Encounter

Encounter Programme

The Encounter programme is the premier educational programme of the DIJE. Encounter creates a context of holistic education in which grade 11 learners from King David are challenged and stimulated to think about, confront and connect to their Jewish heritage. It endeavours to connect the participants to their community, heritage and values.

Encounter is a programme, which is supported by the community. This is evident in that it relies on sixty volunteer counsellors, who commit their time to ensuring that the participants are cared for, challenged and exposed to the best that a Jewish life has to offer. Six Israeli counsellors are brought out to strengthen the participants’ connection to Israel and help them to understand more about their homeland.

Encounter is the highlight of the King David pupils’ educational career, both subjectively as the milieu facilitates the development of self growth, social awareness and spiritual connection; and objectively in that it creates a domain of conversation in which the participants are able to question, learn about and understand the relevance of Judaism in today’s modern world.

Encounter Highlights:

Encounter Sessions

The sessions on Encounter are the mainstay of the programme. All of the sessions involve lively debate and discussion on relevant topics. The sessions tackle pertinent Jewish themes and life issues and capture the imaginations of the learners that equip them for life.

Topics that are covered include:

Orientation
Defining my values
Making my thoughts and opinions my own

Jewish relationships

Sexuality and Judaism
Jewish mourning – a healing response
Family relationships

Belief in G-d

Israel – is G-d knocking on our door today
Israel – sights, smells and sounds of our beloved homeland
Israel – our connection

Bet Midrash sessions – the journey of Jewish learning

Tikkun Olam – healing the world

Interdating

Nisayon – an approach on why bad things happen to good people.

Taking Encounter Home with me – a practical guide.

Every morning the learners break into tefillah (prayer) groups. This intimate setting lets the learners come to understand the philosophy of prayer, as well as the opportunity to delve into the meaning and lessons of specific prayers, in order to make it more meaningful for themselves.

Chuggim

Chuggim are daily arts and crafts activities. Many of the chuggim enhance the Jewish theme of Encounter. Examples of these are tzitzit making, kippot art and challah cover painting. This draws out the learner’s creative energy and allows for a different forum to express themselves.

Shabbat

Shabbat is the climax of the programme. The programme builds up the entire week with Shabbat being the peak. An intimate Friday night meal in the rooms with the advisors, a tish, the Shabbat prayers and the incredible Shabbat atmosphere all add to the magic of an Encounter Shabbat.

Music

A renowned international musician is brought out every year to create a dynamic and palpable energy. The music does not only create an incredible vibe (ruach) but all the songs contain Jewish values and lessons as well. Many Jewish youth connect their Jewish identity to the unity, palpable energy and inspiration felt in a ruach session.

Advisors

A Dedicated team of young volunteers sacrifice a week of work and university to help bring young Jews closer to Judaism. The relationship that is created between advisor and learner is one of the most powerful tools that ensure the Encounter’s success.

Israel

A connection to Israel and Zionism is emphasised. A team of dynamic advisors come from Israel and infuse Encounter with a strong Israel feel.

Feedback

“Thank you to all of you at the DIJE, you guys truly inspired me. I’m at home now (the day after Encounter) and I’m just so happy. When I was at school this morning during prayers I noticed all the guys were praying and even the ones that weren’t didn’t make a noise to disturb anybody. It’s just amazing what you guys accomplished in one week. I think the DIJE is an integral part of the channichim’s lives and it would be an honour for me to one day to be an advisor. I know it is one day after Encounter and I am on a high (spiritual high) but I genuinely believe that your programme was a great success and I experienced such personal growth and such an intense pride and happiness.

The destruction of cliche’s was powerful.....I’ve seen the big picture. I’ve seen what life’s about and who people are. It’s given me so much inspiration and opportunities to build myself into a better person........I have become 100% more Jewish. Judaism is now something I enjoy, not something I dread...... The entire experience has enriched me. The issues discussed “hit the nail on the head.”

“I’ve been on many programmes such as encounter, Ulpan, 4 camps and many shabbatonim etc… and I definitely found this encounter to be the most thought provoking experience so far. I feel that encounter instilled in me a huge sense of pride to be Jewish.”

“My views on Judaism have changed. I have become more observant and spiritual. I view my life differently. It has more meaning now.”