American Corner Yaffo




		Picture Gallery
			Elections: ACY prepared an information board about the US elections for the benefit of the community, depicting information about Obama and McCain and the ways they address various issues such as Economy, International Relations, and Education. The visitors could also learn why the Democrat is a donkey and the Republican an elephant, together with descriptions of each Presidential, Vice Presidential and First Lady Candidates. Halloween: In honor of Halloween, the ACY invited children from the neighborhood to bring Halloween to life here in Israel. The children took part in the autumn festivities and came to the celebration dressed in costume! They bobbed for apples and even went trick-or-treating in the community center. The American volunteers brought the holiday spirit and shared their childhood memories of Halloween on the USA. American Sports: The American Sports club meets weekly to enjoy various games that come from the American culture. They participants learn about and play many games that American children enjoy in schools all over the US , from American football, softball and dodge ball to Frisbee and even kick-the-can! American football and Frisbee have been especially popular. American Artists: The ACY?s Art Club enjoyed a session about American Artists. The children had a chance to get familiar with different styles of American art, using artworks taken from an American Art Calendar. They learned about names of the American artists and which states they come from, while enjoying their artwork. They had a lot of fun creating their own frames, attachments, or simply adding to the pictures and photographs they chose. On July 1st, American folk music performers “Old Gray Goose International” appeared before a large and enthusiastic audience of folk music lovers, dancers and members of the community. The audience heard a variety of well known American folk songs, requested their favorites, and sang along with the band. Later, they learned some old time American folk dances, and danced to the music of the Old Gray Goose Intl. On July 3, Old Gray Goose International preformed for the campers at ACY's English summer camp. The kids sang along and danced together with the members of the folk music group. Everyone enjoyed the programs tremendously! In honor of the Fourth of July (Independence Day for the US), children from the English summer camp learned about the symbols and history of the USA and later prepared their own versions of the American flag. The colorful results were both interesting and creative! April 15 - Headmasters, teachers and social workers from Tel Aviv-Yaffo and its surroundings came to the American Corner Yaffo to take part in a three-way DVC with school safety expert Kenneth Trump (in the US) and the American Corner in Beer-sheva. During the session, Mr. Trump and the audience discussed ways of increasing safety in the school environment, avoiding violence and solving problems. On August 28, 7th and 8th grade students from the Ajial High School participated in an interactive activity focused on the American Corner and the city of Yaffo. The students worked together and prepared an English advertisement on Yaffo by using information, pictures and tourist attractions they found on the internet and in books/magazines. They then presented their work to the entire class. On August 5, 2008, famous American singer Macy Gray visited the American Corner Yaffo and the AJCC. Center director, Mr. Ibrahim Abu Shindi, introduced Ms. Gray to the activities and programs that take part in the corner and the center. Later the kids from the center performed a few songs for her and together they played the Darbuka drums. On March 26, Folk solo singer and songwriter, James Durst performed for an audience of 30 Jewish and Arab students from AMAL Max Fine High School and Muzot Art School at the American Corner Yaffo. Durst performed several American classics, and encouraged the audience to join in by clapping, humming, and singing along to the chorus. As most of the students had never heard folk music before, Durst impressed them by performing a few songs in Hebrew and Arabic. On March 16, filmmakers Jerrold Kessel and Pierre Klochendler had a follow-up meeting with youth from the Arab-Jewish leadership group at the ACY for the screening of "We Too Have No Other Land", a film is about the struggle of the soccer team from the Arab town Sachnin, who won the Israeli national cup. After the screening the group participated in a discussion about the making of the film and the issue of minorities. On January 31, filmmakers Jerrold Kessel and Pierre Klochendler met with youth from the Arab-Jewish leadership group at the ACY for a special screening of "We Too Have No Other Land", a film is about the struggle of the soccer team from the Arab town Sachnin, who won the Israeli national cup. After the screening the group participated in a discussion about the making of the film and the issue of minorities. On Monday, January 7, the reading club for 9-11 year old children met for a program on American Rock and Hip Hop Music. The children listened to two songs, “Sweet Home Alabama”, and “Jump” performed by American bands and then discussed the meaning of the songs and some of the difficult words. The group was later asked to write individual Rap/Hip Hop songs. The children had a great time, and new talents were discovered. On February 4, Deputy Cultural Affairs Officer Zeba Reyazuddin addressed a group of 15 Muslim and Christian Arab women at the American Corner Yaffo. The ACAO discussed "Muslim Life in America" and spoke about her life and career as a diplomat. ON FEBRUARY 13, JANICE HARRINGTON, RICK COTTON, AND FONTAINE BURNETTE CONDUCTED A WORKSHOP ON BLACK HISTORY AND PERFORMED IN FRONT OF A FULL ROOM AT THE AMERICAN CORNER YAFFO/ARAB-JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER YAFFO. Through the "Art in Embassies" program, American artist Ms. Sheila Kramer conducted a highly successful workshop with a mixed group of 5th grade pupils at the American corner in Yaffo. Ms. Kramer’s effective, hands-on print-making workshop was an excellent vehicle to promote inter-group understanding across cultures. Just as importantly, her workshop demonstrated simple and inexpensive teaching methods that teachers and students could adopt at their own schools. Ms. Kramer generously left remaining art materials for the use of students visiting the Corner in the future. Consular Officer Andy Sisk orchestrated a superb cultural program by inviting two American stars in Israel's "Women's National Basketball Association" to address a group of 30 Israeli Arab high school students at the American Corner in Jaffa. English Language Fellows ("ELF's") Carol Foye and Dana Poole conducted programs at the American Corners in Yaffo and Beersheva in honor of International Education Week. Tamar Alon, Director of the American Corner Yaffo conducts a program on "How well do you know the U.S.A" with a group of 6 graders from the French School in Yaffo. U.S. elected officials from the American Jewish Committee visit the American Corner Yaffo, and participate in a program on the United States for junior high school students. On October 1 the Jordanian Ambassador met with a group of Israeli Arab and Israeli Jewish 17-18 year old students, leaders in their communities, who participated in a special workshop organized by the Arab Jewish Community Center in Yaffo. Arab and Jewish youth visit the American Corner Yaffo (ACY) to commemorate this year's 231st celebration of American independence Arab and Jewish youth come together to enjoy the screening of "Shrek" at the American Corner Yaffo. Shiry Price, former American Corner Yaffo Director, presents an English lesson to Arab and Jewish youth. DVD and books from the ACY were used as teaching aids. Bringing together people of different cultures increases understanding and knowledge, and benefits all nations. Meeting with Writer and Senior Fulbright Scholar Bret Lott at the American Corner Yaffo : Remembering the Victims of 9/11 At Our American Corners IASP ALUMNUS PRESENTS PRIZE WINNING FILM AT THE AMERICAN CORNER YAFFO American Indian Cindy La Marr, Director of Capital Area Indian Resources, Inc., California shares experiences with young Ethiopian high school students at the American Corner Yaffo Ambassador Jones visits the American Corner Yaffo (ACY) and hosts "Victor J. Goldberg IIE Prize for Peace in the Middle East" Ceremony at the Arab Jewish Community Center Yaffo -- Thursday, June 22 Local students debate affirmative action as part of civil rights discussion at American Corner Yaffo Jews and Arabs gather at American Corner Yaffo (ACY) for a multimedia presentation on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. March 22, 2006 PD Tel Aviv hosted a DVC in honor of Black History and Women's History Month on "Empowerment of Women: Small Business - Big Success," on February 8, 2006 PD Tel Aviv Opened Its Third American Corner, Serving the Jewish and Arab Populations of Yaffo and Tel Aviv. Deputy Consul General, Rhonda Watson, addresses a group of Arab Access microscholarship students at the American Corner Yaffo on Thursday, February 23, 2006