Friday, January 26, 2007

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!!! - COMMUNITY SERVICE, FUN, CULTURE AND ECOLOGY IN ARGENTINA


Community Development Partners For The Americas, (CDPA), a Westchester, NY based organization, in conjunction with Jewish Community Centers in Argentina, invite Interfaith High School students to join us for a Summer of Community Service-Chesed, Culture, Ecology and Fun in Jewish Argentina. The Chesed Program Director is CDPA's president, Hune Margulies, Ph.D. (please see a short biographical note on Dr. Margulies at the bottom of the Application page.)

Following our previous years successful Summer Chesed Programs in Jewish Argentina, we are now accepting applications for Chesed 2007. We will travel to Argentina from July 18 to August 19, 2007.

Our Summer program combines chesed work in Buenos Aires, ecological adventures in the heart of magnificent mountains and glaciers, skiing and sailing, tours, trips, cultural interaction with the people of Argentina, learning, Spanish classes, Tango classes, social interaction with loa high school teens and many more fun, sports and recreational activities.

Students will experience first hand a sense of mission working on behalf of needy Argentinean Jews. Our participants will delight in the personal and warm friendships they will make with their peers and be an important part of the mission of helping to rebuild this proud and historic community.

Registration is now, and we urge you to apply early. Spaces are limited to a maximum of 50 participants. For more information please read the other links in this blog, and/or write to Hune margulies, Ph.D., Program Director, at CDPA@cdpa-americas.org, 914-833-7787. We will gladly meet in person with families and students and participate in parlor meetings.

The Interfaith Chesed '07 tuition for the entire Summer program, including round trip international air fare is only $4,757.00. After March 18, tuition will be 4,957.00. Tuition includes international round trip air fare, lodging, 3 meals a day, all tours and trips, all activities and all taxes (except for $18.00 passport tax payable at departure from Argentina).


I'd be happy to attend parlor meetings in your home and visit your schools and communities . Please follow the links to your right for more detailed information on the program.Thank you for considering us and I look forward to seeing you in Interfaith CHESED '07. Please visit the links to the right of this page. The Application and Registration forms can be found at the third link to the right. A more detailed description of the program can be found under the general information link to the right. You are most welcome to call us anytime at 914-833-7787 or send us an email at CDPA@cdpa-americas.org.

INFORMATION ABOUT OUR INTERFAITH SUMMER CHESED PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS


GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT OUR INTERFAITH SUMMER CHESED PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:
Chesed '07: Community Service, Culture, Ecology and Fun in Jewish Argentina.
July 18 - August 19, 2007

Our Summer Program enjoys three main unique characteristics:

1. CHESED: It is a program centered on community service. Young people from the US working together with other local highschoolers from the host communities to help needy Jews in Argentina.

2. CULTURE: It offer a rare opportunity to visit in an organized and methodic way with age-old local Argentinean communities.

3. ECOLOGY: It will take the campers into some of the most magnificent and wonderful natural wonders of Southern America.

And let's not forget FUN. Plenty of activities that are fun, entertainment, sports, music, theatre, dance and friendship..

In addition to that, we know from past experience and the letters of recommendation we write, that our community service program can help enhance the eligibility profile of students applying to top and elite universities.

The Interfaith Chesed '07 Program’s Mission:

The principal idea behind our travel program is to offer kids the opportunity to spend a meaningful and important Summer experience. Our program is a time for "applied" chesed work. Community service is combined with fun, ecology, learning, education, and with a variety of other activities related to culture, ecology and socializing. There is also a great deal of “fun” built in.

The ecology of the regions we will be traveling to are beyond compare, and the cultural richness of our local Gaucho, Indigenous, peasant and others communities is magnificent and inspiring.

We will have workshops run by local people in arts and crafts, Indigenous jewelry and archeology. We will study the history of Jewish migration to the Spanish speaking world. We will learn Argentine music, observe their dances and participate in many other enjoyable activities. We will have Spanish classes and Tango lessons. We will also visit 100 year old rural Jewish communities in the province of Entre Rios.

Our program takes the kids into the hearth of the community to aid the needy and accompany the elderly. We will also visit impoverished neighbors in villages and cities, as well as engage in other forms of aid to those who are being assisted by local Jewish communities, both Jewish and non-Jewish. Part of this program is to expose the students to the marvels and intricacies of organizing solidarity aid on a transnational basis.



Supervision: A Note to Parents and Students:

Our Summer program is a cultural trip in nature and in character. What this means is that participants are required to sign a code of ethics and behavior. We expect and will enforce a proper behavior and a right attitude throughout the entire trip. We will have with us counselors who will accompany the group throughout the entire trip and who will be responsible for assisting with all aspects related to the content of the program. Participants should anticipate that supervision will be taken very seriously. The safety, health, welfare and well being of our students is our paramount responsibility.

With regards to the use of alcohol, tobacco, drugs or other inappropriate behavior, our program will implement a zero tolerance policy. No behavior unbecoming a member of our group will be tolerated. This applies to relations between the students and the staff, the students amongst themselves, and the students and the people we will encounter and interact with in Argentina. Campers agree that in the event of a violation to the code of ethics and behavior, they will face possible expulsion from the program at their parents sole expense and responsibility.

Where and When, Our Itinerary:

The program will commence on July 18 and end on August 19, 2007. (arriving in NY on August 20)

During the first leg of the trip we will travel to exciting and sophisticated Buenos Aires. From there we will travel to other magnificent parts of Argentina. We will visit with our fellow Jewish friends and participate in their communal activities.

The city of Buenos Aires, during the middle of the 2Oth Century, was home to more than 500,000 Jews. Argentina is still home to a vibrant, committed and proud Jewish community of close to 150,000 souls. The city itself is one of the most exciting cultural and architectural urban centers in the world and the cultural capital of Latin America.

During our stay in Buenos Aires we will work and visit with a number of JCCs, synagogues and Jewish schools. We will join with them in community service work and community service activities. We will work with the JCCs in a variety of chesed tasks: we will pack and deliver meals to impoverished and isolated elderly, we will help sort and distribute clothing and medical supplies, we will gather and distribute toys for kids, we will visit and help repair the campus of the Jewish old-folks home of Bursaco in the outskirts of the city. Bursaco is the first and most important home for the poor Jewish elderly in Jewish Latin America. We will also visit and meet local high school kids and spend time with them in a variety of cultural and sporting activities.

We begin our program in the capital city, Buenos Aires, and from there we will travel to owe-inspiring mountains and glaciers. We will ski, sail and hike the magnificent surroundings. We will get to know the peoples who live in those mountain highs. We will enjoy daily eco-adventures in breathtaking snow and ice mountains, and we will also enjoy a choice of various other winter sports. From the mountains, we will travel East across the country to visit pre-century rural Jewish communities (Jewish Gauchos) founded by the Baron de Hirsch in the Province of Entre Rios, North of Buenos Aires.

Our local counterparts are very experienced and very engaged in the work of providing extensive service and solidarity engagement with neighborhood dwellers and poor peasants. The Jewish communities in Argentina are active in extensive chesed work, much within itself, but also on behalf of others as well. Argentina was a pioneer in the creation and maintenance of active networks of internal mutual-aid. Our program will bring our kids together with their counterpart peers in Argentina, and as a group, engage in joint work activities, tours, socializing and learning.


One of exciting parts of this trip is our ability to interact in an organized manner with a variety of very diverse and beautiful local cultures. Educationally, this will be an experience our kids would not normally be able to pursue on their own. The local Jewish communities are deeply involved in issues such as housing, nutrition, environment and other subjects (even English teaching), and we will be able to integrate ourselves into these activities. At the same time the ecology of the surroundings and the culture of the local peoples are extraordinary. We will visit the snowy Andes mountains, many different species of fauna and flora, volcanoes (from the outside..), lakes, glaciers, animals in their natural habitat, and from atop the Andes glance into neighboring Chile.

Our friends in Argentina are very eager and happy to have us over. We will be staying at safe, sanitary, pleasant, comfortable and licensed lodging facilities. The lodging will be at properties registered and supervised by the local Tourism Ministries and regularly inspected by tourism and health officials.

(Important Note: the actual itinerary is subject to change in consideration of climatic conditions and other considerations beyond the control of the program director and the Interfaith chesed '07 staff).



A few words about safety:

As a general statement, every one of our tours contains a strong component of security and safety. This is obviously very important to us and also, on a personal note, I often bring my own kids to the trips. Foreign travel is not without risk, bit this trip is not a risky one. For the purposes of this program to Argentina, we will have two separate sets of security arrangements. As we travel and transfer, we will have a team of security guards traveling with us from place to place. On the ground, in addition to our permanent security guards, each Jewish community has in place its own very elaborate system of internal security, including security guards posted at the entrances and coordination with the central conference of Jewish communities of Argentina. As we work and do activities with the communities, we will fall under their existing security umbrella. In addition to that, it is my practice to send notifications to the police precincts along our routes and to send daily email updates to the American consulates. We exercise caution and common sense and we trust our local hosts, security guards, community centers and other experts to guide us in a safe and reliable manner.

Tuition:

The tuition for the entire trip, including international round trip air fare NY-Buenos Aires-NY, lodging, 3 meals a day, all ground transfers and transportation, all chesed activities on the ground, all the tours and trips, and all the cultural and ecological programs, is only $4,757.00. Deadline for applications is March 18, 2007.


Registration:

Please carefully review the registration forms, the financial information, the code of ethics and behavior and the release forms. Please include a short essay telling us about yourself and explaining why you have chosen to join a Summer chesed program. Please review, complete and return all the forms to us together with a non-refundable application fee check of $400.00 payable to: Community Development Partners for the Americas, LLC, 203 Rockingstone Ave. Larchmont, NY 10538.


Please do not hesitate to call or write should you require any additional information. We can be reached by phone at 914-833-7787 or by email at CDPA@cdpa-americas.org

SUMMER INTERFAITH CHESED PROGRAM APPLICATION

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Please print, complete, sign and return the application forms to: CDPA, 203 Rockingstone Ave. Larchmont, NY 10538. 914-833-7787. CDPA@cdpa-americas.org. (Personal Information, Code of Ethics, Release Form)
2. Include a non-refundable application fee check of $400.00. Make checks payable to: Community Development Partners for the Americas, LLC.
3. Include a short essay telling us about yourself and the reasons you have chosen to join a Summer Interfaith Chesed program.
4. Include three photocopies of the first page of the traveler’s passport
5. Include a copy of your health insurance card, back and front.

APPLICATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN INTERFAITH CHESED '07

PART 1: PERSONAL INFORMATION

Full Name:
Date of Birth:
Gender:
Social Security Number:
School:
Home Address:
City: State: Zip code: Country:
Home Phone: Cellular Phone :
Students email:
Father’s email
Mother’s email
School Phone and name of Guidance Counselor
Country of Residence:
Place of Birth:
Citizenship:
Passport Number :
Passport Expiration Date:
Health Insurance Carrier:
Name of Insured:
Policy Number:
Father’s Name:
Mother’s Name:
Parents address and phone number (if different from permanent above):

Emergency Contact Name:
Phone Number:
Email address:

Please provide us with a brief explanation as to special circumstances or concerns: (special diets, health issues, disabilities, etc.). Please describe in detail. All information is strictly confidential and it will be used solely for the purpose of arranging for special services as needed.



➢ Previous international travel:
➢ Do you know Spanish? Hebrew? Other?
➢ Need Special Diets?
➢ Taking Medications?
➢ Allergies?
➢ Health Issues?
➢ Disabilities?

PART 2: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Method of payment: Check, Money Order, Cash, Partial Credit Card payments allowed. Total Cost: The tuition for the entire Chesed Program is $4,757.00 only all inclusive. Make checks payable to: Community Development Partners For the Americas, LLC. 203 Rockingstone Avenue. Larchmont, NY 10538. 914-439-7731.


PART 3: ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS

Total Cost: The tuition for the entire Interfaith Summer Chesed Program is $4,757.00 only. The tuition includes international round trip air fare (from NY), all lodging, three daily meals and snacks, all special meals, all domestic air and ground transfers, all entrance fees, all cultural, social and touring activities, all program related activities, all social and entertainment events and materials. Price does not include airport taxes. (presently $18.00 airport tax payable at departure from Argentina)

Deadline: Last date for receipt of applications is March 18, 2007. Full payment must be received by that date. After that date, depending on availability, tuition will be $4,957.00

Cancellations: Depending on airline, hotels, buses and other supplier’s policies. After receipt of application a voucher for your deposit will be issued and e-mailed.

Please Make all checks payable to: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS FOR THE AMERICAS, LLC. 203 Rockingstone Avenue. Larchmont, NY 10538, USA. Tel: 914-833-7787 / 914-439-7731. Email: CDPA@cdpa-americas.org.

PART 4: CODE OF ETHICS:

Code of Ethics and Behavior. Please fill in your name in the spaces provided.

• I, ,the participant in the trip to Argentina, July 18-August, 19 2007, agree to abide by the code of conduct of the sponsoring organization, CDPA, and the code of conduct of the school in which I am pupil. I agree that any deviation from this code of conduct will result in my immediate dismissal from the program. I agree that dismissal for reasons of conduct will result in possible damages to CDPA and that the return to my country of origin will be at my parent’s exclusive and sole expense. I agree that the well being of the group as a whole will be the paramount consideration that will guide my behavior during the trip. In the event of a dispute, final arbitration of conduct will solely rest with the sponsors.

• I, ,understand and agree that during the course of the trip, I will not be allowed to use alcohol, tobacco products, any illegal drugs, or generally behave in any way unbecoming a member of the Interfaith Chesed program. I understand that failure to comply will result in my immediate expulsion form the program at my parents exclusive and full expense.

• Travelers are required to consult with their Medical Doctors concerning any issues related to immunizations, medications to take to the trip or other personal health concerns. Travelers are required to submit in writing ahead of the trip any requests for special medical services. Travelers are required to disclose to the organizers any special disabilities, diet requirements or psychological concerns so as to be able to arrange in advance for the provision of special services as required. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in potential damages to the travelers, the group and CDPA. please initial here:

I read the application and the code of conduct and liability and agree to abide by its requirements.

Name of traveler:
Signature: Date:


Father’s name: Mother’s name:
Signature: Signature:
Date: Date:


PART 5: WAIVER AND RELEASE:

Release executed on the___day of __________ , 200 __ , by ________________ (the 'Traveler Releasor') , resident of__________________________________________to CDPA (the 'Releasee').

I, the Releasor, in consideration of being permitted to participate in the Interfaith Chesed Trip to Argentina, scheduled for July 18, 2007 - August 19, 2007, and run and/or operated by the Releasee, waive, release, and discharge the Releasee, its owners, officers, directors, employees, members, agents, assigns, legal representatives and successors, and all business associates and partners involved in the presentation of the above noted activity and each of them their owners, officers and employees, and any other people officially connected with this event from all liability for or by reason of any damage, loss or injury to person and property, even injury resulting in the death of the Releasor, which has been or may be sustained in consequence of the Releasor's participation in the activity described above, and notwithstanding that such damage, loss or injury may have been caused solely or partly by the negligence of the Releasee. I am aware of the risks of participation. I understand that participation in this program is strictly voluntary and I freely chose to participate. I understand that the Releasee does not provide medical coverage for me. I verify that I will be responsible for any medical costs I incur as a result of my participation


Date:
Name of Traveler:
Name of Parent:
Name of Parent:


Signature of Traveler
Signature of Parent
Signature of Parent



Brief Bio:

Dr. Hune Margulies is the Director of The Martin Buber Institute for Dialogical Ecology. Hune is the founder of CDPA, Community Development Partners for the Americas, an organization engaged in cultural preservation, environmental awareness, community formation and cooperative economic programs within Indigenous and working class regions of Latin America. For a number of years, Hune served as a Deputy Commissioner in the Division of Housing and Community Renewal in the State of New York. As a component program of his work in Latin America, Hune organizes and conducts study tours to Indigenous communities and to ecological sites throughout the continent. Hune recieved a Ph.D. from Columbia University, an MA in Philosophy from Fordham University and an MA from Hunter College. Hune is writing a book on the Philosophy and Principles of Dialogical Ecology. (http://buber-zen-the-between.blogspot.com, http://westchesterhavurah.blogspot.com). Hune is married to Dr. marian Wiener-Margulies, a licensed child Psychologist and has three children, Amos, Hadas and Isaiah.