Teaching English and Making a Difference in Israel ne of Beachwood’s bestkept secrets is I-Connect, an initiative of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, which invites young adults, ages 18-30, to pick the perfect Israel travel experience, whether you want to go for your first time or can’t wait to go again. For one young adult, Masa’s Israel Teaching Fellows (ITF), a program where young adults spend one year teaching English to students, has been life-changing. There are nine communities that young adults can choose from when deciding to become a Masa ITF, but no other city compares to Cleveland’s sister city of Beit Shean, Israel. This year, ten English-speaking college graduates have been living in Beit Shean, teaching English and immersing themselves in the city’s close-knit family culture. “I know I’m making an impact on the community,” said Melissa, a Masa ITF in Beit Shean. In addition to teaching English in elementary schools, Melissa works outside the classroom as a tour guide at the Beit Shean National Park, the city’s largest attraction – a résumé-building opportunity for Melissa, who has a bachelor’s degree in Tourism O and Hospitality Management. Melissa and her fellow Masa Israel Teaching Fellows are making a difference in Beit Shean, a community that has welcomed them with opened arms. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Masa Israel Teaching Fellow, visit www. jewishcleveland.org/MITF or contact Mirit Balkan at mbalkan@ jcfcleve.org. Masa Israel Teaching Fellows is brought to you by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Masa Israel, and Jewish Agency for Israel. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Masa Israel Teaching Fellow, visit www.jewishcleveland. org/MITF or contact Mirit Balkan at mbalkan@ jcfcleve.org. Volunteers Needed for Annual Fall Cemetery Cleanup T here is no greater mitzvah than caring for those who came before us. Volunteers are needed for the Annual Fall Cemetery Cleanup hosted by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Jewish Volunteer Network and the Commission on Cemetery Preservation (COCP). The event will take place on Sun., Aug. 30 from 9:30 to 11:30 am at Chesed Shel Emeth (Ridge Road #1), 3740 Ridge Road, Cleveland. All ages are welcome to participate in this community-wide event, rain or shine. Volunteers are asked to bring gardening tools such as weed trimmers, shovels, clippers, and gloves to help prune, rake, and beautify the cemetery. Past Cemetery Cleanup events have attracted hundreds of people across generations and denominations. Preserving ceme(Continued on next page.) 16 Beachwood Buzz n August 2015