Adios Mar del Plata, BA here we come!

Posted 5/31/2011

Hi everyone! Can’t believe the trip is halfway through! It seems like we’ve done so much and the trip could surely already be coming to a close as we finish our time in Mar del Plata, but Buenos Aires is coming up next....

Thursday night we had the pleasure of enjoying some gnocci and fettucinni with our new Argentinean amigos at Mar del Plata’s most “famous” restaurant—La Trattoria. It was a great opportunity to bond with them, and for those of us who speak Spanish, a great opportunity to practice our Castellano. We found that despite occasional language barriers and a few cultural differences, spending time with our Argentinean peers was like spending time with old friends. After dinner, we got to share a nightcap and some dancing at a local club, which fermented (lolz) our new-found amistad.

Friday we were up bright and early again to head back to SUIM and complete the work in the gym and upstairs classrooms that we had been doing over the past several days. Those of us who had not already gone on a home visit, went today. One group went to visit an elderly woman who lives at a geriatric institute in Mar del Plata. She was very hospitable and very kind to us, but it was clear from the start of our conversation that her detachment from the Jewish community was a source of great distress. As the only Jew living in the elderly home with limited means of getting to and from SUIM, she told us that she had no one to share Jewish holidays and services with. She reminisced about living in Buenos Aires where her father was a very respected rabbi, and where she was very involved in the Jewish community. She also told us how badly she wanted to move to L’Dor VaDor, the elderly home in Buenos Aires, which we will be visiting later this week.

The second group of students spent time with a family consisting of a woman paralyzed by arthritic pain and her two children, both of which have a genetically-inherited muscular degenerative disease. The family members’ combined pensions left them above the poverty line, but their situation was so dire that the JDC felt it called for special assistance.

During each visit, tensions were brought to light regarding the difficulties assessing need. For example, the elderly woman we visited could not understand why the JDC could not simply move her to LeDor VaDor. Another elderly client felt she should be receiving more assistance. We spent a group reflection discussing these issues later in the day with a JDC social worker who explained to us how complicated it is to try and distribute a limited amount of resources throughout an entire community in need.

Friday afternoon met us with some hard-earned relaxation and fun at La Casualidad. Activities en el campo ranged from human foosball and archery to a rock wall and a labyrinth. Barring a few mud stains and some good-natured trash talking, we all made it out and got to enjoy a traditional Argentinean asado. With our bellies full of steak, chicken, potatoes, humitas, ensalda, y fruta we climbed back on to the bus and headed back to the hotel to clean up and get ready for Shabbat.

Although services at SUIM were unlike those that many of us had experienced in our home communities they were still very meaningful and rich in Jewish tradition. Singing the same prayers we were accustomed to hearing at Tufts Hillel in Hebrew and Castellano was particularly interesting and surprisingly moving. It meant a lot that the community welcomed us so warmly and allowed us to share their weekly Shabbat service and a delicious post-services dinner prepared, of course, by Sussi - the head chef at SUIM and our adopted Bobe.

As a surprise, our fantastic trip coordinators arranged a delicious wine-tasting back at the hotel. We got to taste a selection of Argentina’s finest kosher wine, while learning about the art of wine-tasting for our very own sommelier, Naomi. The night finished up with a jolly old sing-a-long—notable favorites included Disney hits and Journey.

Some of us were fortunate enough Saturday morning to go to Mar del Plata’s white sand beach. Although it was too cold to go for a swim, Rabbi Ruttenberg led us in a guided meditation, which set the tone for a peaceful, reflective Shabbas day.

After spending a fun lunch with community members to whom we grew ever closer, we organized a fun filled afternoon with the Madrihim for many Jewish children who spend Shabbas at the JCC. With various ice breakers, scavenger hunts, childhood games, Israeli dances, and little discussions about Jewish identity in Argentina and the United States comparatively, we were able to keep the little ankle biters busy and had a great time ourselves, despite some of the rough housing that the little boys forced upon us.

Our time in Mar Del Plata ended with a beautiful Havdalah service. Once again, the fusion of familiar tradition with new languages and customs created an interesting ceremony that many of us Jumbos got to partake in. Following directly after, we inaugurated the gym with the entire community of SUIM. With ceremonial prayers and rituals, a ribbon cutting, even more snacks from Susi, as well as a display of Argentine free-throw skills, our work in Mar Del Plata came to a bittersweet close. Witnessing the joyous faces of the children playing on their refurbished court as well as the community members extending abrazos and besos to their new American friends, it was clear that our service not only had an impact on SUIM and Mar del Plata but also created long lasting relationships that have left a mark in Argentinean and American hearts alike. After swappig cell phone numbers and facebook information, we boarded the bus for Buenos Aires as our new extended family of the Jews in Mar Del Plata waved us off, feeling a mix of accomplishment, sadness, and excitement for the new adventures that the Capital city promises.

-Rebecca & Justin