|
Ellen Greenfield
Jerusalem, Israel
From Jerusalem, Certified Teacher Ellen Greenfield sends an update on introducing the Turning Memories Into Memoirs® workshops to her adopted country:
"The first workshop is right here in my own neighborhood, at the Moadon GiL Hazahav (The Golden Age Club--a municipality-funded senior center). Presently, there are 13 participants--enthusiastic participants I may add. It is all women who have emigrated here from various English-speaking countries, with wonderful, interesting stories to tell. It almost feels like they are all full-term pregnant with their stories, and I am merely the skilled midwife bringing them out to the world. It's so rewarding to witness the sense of accomplishment they feel.
"The second workshop is being given at a nearby Senior Residential Facility called the Tamir Hotel. Although we've only begun, I'm noticing the same phenomenon as the first one. People are really welcoming the opportunity to learn how to record their life experiences and share them with others. The group dynamics as people bond on the level of past successes, challenges, etc. are, well, a gift to witness and be part of.
"Finally, I will be presenting a brief one and half hour workshop to a group of foreign diplomats later this month. While they may need some direction and tips on how to record their stories, they know that they are interesting. It will be quite different than my first two workshops in terms of people and content. This group will be much more focused on their colorful professional lives, as opposed to the wider scope of topics in community workshops."
|