PresenTense Institute

PICZ went on what we lovingly termed the anti-Hasbara Fellowship on Thursday--instead of beaches and historic sites, which seem to be the main content of many tours, we made our way straight into the, eh, garbage of Israel: the Dudaim Refuge plant to be specific. Nothing like meeting Israel's trashy problem face on to give the Fellows and our assorted guests from the Pardes Institute a good understanding of the challenges that face the Jewish People as we get used to sovereignty.

After Dudaim we were lucky enough to be hosted by two amazing projects, both started by, and run by, young Israeli social entrepreneurs: Or and Ayalim. It was like out of a dream--young communities developing a whole new world down there, under the broad desert sky. Romantic--and awesome.