Passionate Travel

The Making of Real Olympic Heroes

2010-02-04T03:12:00.000-08:00

With Olympic fever on my horizon, and at my door (almost literally), it has been on my mind a lot, as I am helping people make their professional and dream experiences happen here during the 2010 Olympics and Paralympics. It immediately becomes obvious that everyone has different needs and different expectations for their time here. Then there are the different needs and expectations of Vancouverites. Some are hoping to leave and cash in on others' Olympic fever. Volunteers are sprouting new clothes and slowly, new attitudes. We are just getting used to new traffic patterns, busier streets, and pavillions sprouting like white mushrooms on every vacant scrap of land. The media questions our Olympic spirit and our snow. Yet, as the Olympic torch gets closer, and we cheer on those we know who are torchbearers, their burning passion ignites our own hearts, and hopes.

As the streets fill with flags emlazoned on sidewalks and jackets, sweaters and t-shirts, we wear pins and hats to identify ourselves with our countries and our heroes. I am looking forward to my family coming to share the Olympic spirit, even though I am not an avid sports fan. I definitely have a favorite who is a hero in my books even before he steps onto the snow. I am rooting for him-like his life, and that of many others, depends on it. I am filled with hope for the future and the promise of possibility that his being a top Olympic competitor, puts in our face. This is the face of Kris Freeman, Olympian, and like my grandson, a type one diabetic who also wears an Omni pod pump.

Athletes to successfully compete, must put in every ounce of blood, sweat and tears. It is the ultimate mental and physical effort. Find out just how much more is involved and at stake when you add type 1 diabetes. I hope by the time my grandson is old enough to compete, he will be able to do so without the worries and potential complications that Kris must live with each time he hits the slopes,as you can see by this interview done by Bernard Farrell.

Diabetes Technology Blog: Kris Freeman Interview

Reflections on Humanity

2010-01-28T02:59:00.000-08:00

It was 65 years ago when Auschwitz Concentration Camp was liberated. Just two weeks earlier, my father in law's number had been called to enter the gas chamber, and while inside in the outer chamber, he was recognized by someone from his village. He was told in a whisper, that when his number was called again, not to answer, and instead pick up a broom in the corner, turn away, and sweep like his life depended on it...because it did.

My mother-in-law survived a forced labor camp, and Torn Threads is the story of her survival with her sister.

A Canadian reunification program brought my husband and his family to Canada, and it was not until years later, that he finally became a Canadian citizen instead of a displaced person.

They all could have perished, like so many more who came before and after them, fleeing the often nameless and faceless insanity of political, religious and natural disasters. Despite saying "Never Again" we say it over and over again...

I have spent time over the last two years in Albania, Kosovo, Cambodia, Vietnam, Israel, the Gaza Strip, Egypt and even learned from first hand accounts of the Hawaiians who like other indigenous cultures, were not allowed to practice their language, customs and had their land taken away.

I spent last week with Regina Waldman of JIMENA, Jews Indigenous to (the) Middle East and North Africa. They are another almost one million "forgotten refugees", foirced out of their homes for generations. They are forgotten, because they have been largely integrated into other countries.

The common thread of hope, for these places, and their people is that a single act of kindness and compassion can save lives, and give shattered ones meaning again. We must help people in Haiti, Darfur, New Orleans, to "forgive, but not forget". We never know when WE will have to rely on the kindness of strangers.

To those who say, exceptions should not be made in the face of humanitarian crisis, for fear we will let someone slip in who may have even escaped from prison, I understand that given the right opportunity, it is possible to rise above past circumstances, when offered a meaningful second chance.

It is why, after almost 39 years living in Canada, that I am proud to become a Canadian citizen this year.

I am eternally thankful for each individual who "takes responsibility, when there is a knock on their door", because it is the only way to ensure we will all have the ability not just to survive, but thrive. The ability to "make a difference in the world every day" is within all of us.

Tuesday Evening in Vancouver, Regina Waldman of JIMENA,

2010-01-18T03:21:00.000-08:00

"It's a small world, after all, it's a small, small world", and I love its synchronicity.

These words were ringing in my ears as I opened one of the myriad of emails in my inbox as I was trying to catch up since returning home. There, was an invitation to hear Regina Waldman speak and show a movie on January 19th at the King David School in Vancouver. Regina is the co-founder of JIMENA, "Jews, Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa". I have been fascinated with her story and the organization since being put in touch with her through Retired Israeli Ambassador Asher Naim, who like Ms Waldman, was born in Tripoli, Libya. Ambassador Naim, after his service to Israel in helping to get the Russian Jews to Israel through Finland, helping to get Zionism is Racism removed from the UN Charter and was ambassador to Ethiopia at the time of Operation Solomon, now works tirelessly to help the Ethiopian Beta Israel or "Falashan" Jews who emigrated to Israel. When he suggested we speak months ago, neither of us imagined we would meet in Vancouver instead of Ethiopia or San Francisco, where she lives.

Born in Libya in 1948, Gina and her family were forced to flee her home country in 1967 with only the clothes on their back and $20.Born in Tripoli to a family that had lived in Libya for centuries, she was persecuted, nearly murdered and brutally expelled from her homeland in 1967, all because she was a Jew.She speaks of how she grew up in a hate-filled country, including her own school.As a young child she recalls the adversity she faced in going to school in an Arabic country.
It was the end of the Six-Day War; from 1948 to 1970, nearly a million Jews were forced to flee their homes in Arab lands.

As her family fled on a bus to the airport, the driver attempted to set the bus aflame and murder all the passengers.

After settling in America, Bublil became a leading activist in the Soviet Jewry movement, for which she received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award. As director of the Bay Area Council for Soviet Jewry, Waldman was instrumental in winning freedom for thousands of Soviet Jews like Natan Sharansky. She has since also been instrumental in helping the Jews of Chile and Argentina.

In March 2008 she testified at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva about the Jewish refugees from Arab countries.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnwmzCt99LQ

Using her personal story, she sheds light on the unknown history of the “Forgotten Refugees:” She recently testified before Congress on the plight of the nearly one million Jews who were made refugees from the Arab Countries.

Together with Joseph Abdel Wahed, Waldman founded JIMENA (Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa) to bear witness to the suffering of other Jewish refugees from Arab lands.

See you at 7pm at King David School in Oakridge. For more information contact me randi@passionatetravel.com

Aloha 2010

2010-01-15T13:04:00.000-08:00

Sitting at the computer, back at home in Vancouver, with the Olympic preparations literally at my doorstep, it does not seem possible that were on the Big Island for just two weeks and that it is now 2010! So much has been accomplished in such a short time, both simply enjoying the quiet beauty and the vibrancy of the Big Island and especially the remarkable people who call this home and those drawn to its amazing spiritual and recouperative properties as well as its absolutely authentic, majestic quiet beauty and the options for activities that thrill us and provide us with the rush of adreneline through sheer excitement.

I was able to share a remarkable visit back to Waipio Valley and my first time to the 14,000 foot summit of Mauna Kea with some of the most special people on earth. The views from the summit with the shock of temperature (no matter how well prepared you think you are) almost defy description. The colors and special prayers given there will always remain close in my heart.

Forgetting an offering, amazing entrepreneur and energy healer, Maxima, inadvertently offered her glasses, which really became a symbol for our project here on the island...opening our hearts to see instead of just using your eyes. Luna eventually lost his headset, which was subsequently found, run over. It brought further understanding that we must listen and pay attention to the still, small voice rather than the loud overlay that sometimes amplifies things that seem more pressing or important.

It was ironic that about twenty years earlier, we were some of the first people allowed to walk on the still warm,freshly erupted lavafields at the volcano. January 3, when we went to the Kalapana observation area, the lava flow had inexplicably stopped that very morning, with my husband carrying 35 pounds of camera equipment, and with me with my own collection of media paraphernalia left with the words of incredulity of the professional photographers at the inexplicable lack of any flow. We all shook our heads at the fickleness of Madame Pele, with whom I had a powerful encounter just a scant two months earlier. To add to the mystery, not understanding fully, several people instinctively new that "Madam Pele was done, and moving".
And move she did, when the day before we left, we were told that a small flow appeared about 11 miles from the visitor viewing area, too far out to be seen other than by helicopter or boat.

During our drive to Hilo and the volcano, we passed so many changes of topography, climate and terrain, it caused the altimeter on Sam's watch to look like a roller coaster. Driving past the volcano, we encountered even more sulfuric air than I had experienced my previous time at the volcano. Our friend, who had asthma when younger, was definitely affected, and many of the areas in Volcano National Park were closed to visitors due to health concerns. These two issues are very important to take into consideration when planning a visit to the park, especially if anyone in your group has any kind of breathing issues or is pregnant, or very young. We were eventually able to go to the caldera and to the Thurston Lava Tubes before we left, but did not get to hike, and explore or get the photographs we wanted.

While the waves prevented our end of the trip snorkeling on the Kona side, it instead provided us with great opportunities to watch the magnificent whales at play, spouting and diving offshore. It also gave us lots of great photos, albeit sans lava, but equally powerful memories to cherish. We had already swum respectfully close to spinning dolphins and sea turtles in the ocean sans a swim with the dolphins or other program...they just showed up, like we did.

To me, it was another clue about managing expectations. Experiences start and end in our hearts and heads, and even more so, how we interpret (or some others would say rationalize)them. Labels about good and bad, timeliness, and expected purpose are just external manifestations of our reactions to the events around us that we often have no control over. What we do control 100 percent is our ability to control our own personal reactions and actions around any news or specific events (like what is happening now in Haiti) and non events like a lack of a desired action or event on the part of others.

My time on the island also confirmed my profound belief that travel amplifies the ability of the right people showing up in your life at the right time, even though, at the time, we may not always appreciate or understand why without the perspective of time and insight. Like in Kosovo, when working on wonderful humanitarian story, a film project became possible, and with no preplanning, the right people just showed up, each person adding their own perspective and became a link in the chain towards telling a remarkable story. It was the same feeling standing in line at the airport in Albania, and meeting someone who would be instrumental in helping get Jared and my book on diabetes published around the world. Here in Hawaii, I was able to see real growth of self pride in local heritage and locally based solutions, especially in the field of wellness, and the Hawaiian values of Ho'oponopono, similar in many ways to the Albanian concept of Besa-"keeping the promise". I sometimes shake my head at the far flung destinations that my passions carry me, while marveling at the unlikely similarities of cultures.

In Hawaiian, Ho'oponopono means "to make right". Essentially, it means to make it right with those who came before you (our positive inherited values), or to make right with the people with whom you have relationships (ideally everyone in the world). They call this the Hawaiian Code of Forgiveness, and it's a very important concept, because when we forgive others, we are also forgiving ourselves.

Simply put the process of Ho'oponopono involves the following steps:

1.Bring to mind anyone with whom you do not feel total alignment or support, etc.
2.In your mind's eye, construct a small stage below you
3.Imagine an infinite source of love and healing flowing from a source above the top of your head (from your Higher Self), and open up the top of your head, and let the source of love and healing flow down inside your body, fill up the body, and overflow out your heart to heal up the person on the stage. Be sure it is all right for you to heal the person and that they accept the healing.
4.When the healing is complete, have a discussion with the person and forgive them, and have them forgive you.
5.Next, let go of the person, and see them floating away. As they do, cut the aka cord that connects the two of you (if appropriate). If you are healing in a current primary relationship, then assimilate the person inside you.
6.Do this with every person in your life with whom you are incomplete, or not aligned.
The final test is, can you see the person or think of them without feeling any negative emotions. If you do feel negative emotions when you do, then do the process again.

I believe this process can be practiced daily by saying these few simple, but powerful words... I love you, I forgive you, Thank You. These words are the basis for self esteem, forgiveness and ultimately the core values we need to thrive and not just survive in this world-LOVE and GRATITUDE.

I guess than brings me back to the theme that I believe is continuing and amplifying for 2010. Through travel, we open ourselves us to a universe of new people and experiences. We must know from a core level that we are able to make a significant and positive difference in the world-pretty much every day. Once we understand that we are all inextricably linked together, and that we each hold a different key to the mystery of life-and quality of life, which every single person born onto this earth deserves, we can indeed serve as a rainbow bridge in 2010 and beyond.

I hope you will also share your thoughts and feelings, as well as the experiences that travel has brought to your perspective and committment to be part of the solution. May we all find inside ourselves, our Places of Refuge where we can be unconditionally sheltered and turn our hearts and lives into the same for others.

Make 2010 a time when you are consciously adding years to your life and life to your years.

2009-12-21T01:09:00.000-08:00

I owe you all am almost ashamed apology for having such a long and unintentional lapse in my blog, although I have been more active with twitter and I am a new and still reluctant facebook (especvially given the new privacy changes last week).

I did work on an entry in for this month's trazzler contest on Islands. If you are reading this before December 23, I hope that you will please support me and "wishlist" my story before December 23, you only can do it once each contest.Here is link http://www.trazzler.com/trips/halema-uma-u-crater-kilauea-volcano-national-park-hawaii-hi-in-volcano-hi# Mahalo

I will be returning to the Big Island this week to spend more time with some of the island's special healers and kahuna, and Madam Pele, who have left a lasting impression on my heart and soul. It is this additional dimension, in addition to the genuine beauty and diversity of the Island, that makes it even more enchanting. I look forward to seeing even what I saw recently through a second pair of eyes. The Hawaiian Islands have always represented some of my families happiest and earliest travel experiences. Even though we are travelling without our children, the images are as fresh as footprints in the wet sand.

I hope that you, too, will be interested in learning more about the special experiences that you too can have on the Big Island.

In the meantime, as I am planning another trip to Kosova for a conference I was invited to participate in on Albanians and the Jews, particularly during WWII. I was thrilled to see that the America Society for Travel Agents (ASTA) has made Pristina Kosova, the site for their annual conference this fall. With the Besa exhibit coming to SFU Teck Gallery from June 27-Oct 17th and with lectures and other programming during that time, as well as the anticipated release in 2010 of the movie, God's House, and possible award for best Jewish Fine Arts Book in the US, plus work on another story I have found so compelling during the recent war in Kosova, I was very interested to find the following article on EU removing need for visas for many countries, but not Albania or Kosovoa.

By Jovana Gec, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, cp.org, Updated: December 18, 2009 6:32 PMSerbia, Montenegro, Macedonia celebrate lifting of EU travel visas after 20 years
Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia on Friday were celebrating the lifting of travel restrictions to EU countries, marking a symbolic end to an era of isolation and instability in the troubled region.

Concerts, all-night parties and fireworks were held to hail the EU decision to open its borders to more than 10 million people from the western Balkans. The new rights take effect at midnight.

"The visa abolishment has restored the rights that other citizens of the European Union enjoy, the freedom of movement and the feeling that we belong to the European family," interior ministers of the three countries said in a joint statement.

The change is a major boost for the region, which has sought to move closer to the European Union after years of ethnic wars in the 1990s. Travel restrictions will remain in place for Bosnia, Kosovo and Albania, but will be reviewed next year.

The visa-free policy applies to the so-called Schengen zone of unfettered travel, which covers 25 EU member states, as well as three non-EU members - Iceland, Norway and Switzerland - but does not include Britain and Ireland.

The citizens of the former Yugoslavia had enjoyed free travel in the past, but visa requirements were introduced as the federation was breaking up in 1991 in a series of conflicts that lasted until 1999.

Visa regime forced the residents to wait in long lines before EU nations' embassies for nearly 20 years.

"I have been humiliated for too long," said 39-year-old Macedonian journalist Emil Gasevski. "I hope we are no longer second class citizens of Europe."

In Belgrade, 41-year-old Bobana Vojinovic said the news of was great "even though we don't have money to travel."

"We are finally out of the cage," she said.

Travel agents in Serbia, Bosnia and Montenegro all have reported a surge in bookings for New Year's holidays after EU ministers announced the change earlier this month.

Serbian government officials boarded buses and planes late Friday to lead the first groups of citizens over the borders to EU nations. Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic took 50 Serbs - who have never travelled to an EU country - on a midnight flight to the EU seat, Brussels. Meanwhile, the state TV broadcast live a concert from the Belgrade City Hall.

In the Macedonian capital of Skopje, celebrations were organized at a central square despite freezing weather. Mayor Koce Trajanovski said bars and restaurants will be open all night "so people can celebrate properly."

Montenegrin authorities are flying 100 citizens to Rome, while 100 lottery-picked Macedonians will travel for free to Paris.

Goran Novakovic, 39-year-old painter from Montenegro says he has not been to an EU country since 1980s'.

"I am very excited," he said.

-

Associated Press Writer Konstantin Testorides contributed to this report from Skopje, Macedonia.

10 Days to Touch 10 Million Thanksgiving Interview Series: Les Brown, The Motivator

2009-11-25T16:38:00.000-08:00

10 Days to Touch 10 Million Thanksgiving Interview Series: Les Brown, The Motivator

So much has happened since my last blog, I have been to a film festival, a book festival, the Big Island of Hawaii and to New York. So much to share, so many amazing experiences...

As I excitedly await my family for an American Thanksgiving in Canada, I want to wish all my family, friends and clients a very happy holiday celebration that triggers a glorious awareness of all we are truly thankful for.

Thoughts on Holidays

2009-09-22T23:25:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was the start of the Jewish New Year. For most of us, our families have often been scattered in the wind to many different corners of the earth. Most of us make valiant efforts to be together. Holidays are a magnet for what in the travel business we call VFR-"visiting friends and relatives". It is not the most profitable of markets, since often it is just a car trip and "camping out" at someone's house, eating communal meals and sharing family and religious customs. For many of us, this was our first time we really got to "travel". It did not have to be far, but it was certainly more exciting if we got to bring along a suitcase with pyjamas and party clothes. It truly was about the experience, and not the destination.

Preparing for a family holiday is often mixed with great anticipation and as we get older, sometimes with dread. It is similar to how we we travel, we happily carry(on) our current baggage, yet how we often do we also shlep along our overweight, blown-out-of- proportion childhood perceptions and misconceptions.

Tonight, in reflecting on what this Rosh Hashana meant to me, it really struck me how we use the same word, "holiday" spelled the same way, for two seemingly different experiences, but are they really that different? On first blush, they are opposite..going on holiday, on vacation, means getting away from everything. That often includes work, school, and responsibility. however, celebrating a holiday, a "holy day" whether it is religious or not, implies the same thing. A break from life's routine and most often, it means travelling with (or to) friends or family. We also hope for the same result-a renewal, a fresh perspective, taking time to participate in activities that are meaningful to you-whether it means praying, sleeping till noon,building a school in Nepal or volunteering your skills to improve the lives of others.

The time between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur is traditionally a time of reflection on what we accomplished in the past year, and what we are intending to accomplish in the coming year. We ask for forgiveness and we are expected to forgive. In the past few months, and in the past few years especially, I have been fortunate to have travelled to many corners of the world. I have seen great joy from people living in abject poverty and some of the most unfulfilled people sitting in the midst of great wealth. My eyes and heart have filled with tears of sorrow, having witnessed the aftermath of the useless and senseless destruction of life, property and freedom. They have also overflowed with love and kindness, gratitude and joy in appreciating the simple determination of good people who want to do good things, because they know it is the only thing to do.

When we travel, not as tourists, but as VFR-visiting potential family and friends, means we are making every day a holi-day. Isn't that what life is really all about?

I wish you all a happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Year, and that we should all be inscribed in the book of life.

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2009-09-17T02:50:00.000-07:00

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So You Want to be a Reporter At the Olympics? I have just the ticket!

2009-09-15T12:09:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

I am always thrilled when I have an INSIDER opportunity to share and this is ONE OF THEM BIG TIME! This weekend, Sept 18-20th, get a HUGE jump start to get yourselves not just to the Olympics, but be a REPORTER for the OLYMPICS!

Kris is working on a website for Samsung a sponsor of the Winter Olympics in Whistler/Vancouver and they have come up with a concept where they are searching for a few reporters to report back to the rest of us all the fun and interesting stuff going on around the Olympics. Because they want the site to have content at launch they want to seed the site with user generated videos showcasing real users pitching why they should be selected. The details for the campaign are below and if you or anyone you know...(no age or preconditions here..so anyone can enter as long as they follow the rules below) are interested, please keep forwarding this email on to them, and let me know. Kris will be coming up to Vancouver for Friday morning and will have my camera in hand to help anyone that wants to create a video for the site. Read below and let me know if you are interested me shooting your video this Friday, Saturday and or Sunday. .... What is in it for you? Read below.

Do you have a gift for creative storytelling using online content such as videos, blogs and social media? Then grab a friend, enter the Samsung Mobile Explorers Contest and show us your skills. You could win a free twenty-day trip to Vancouver to capture the most exciting moments of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

How do I enter?

First, find a friend – all submissions must come from a team of two. Now put your heads together to create a video submission that will blow us away with your ability to tell a story in a fresh, original way using cutting edge online media and technology. We’ll review your video within 48 hours and then post it to this site (as long as it meets the submission guidelines).

How will winners be chosen?

Once you submit your video, democracy takes over, and the audience will have until a specified date to vote for their favorite entries. The five teams with the highest-rated submissions will head directly to Vancouver to cover the Olympic Winter Games as Samsung Mobile Explorers. For twenty days, these intrepid Mobile Explorers will follow the action from the frontlines and post daily updates to this site in the form of videos, photos and text.

Throughout the games, our panel of judges will be watching your work and judging based on:

Originality
Overall quality
Number of views on this site
The stories you report

At the end, they’ll choose one Grand Prize Winner team, who will be contacted.

What could I win?

The Grand Prize Winner will receive $5,000 CDN and a Samsung prize pack with a retail value of about $10,000 CDN. Not to mention a trip to the Olympic Games for the opportunity of a lifetime.

If you, or anyone you know are interested, please email me to randi@passionatetravel.com Links or postings will also be on my website www.passionatetravel.com my blog, www.passionatetravel.blogspot.com and on twitter www.twitter.com/randiwinter

After the 20th of September, look for more instructions on how you will be able to enter on MSN....

Ah yes, you don't have to be in Vancouver or Whistler to enter this competition when it is on line...

Please in the email include your phone number and email, but no calls after 4pm on Friday. If you want to do it without Kris and the dev team, that is great too, just send your info and they will let you know how to get the video footage to them,

Using lots of brain cells today

2009-09-04T01:49:00.000-07:00

Today was the day...I FINALLY have dedicated myself to updating and improving my Passionate Travel website...it has taken many hours of frustration and semi heartbreak, but I am now able to offer you all of the publications from Virtuoso as fully readable ebooks. They are all listed under Travel Resources, Virtuoso Publications... Best of the Best, Virtuoso Life, Virtuoso Insights....all there for your reading pleasure and inspiration. Look for some amazing new exclusive opportunities on the Big Island of Hawaii-including honeymoons, anniversaries, spiritual and wellness experiences, relaxation, grounding and blessings. You too can receive special blessings from President Obama's kahuna. Ask me about opportunities to meet one of the kahunas during the upcoming months here in North America.

Lots more to come, but so is company, and I will have to continue this tomorrow.

Take advantage of the long weekend...and be the change that you seek.

2009-09-04T01:22:00.000-07:00

If you are in Vancouver Monday September 7th, and would like to meet some amazing young people who have come immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia to spend a month as legal interns here...this will be fascinating. From my experiences with Former israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia in 1991 during Operation Solomon, and from reading his book, I know that this will be quite the evening.

Please come to meet Mr. Erez Jegenau Naga and Ms. Jerus “Sigal” Trunech, two Israeli law students born in Ethiopia who are approaching the end of a month-long internship with Blake Cassels, a Vancouver law firm. They’ll be at 2644 Manitoba Street in Vancouver on Monday evening, September 7, from 7:30.

Erez was five years old when he was among the first group of Ethiopian Jews airlifted to Israel in 1985. At age 5, he left his village in Ethiopia and trekked for three months into Sudan. Growing up in Israel, he joined the IDF and served in a special combat unit.

Jerus came to Israel at age 10 considerably later than Erez.

Both are first-year law students at Ono Academic College in a program supported in part by the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver. You can read more about that program below and you can get a bit of a glimpse into Erez and Jerus’ visit here at http://tesfayesjourney.blogspot.com/. Meeting and talking with Erez and Jerus is an opportunity to learn firsthand about the experiences in Israel of Jews from Ethiopia and their personal perspectives on living in Israel.

Everyone is welcomed to attend. Please share this invitation with anyone who would be interested.

This evening is part of the PROJECT FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF ETHIOPIAN BORN IMMIGRANTS TO ISRAEL FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

Ono Academic College (OAC), together with the Jewish Agency and in fulfillment of our mission of social responsibility, actively recruits Ethiopian-born Israelis who participate in the Higher Education and Community Leadership project. The project is currently in its fourth year and has gained recognition both in Israel and abroad for its success.

They aim to develop a cadre of young professional leaders by teaching academic degree programs in prestigious, lucrative professions able to make a huge impact on Israeli society. The first generation of children born in Ethiopia, but mostly raised in Israel, is just reaching the age of higher education. This is the generation which will make the changeover and become an integral part of Israeli society.

They are committed to provide personal attention, welcoming environment and extra support in studies provided at OAC enable the students to flourish and succeed.

Presently OAC provides scholarships for over 50% of the tuition for each student. The Ministry of Absorption's Student Authority provides tuition scholarships for the remainder. A token tuition of NIS 1,200 is paid by each student. We continue to seek partners for matching scholarships in order to maintain the growth of the number of students in this successful program.

The Jewish Agency, UIA Canada and UJC join OAC in funding the system of academic support, enrichment and leadership training courses for the students with Annual Campaign funds. The Israel Department of the Jewish Agency grants an annual stipend for living expenses to each student.

GOALS

The program goal is the achievement of a prestigious academic degree in high demand professions along with personal and leadership skills, leading to the strengthening of the family and social fabric of the Ethiopian Jewish community in Israel. This generation of Ethiopians has the opportunity to break the glass ceiling, and sever the chain of poverty of this community in Israel. Specifically, there are less than a dozen Ethiopian born lawyers in Israel today and just as few businesspersons. We need to believe in the strength of numbers and know that this group of students has the power to create positive social change.

PROFILE OF THE STUDENTS

OAC is proud to have 142 Ethiopian-born students this year. Their Ethiopian-born students come literally from all over Israel. Most live at home and a few live in Jewish Agency dormitories at the Kfar Saba Absorption Center.

Almost all of the students volunteer in one or more community projects, the majority within the Ethiopian community. Many of the projects originated in the Leadership course and are a direct result of plans drawn up in this course. Most of them are carried out in the students' home towns.

The volunteer projects include mentoring and homework assistance, participation in the Ethiopian National Project and other organizations for the Ethiopian community, preparation for the army for Ethiopian youth, empowerment for Ethiopian women, free legal aid, translation and preparation of documents for various authorities, and a unique project in which Ethiopian born students connect with Ethiopian soldiers in military jails to provide them with information and support, and facilitate their return to the army. Five of their students were elected to the Ethiopian Student Union, as Chairman, Vice Chairman, Spokesperson and board members.

Many of their students come from extremely difficult socioeconomic backgrounds. A majority of the students come from large families with four or more children. Most of the students' parents do not have skills which enable them to be employed in Israel, and subsist below the poverty level. On the whole the Ethiopian students must support themselves financially by working part time jobs, while also fulfilling volunteer requirements necessary to receive financial aid from the Ministry of Absorption. Four of their students are orphaned from both parents, and raise younger siblings.

They invite scholarship participation in carrying out this most important project. So even if you cannot make it Monday night, think of helping out. The trip I have been planning is now closed. This group often hosts missions to Israel, during which time you, as guests, will have the opportunity to personally meet the students.

For more information, go to http://www.ono.ac.il/?CategoryID=381&ArticleID=210

If you are interested, go to Amazon and look for a used copy of Asher Naim's "Saving the Lost Tribe: The Rescue and Redemption of the Ethiopian Jews" or contact me and I can lend you a copy...

Yes Virginia, There are Canada Line Police

2009-08-19T00:11:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is my anniversary and we decided to go all the way to the aiport and have dinner at the Fairmont Airport Hotel GlobeYVR restaurant with friends who did not partake of the opening day festivities for Canada Line. Since we did not take the train the entire route as it was closing, today's experience again made us feel even luckier that we live in a city with a rapid transit system like ours. It is part disneyland, with the twists and turns in the tunnels, not unlike space mountain, and then in Richmond, when you come out into the daylight, it is something else again...more like a roller coaster slowly climbing and then dropping into a curve, all the while whisking along the track. Being so high above the city, and with no wall or barrier on the outside of the train- no rail, just a narrow walkway in case of emergency... could be a bit unnerving, but everyone on the train, regardless of age, was having a great time. People were trying to decide where to get off, before getting back on, because the tickets are actually good for several hours in either direction...and after 630pm, it goes to one zone fare regardless of how far you are going.

Our dinner at GlobeYVR was based on their summer 100 mile diet program. The dishes were beautifully put together, albeit a bit on the miniscule portion size, but the flavours popped, Since our friends do not eat some of the ingredients, we were beneficiaries of many assorted tastes. The one damper was that they did not bring out two of the orders without one requested and confirmed ingredient. Since they had already served two of us, they should never have taken away the whole plate for 15 or 20 minutes, leaving half of us to try to dawdle or eat cold food, and never updating us or offering them the other presentations on the same plate. Especially for the price, and how slow the restaurant was, this was unthinkable...but we shared and managed.

On the way back from the airport, we were met by translink staff answering questions and helping as well as watching over ticket purchases. We were pleasantly surprised by the number of fellow passengers, most of which clearly were on a joy ride with no luggage and a few airport staff. There were two young men from Quebec, and when the transit policeman came over for the tickets, apparently one had one and the other either could not find his, or did not have one...taking a 5050 chance I guess. These officers have guns, and the power to insist that they get off the train and they get fingerprinted and the fine (in case you were wondering) is $250!

This definitely generated a lot of discussion on the train, but we think that after scaring them, considering that they were definitely non English speakers and from out of town, they were sent to buy that second ticket...being given a second chance.

So if you are thinking of passing on the ticket purchase, think again!

Once again as the train left the two young men, the officer and the station, we were whisked away into the evening with the white glow of the Olympic rings clearly in sight, and in mind...less than 6 months and counting!

Passport to Fun

2009-08-18T01:45:00.000-07:00

All aboard

2009-08-18T01:43:00.000-07:00

2009-08-18T01:40:00.000-07:00

Canada Line is on the right track!

Vancouver is on the right track

2009-08-18T00:27:00.000-07:00

Today was the inauguration of the first Canadian airport to Downtown light rapid transit service. From 1 pm to 9pm today, Vancouverites took to the subterranean depths to take part in today's festivities and free rides. Despite a few glitches, like not anticipating how many joy riders there would be, meaning people were riding to the end and back and not getting off, meant that there were very long line ups. It also meant that the special inaugural passports were gone by 430 in the afternoon.

Having recently been in New York and Geneva (where hotel guests get free transportation for their entire stay) our station and the tracks were, of course, immaculate. Hopefully Vancouver's reputation for being a super clean city will extend below the city too. Geneva also has no turnstiles, just the same honor system. I was impressed in Geneva and the car design with lots of seats and standing room, and multiple handrails looks great, although I am not sure about when lots of people have luggage, as there was no luggage rack or overhead racks on the trains we were on.

The ride was smooth, fun and fast. The large window at the front makes for a real experience as you are rounding corners, especially under ground. There is a distinct sense of the rise and fall of levels as you plunge under the water and under ground, and an almost blinding emergence.

Having decided more than a year ago, to make do with using only one of our cars, I can definitely see myself along with many others hopping a ride to many places on my list.

I am happy though that I do not have to use it tomorrow as I think that the lineups for buying tickets will be pretty long... Think I will go and buy a multiple pass before I need it!

All aboard!

Unlimited Travel for 1 Month with Jet Blue

2009-08-17T12:51:00.001-07:00

Enjoy unlimited travel with our All-You-Can-Jet Pass! For just $599* you can take JetBlue anywhere you like, as often as you like, from September 8 to October 8, 2009. Use your All-You-Can-Jet Pass for business, for pleasure, to visit your favorite cities or to meet with a client. You might as well just do it all! With more than 50 cities to choose from, and for just $599, it's a deal you can't pass up.
About the Pass
$599 for a month of unlimited travel, any available seat
Domestic taxes and fees included
International and Puerto Rico taxes and fees not included
On sale through Friday, August 21, 2009, or while supplies last
Travel Dates: Tuesday, September 8, 2009 through Thursday, October 8, 2009
Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure.
Nonrefundable/nontransferable/no name changes permitted
Customers who already have a flight booked during the pass travel period can pay the difference to upgrade to the pass by calling 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), prompt 4.
Each All-You-Can-Jet Pass is eligible for 35 TrueBlue points. Flights booked on the pass are not available for additional TrueBlue points.
To purchase an All-You-Can-Jet Pass:
Call 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), option 4. You do not have to be a TrueBlue member at the time of purchase, but a TrueBlue number is required to book all flights.To join TrueBlue, click here; it's free.
To book flights with your All-You-Can-Jet Pass:
Before calling to reserve your flight, please visit jetblue.com to check availability and select flight times.
Call 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), prompt 4.
Provide your pass number which is your original reservation number.
Provide your TrueBlue number.
You may only book one flight per city per day; if a violation of this policy is found, JetBlue will honor only the last booking made and cancel the customer's other bookings from that city on that day.
Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure.
You can change/cancel flights for no fee with three (3) or more days notice; changes or cancellations to flight bookings made after 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure will be charged standard JetBlue change/cancel fees.
To change or cancel All-You-Can-Jet Pass travel:
Greater than three (3) days before a flight: $0 change/cancellation fees
Less than three (3) days before a flight: JetBlue's standard change/cancel fees apply
In the case of a no-show, the customer's pass will be placed on hold, any reserved pass flights will be canceled, and no new flight segments wil be able to be booked until the customer pays a $100 no-show penalty.
*Other important restrictions apply. For complete details, please read the Full Terms and Conditions.

*Offer ends 8/21/09, or earlier at JetBlue's discretion. Pass includes unlimited coach class air travel for one person on JetBlue-operated flights between any cities in the JetBlue route network. Valid for travel between 9/8/09 and 10/8/09. Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure. Changes or cancellations of flight bookings made after 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure will incur a $100 change/cancel fee. "No shows" for flights will incur a $100 fee, with Pass suspension until fee is paid. Passes may be used only to book new travel and may not be applied to existing reservations. Travel is subject to availability and seats may not be available on all flights. Passes may not be used for code share or interline flights, Getaways packages, Cruises, Gift Cards, or other products and services. Pass does not include taxes and fees applicable to international or Puerto Rico travel, including without limitation (a) Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9.00 each way, (b) September 11th Security Fees of up to $2.50 per enplanement at a U.S. originating airport, (c) Federal Segment Taxes of $3.60 per domestic segment (a segment is a takeoff and landing), (d) in the case of international travel, government fees and taxes of up to $127.60 each way, and (e) in the case of Puerto Rico travel, a US Departure Tax of $16.10 each way. All taxes and fees must be paid at the time of travel booking. Passes are non-refundable. Passes and Pass travel are non-transferable. A second bag fee of $30 applies. Other restrictions apply; see Terms and Conditions for complete details. © 2009 JetBlue Airways

Unlimited Travel for 1 Month with Jet Blue

2009-08-17T12:51:00.000-07:00

An Exclusive Ethiopian Experience October 2009

2009-08-14T12:59:00.000-07:00

For any of you who ever wanted to travel with an amazing diplomat and statesman to a country most people only read about, here is a fantastic opportunity to travel to ETHIOPIA with retired Israeli Ambassador Asher Naim, who is also the 2009 recipient of the Raoul Wallenberg Prize.
Ambassador Naim will not only share an uncensored and insider view of current Ethiopia as well as the very amazing and exciting story of the 1991 Operation Solomon which resulted in a Guiness Book of Records airlift of almost 15,000 Falashmura (Black Jews) from Ethiopia to Israel in 25 hours. His book Saving the Lost Tribe:The Rescue and Redemption of the Ethiopian Jews, is a compelling story which gives us an insiders glimpse into the real process of dealing with high stakes international incidents. The trip will take place mid October. Call or email for more information.

Passionate Travel

2009-08-04T00:17:00.000-07:00

It seems like I have barely slept in my own bed for the last few months, with a whirlwind of travel and happily all for good reasons. My travels have taken me to several times to New York and Seattle, and also to Los Angeles,Vietnam, Cambodia, San Francisco, Philadelphia, London, Paris, the South of France, Budapest, and the least touristed but most hospitable countries of Albania and twice to Kosova (Kosovo to the rest of the world except Albanians), and for a very fast but exciting day and a half in Geneva Switzerland which took me to meet with representatives for a major pharmaseutical company and hospital about the book that my grandson and I wrote about his experience with type 1 diabetes.

I also just returned from a cruise with my family to Alaska and Victoria, BC. We celebrated 4 birthdays, 3 anniversaries and had a really special family bonding. It has been many years since we first took our two young children on their first cruise on board Royal Viking where they were the only two children on board. I am thrilled to say that the magic is still there as we initiated a new generation to the joys of cruising and spending all sorts of quality family time together.

I am also thrilled to be coordinating an amazing trip to Ethiopia with the former Israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia planned for October, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Falashmura (Black Jews) exodus from Ethiopia-and there is still space for a few lucky people who want to literally travel through history with one of the most amazing statesmen of our time. For 2010, we will also be scheduling trips to the Far East and to the Baltic where his tenure there helped to shape some of the most dramatic events and small groups of lucky participants will be able to learn from him how to make the word more powerful than the sword. Please contact me if you are interested in participating in any of these special unique travel experiences.

My own personal journey has been something that I could never have even remotely imagined in my wildest dreams when I set out to try to make a difference in the world every day.

I truly have been blessed to be working on some amazing humanitarian projects, especially the Eye Contact Foundation, whose current project Panha's work which highlights the largely untold story of Albanian/Kosovo Besa (their code of honor which literally translates as "keeping the promise") currently has at least 6 photo exhibitions travelling the world, is currently up for Jewish Fine Arts Book of the Year by the Jewish Book Council, and whose movie God's House should hit the big screen by the beginning of 2010. The Founder, Norman H Gershman has taken his passion for photography and a love of Jewish life coupled with a desire to honor those who risked their lives to save people and has done what many others could not do, bring Jews, Muslims and Christians to look towards each other with a caring eye, searching for goodness.

In New York and Cambodia, I was privileged to work with Panha Ou of Amazing Angkor Tours and Jenni Lippa who have respectively set up the Cambodian Child Dream Organization, and in North America Friends of CCDO. Panha's work in the area around Siem Reap with providing clean water from reliable wells for communities in need, providing education, training, food and shelter for over 70 children in the Little Angels orphanage, is nothing short of incredible and most inspiring. I would like you to know what a difference as little as $125-150 a year can make to the children in the orphanage, or up to 40 people who are the beneficiary of a well that ends up providing so much more than just clean water. I just shared with my condo where I was going at our end of year get-together, and they helped me travel with one whole suitcase full of school and personal supplies for the children of the orphanage and the other children we met all along the way.

I have stayed in some incredible properties around the world, and even more memorable were some of the hoteliers, whose passions for hospitality runs through their veins, and goes directly to their hearts-in their desire to please their guests and also give back to their communities. Special Kudos goes to Nick Downing at Hotel de la Paix in Siem Reap, which is happily now a well deserving Virtuoso property. Their agreement with Mastercard has resulted in hundreds of bicycles being donated to needy children. In New York, Muyo Pereszic not only is overseeing a total renovation and upgrading of the Kimberly Hotel, including a new Rooftop bar, but still managed to find time to help and welcome some most promising up and coming young entrepreneurs from Albania and Kosovo.

I have also been travelling a lot by boat...or rather a most unusual assortment of water crafts, including a river boat up some very unusual and isolated areas along the Mekong River between Vietnam and Cambodia. Then a few weeks ago, I spent a week with six other people from around the world on a small Dutch owned barge along the most southern parts of the Canal Du Midi, in record weather so hot, that even the flamingos took refuge away from the heat and their normal habitat. On the barge I was privileged to meet and spend time with the recipient of the Order of Australia, a neurokinesiologist, Margaret Stuart.

Then last week, we took a major turn and spent a week with our family, children and grandchildren as we sailed on board the Celebrity Infinity. For one glorious week, the weather was spectacular as 8 of us sailed from Seattle to the ports of Ketchikan, Juneau, cruising through Hubbard Glacier and Victoria. We shared the boat with another 2092 people. The crew was so accomodating for Jared's special dietary needs as a type 1 diabetic. His face upon seeing a special no sugar baked alaska and Maya's prize winning seaworthy vessel were definitely top 10 material, although catching fish in Ketchikan as they jumped all around our boat, seeing the fish ladders, the Mendenhall Glacier, the Hubbard Glacier and the wildlife plus a fantastic two hour vintage car ride through Victoria will forever be part of the family lore.

My time in Kosovo was nothing short of extraordinary. It has actually been 10 years since the war in Kosovo, and in the course of tracking down people involved in helping tens of thousands of refugee children, I was privy to some of the most inspiring people I have even met, including the former Deputy Prime Minister, a man currently a member of the parliament, who for 14 years was imprisoned an tortured strictly because of his political views, school pricinciples, heads of communities, the family of Mustafa Rezniqi, who The Eye Contact Foundation helped Yad Vashem recognize as the first righteous family in Kosovo, an American-Israeli psychologist who has, since the war, been responsible for most of the growth and development of the field of psychology in Kosova. I also met with government officials to try to help develop sports tourism in Albania and Kosova in order to help them grow their tourism in a positive and sustainable way. Most of all, I was impressed with a very dedicated group of young people, journalists, students, translators, teachers, entrepreneurs, film makers, authors and entrepreneurs who willed things to happen, and miraculously they did. They are truly these country's future and living proof that Besa is still alive and well.

It seems hard to believe that just a scant year ago, I was not getting too far with a new full hip replacement and just two years ago that Jared was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I am filled with love and gratitude for everyone who has shared my journey, and who is allowing me to share my passions with them in a way that along with my family and my clients who love to travel passionately will reach out and in turn, touch someone else with the gift of sharing and caring.

Remember to always let your passions be your guide!

Photos and much more to come....

Press Release For UN Opening...come this month

2008-01-28T00:14:00.000-08:00

http://www.prlog.org/10047652-united-nations-inspires-visitors-with-besa-muslims-who-saved-jews-during-the-holocaust-exhibit.html

Source: PRLog.Org - Global Press Release Distribution
United Nations inspires visitors with "Besa: Muslims Who Saved Jews During the Holocaust"
Exhibit
By Randi Winter / The Eye Contact Foundation
Dated: Jan 27, 2008
United Nations Hosts The Eye Contact Foundation's Exhibition of Norman Gershman's "Besa: A Code of
Honor. Albanian Muslims Who Saved Jews During the Holocaustâ€• curated by Yad Vashem as part of the
world holocaust remembrance ceremonies.
Norman Gershman
The Eye Contact Foundation
0529 Emma Road
Basalt, Colorado 81621
(970) 927-1742 (970) 927-2282
http://www.eyecontactfoundation.org
For a review copy, media info:
Randi Winter (425) 283-7690
randi@passionatetravel.com
UNITED NATIONS TO HOST THE EYE CONTACT FOUNDATION’S EXHIBITION OF NORMAN
GERSHMAN’S “BESA A CODE OF HONOR ALBANIAN MUSLIMS WHO SAVED JEWS DURING
THE HOLOCAUST” CURATED BY YAD VASHEM AS PART OF WORLD HOLOCAUST
REMEMBRANCE CEREMONIES
Basalt, Colorado How many countries’ principles are aligned between what they preach and what they
practice? Few would guess the irony of these answers would develop from a little known secret hidden
behind the shroud of the iron curtain for over fifty years and from a most unlikely source.
A show of photographs by Norman Gershman, depicting Albanian Muslims who rescued Jews during
World War II opens at the United Nations Visitor’s Lobby in New York City the evening of January 29,
2008, and runs until early March. http://www.un.org/holocaustremembrance/remembranceday08.shtml
This is the first travelling exhibition sponsored by Yad Vashem, the Museum of the Holocaust in
Jerusalem, which has United Nations NGO status. It first opened November 1, 2007 at Yad Vashem in
Israel. The subjects are Albanian Muslim families who have been designated as Righteous Among Nations
by Yad Vashem. Each photograph is accompanied by a defining quote and insight from Gershman’s visits
with each family telling their story.
http://www1.yadvashem.org/about_yad/what_new/gershman/temp_index_whats_new_Gershman.html
Albania, an Atheist country, and one of the poorest,is the only Nazi occupied country that sheltered all the
Jews within their borders and actively accepted all who came from other countries. Albania's population
mix is 70% Muslim, 20% Orthodox and 10% Catholic. Albanians take great pride in their religious
tolerance. They credit three things as the source of their good deeds, the Albanian tradition of Besa, the
Kanun, a codified body of laws and the Koran. The power of besa is epitomized in the spirit of Albania’s
Mother Teresa.
Page 1/3
Source: PRLog.Org - Global Press Release Distribution
Norman Gershman traveled extensively through the fledgling democracy of Albania for more than 4 years,
searching for families who opened their doors to strangers in desperate times, and what he found was a
culture dedicated to helping those in dire need. Yet, saving Jewish families and others from almost certain
death, to them was an integral part of their daily life. “Any Albanian would do this,” they would say. He
found that to be true. While Yad Vashem has designated some thirty Albanian families (63 people) as
Righteous Among Nations, Gershman has already found evidence of over 150 families who sheltered Jews
during the Nazi occupation, with many more accounts to be corroborated. Records from Albania now show
over 2000 lives were saved.
Five years ago, Gershman, who is Jewish, and has studied the Sufi tradition of Islam, traveled to Yad
Vashem in Jerusalem to gather information on the Righteous who are getting older, and little known about
them after their original recognition. Mordicai Paldial, then director of the Righteous Program at Yad
Vashem, opened his records for Gershman and piqued his interest in this small group from Albania and
Kosovo, Muslims Who Saved Jews. The Israeli – Albanian Friendship Association, founded by Jews
rescued in Albania guided him to The Albanian – Israeli Friendship Association who became his hosts and
living experience of the principles of Besa during his travels. Led by Professor Petrit Zorba, and using the
documentation and personal experiences of Professor Apostal Kotani, a noted scholar and partisan during
the war, Gershman has been able to visit and photograph over seventy Albanian families who rescued Jews
during World War II. Mustafa Rezniqi founder of the Kosovo-Israel Friendship society and one of the first
Kosovars actively being considered by Yad Vashem for Righteous status will be in attendance at opening
night at the UN as well as others who have either saved or been saved.
The UN show, sponsored by Yad Vashem shows Muslim families that have been designated as Righteous
Among Nations. This designation only comes about when initiated by a saved Jew, and indisputable proof
of rescue is presented. As Albania came under a strict and repressive communist dictatorship immediately
after the war, which continued for over 50 years, contact between rescuer and rescued was almost
impossible. There are many stories Gershman collected that end with “…and then all contact was lost. We
never heard from them again.” Followed by, “please help us find them so we can return items they left in
our trust”.
A more extensive show of the project and their stories (many of the 40 profiles came to light in the course
of Gershman’s research and not all designated as Righteous by Yad Vashem at this time) will open at
Hebrew Union College in New York in February of 2008, with a special opening February 28, 2008 and
will be exhibited for approximately 6 months. On April 14th, the 92nd Street Y will host Gershman and
Jason Williams of JWM Productions, the producer of the upcoming film, "God's House", scheduled to be
released in 2009, based on the work done by Gershman and The Eye Contact Foundation. A book about
the project is nearing completion and will be published in 2008 by Syracuse University Press. A preview
from the movie will be shown at the opening ceremonies and is available online at
http://www.eyecontactfoundation.org .
Gershman was assisted by photographer Stuart Huck. Both trained in the Ansel Adams tradition of fine
photography. Huck concentrated on the technical end while Gershman concentrated on creative portraiture.
Huck crafted a 25 minute movie about the project, utilizing only the still photographs they made in Albania.
Steve Kaufman, a videographer and television producer, also based in Basalt, recorded an interview with
Gershman (Gershman, Huck and Kaufman are the principals of The Eye Contact Foundation.) When
Gershman heard the story of the Weitzman family being rescued by King Zog from her daughter who lives
in Aspen, he flew to New York to interview and photograph Fritzy Owen (nee Weitzman), who, as a young
girl lived for 2 years sheltered under the umbrella of Besa. Elan Bogarin of JWM Productions videoed that
interview. Those three video pieces and the film introduction will be show at The 92nd Street Y. All of
Page 2/3
Source: PRLog.Org - Global Press Release Distribution
these videos, photographs and more information are available on the Eye Contact Foundation website,
http://www.eyecontactfoundation.org .
These exhibitions, which are designed to travel the world, were shot in black and white, fittingly chosen as
each of the subjects and their families understood that when it comes to saving a life, there can be no shades
of grey.
Contact : The Eye Contact Foundation
Norman Gershman (970) 927-1742 (970) 948-2282
Category Religion, Photography, Non Profit
Email Click to email author
Website http://www.eyecontactfoundation.org
Phone (970) 927-1742
Address 0529 Emma Road
City/Town Basalt
State/Province Colorado
Zip 81621
Country United States
Page 3/3

New York, New York

2008-01-27T23:15:00.000-08:00

While coming to New York in the winter, always has me thinking twice before I buy my ticket, there was no hesitation to come this time. New York is my home, and family always plays a large part in my time here, and I love seeing everyone, but this time, the excitement really is over the top as Norman Gershman's photographic exhibition, curated by Yehudit Shendar of Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, the Holocaust Remembrance Organization, is going to open Tuesday, January 29th at the United Nations!

Going back to Israel for the exhibition opening has really been a flash point in my life and the direction it is going. It was emotional, as it has been a long time since I was there, and being in Jerusalem where I lived when I went to Hebrew University and seeing how so much had stayed the same, yet so much had changed was inspirational. Massada, where my daughter was bat mitzvahed, brought back so many memories. Millenium were still etched in time and yet, like the wall, there was much new construction and an energy that was palpable.

Norman started The Eye Contact Foundation to ensure the legacy and continuation of his mission-finding, photographing and chronicling Muslims from Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro who saved countless lives at great personal danger. He looked through his lens into their eyes and was able to capture the essence of their souls.

After years of being turned down, Yad Vashem became ready, with a very generous endowment of Mr Sheldon Adelman's Foundation (of comdex and now the Mirage and Bellagio hotels fame) for a travelling show. With the door open, the trickle of interest started to flow and now suddenly, I was in Israel, meeting some of the most humble, ordinary, yet extraordinary individuals took on added dimensions. We find it hard to imagine that a secret so big, could survive for so long. It is my honor and privilege to know these people, and an even bigger honor to be chosen to share the powerful meaning of besa. I thought I understood, but not until these last few days when besa stepped out of the pages of emails and paragraphs into real life.

“A happy life is just a string of happy moments. But most people don't allow the happy moment, because they're so busy trying to get a happy life.” ~ Abraham-Hicks

Welcome to The World of Passionate Travel

2008-01-19T11:10:00.000-08:00

Finally! They say that the road to heaven is paved with good intentions (I always look at the bright side of things and infinite possibilities), and thanks to the inspirational examples of my fellow writers and the absolutely incredible and amazing people and things that are part of in my life, I know the time has come to share in a more meangingful way. (It also beats sending out lots of emails).

If you know me, you know that Passion is my life, whether it is as a person filled with NY energy tempered by Vancouver karma, a travel specialist in inspired pursuits, a photo journalist, a volunteer for community and world betterment, a devoted friend, family member and with a personal goal to make a difference in the world every day!

"Let Your Passions Be Your Guide" and the world becomes a better place for each and every one of us. This blog will hopefully help to give you, along with me, the vocabulary to learn how to ask those most important questions to ourselves and others. How do we make our world a better place and give our lives the meaning and experiences that will enrich us beyond our wildest imagination?

To those of you who inspire me daily and offer me opportunities to fulfill my destiny, thank you, and in turn I hope to share my connections with some of the most incredible people and worthy causes, in turn hoping to inspire others. To those of you who will perhaps find inspiration in some of the opportunities to combine your interests and passions with travel and create life experiences...let the journey begin.