July 23: Toronto's Impact in Eilat-Eilot (Sabrina Craig)

July 23, 2013

Blog Author: Sabrina Craig

After a night of meeting parents and our first night at host homes, our group went to Yotvata and learned how Toronto was a partner in the development of Eilat's renewable energy initiatives. Then we proceeded to the local high school where some of the Eilat Diller Fellows attended. There we participated in various activities that showcased the school's unique renewable energy program. In the summer it serves as a learning center for such education and it was nice to discover that it was sponsored by the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. The group discussed how the heat and sun can help water heating and electricity and water systems.

From there we were picked up by all-terrain jeeps which climbed the Eilat through the mountains before stopping at an active copper quarry.This was probably my favourite part as I had found the most interesting copper rock specimens - I picked up a few cool rocks. The Jeeps dropped the group off at a specilized reserve IDF base in Eilat and were shown briefed on their missions and the tactics and measures in place to ensure civilian safety. We also got an exciting opportunity to pose with some very high tech (of course, unloaded) weapons.

The group then had lunch at the Eilat campus of Ben Gurion University. We were then whisked away to a VIP tour of the Yoseftal Hospital with Dr. Arad -- (Eilot Fellow, Nadav's father) the Head of the hospital. Our tour in the hospital included a briefing on Yoseftal's pressurized chamber treatments and a unique behind the scenes look at the new Emergency Department (currently under construction - see adjacent picture) - also sponsored by the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto! Dr. Arad was proud to announce that the new wing of the hospital would now have an ED with more than 8 in-patient beds and could now compfortably serve over 55000 patients in total per year.

For dinner the group had a Welcome Dinner with the Mayor of Eilat,  and the Ministry of Tourism for Israel, as well as the C.O.O of the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, Charlene Arje. But by far my most favourite part of the day was after the formal dinner -- the pool party in the adjacent community pool! Overall an amazing day that showcased just how truly incredible the Toronto+Eilat/Eilot partnership really is!