From March 14-22, 2010, 25 students from Hillels at the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Houston, and the University of North Texas will volunteer with the Jewish communities of Buenos Aires and Basavilbaso, Argentina.

After 3 hours at the Dallas airport, 10 hours in flight, 4.5 hours on the bus, and 3 empanadas, we finally made it to our first destination in Argentina: Basavilbaso.

We joined our Argentine fellows and visited one of the first synagogues, cemetery, and Jewish schools in Argentina. We learned about the history of Jewish immigration from Europe to Argentina. It was great listening to personal accounts from family members of the founders of the Argentine community.

Afterwards we went to one of Argentina’s several JCC’s to have dinner and learn more about the economic meltdown of 2001 and how the JDC and community members responded.

Even though our spirits want us to go out tonight and enjoy our time in Argentina, our bodies have forced us to call it a night since a long day of painting awaits us tomorrow.

Buenas noches,

Alan, Aaron, and Josh

From March 14-22, 2010, 25 students from Hillels at the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Houston, and the University of North Texas volunteered with the Jewish communities of Buenos Aires and Basavilbaso, Argentina.