Trading Spaces Has Nothing on the Golan Heights Winery

Tuesday and Wednesday of this week were a גיבוש or bonding for the winery. The first day was fun/thought-provoking. Wednesday was filled with special projects. The majority of the employees and managers, along with the Galil Mountain winery, went to an absorption center in Safed. Tzfat has 3 of them and this one is for new immigrants from Ethiopia. They come from desert and openess and spend up to 2 years here. It is a building surrounded by other buildings. THey need to learn a new language and a new culture, starting from indoor plumbing and electricity.

The plan was to convert the empty lot in front of the building into a mini-park. Over the course of 1 day (with a lot of advance prep and a little advance work) we accomplished our mission. We built two traditional huts, some sitting areas, picnic benches, a tabun (fire pit for making bread) and planted a garden. The thought was to give them some greenery and help make their new, urban surroundings a little more familiar.

Our CEO remarked that towards the end a little girl came home from school and asked if all of this (over 100 people working, lots of noise, lots mess). When Anat answered yes the girl's answer was a simple, "תודה רבה".

It was a meaningful way to spend the day. We made a difference that will hopefully ease their transition and inspire them to get involved with the park and maintain it.