© via Netzwerk Israel
As part of her scholarship, Iona Martijn spent a month with Hashomer Hatzair Deutschland e.V. in Berlin. The aim of her stay was to gain insights into the educational work of the movement and to prepare the summer camp for young people with a focus on peace.
Hashomer Hatzair is a progressive, secular Jewish youth organization that advocates for the rights and interests of children and young people. Through extracurricular education and anti-discriminatory pedagogy, Hashomer Hatzair pursues the goal of a free and just society. Jewish identity is lived in a secular way, based on culture, tradition, history, and religion. The organization offers a safe space and is committed to solidarity and justice.
During her stay, Ilona got to know the diverse work of the movement. She supported the Berlin team in their day-to-day organization and was heavily involved in the preparation and implementation of the summer camp. Together with the team, she designed workshops on getting to know each other, on “safer spaces,” and on the topic of neurodiversity. She was able to contribute her skills from her own youth work and explore new topics, such as in the workshop on neurodiversity.
Parallel to the seminar, Hashomer Hatzair Germany also held a series of events entitled “Peace in Judaism”, which dealt with peace-promoting Jewish perspectives on religion, society, and politics. Ilona was also able to play an active role here. At a Shabbat dinner, she led a discussion on humanistic aspects of Judaism. Shabbat—the day of rest—is strongly associated with peace in Judaism. Even the greeting “Shabbat Shalom” refers to this.
A special moment during her stay was the screening of the documentary film Holding Liat, which won an award at the Berlinale. The film tells the story of Israeli peace activist Liat Atzili, who was held captive by Hamas for 54 days. Together with her husband, who was also abducted and found murdered shortly before the event, she was part of Hashomer Hatzair in her youth. Ilona moderated a discussion after the screening – an emotional moment for her, as she had met Liat in person a few weeks earlier at a joint memorial event.
In addition to the intensive project work, Ilona was also able to get to know Jewish Berlin better – including the Bubbales puppet theater and the 7xjung educational center.
Ilona takes away a sense of community from her weeks at Hashomer Hatzair:
"During my last days at Hashomer Hatzair Germany and while we were having a preparatory seminar with the young people and many helpers, Israel attacked Iran and war broke out between the countries. That was one of the most difficult events most of us have ever experienced. Being together and surrounded by other Israelis, sharing the pain and being concerned together, was very supportive for everyone. This very painful experience made me realize the importance of community."
