promised Land". Throughout the years of its existence, the Israeli society have faced quite a few challenges that threatened the very existence of the State of Israel, and always the unity of the people was the answer to them.
Since the October 7 massacre, many groups and sectors of the Israeli society arrived at the NLC, for a meeting that creates a map of hope. Different groups meet here to cry together and to build common resilience. The journey to creation of the Promised Land is not yet over, but the paths of Israeli people create a safety net for a strong and robust society.
An encounter at altitude creates an experience that strengthens the connection, where there seems to have been a loosening. In these complex days under the mantle of the thick fog that hangs over the paths of our country, prayers are formed along with a shared yearning for a better future. We are in the National Leadership Center feel the magnitude of the hour and the gravity of our task: to serve as a kind of glue and to connect the paths of Israel, between the people who make up the human map of our country.
Blog written by Eran Aharon Glazer
originally published in Hebrew in a IMOE's Magazine. (see here the original here https://ildf.co.il/%d7%9e%d7%90%d7%9e%d7%a8%d7%99%d7%9d/
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Fifteen years ago, the National Leadership Center (NLC) in Ariel was born from Heather Johnston's vision: to develop leadership in Israel, reconnect with roots, and foster faith. Today, that vision shines brighter than ever as the NLC stands as a source of strength during one of Israel's most challenging years.