tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19596698373735366832024-03-13T12:37:15.854-07:00Temple Adat Elohim's Trip to Israel 2015 with Cantor David and FamilyDavid Shukiarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978415102065674198noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959669837373536683.post-21697963479778063642015-07-06T12:50:00.001-07:002015-07-07T01:36:39.805-07:00Why We Are Here<div>As I sit here in our apartment in Amsterdam, I am reflecting on what we have experienced. It will not be easy to capture what I am feeling, but I will do my very best to share this extraordinary day with you all. I apologize in advance for the length of this post.</div><div><br></div><div>For you to fully understand the intense emotion we have experienced during our last 24 hours in Amsterdam I need to take you back about 2 years ago as Carly was preparing to become a bat mitzvah. </div><div><br></div><div>As many of you know, as a part of our b'nai mitzvah program I invite all of our students to participate in the Remember Us Program, wher our students are twinned with a child whose life was taken at the hand of the Nazis before having the chance to be called to the Torah as a bar or bat mitzvah themselves. It is meant to help heighten the meaning of the service for our students, as they learn that their becoming a bar or bat mitzvah is not just about them, but about them helping to solidify Judaism long into the future. It helps our students to realize how lucky they are to be living in a place and at a time where being Jewish is really easy, and where it is really easy to take Judaism for granted. When I give a student the name of a lost child, I always encourage them to try to find living relatives when possible. Most of the time their search is empty, as complete families were wiped out at the hands of the Nazis. Other times all living relatives have lived their natural lives and passed away at an advanced age. For these TAE bar and bat mitzvah students the act of remembering is made even more important when they realize that they are the only person remembering this child, and the responsibility of saying Kaddish on their behalf becomes more apparent. There are a few occasions where a connection is made, and I have been so proud to see these connections strengthen our student's Jewish identity through their interaction with their Remember Us child.</div><div><br></div><div>As Carly was preparing for her big day she wanted to participate in this program. She pulled the name of Sophia van Hasselt. Sophia was born on April 20, 1933 in the Netherlands and died at Auschwitz on February 12, 1942 at the age of nine years old. Attached to her file we're some photos, including the one below.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yz7vFG6RdiM/VZreOYIQK6I/AAAAAAAABEk/YVL3swrh7uE/s640/blogger-image--1757249360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yz7vFG6RdiM/VZreOYIQK6I/AAAAAAAABEk/YVL3swrh7uE/s640/blogger-image--1757249360.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Carly instantly connected to Sophia's spirit and mischievousness seen in her eyes and smile. She seemed to have a certain spunk about her that Carly really related to. We knew who her father and mother was and looked up her profile on the Yad VaShem website in the database for Shoah victims. We learned that her cousin, Sara Kirby, inputted her information into the database. We immediately began a search for Sara. We tried Facebook, no luck. We googled Sara Kirby and got literally thousands of pages to search through. We started on page one and went entry by entry with no luck. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Page two... Same story.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On page three we saw something interesting... There was a link to Sara Kirby through dutchjewery.org. Hmmmmm... Could this be the right Sara? Carly and I sent an email to the president of this organization. When we hit send an excited feeling came over us, and then we waited.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">About thirty minutes later, we received an email from the president, saying that indeed this WAS the Sara we were looking for and that he had already forwarded our email to her (she was his assistant!!!) and we would hear from her very soon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The next morning we were greeted with a long email from Sara, overcome with happiness that Carly was remembering her Fietje (Sophia's nickname). Sara and Sophia were first cousins, and thus began a connection that would impact not just Carly, but all of our lives forever. We learned about how Sara was just a baby during the war, and how her family hid her with another family to avoid her being deported. We learned how this family, so unselfishly took her in and cared for her at great personal risk. Sara sent us pictures of Sophia and her family, all of them killed during the war. We saw photos of the house the van Hasselt family lived in in Waskemeer, in the north of Holland. Here is one of those pictures.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bxbODagQEO8/VZrbvoyPh6I/AAAAAAAABDg/vh4o-rLYc8A/s640/blogger-image--532123519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bxbODagQEO8/VZrbvoyPh6I/AAAAAAAABDg/vh4o-rLYc8A/s640/blogger-image--532123519.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The house is at the right of the picture, and the building to the left of it was a school where Sophia's father served as the head master. We learned that the school was named in his honor, and Carly even made a connection with the head master and the 5th grade class through the exchange of emails. Indeed Sophia succeeded in enhancing Carly's bat mitzvah experience in so many ways, and we consider Sara a part of our family.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As we were planning for our trip to Israel Leasa and I talked about the possibility of going to Amsterdam after the tour ended to go and see where Sophia grew up. I sent a note to Sara and she was so happy to meet us there (she lives in Cambridge) and she connected us with Alledien, the lady whose family now lives in the house Sophia lived in. And so, after lots of planning our meeting was set. We would fly to Amsterdam and rent a car and drive the two hours north to Waskemeer to meet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It is hard to anticipate a meeting like this. First of all was the logistical issues of driving in a foreign country to a place pretty remote. Secondly, we felt like Sara was part of our family, but how would we spend the day with a stranger, in the home of another family of strangers where the only connection we shared was a family who lived in the house more than 70 years ago? As our trip approached, we became more excited and felt more trepidation as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On Sunday, July 5, our family woke up extra early and took the bus and train to the airport where our rental car was waiting for us. After confirming that the GPS we rented would indeed give us direction in English we were on our way. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">One scary thing was that no one, and I mean NO ONE in Amsterdam has ever heard of Waskemeer. It made us feel like it was not a real place, until we inputted the address of the house into the GPS and it found it. Phew!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The drive through Holland was beautiful with long, green fields along each side of the road, with lots of cows, horses and sheep grazing lazily as we drove past. Because we really had no idea of where we were going, we left lots of extra time so we would not arrive late. In reality we arrived an hour early, which gave us time to explore Waskemeer and the adjacent villages. All of the streets were made with brick and not asphalt, and the homes were beautiful with lush gardens surrounding them. It looked like a really nice place to raise a family. It made us think, if no one in Amsterdam knew of Waskemeer how did the Nazis know? And why would they care about one Jewish family living in this out of the way place?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">As the GPS took us to our destination we discovered that we were driving on a street called Meester van Hasselweg. Not only was the school named after Sophia's father, but so was the street in which they used to live. It was stirring to see his name on the sign of the street.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And then we pulled up to Sophia's house. How can I possibly explain how it felt to be here, where this family lived? We were all overcome with emotion. We had stared and studied the photos of the home so many times before and now we were actually standing there. We could see the canal built in front of the house used to deliver milk from the factory that used to be there. We could almost see Sophia and her sister Hermi playing in front of the house. It was a moment of recognition for us that we had reached our destination in our pilgrimage that started two years earlier with the drawing of a name and an email. We were here. And we were more connected to Sophia than we could ever imagine.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G2WZrMpw8L8/VZrbyj4t2CI/AAAAAAAABDw/o6PoCOSQl7o/s640/blogger-image--85929940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G2WZrMpw8L8/VZrbyj4t2CI/AAAAAAAABDw/o6PoCOSQl7o/s640/blogger-image--85929940.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We spent a few minutes inside the house with Alledien and her family before Sara arrived (even with driving around we still managed to arrive about 15 minutes early). Alledien and her family welcomed us with open arms and answered all of our many, MANY questions about the house. And then there was a knock at the door and in walked Sara and her husband, Tony. To watch Sara and Carly hugging each other brought tears to our eyes. Here she was hugging the closest thing we can ever get to Sophia in the very house she lived in. We were overcome. We learned about the renovation that Alledien and her family did to the house and how they preserved as much of the original materials as possible. To place my hands on the doors used by Sophia's family, to eat at the table made from the original floor boards from Sophia's house, to walk the original wooden stairs was more meaningful than words could ever express.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here is a picture of Sara with Carly. The first words out of her mouth was acknowledging how much Carly has grown since her bat mitzvah!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oMfYZJg_NSw/VZrb5fDFWwI/AAAAAAAABEQ/aUbmpZnK8qA/s640/blogger-image-1815184123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oMfYZJg_NSw/VZrb5fDFWwI/AAAAAAAABEQ/aUbmpZnK8qA/s640/blogger-image-1815184123.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sara shared with us more about her story, and the fact that her hiding brother just passed away last year. To hear her talk about her hiding family brought me back to our Israel trip and our visit to Yad Vashem. Would Leasa and I have the courage to take in a child and hide them knowing that we were putting our own children at risk should we get caught? Sara shared with us a book she had made (she gave us a copy) that traces the lineage of her family. There were page after page of family trees, showing all of her relatives, both close and distant. Looking through the book at the names was very emotional as we could see when everyone was born and the fact that so many died in 1942, 43 or 44 at one of the death camps. From her father's side of the family Sara was the only survivor. The only one. How many dreams were lost, how many children with so much to live for were not given the chance? The reality of it was overwhelming. It made us feel good to know that Carly, in some small way, was keeping the memory of this family alive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We took a walk to the school (it is in a new location) that bears the van Hasselt name.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FiWYk1PyEog/VZrb38cwz4I/AAAAAAAABEI/36bM7bQGypU/s640/blogger-image--1058357159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FiWYk1PyEog/VZrb38cwz4I/AAAAAAAABEI/36bM7bQGypU/s640/blogger-image--1058357159.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zVa6GQsn2tk/VZrb63aCHJI/AAAAAAAABEY/oam0I6lDV-w/s640/blogger-image--733443290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zVa6GQsn2tk/VZrb63aCHJI/AAAAAAAABEY/oam0I6lDV-w/s640/blogger-image--733443290.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Below is the plaque that dedicates the school to Simon van Hasselt. How moving to see it in person. The head master of the school came in on a Sunday, during the first weekend of summer vacation to open up the school so we could see it. As we toured the school Alledien brought out box after box or archives for us to look through. We were amazed that someone had the foresight to save EVERYTHING to preserve the memory of the school. We found the book of poems Sophia's dad wrote and all of the record of absent children dating back to 1920. It was pouring through history. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We were also really touched to learn that every year on November 5 the school kids mark Simon van Hasselt's birthday with a special program where they all get apples and that there is a special memory day where they gather to read his poems and learn of what happened to the van <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Hasselt family. We were so moved to learn of these steps to remember a Jewish family, and to acknowledge the impact he had on so many children. One of the most moving parts was when Sara read a letter Simon wrote to the school after he was forced to leave about how it looked like he and his family would be going to a camp where food was scarce. He was asking everyone to send them food if they were able. It was a sobering moment for all of us.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pYf95BSBeX8/VZrb2WhJkvI/AAAAAAAABEA/YdolW9gU9QA/s640/blogger-image--1740559365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pYf95BSBeX8/VZrb2WhJkvI/AAAAAAAABEA/YdolW9gU9QA/s640/blogger-image--1740559365.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After our tour of the school we went and enjoyed a nice meal with Sara, Tony, Alledien and her family. It was lovely to get to know these dear people who have become so important to us. Our day ended with a two hour drive back to Amsterdam where we couldn't believe the experience we had just had. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We woke up early again this morning so we could tour the Anne Frank House. After learning of Sara and her experiences with her hiding family it was incredible to read and experience Anne Frank's story. Knowing and loving Sara made it all the more powerful, and our connection to Sophia and the fate shared by Anne and Sophia made it overwhelming. If you have not visited the Anne Frank House, you really need to come and experience this. It is an incredible museum, for me the most chilling part was seeing her original diary and walking through the bookcase that served as the entrance to the annex. Anne's soul was still present in this place, just like I felt Sophia in that small town of Waskemeer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1hPB56ZpmJU/VZrbxO4jmNI/AAAAAAAABDo/1De2Ep8vKxM/s640/blogger-image--1496194866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1hPB56ZpmJU/VZrbxO4jmNI/AAAAAAAABDo/1De2Ep8vKxM/s640/blogger-image--1496194866.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WBkdONa4s4g/VZrb0Fz_bxI/AAAAAAAABD4/mXqU3GExKLM/s640/blogger-image-1084864040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WBkdONa4s4g/VZrb0Fz_bxI/AAAAAAAABD4/mXqU3GExKLM/s640/blogger-image-1084864040.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">To have these experiences with my daughters was something beyond words. Hayley is the same age Sophia was when she died at Auschwitz. Carly is almost as old as Anne Frank was when her life ended. To see the impact these experiences has had on both of my girls is incredible. How lucky we are to be able to take these steps together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is the last entry for this blog. As I complete these last words, I am sad that the journey is over. We have experienced so much over the last two and a half weeks, and we have grown so much from these experiences. As this trip comes to an end I really start to think about the next trip coming up in October. One of our first stops will be Auschwitz, and I wonder if I will feel more connected to <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Sophia where she died or in the house where she lived. Either way I know I will take these experiences with me as I walk forward with my own journey and continue to deepen my connection to what it means to be Jewish.</span></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>David Shukiarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978415102065674198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959669837373536683.post-20266971792041519042015-07-02T13:35:00.001-07:002015-07-03T08:50:18.779-07:00Tel Aviv: New Beginnings and Final FarewellsToday was another incredible day filled with so many different emotions. It started with our breakfast, where you could hear our travelers speaking about how much they would miss Israel and how they wished we could stay longer. It is a very good sign when people are speaking about wanting to stay longer and not wanting to go home. Even though we knew there would be some sadness as we bid farewell to Israel, we still had an exciting day of touring ahead of us.<div><br></div><div>Our first stop was the Ayalon Intsitute near Rehovot for an eye-opening tour of a clandestine munitions factory used during the Brittish <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Mandate. When we arrived I could tell that many in the group did not know what to expect and thought this might not be such a great activity. I knew from my experience two years ago that this was an amazing stop and could not wait to see everyone's reaction to our visit. This museum tells the story of how Israelis during the years of 1945 through 1948 created this secret munitions factory beneath the bakery and laundry facilities at a kibbutz in order to produce bullets for the war of independence. Creating bullets was totally against the laws set forth by the Brittish. We learned that the secret factory worked for about 9 hours a day and during the three years of its operation created more than 2.5 million bullets used in the fight. In other words, this factory literally saved the Jewish people and was instrumental in the creation of the state of Israel. The kids, mere teenagers, worked underground on this secret mission, a mission they could not even share with their spouses, at great personal risk. They were at constant risk of being caught and punished, and they were at risk of being injured or killed by the factory itself, with gun powder being used. The courage displayed by these kids was inspiring. We learned that the reason the laundry was on top of the factory was the machine was loud enough to hide the noise and smells coming from the factory. In order to mask the factory, the washing machine needed to run every day for 9 hours. We learned that the kibbutz only needed about two hours of laundry time each day. In order to keep the machine running, the kibbutz laundry would wash the clothes for the local hospital. This added another 4 hours to the workload, not enough to cover the entire work day. In order to keep the machine going they would wash the clothes of the Brittish soldiers, the very people they were hiding the factory from. If you want to hide something from someone, the best place to do so is right in front of their faces. We saw the secret entrance to the factory beneath the large washing machine that would rotate out of the way to uncover a ladder system to get down into the basement where the factory was housed. We learned that the entire project was built in just three weeks, 21 days to dig out and create the fully functional basement factory. The Brittish soldiers were told that they were building a basement storage facility for food. We learned how the workers countered the negative effects of not being in the sun and turning pale, where artificial sunlit was brough in in the form of ultra violet light that they would sit under so they would not be too pale. We learned about the special communication system created using red lights that people on the surface would use to tell the workers if someone was coming so they could stop working and turn off the machines. We learned how they would smuggle ammunition out in the gasoline trucks that would come every couple of months. Think of it, gun powder and gasoline in the same truck... The residents of the kibbutz who knew what was happening were so smart that they served warm beer to the Brittish soldiers, which was not to the liking of the soldiers who preferred cold beer to warm. The residents told them to call ahead and they would put beer in the fridge for the soldiers, creating a warning system that would tell workers three hours before any soldiers would come so they could be prepared, reminding us of the non-indigenous trees we saw in the Golan </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Heights that alerted the Israeli military to where the Syrians were hiding. It is another heroic example of the Israeli spirit, a spirit we all hope we can take home with us.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After this visit we took a short ride to the ancient city of Jaffa, a city with 5000 years of history found in its layers. This is an example of a tel, where we see one civilization building on top of another, and another, and archeologists are able to look at these layers by slicing the ground like a piece of cake to reveal the history of a location. We learned how, when people would make Aliyah to Israel they would come through the Jaffa port and were so disappointed at what they found, no schools and not even a working sewage system. Because of this 66 families turned to the north and saw sand dune upon sand dune and decided to settle there. These are the people who created Tel Aviv, which has turned into a thriving, modern city full of life. These settlers had the courage to do what was hard and create something new for themselves and their families. Here is our group of travelers as we looked from ancient Jaffa towards Tel Aviv. You can see our hotel in the distance.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mc-KX1jGteU/VZWfW87NrgI/AAAAAAAABC4/BFUdep7cLqE/s640/blogger-image-1555960458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mc-KX1jGteU/VZWfW87NrgI/AAAAAAAABC4/BFUdep7cLqE/s640/blogger-image-1555960458.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And a selfie with our guide, Uri...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tBm9tEMpDVs/VZWfY3RzLwI/AAAAAAAABDA/jGWcdTO0FdQ/s640/blogger-image-526543520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tBm9tEMpDVs/VZWfY3RzLwI/AAAAAAAABDA/jGWcdTO0FdQ/s640/blogger-image-526543520.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tel Aviv means old and new city (tel is something old and aviv means spring representing newness), and these settlers represented the new type of Jew that would eventually be instrumental in the formation of the state of Israel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After a stop for lunch and shopping in the open air market in Jaffa we made our way to Independence Hall for our final touring destination during the trip. Here, we would recreate the story of the formation of Israel in the exact location where our statehood was declared on May 14, 1948. Our visit to Independance Hall began with a short movie about the events leading up to the declaration of statehood. We learned even more about the formation of Tel Aviv, and even saw the wall of the original house that was built on this location by Mayor Meir Dizengoff, Tel Aviv's first mayor. It was amazing to learn how they divided the land for the 66 families who formed the new city. They got 66 white shells and wrote the names of one family per shell and 66 black shells and wrote the numbers 1-66 on these. They drew one black and one white shell and that was the order in which people chose their land. Mayor Dizengoff was the 43rd prison to pick his land. The hall has been renovated a number of times, as it became an art museum after Mayor Dizengoff's wife passed away. When he died some time later, he donated his home to Tel Aviv in the hopes that the story of the history of the city was preserved. Little did he know that this place would serve as the most historic place in recent Jewish history as Israel was declared a state. Following the film about the site, we went inside the actual room, set up as it was in 1948. We learned that invitations for the pronouncement were handed out in secret the day before the event. Jerusalem could not be the site for the announcement because it was under siege at the time, as Israel was already fighting her neighbors as statehood was announced. This location had thick concrete walls with few windows so it offered protection from any kind of attack. The announcement was going to happen on Friday, may 14 because the Brittish had announced that they were leaving that evening. At 3:30 pm on Friday, the 300 people that were invited arrived (it was a miracle that no one showed up late). Chairs, rugs and microphones were borrowed from neighboring stores, and at 4 pm the announcement was made so that it would be done before the beginning of Shabbat. After our guide shares with us all the background we listened to the original broadcast of the pronouncement. We could hear Ben Gurion declare statehood (our guide, Uri, translated as Ben </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Gurion spoke), and then we heard the rabbi read the shehechianu prayer, the same prayer we sang as we looked upon the Old City for the first time). Then the orchestra began to play Hatikvah. Because of the size of the room, the orchestra had to be placed on the second floor. This made the sound feel like it was coming from heaven. As the first notes played, we all stood up out of respect. I watched our guide, Uri and our youth counselor Shachar begin to sing the words. Seeing the pride in their eyes, knowing that each of them had served Israel in the military brought me to tears. I began to sing along as well, as did many in our group. As the music swelled I began to weep, tears rolling down my face. I could sense others in our group were having the same emotional reaction. This song is forever changed for me because of hearing it in this location. Every time I sing or hear it I will be back in those uncomfortable wooden chairs, tears rolling down my cheeks again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As you look around the room, on the walls you can see pictures painted by famous Jewish artists. Many of them show pictures of the Jews from the old country. How interesting to see those pictures as a new, modern Israel was being declared. Uri explained that it was not a statement saying "you are the old Jews and we are the new Jews," almost like there was no place for them here in Israel. Rather, he explained, it was us saying that we are here BECAUSE of you, that even though those Jews pictured might not be here physically, their spirit is part of what has made Israel what she is. It is a reminder that we carry those who came before us with us as we move forward.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LWORwdFjo3g/VZWgi8SjF5I/AAAAAAAABDM/sds88KL8QoA/s640/blogger-image--1384390621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LWORwdFjo3g/VZWgi8SjF5I/AAAAAAAABDM/sds88KL8QoA/s640/blogger-image--1384390621.jpg"></a></div><br></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was so fitting that our tour ended with Independence Hall. The pronouncement of statehood does not represent an ending, but rather a beginning. And our tour, although comprehensive and expansive, only represents a small portion of what Israel has to offer. Her story is just beginning to be written, and our relationship with her is just beginning to be defined. It is amazing to think of all of the accomplishments she has made in her short history, literally changing the world for the better in so many ways. And we also recognize that there are areas in which she falls short, as we all do, and we should not hesitate to criticize her as we do America. But there is a certain pride that we all should have for her. Standing in that room where ordinary men and women accomplished extraordinary things by action. In the face of certain failure, Israel has endured again and again. And she has endured because people saw that she was worth fighting for, worth standing up for. And we are the ones who have to be her advocates in the diaspora. I also take away from this trip the fact that I am too lax in my support of our country. I need to reevaluate how I stand up for and support our ideals. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After leaving we had some time to pack before meeting as a group to do a debriefing of our experience. First Uri did an overview of our tour and all that we did in our ten days together. It was an exhausting trip, both physically and emotionally. After this, we then opened up the conversation to allow people to share their thoughts of what they were taking away from this experience. I was so amazed by what people said, from our youngest travelers to our oldest, about how Israel has changed them. Some spoke of the connections they made with others in our tour. You could see relationships solidifying as we experienced unique things together. Others spoke of the emotional impact of places like Yad Vashem and the Wall, and how they will not be the same because of those experiences. Israel has a way of holding up a mirror in front of our faces and forces us to face realities about ourselves that are sometimes uncomfortable. What is our impact going to be on the world? What can I do to add light to the darkness that is around us? What we take away is that it is not about israel's story, but rather our story. How will we write our story?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our final activity was a farewell dinner at Goshen, an absolutely amazing meat restaurant in Tel Aviv. Here we made toasts to each other, officially thanked Uri and </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Shachar for all of their work and began the difficult task of saying goodbye to each other. Saying goodbye was much harder than anyone thought it would be. After all of the planning and preparing, all of the pre-trip programming and ten intense days together, the trip officially becomes a memory. I am so grateful for each and every person who was a part of our tour. Together we created a special group that will remain bonded together in a special way forever. I cannot wait to get back to TAE and share the special glances with these people, the special hugs that we will share that will be a little stronger because of our experiences. This is how we keep our trip to Israel alive, as we recognize that we come home different. I cannot wait to face east for the Bar'chu again, so I can close my eyes and feel my hands touching the Wall that has become so important to me. I cannot wait to sing L'cha Dodi and close my eyes and find myself in Tsfat connected to the Mystics of our past. And I can't wait to walk the Old City again. I urge you to consider taking a trip to Israel. Talk to our travelers and learn of their experiences, and see why just reading these words is not enough. You simply MUST experience it for yourself. And TAE is happy to take you there. We will begin planning our next trip as soon as possible.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A special note: after saying goodbye to people who were leaving this evening we had the chance to visit with Miss Tara, who taught a number of our younger travelers in our preschool at TAE. It was so special to see her in Israel, a place she loves so dearly, and to see her with her kids again. Listening to her talk with Hayley about her experiences was so special. It was a sweet moment that helped to get through the sadness of our tour ending, and I could tell how moved she was by the impact Israel had a on all of us.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">As I write this we are sitting in the airport waiting for our flight to Amsterdam for a special meeting that is also two years in the making. Even though the blog is ended because the trip to Israel is over, I will probably add two more posts, one for this special meeting and one for the Anne Frank house. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><br></div>David Shukiarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978415102065674198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959669837373536683.post-18752328980755794142015-07-01T13:58:00.001-07:002015-07-03T07:39:05.083-07:00Highs and Lows of Roman Ruins"Today is going to be a great day," our familiar greeting from Uri that we all now say along with him... <div><br></div><div>Today we say farewell to the Hula Valley and the north of Israel and head south to Tel Aviv, the final stop on our tour of Israel. It is so hard to believe that after two years of planning, preparing and anticipating we are getting ready to say goodbye to Israel. You can see the mood of our group changing as we get closer to the end of the trip. People are speaking about how much they will miss Israel, and how special the trip has been. It has been a special experience to say the least.</div><div><br></div><div>Today we got another early start as we loaded up the bus and left the beautiful surroundings of Kfar Blum, this oasis in the north. Our first stop would be Park Alona as we would walk through the 2000 year old water tunnel built by the Romans that served as the water source for Caesarea, the city built by King Herod more than 2000 years ago in tribute to Caesar. </div><div><br></div><div>We were amazed once again at the ingenuity of the Romans who built this water system entirely by hand without the help of modern machinery. It must have taken years to carve through the stone under ground in order to bring fresh water to this city. With flashlight in hand we once again walked through a dark tunnel under ground with our legs wading in the knee, sometimes<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> waist, deep cool, refreshing water. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After our walk through the water tunnel we went to lunch at a local mall with various food options. Leasa and I felt kind of silly as we traveled half way around the world so we could eat Pizza Hut, but we redeemed ourselves by having an Iced Aroma for dessert. For those of you who do not know, Aroma is the coffee store in Israel that is the reason why Starbucks would never survive here. It is a staple in Israel and a place I look forward to coming back to again and again. Indeed, it puts our coffee houses in America to shame.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Once lunch was over we took the short bus ride to Caesarea, one of the land of Israel's most important cities during the Roman Period. As we approached this city we got our first view of the Mediterranean Sea. In Caesarea we saw the 2000 year old Herodian Theatre, a 4500 seat theatre that was the place for culture during King Herod's reign. We sat in the ancient stone seats like the Romans would, and Uri recalled all of Jewish history for us as he prepared us for the story of Caesarea. The coolest thing about this theatre is that it is still in use today, with major concerts being held here. As we sat in the theatre, crews were setting up for the next concert which is going to feature local Israel artists. I would love to see a show in this theatre, with the Mediterranean Sea crashing behind the stage. During our visit to the theatre the wind was blowing a gentle breeze that swayed the speakers hanging from the proscenium. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As we walked behind the stage of the theatre we were treated to our first full view of the Mediterranean Sea. You could smell the salt in the air, and the sky was a crisp blue color, not impeded by the smog that we see in California. There is something about the air in Israel that just feels cleaner and you can taste the pure Mediterranean air. We stopped at the ruins of the palace of King Herod and saw the remains of his ancient swimming pool and could almost envision him relaxing in the cool, clear water of his pool as the waters of the sea crash around him. It is a beautiful location indeed!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our group liked the location as well because getting them to stop taking pictures here was a huge challenge! I can't blame them, I got caught up and stole a family picture there as proof the Shukiar family four was indeed in this beautiful place!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We then made our way to the Hippodrome, a chariot racing stadium built to house the major sporting events of the ancient Roman city. We sat in the bleachers where 10,000 screaming fans would sit cheering on their favorite chariot. You could almost see the Romans in the stands, some who have traveled the 8-10 day journey from Rome to see the sporting event. As we sat in these seats Uri shared with us that this was the hippodrome that was used to torture and kill the 10 Jewish leaders captured during the Roman conquest, a story we have heard and experienced through antiquities many times during the last 8 days. Uri shared how the scene would be horrific, with these leaders being lit on fire in front of the screaming fans and how they could stop the torture by renouncing Judaism. The fact that they chose to NOT renounce their faith while receiving such horrible torture and death brings up the question, did they make the right choice? Why not renounce Judaism and stop the torture? Maybe it comes from the same pride of the soldier who lays down on the exposed barbed wire so his brothers and sisters can run on top of his back towards the enemy to protect Israel. Maybe the mark left by these people was the fact that their faith was unshakable and that we should try to strengthen our own connection to our faith. What is our legacy? What are we leaving behind? What are we here to accomplish, not just in Israel but also in life? What is our impact?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Uri also shared that this place was used in celebration at the conquest of Israel by the Romans. But here we were, sitting on Roman ruins, in a Jewish state, wearing our Judaism with pride. For us to be sitting in this place, at this time, thinking of all the times that people have tried to destroy us, was very powerful. I could tell that this was an important moment not just for me, but for all of those in our traveling party as we prepare to bring our love of Israel home with us.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Uri led us to the sands of the beach next to the hippodrome at Caesarea. Here we learned of another hero of Israel, poet and soldier Hannah Sennesh, a World War 2 heroine who sacrificed her life trying to save people in Eastern Europe. Standing on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea we sang her famous song, Eili, Eili, written, perhaps, in this very location. We stood in a circle with our arms wrapped around each other. I saw and felt people with tears in their eyes as we sang her lyrics:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Oh Lord, my God</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I pray they these things never end,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The sand and the sea</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The rush of the water</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The crash of the heaven</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The prayer of woman and man."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Uri then gave us about five minutes to take our family and find a private corner of the beach to share our priorities and purpose in life. To do this ritual with our daughters brought tears to Leasa's and my eyes, as our girls expressed their pride in being Jewish in spite of all the complications that Judaism brings to our lives. They both shared how their faith has been strengthened by our visit to Israel and that,</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> because of our trip, they feel even more connected than before. There are no sweeter words that I can hear than these that say with conviction that in spite of our troubled history, and in spite of the fact that so many people want to see us removed from the earth let alone Israel, my girls are proud to be Jewish and proud to be a part of the history of Judaism as they add their link to the chain of Judaism. This was a special way to end our time in Caesarea. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We then made our way to Tel Aviv, a metropolis that is the antithesis to Jerusalem. The city is alive and hip, and my kids could not wait to get their feet wet in the Mediterranean Sea. Watching the sunset at a cafe on the beach with dear friends in Israel, my home in the east, was the perfect ending to another perfect day here. As sad as I am that the trip is coming to an end, I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here with my family, watching them fall in love with the place I truly fell in love with two years ago. Watching my kids build a lifelong connection to Israel is something I will always hold close to my heart. Watching Leasa find her connection to this place, especially when she was not sure what her reaction would be is something I will always cherish. I hope that you will consider opening your heart to Israel. If you do, your life will forever be enhanced. What a precious gift to give to your children.</span></div>David Shukiarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978415102065674198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959669837373536683.post-68649646730478231912015-06-29T20:58:00.001-07:002015-07-01T08:55:18.834-07:00Nature and SecurityI am having a tough time with my camera today, as it seems that I have taken more pictures than the iPad will allow (I have taken more than 1000 photos so far), so I will have to add the photos at a later date. I apologize and appreciate your patience. <div><br></div><div>Every day we get on our bus and are greeted by Uri with the same words, "Today is going to be a great day." And every day, he is absolutely right. Today was no exception to this rule. We were woken up a little early by the Israeli Air Force flying fighter jets over our hotel patrolling the borders with Lebanon and Syria. Another gentle reminder that we are indeed in the Middle East. Although, I have to say that there was a certain type of calm that came over me as I heard these jets pass again and again as I truly felt that if there was an issue the military would handle it. A very different feeling than if this was happening in the United States. </div><div><br></div><div>After breakfast we boarded our bus and drove to the Tel Dan Nature Reserve where we took a lovely nature walk through dense forest. It was so green, so beautiful that you almost forgot you were in Israel! When you think of the Middle East you think of sand mountains and dust storms, not lush green scapes with trees growing everywhere and running water giving you a soothing sound. There were so many picturesque places to take photos. Our hike ended at a little pond where we were able to take off our shoes and wade into the cold, crisp water. Uri used this time to explain where we were on the map of Israel, this time portrayed so beautifully by Jacob with landmarks taped to different parts of his body. Uri also showed us some fresh animal droppings and taught us how to tell what kind of animal left them by the smell and, yes taste. Then he scooped up a piece of the droppings and proceeded to eat one. He then offered a piece to each child and everyone gladly took a piece (Uri fooled us with candy).</div><div><br></div><div>As we finished the trail and returned to the parking lot we were greeted by 8 jeeps waiting to take us off-roading up into the Golan Heights, following in the footstep of the IDF soldiers and their battles in the Six Day War. This was not a Disneyland tour, but rather actual off-roading. We were tossed around as we traveled with mine fields on both sides of us up into the mountains so we could understand the strategic significance of the Golan Heights. It was a riot to see Leasa, Carly and Hayley as they were thrown about the back of the jeep. I was. So grateful that <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Meredith was there to catch Hayley and her hat which flew off many times. There were sounds of screaming and laughter all the way up the hill.</span></div><div><br></div><div>When we reached the top we stopped at a Syrian military outpost where one of the big battles of the Six Day War took place. Uri spoke about how the Golani troops took this Syrian outpost against all odds back in 1967. To hear about the bravery shown by our Israel brothers as they marched up the hill and would not stop until they had captured the outpost. We learned of a spy who worked his way up in the Syrian regime who convinced the Syrian government to plant trees (not indigenous to the area) as a way to create shade for the Syrian troops. Of course it also served as a locator for the Israeli military once the war started. Uri shared the story of a soldier who, after unsuccessfully trying to blow a hole in the barbed wire fence actually laid on top of the sharp wire and let his brothers walk on his back advancing towards the hostile Syrian troops. It is this kind of selfless, heroic act that we hear about again and again in Israel. Uri explained that the soldiers had an extra incentive to succeed, for all they had to do was turn around and look down the mountain and see their home to understand the implications of defeat. Indeed there were many soldiers who would lay on top of a barbed wire fence and let others walk across his body, indeed there are many soldiers, both men and women today who would show this kind of heroic bravery. Uri shared that the strategy of the Israeli military was a two hit plan... We hit them and they hit the ground. There was no plan B, no contingency. It truly was a miraculous victory and I think we all understand why it is so important for Israel to hold onto the Golan Heights. We also are beginning to understand the complexities of the notion of giving back the Golan Heights in exchange for peace with Syria. It is a complicated and difficult situation.</div><div><br></div><div>Following our discussion we were able to climb into the underground bunker and have a look around before having a snack of fresh watermelon before reboarding our bus.</div><div><br></div><div>Our next stop was a Druze village even closer to the Syrian border for lunch. We learned so many interesting things about the Druze people, who are not Arab nor Jewish. Indeed the Druze broke away from Islam some 1000 years ago. We. Learned about some of the challenges facing these people living in the Golan Heights. We stopped at the village called Mas'ade for an amazing lunch of felafel and other yummy treats. It was a feast for the ages. I couldn't believe how modern and built up the Druze village was. I guess I was expecting tents, not a modern suburban village. </div><div><br></div><div>Our next stop took us close to the Syrian border where we could look and actually see into Syria. This view was much closer than the view I experienced two years ago, and I felt like I could actually reach out and touch this dangerous place. Uri explained the situation happening in Syria now. He explained it not as a civil war, but a world war where the Shia want to destroy the Sunnis and create a Muslim empire dictated by Sharia law. He connected Shia and Sunni to Hezbollah and Hamas, and ISIL, and we really could understand that this is a complex situation. Looking at the Syrian border we could see a stark difference between Israel and Syria. Israel was green, filled with crops and a lush landscape. Syria, on the other hand, was desolate and uncared for. Uri showed us a UN outpost that was abandoned and taken over by Jabhat al-Nusra, who is connected to al Queda. We were so close to this that it felt like we could take a stone and hit the building. We hear of these kinds of things from America and it took my breath away to actually see it... In the USA we are so sheltered, even though we are aware, we do not understand what it means to live next to such terrorism.</div><div><br></div><div>As Uri was talking we began to hear canon fire in the distance. And then more pops of canon fire. This was a little frightening (although we were never in any danger). Eventually we could see a plume of smoke in the distance, no doubt a result of some kind of attack in Syria. It was another sobering reminder that Israel is surrounded by potential hostile neighbors and she must be prepared to engage at any moment. Who knows if the war in Syria will ever spill in to Israel, but one lesson of the Yom Kippur war of 1973 is that Israel must be prepared. </div><div><br></div><div>We all went back to the bus feeling a bit uneasy from the sight of the battle that was in the town just across the border. But our uneasiness soon was changed to excitement as we prepared for our next activity, which was a choice between chocolate making at the De Karina Chocolate Factory and wine tasting at the Behat winery. The kids (and some adults) had a blast creating their own special desserts that would be able to enjoy later. The adults loved tasting the four wines, toasting to our trip and our friendship, and even purchasing some wine to enjoy later in our trip. </div><div><br></div><div>It was surreal to think that just around the mountain we were witness to a battle in Syria, and here we were, feeling totally safe and protected, eating chocolate and drinking wine on the Syrian border. Only in Israel! Why do we feel safe? Why is it that at no point on this trip have we ever felt in any kind of jeaordy? I think it has to do with the Israeli spirit you have heard me talk about. I know that they are doing everything they can to keep me, my family, and my family of travelers safe. I have so much trust in the military in Israel, knowing that they have accomplished so many important victories. I feel safe because I see the pride Israelis take in making me feel safe. You see that pride in the young men and women taking their places as a part of the military ready to lay down their lives for Israel. It is inspiring beyond words. I hope to take some of that inspiration home with me as I share my love for Israel with others.</div><div><br></div><div>On our way down the hill off of the <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Golan </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Heights and back into the Hula Valley Uri played us a couple of songs that had to do with war, specifically the Yom Kippur War of 1973. The first was the Last War and is written from the perspective of a father singing to his daughter, promising that this war (speaking of the 1973 Yom Kippur War) would be the last war.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"For the pilots who broke through the deadly battle</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And we're hit with rocket fire and ac-ac guns,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">For the paratroopers who, amid lead and smoke,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Saw you overhead, like an angel.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I promise you - my little girl,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">That this will be the last war."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The second song was the </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Winter of Seventy Three with words by Shmuel Hasfari. It is written from the perspective of that daughter all grown up and now a soldier herself. She says:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"When we were born, the old men </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Gave blessing with tearful eyes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">They said - please God,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">These children won't go to war.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">... We are the children </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Of the winter of seventy three.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Now we too have grown up to be soldiers</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">With rifles and helmeted heads...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We too are men,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We too are women, </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We too dram of babies."</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Both of these selections rally capture what Israel was feeling during the military struggles of her history. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Our next stop was a purely fun and adventurous activity. We went rafting down the Jordan River. Actually, it was more like a lazy river for an hour and a half. But it was terrific. The water fights that happened between our boats was epic and totally fun. Our water fights with some of the birthright kids was also really fun. It was a great way to end our day of touring the north of Israel. Thank you, David Messe for the photos.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nhdfORO8Vvs/VZMORiEnu7I/AAAAAAAABCo/sB-1H1DGLQY/s640/blogger-image--1567662035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nhdfORO8Vvs/VZMORiEnu7I/AAAAAAAABCo/sB-1H1DGLQY/s640/blogger-image--1567662035.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zEypmTnrUCA/VZMOKYRPnwI/AAAAAAAABCQ/UaaONcpYdNQ/s640/blogger-image--1110892592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zEypmTnrUCA/VZMOKYRPnwI/AAAAAAAABCQ/UaaONcpYdNQ/s640/blogger-image--1110892592.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sJ2z7VizTSs/VZMOIl0fJSI/AAAAAAAABCI/3sdypj0eKNY/s640/blogger-image-594125189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sJ2z7VizTSs/VZMOIl0fJSI/AAAAAAAABCI/3sdypj0eKNY/s640/blogger-image-594125189.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/---LKluB_9w0/VZMOPoadZnI/AAAAAAAABCg/ABlNBukyrQw/s640/blogger-image--10735039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/---LKluB_9w0/VZMOPoadZnI/AAAAAAAABCg/ABlNBukyrQw/s640/blogger-image--10735039.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WrgOE2cdAqk/VZMOMqI-sWI/AAAAAAAABCY/bQuUgIOK39s/s640/blogger-image--889046410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WrgOE2cdAqk/VZMOMqI-sWI/AAAAAAAABCY/bQuUgIOK39s/s640/blogger-image--889046410.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After a delicious dinner we split up for evening activities. The kids went with Shachar, our youth counselor for a kids program while the adults met with Uri to discuss the Geopolitical situation in Israel, trying to wrap our heads around the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. It was an informative dialogue with Uri, who is so knowledgable about so many things. He is really opening my eyes to the complexity of the situation. I feel more prepared to engage in meaningful dialogue, and feel like I have the tools to find answers to the many questions I have.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It is amazing to think about all we took in today. From the fun activities like the nature walk, jeep tour and rafting to the serious activities like being in the Golan Heights, looking into Syria and trying to understand the facts surrounding the Israeli Palestinian conflict, we experienced it all. I hope you will consider coming to Israel with TAE in a couple of years so you can experience this like I am...</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>David Shukiarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978415102065674198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959669837373536683.post-59740380425940739312015-06-29T14:49:00.001-07:002015-06-29T14:49:47.524-07:00Nature and Spirituality on the Road North part 2<div>After our visit to the kibbutz we continued our ride up north towards Tsfat. As we made our way up the winding roads one of our travelers came forward with his shorts off asking for a special brush to remove thorns from his pants... Only in Israel will you see this, a boy in his underwear asking for a thorn removal brush near the Jordanian border as we travel towards Lebanon and Syria. We all shared a great laugh and I couldn't resist getting a picture! Needless to say that Uri left his thorn removal brush at home, leaving Bennett's father the chore of pulling out each of the thorns.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jIvHFuKmBZI/VZG8a9QSwSI/AAAAAAAABAA/g_sluo17byQ/s640/blogger-image--1359899059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jIvHFuKmBZI/VZG8a9QSwSI/AAAAAAAABAA/g_sluo17byQ/s640/blogger-image--1359899059.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We arrived in the mystical center of Tsfat atop the hills above the Galilee. Uri shared some history about mysticism and Kabbala to try to help us understand why visiting Tsfat was so important and not just a nice shopping stop...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5ZzHGD2U9fA/VZG9bnxEj8I/AAAAAAAABBw/pYzMskYyW4Y/s640/blogger-image-1035756836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5ZzHGD2U9fA/VZG9bnxEj8I/AAAAAAAABBw/pYzMskYyW4Y/s640/blogger-image-1035756836.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7Y7k3M4GOkE/VZG8iZd_35I/AAAAAAAABAg/0iSt_fzobS0/s640/blogger-image-1199868486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7Y7k3M4GOkE/VZG8iZd_35I/AAAAAAAABAg/0iSt_fzobS0/s640/blogger-image-1199868486.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cIVPZ35T6Ao/VZG8cu2eogI/AAAAAAAABAI/VqsKO9cUPik/s640/blogger-image-121797309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cIVPZ35T6Ao/VZG8cu2eogI/AAAAAAAABAI/VqsKO9cUPik/s640/blogger-image-121797309.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u4La-CsW5oo/VZG8PuVQsFI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/tWY0Yh7cCd0/s640/blogger-image--1337939638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u4La-CsW5oo/VZG8PuVQsFI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/tWY0Yh7cCd0/s640/blogger-image--1337939638.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We learned that Kabbala is a way of life, trying to take the mystical properties of Judaism and making them accessible to us all. Kabbala tries to answer the toughest question of all, why are we here? We learned the story of a man who climbed atop the shoulders of another man, and another man crawled atop his shoulders in order that they might reach God and pull down the answers to all of life's questions. Here is Bennett and Gary showing us how this worked...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p0SyL4INFHs/VZG8Yvx1qfI/AAAAAAAAA_4/ddL5RwSFoCA/s640/blogger-image--764292974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p0SyL4INFHs/VZG8Yvx1qfI/AAAAAAAAA_4/ddL5RwSFoCA/s640/blogger-image--764292974.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As the third man was standing on the second's shoulder they fell, pulled a piece of God with them and shattering it all over the floor. Kabbala tells us that we must pick up all the pieces and put them back together again. Tsfat is the center of mysticism and Kabbala. The main book of Kabbala is the Zohar, written on the mountain directly across from Tsfat. Tsfat has attracted many artists to come and create in this ancient city of the Mystics and we were able to spend time walking the same streets they did so long ago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We went inside the Karo Synagogue, a synagogue still active today, and learned more. The blue walls were so soothing, and the sanctuary items, the Ark and Bima were beautiful. We saw a ganiza, a place where old Torah scrolls and prayer books are laid to rest when they are no longer useful. Inside this glass ganiza we could see the actual ancient scrolls used by the rabbis who created mystical Judaism. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8C590Z7UdTw/VZG8WMSY6ZI/AAAAAAAAA_w/ZUO51hNGseU/s640/blogger-image--1240692846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8C590Z7UdTw/VZG8WMSY6ZI/AAAAAAAAA_w/ZUO51hNGseU/s640/blogger-image--1240692846.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7Hd0ZhdCSqs/VZG8emGwdhI/AAAAAAAABAQ/vOug3tpJ1Dk/s640/blogger-image--616266791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7Hd0ZhdCSqs/VZG8emGwdhI/AAAAAAAABAQ/vOug3tpJ1Dk/s640/blogger-image--616266791.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1cyzZPjf25M/VZG9Q2IPomI/AAAAAAAABBI/kB2Pqzn09-o/s640/blogger-image-1278897721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1cyzZPjf25M/VZG9Q2IPomI/AAAAAAAABBI/kB2Pqzn09-o/s640/blogger-image-1278897721.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We loved the giant mezuzah that was placed in the doorpost of the entrance to the synagogue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cT85wqgMy58/VZG8J15_0_I/AAAAAAAAA_A/v5ShU0j0EMo/s640/blogger-image--778278534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cT85wqgMy58/VZG8J15_0_I/AAAAAAAAA_A/v5ShU0j0EMo/s640/blogger-image--778278534.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yygobzZ1JvA/VZG9Sv-YE6I/AAAAAAAABBQ/XBzs__Fn64M/s640/blogger-image--632313710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yygobzZ1JvA/VZG9Sv-YE6I/AAAAAAAABBQ/XBzs__Fn64M/s640/blogger-image--632313710.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MsrUDqLlUZU/VZG8oDAcJLI/AAAAAAAABA4/WMZzCf5zPPc/s640/blogger-image--1039861019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MsrUDqLlUZU/VZG8oDAcJLI/AAAAAAAABA4/WMZzCf5zPPc/s640/blogger-image--1039861019.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-el9y15px0yw/VZG9Uk9D3sI/AAAAAAAABBY/8VKrAlImPws/s640/blogger-image--646861607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-el9y15px0yw/VZG9Uk9D3sI/AAAAAAAABBY/8VKrAlImPws/s640/blogger-image--646861607.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here is view of Mount Meron, where the Zohar is said to have been written in a cave.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h3_YyiUvCR8/VZG8L3TlhSI/AAAAAAAAA_I/DXnfkSQBjz8/s640/blogger-image-152374988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h3_YyiUvCR8/VZG8L3TlhSI/AAAAAAAAA_I/DXnfkSQBjz8/s640/blogger-image-152374988.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qIotmK-F7xs/VZG8maDqfwI/AAAAAAAABAw/XiEmKTREuks/s640/blogger-image--1083440243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qIotmK-F7xs/VZG8maDqfwI/AAAAAAAABAw/XiEmKTREuks/s640/blogger-image--1083440243.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LdAI3an_jvc/VZG9Zk19njI/AAAAAAAABBo/OanhPh8n-pk/s640/blogger-image--2140401607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LdAI3an_jvc/VZG9Zk19njI/AAAAAAAABBo/OanhPh8n-pk/s640/blogger-image--2140401607.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was especially taken and moved by the Eternal Light found in this sanctuary. It was not a electric light like we have at TAE, but rather it was a simple candle. There is powerful message in this. If left alone, the candle would eventually go out and the Eternal Light would be no more. In order for the light to be eternal, it requires us to tend to it, changing it and making sure it stays lit. In other words, like our Torah teaches us, l'ha'alot neir tamid, we have to light the light eternally. We have to be active in preserving this light. Just like Kabbala teaches us that we must be active in performing acts of tikkun olam, repairing our world. It is so easy to complain about issues, much harder to do something about them. We are a people of action. Kabbala also teaches us to live intentionally, not just to go through the motions but to allow ourselves to be truly present. This is a running theme of our trip, not looking ahead but staying in the moment and truly being present for ourselves and others. So many times during our trip I have seen our travelers being present for themselves or for others, allowing others to literally lean on them when needed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2rqhqDJH2YY/VZG8kadiV7I/AAAAAAAABAo/b89erDsryUs/s640/blogger-image--409563995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2rqhqDJH2YY/VZG8kadiV7I/AAAAAAAABAo/b89erDsryUs/s640/blogger-image--409563995.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1oyLTs8phvE/VZG9Xl_nmQI/AAAAAAAABBg/vHkaj_R_79g/s640/blogger-image-1610855358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1oyLTs8phvE/VZG9Xl_nmQI/AAAAAAAABBg/vHkaj_R_79g/s640/blogger-image-1610855358.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tsfat is famous for another historic reason. It is the place where Shlomo Alkabeitz wrote the famous poem that has become a part of our Kabbalah Shabbat service, L'cha Dodi. We sang the version created by the Kol Han'shama synagogue in Israel. How awesome to sing these words in the very place they were created! We all sang with intention, with a growing energy and enthusiasm. Each one of us will never sing the L'cha Dodi the same again, for when we are in TAE singing this we will be back in Israel connected to the very place we were at today. We will envision the kabbalists dressed in white running in the field right by where we were towards the sunset on Friday, singing and dancing the spirit of Shabbat towards us and joining her with our souls to allow us to experience Shabbat in a deeper and more meaningful way. I can hardly wait to sing these words again with this community in Thousand Oaks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After our visit to the Karo synagogue was complete, we had time to shop. The judaica in Tsfat is unmatched anywhere else in Israel. There were so many beautiful things to see, and I think our tour single handedly boosted the economy of this ancient town. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">An amazing thing happened to Leasa and me. As we were looking in a store where an artist was creating art with microchaligraphy, I spotted our Ketubah, our Jewish marriage license. It turns out that this was the very store, and this the very artist that created and sold our Ketubah to my parents when they were in Israel more than 20 years ago. What an amazing thing to have walked into his studio and shop. Only in Israel, only in Tsfat!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0WdVFTT6bHs/VZG8R7fkHmI/AAAAAAAAA_g/_RdM2MENyQQ/s640/blogger-image-1789056917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0WdVFTT6bHs/VZG8R7fkHmI/AAAAAAAAA_g/_RdM2MENyQQ/s640/blogger-image-1789056917.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We loved seeing the artist's colony in Tsfat and wish we could have stayed there longer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4OlvlmSx1MM/VZG8N5Bk07I/AAAAAAAAA_Q/0VRl81EcMps/s640/blogger-image-1704931641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4OlvlmSx1MM/VZG8N5Bk07I/AAAAAAAAA_Q/0VRl81EcMps/s640/blogger-image-1704931641.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0QS18wvtB_s/VZG8geFSpkI/AAAAAAAABAY/2gfPL-eD2Tc/s640/blogger-image--2121199804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0QS18wvtB_s/VZG8geFSpkI/AAAAAAAABAY/2gfPL-eD2Tc/s640/blogger-image--2121199804.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But, we had to leave so we could finish our journey for the day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x3rLr-PeBdQ/VZG9O2z2fpI/AAAAAAAABBA/0Lj5k54ukrc/s640/blogger-image--1973362768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x3rLr-PeBdQ/VZG9O2z2fpI/AAAAAAAABBA/0Lj5k54ukrc/s640/blogger-image--1973362768.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After about 30 minutes we arrived in Kibbutz Kfar Blum, our next stop for the next two nights. This place is one of my favorite places anywhere. There is a peace here, a serenity that comes in spite of being a stone's throw from the Lebanese and Syrian borders. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G5UavSLNeMs/VZG8USGt76I/AAAAAAAAA_o/uxjZXR2Hdo4/s640/blogger-image-1706330595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G5UavSLNeMs/VZG8USGt76I/AAAAAAAAA_o/uxjZXR2Hdo4/s640/blogger-image-1706330595.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SwOabASlxZw/VZG9dmksgUI/AAAAAAAABB4/eaWcr6b1M2E/s640/blogger-image--89925860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SwOabASlxZw/VZG9dmksgUI/AAAAAAAABB4/eaWcr6b1M2E/s640/blogger-image--89925860.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I can hardly wait to share the north of Israel with our travelers tomorrow. They have yet to experience the magic of the north, and I can't wait to see their response to all we will do. Israel is an incredible place and I am so blessed to be here. I will stay present and in the moment, and I will explore all she has to offer with great kavana, with great intention. </div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>David Shukiarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978415102065674198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959669837373536683.post-57672497422512253952015-06-29T13:56:00.001-07:002015-06-29T13:56:39.333-07:00Nature and Spirituality on the Road North part 1This is going to be another two part posting because of the number of pictures I want to share with you...<div><br></div><div>This morning we woke up and finished packing as we prepared to say goodbye to Jerusalem and take our tour up to the northern end of Israel. As we boarded our bus and began our journey, I became very sad. It is hard to explain, but I did not want to say goodbye to Jerusalem. More than any other place in Israel I feel at home in Jerusalem. I especially connect to holiness I feel being so close to the Old City. And as our bus made its way outside of the city and into the desert I felt a sense of loss. It helps to know in a few short months I will be back home again, but it is hard to leave. I am reminded of what Uri shared with us at the beginning of the trip, one does not visit Jerusalem, one returns.</div><div><br></div><div>As we leave, we take the beauty and mystery of this place with us. We come to Jerusalem as one person and we leave changed forever. And we have so much more to experience. Israel is filled with amazing corners and we are so fortunate to get to explore a few more before this trip is over.</div><div><br></div><div>We made our way north as we traveled along the Jordan valley. We could see and almost touch the border with Jordan. It is a simple fence with sensors on it in case it is disturbed alongside a dirt road that serves as a patrol road. We also got our first view of the Jordan river as it weaves its way from the Kinneret to the Dead Sea. Along the journey we learned of the first and second Aliyah periods where mass immigration to Israel (or Palestine as it was called) happened and a sense of Zionism was born. These brave individuals worked the land with their hands and transformed swampland into the agricultural center it is today. They were 15, 16 and 17 years old, and they succeeded against all odds. Their story is inspiring for us as we face the challenges in our lives and rally shows the Israeli spirit.</div><div><br></div><div>Our first stop was Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu, an agricultural kibbutz of the border of Jordan and Israel that is literally changing the world through organic farming techniques and mass producing beneficial insects and mites for agricultural purposes.</div><div><br></div><div>Our visit started by meeting Benny, a kibbutz resident who served as our guide for our visit to the kibbutz. First we all learned what a kibbutz was, a community where everyone works for the benefit of the community. It was explained that everyone gives what they can and gets what they need. All earnings are given to the kibbutz and each person, no matter what job they have gets the same exact monthly stipend to cover expenses. All needs are taken care of by the kibbutz. We learned that this kibbutz had a population of about 700 or 140 families. We had so many questions for Benny about how the kibbutz worked that Uri had to stop us and keep us moving.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UCn24aMMlzY/VZGw6EZ-pHI/AAAAAAAAA-g/mk-qYmFrPhU/s640/blogger-image-1350353104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UCn24aMMlzY/VZGw6EZ-pHI/AAAAAAAAA-g/mk-qYmFrPhU/s640/blogger-image-1350353104.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y4U2O6yv_D4/VZGw1i4PXsI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/DmQhrqt_Z1U/s640/blogger-image--762163805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y4U2O6yv_D4/VZGw1i4PXsI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/DmQhrqt_Z1U/s640/blogger-image--762163805.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Benny gave us a tour of the facility, including the synagogue as this was considered a religious kibbutz,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BHSDhU082sc/VZGwOTiriiI/AAAAAAAAA8I/MMysL2nsaNs/s640/blogger-image--513945364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BHSDhU082sc/VZGwOTiriiI/AAAAAAAAA8I/MMysL2nsaNs/s640/blogger-image--513945364.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">a large field called the Square, where kids would gather and play,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wHwC80VGHkk/VZGw36_HNRI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/e8hcteyqy0E/s640/blogger-image--55220729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wHwC80VGHkk/VZGw36_HNRI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/e8hcteyqy0E/s640/blogger-image--55220729.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">and a music building where kibbutz children could learn and study music. I was so interested in learning that almost all of the children living on the kibbutz studied music in some capacity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kr3pRDFwDvc/VZGwx1NCm8I/AAAAAAAAA-A/tGNBhldaNyA/s640/blogger-image--1415121777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kr3pRDFwDvc/VZGwx1NCm8I/AAAAAAAAA-A/tGNBhldaNyA/s640/blogger-image--1415121777.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We then made our way over to an orchard of trees that were planted because it is hot in the north of Israel and the shade provided a much needed sanctuary from the heat. This type of tree had roots growing down from the branches that were great vines to swing on as our kids soon found out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mC8PfxY4sUY/VZGwmrsO-JI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/ZkZh9Z09y4M/s640/blogger-image-954086852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mC8PfxY4sUY/VZGwmrsO-JI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/ZkZh9Z09y4M/s640/blogger-image-954086852.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lTpwD2v-0DY/VZGwgAmlQTI/AAAAAAAAA9I/ujeYR-kdctc/s640/blogger-image-2001045129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lTpwD2v-0DY/VZGwgAmlQTI/AAAAAAAAA9I/ujeYR-kdctc/s640/blogger-image-2001045129.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NfHhCWCHEgo/VZGwroyywdI/AAAAAAAAA9o/RRvD5WPPlw4/s640/blogger-image--583593648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NfHhCWCHEgo/VZGwroyywdI/AAAAAAAAA9o/RRvD5WPPlw4/s640/blogger-image--583593648.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oGm_mZDVY8c/VZGwD5Zj7AI/AAAAAAAAA7g/Z8H20q1pEpM/s640/blogger-image--160696336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oGm_mZDVY8c/VZGwD5Zj7AI/AAAAAAAAA7g/Z8H20q1pEpM/s640/blogger-image--160696336.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cNDG6g0pXlE/VZGwpQgeTcI/AAAAAAAAA9g/L8xgNEYTKEk/s640/blogger-image--443696594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cNDG6g0pXlE/VZGwpQgeTcI/AAAAAAAAA9g/L8xgNEYTKEk/s640/blogger-image--443696594.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8-VijBjL2ms/VZGwKbeWRII/AAAAAAAAA74/Jlfw5fyOhLg/s640/blogger-image--1030382547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8-VijBjL2ms/VZGwKbeWRII/AAAAAAAAA74/Jlfw5fyOhLg/s640/blogger-image--1030382547.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dDSLNqGM7A4/VZGwzyDALAI/AAAAAAAAA-I/XKhE9ZGxD4E/s640/blogger-image-486674713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dDSLNqGM7A4/VZGwzyDALAI/AAAAAAAAA-I/XKhE9ZGxD4E/s640/blogger-image-486674713.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XhUHvHSALag/VZGwZjCsK2I/AAAAAAAAA8w/IiHmVC9pVnI/s640/blogger-image-305678741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XhUHvHSALag/VZGwZjCsK2I/AAAAAAAAA8w/IiHmVC9pVnI/s640/blogger-image-305678741.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O3bdMGVf15g/VZGwTEGYOmI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/urN4bSd-tjA/s640/blogger-image-431535762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O3bdMGVf15g/VZGwTEGYOmI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/urN4bSd-tjA/s640/blogger-image-431535762.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n-QzSw8q9uc/VZGv9mRQMhI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/Oe2SVnTP_U8/s640/blogger-image--1308685959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n-QzSw8q9uc/VZGv9mRQMhI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/Oe2SVnTP_U8/s640/blogger-image--1308685959.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eN57z7rOS3A/VZGwwHFIr1I/AAAAAAAAA94/0LbeOqqI3t4/s640/blogger-image-1584489024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eN57z7rOS3A/VZGwwHFIr1I/AAAAAAAAA94/0LbeOqqI3t4/s640/blogger-image-1584489024.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I-DBOLvWSCA/VZGwCMjgbJI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/ub0bNP8A0N4/s640/blogger-image--1464437361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I-DBOLvWSCA/VZGwCMjgbJI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/ub0bNP8A0N4/s640/blogger-image--1464437361.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After swinging we boarded our bus and Benny showed us around the different fields that help to make up the 3000 acres of land owned by the kibbutz. We learned about organic farming and the many benefits and drawbacks of it. We learned that the reason they switched some of their fields to organic farming is because the fields lie directly next to homes where residents live. When they would spray pesticides it would make the residents sick, so NOT using pesticides became a health issue for them. We learned that organic crops produce almost a third less crops than traditional crops produce and the labor to keep weeds out of them is very expensive (actual workers pulling weeds rather than spraying herbicides). It gave us a real understanding about why organic produce is so expensive. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We then got off the bus to find and taste some grapes and corn (made for cattle). Who knew that there were ears of corn grown for cattle to eat and another variety for people? Turns out the ears of corn for people are much more difficult to grow. The cattle corn was good, but tasted very pasty. The grapes were DELICIOUSLY sweet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5mpSC0JowcI/VZGv61aCChI/AAAAAAAAA7I/OjPxToejPmQ/s640/blogger-image--1955302483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5mpSC0JowcI/VZGv61aCChI/AAAAAAAAA7I/OjPxToejPmQ/s640/blogger-image--1955302483.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xZvoGL9h11s/VZGwQ03F1pI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/796lD-axG3E/s640/blogger-image--1401964890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xZvoGL9h11s/VZGwQ03F1pI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/796lD-axG3E/s640/blogger-image--1401964890.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tNx3pvE619o/VZGwh_dciWI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/-bniJypYUKE/s640/blogger-image-2005817729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tNx3pvE619o/VZGwh_dciWI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/-bniJypYUKE/s640/blogger-image-2005817729.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0fyrL8frQ6Q/VZGv0opf9TI/AAAAAAAAA64/euYkExttZ8M/s640/blogger-image--1198856188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0fyrL8frQ6Q/VZGv0opf9TI/AAAAAAAAA64/euYkExttZ8M/s640/blogger-image--1198856188.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kiyr62e75Q8/VZGwF9z7UhI/AAAAAAAAA7o/ZbHJW6PX5EM/s640/blogger-image-413213716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kiyr62e75Q8/VZGwF9z7UhI/AAAAAAAAA7o/ZbHJW6PX5EM/s640/blogger-image-413213716.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZtMMynPttb4/VZGwt21xCgI/AAAAAAAAA9w/DBBt5WeMxO8/s640/blogger-image--481609898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZtMMynPttb4/VZGwt21xCgI/AAAAAAAAA9w/DBBt5WeMxO8/s640/blogger-image--481609898.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aPL1AJh0PqI/VZGwHyx6lGI/AAAAAAAAA7w/98xfJXqnilE/s640/blogger-image--635246693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aPL1AJh0PqI/VZGwHyx6lGI/AAAAAAAAA7w/98xfJXqnilE/s640/blogger-image--635246693.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-34Z3lcGFstc/VZGwMMehNtI/AAAAAAAAA8A/Kl98XylXGUE/s640/blogger-image--1668185332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-34Z3lcGFstc/VZGwMMehNtI/AAAAAAAAA8A/Kl98XylXGUE/s640/blogger-image--1668185332.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--cx-nQqhVyw/VZGv2SfiNFI/AAAAAAAAA7A/irLz4FZKd28/s640/blogger-image-438458035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--cx-nQqhVyw/VZGv2SfiNFI/AAAAAAAAA7A/irLz4FZKd28/s640/blogger-image-438458035.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pecpm6PkcHw/VZGwVC6y4CI/AAAAAAAAA8g/5W5BUxjBHSw/s640/blogger-image-1996378465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pecpm6PkcHw/VZGwVC6y4CI/AAAAAAAAA8g/5W5BUxjBHSw/s640/blogger-image-1996378465.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We learned of some of the advances they made in organic farming that were really quite simple and effective. For example, one issue they had to deal with was keeping pests off the crops without using any pesticides. Their solution? First, they grew the crops BEFORE the bugs could arrive. Second, they would place a net over the crops to keep the pests out. Both solutions wee simple and effective.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Benny then took us to a place where they were growing etrogs for Sukkot and other uses. Each etrog was wrapped in a pink protective sleeve to keep the etrog smooth and not have it damaged by the sharp thorns in the trees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ouY8jKBdiHM/VZGwXnqJpZI/AAAAAAAAA8o/uozxBje0kAQ/s640/blogger-image-2043520653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ouY8jKBdiHM/VZGwXnqJpZI/AAAAAAAAA8o/uozxBje0kAQ/s640/blogger-image-2043520653.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We then learned about their alfalfa crops. It turns out that mice love alfalfa and the kibbutz residents needed a solution to keep the mice from eating all of the alfalfa. At first they would walk the rows of the field and wherever they saw a mice hole, they would place a teaspoon full of rat poison inside. The mice would eat it and die. They would be eaten by the owls, who would get sick and die, and the cycle continued. Finally they came up with a brilliant solution. They used the owls to hunt the mice. They built these wooden boxes and placed them in the middle of the fields. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I36EreLFcpg/VZGwa4Kus9I/AAAAAAAAA84/n7FMOCUODow/s640/blogger-image--882799825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I36EreLFcpg/VZGwa4Kus9I/AAAAAAAAA84/n7FMOCUODow/s640/blogger-image--882799825.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The owls live here and hunt the mice. It was so effective that they began to share this information with neighboring farmers who then built the same owl homes in their fields. Once peace was reached with Jordan in 1994 the head of the program shared this information with Jordanian farmers. In Jordan, owls were looked at as bringing evil and so whenever they were spotted they were killed. Because of the success of the owl as a control for mice Jordan made a new law making the killing of owls illegal, punishable with jail time. The cooperation between Jordan and Israel became stronger, such that the head of the organic farming at this kibbutz shared farming techniques that has strengthened relationships between Jordan and Israel. Indeed this little kibbutz in the north of Israel is changing the world. It was so nice for our travelers to learn that peaceful coexistence and even cooperation was possible and, indeed was even happening in the Middle East. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Benny then took us to see a lulav tree, a date palm tree, and showed us how the palm is used to make a lulav. It reminded me of the lulav and etrog garden planted by our confirmation class a few years back at TAE.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-67TWTEAtCLk/VZGw8T4X7bI/AAAAAAAAA-o/7LoKa0GrZVM/s640/blogger-image-687722910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-67TWTEAtCLk/VZGw8T4X7bI/AAAAAAAAA-o/7LoKa0GrZVM/s640/blogger-image-687722910.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Finally, we were able to taste some corn that was grown for people. And while the cattle corn was not so bad, this corn was amazing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v9p9MT5IgdY/VZGxAn-H_gI/AAAAAAAAA-w/GB2JPkBDVAE/s640/blogger-image-1799988293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v9p9MT5IgdY/VZGxAn-H_gI/AAAAAAAAA-w/GB2JPkBDVAE/s640/blogger-image-1799988293.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AF24wHg9nuw/VZGwdZbxu9I/AAAAAAAAA9A/Ic0a1xyU2n4/s640/blogger-image-625398506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AF24wHg9nuw/VZGwdZbxu9I/AAAAAAAAA9A/Ic0a1xyU2n4/s640/blogger-image-625398506.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The coolest thing about this visit was to see the pride Benny took in sharing his home and all they have accomplished with us. You could see his excitement with each stop on our journey, and his love of agriculture is inspiring and infectious. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>David Shukiarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978415102065674198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959669837373536683.post-45199983523347444842015-06-28T12:47:00.001-07:002015-06-28T13:50:31.095-07:00Into the Desert, Masada and the Dead Sea part 2<div>Following our time atop Masada, we experienced the weightlessness as we floated in the Dead Sea. As we were driving to the beach, Uri shared with us that, if no steps are taken, the Dead Sea could cease to exist in about 50 years, because the rate of evaporation is greater than the rate of new water feeding the Dead Sea. In fact, the Dead Sea retreats almost a meter each year. </div><div><br></div><div>There is one thing for sure, <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">because of the sting of its salt concentration, the</span> Dead Sea will help you find every cut you have on your body! People usually walk in calmly into the Dead Sea, and they almost always run out top speed to get to the fresh water showers. The mud at the Dead Sea is said to have healing and rejuveninating properties when applied to the skin. Here are some pictures of our time in the Dead Sea. We are hoping one of our Acorn pictures might even get published.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hhu16PVXgVU/VZBOXVrIIiI/AAAAAAAAA3w/uAVRGOp2RCU/s640/blogger-image--1801246004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hhu16PVXgVU/VZBOXVrIIiI/AAAAAAAAA3w/uAVRGOp2RCU/s640/blogger-image--1801246004.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BoLRCPpPR5U/VZBOM1NPxPI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/pzo6LOFb6Sw/s640/blogger-image--1905734640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BoLRCPpPR5U/VZBOM1NPxPI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/pzo6LOFb6Sw/s640/blogger-image--1905734640.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ps3yqoyqO0w/VZBOyKOuyBI/AAAAAAAAA5A/zMfxB9vSocM/s640/blogger-image-299474078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ps3yqoyqO0w/VZBOyKOuyBI/AAAAAAAAA5A/zMfxB9vSocM/s640/blogger-image-299474078.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BHDiAfrL3GY/VZBPZeJKxLI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/AEvnnkCixEk/s640/blogger-image-384567146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BHDiAfrL3GY/VZBPZeJKxLI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/AEvnnkCixEk/s640/blogger-image-384567146.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eQWDaMtnNYI/VZBOgnMBogI/AAAAAAAAA4I/JnPvhuHZAak/s640/blogger-image-1161434168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eQWDaMtnNYI/VZBOgnMBogI/AAAAAAAAA4I/JnPvhuHZAak/s640/blogger-image-1161434168.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CQ6wP2KhjhQ/VZBOIeYEkII/AAAAAAAAA3A/iFeWsFqLzho/s640/blogger-image-1073670887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CQ6wP2KhjhQ/VZBOIeYEkII/AAAAAAAAA3A/iFeWsFqLzho/s640/blogger-image-1073670887.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K7XSEC_8L7k/VZBOUw0fG2I/AAAAAAAAA3o/dRruweYuW_8/s640/blogger-image-403157268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K7XSEC_8L7k/VZBOUw0fG2I/AAAAAAAAA3o/dRruweYuW_8/s640/blogger-image-403157268.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WvJAywBjs8k/VZBOGIDGkxI/AAAAAAAAA24/80UWkFbgKbI/s640/blogger-image--665923350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WvJAywBjs8k/VZBOGIDGkxI/AAAAAAAAA24/80UWkFbgKbI/s640/blogger-image--665923350.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oHdK2PT4vzA/VZBPMJy-H9I/AAAAAAAAA54/NWZWipz-tQ8/s640/blogger-image--115964129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oHdK2PT4vzA/VZBPMJy-H9I/AAAAAAAAA54/NWZWipz-tQ8/s640/blogger-image--115964129.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KvXcI_G-IbU/VZBO_7fAt0I/AAAAAAAAA5g/okMqNqtXGo8/s640/blogger-image-1989280211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KvXcI_G-IbU/VZBO_7fAt0I/AAAAAAAAA5g/okMqNqtXGo8/s640/blogger-image-1989280211.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zwI_tSrlhBc/VZBOakAMKTI/AAAAAAAAA34/-JrWRyLqN0k/s640/blogger-image--16635062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zwI_tSrlhBc/VZBOakAMKTI/AAAAAAAAA34/-JrWRyLqN0k/s640/blogger-image--16635062.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K4nE6VgP10g/VZBOszz77vI/AAAAAAAAA4w/DEyyg4Mr5nc/s640/blogger-image-1223184433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K4nE6VgP10g/VZBOszz77vI/AAAAAAAAA4w/DEyyg4Mr5nc/s640/blogger-image-1223184433.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rfH7z807yXQ/VZBPOxtCDoI/AAAAAAAAA6A/VIMOJBcIaW8/s640/blogger-image--739357113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rfH7z807yXQ/VZBPOxtCDoI/AAAAAAAAA6A/VIMOJBcIaW8/s640/blogger-image--739357113.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After washing all of the salt off of our bodies we took a short drive into the Judean desert to ride camels. Hey, we are in the Middle East after all!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had an absolute blast on these precious animals.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kmcu3dSu6lQ/VZBPJcNI8QI/AAAAAAAAA5w/PhhRYhBp3tQ/s640/blogger-image--722479589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kmcu3dSu6lQ/VZBPJcNI8QI/AAAAAAAAA5w/PhhRYhBp3tQ/s640/blogger-image--722479589.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Of9oh_5m1k/VZBOeJItB3I/AAAAAAAAA4A/Lfr_NtMgCOY/s640/blogger-image-2000410461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ywuv2MbZxh0/VZBOqVZ92sI/AAAAAAAAA4o/8VLROmjP2lE/s640/blogger-image-1754141558.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b854AzEQiJ8/VZBO0drQPJI/AAAAAAAAA5I/mA2yN4nLIQw/s640/blogger-image--1857915233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b854AzEQiJ8/VZBO0drQPJI/AAAAAAAAA5I/mA2yN4nLIQw/s640/blogger-image--1857915233.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yjs3xfDjkj8/VZBOvr9UIJI/AAAAAAAAA44/lDsZD3xATEM/s640/blogger-image-19840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yjs3xfDjkj8/VZBOvr9UIJI/AAAAAAAAA44/lDsZD3xATEM/s640/blogger-image-19840.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ChY9fSglxTQ/VZBODxZmJwI/AAAAAAAAA2w/9HccAeNuxQI/s640/blogger-image--1041196243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ChY9fSglxTQ/VZBODxZmJwI/AAAAAAAAA2w/9HccAeNuxQI/s640/blogger-image--1041196243.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bwax4fHQybY/VZBOPTgyiOI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/lbkty4ZaDWo/s640/blogger-image-1269786496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bwax4fHQybY/VZBOPTgyiOI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/lbkty4ZaDWo/s640/blogger-image-1269786496.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E5YZJMSwXp4/VZBO6kyujdI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/fyL86hnM3o4/s640/blogger-image-2031533640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E5YZJMSwXp4/VZBO6kyujdI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/fyL86hnM3o4/s640/blogger-image-2031533640.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cb5YwQ_CSjw/VZBPTUMVxjI/AAAAAAAAA6I/sSqe9zNQKF4/s640/blogger-image-914377480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cb5YwQ_CSjw/VZBPTUMVxjI/AAAAAAAAA6I/sSqe9zNQKF4/s640/blogger-image-914377480.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Getting up is half the fun, as my wife Leasa shows as our camel stood up with us in top. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ET94Cy42h4s/VZBPCmdgVhI/AAAAAAAAA5o/bomCAdc0LkA/s640/blogger-image--1249958935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ET94Cy42h4s/VZBPCmdgVhI/AAAAAAAAA5o/bomCAdc0LkA/s640/blogger-image--1249958935.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b_5Csuo6WZs/VZBO9B6eQlI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/d_cGaKGMJAw/s640/blogger-image--758279831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b_5Csuo6WZs/VZBO9B6eQlI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/d_cGaKGMJAw/s640/blogger-image--758279831.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The guide handed the reins of the camels to Hayley, and she became the guide in charge of all 10 camels.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uXaprnGuWcg/VZBOlUffs1I/AAAAAAAAA4Y/PFsjrz2MOqI/s640/blogger-image-1351700551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uXaprnGuWcg/VZBOlUffs1I/AAAAAAAAA4Y/PFsjrz2MOqI/s640/blogger-image-1351700551.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div>After some of our heavier experiences during our trip, it wa nice to do a couple of activities simply for fun and enjoyment, and we took advantage of the opportunity. I hope you will consider taking the opportunity to come and float in the Dead Sea and rejuvenate your body with the mineral filled mud...</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>David Shukiarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978415102065674198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959669837373536683.post-1652443484209298392015-06-28T12:33:00.001-07:002015-06-28T13:38:22.286-07:00Into the Desert, Masada and the Dead Sea part 1<div>So many pictures to share with you all I need to break this in to two posts. </div><div><br></div><div>Today was another incredible day of touring Israel. We boarded our bus earlier than ever before on the trip and made the journey outside Jerusalem towards Jordan and the Dead Sea basin, the lowest point on earth, almost 450 meters below sea level. We drove right past the security fence that was constructed to prevent homicide bombers from entering Israel from Palestinian <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Territories threatening the lives of Israelis. We crossed over the Green Line into Palestinian territory and were truly driving through the desert. One thing was made clear during this drive, Jerusalem is an oasis, a beautiful, green city full of life. The desert was just like you would expect, barren and harsh. We passed through many Bedouin villages and couldn't believe how people could live in these conditions. It made all of us feel grateful for the homes we have back in California. We drove alongside the Dead Sea, right passed the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls we had seen yesterday were originally found. Finally, after about an hour and 15 minutes we arrived at Masada. </span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k1KwBI5Unjo/VZBL7ggg2DI/AAAAAAAAA2o/iBitfVtxZUE/s640/blogger-image-759210325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k1KwBI5Unjo/VZBL7ggg2DI/AAAAAAAAA2o/iBitfVtxZUE/s640/blogger-image-759210325.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We waited patiently for our cable car that would take all of us up to the top of Masada. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0LW3-VT6rvE/VZBLTcDwEcI/AAAAAAAAA0w/wGTgETjjf6w/s640/blogger-image-362790941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0LW3-VT6rvE/VZBLTcDwEcI/AAAAAAAAA0w/wGTgETjjf6w/s640/blogger-image-362790941.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dT17-QU15MA/VZBK9Z4qZbI/AAAAAAAAA0A/agtiwstpq-U/s640/blogger-image--1568305050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dT17-QU15MA/VZBK9Z4qZbI/AAAAAAAAA0A/agtiwstpq-U/s640/blogger-image--1568305050.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yYKmDPL8Xho/VZBLVu0HBSI/AAAAAAAAA04/8n132N8g6o0/s640/blogger-image--567568331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yYKmDPL8Xho/VZBLVu0HBSI/AAAAAAAAA04/8n132N8g6o0/s640/blogger-image--567568331.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At the top of the mountain we were greeted with amazing views of the valley below. It was a bit hazy, so seeing Jordan across the Dead Sea was difficult at first. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7v_Q9CRd67A/VZBLrb3jfhI/AAAAAAAAA14/8K991J3Ipl4/s640/blogger-image-1796667260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7v_Q9CRd67A/VZBLrb3jfhI/AAAAAAAAA14/8K991J3Ipl4/s640/blogger-image-1796667260.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h7RbaAK6EZ4/VZBL15AvbrI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/g5LCf0SRL-s/s640/blogger-image-1652136144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h7RbaAK6EZ4/VZBL15AvbrI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/g5LCf0SRL-s/s640/blogger-image-1652136144.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Uri told us about the story of Masada, originally built by King Herod but made famous because it was the sight of the Jewish Zealots' last stand against the Romans. First, Uri shared with us why King Herod but his palace/fortress atop this mountain and how they sustained themselves while living up here in the desert. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8wVwMzXf99s/VZBK7YSJboI/AAAAAAAAAz4/666ZJQ2UuoM/s640/blogger-image--1983241486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8wVwMzXf99s/VZBK7YSJboI/AAAAAAAAAz4/666ZJQ2UuoM/s640/blogger-image--1983241486.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6IP4nFKLNAY/VZBLuD_CEHI/AAAAAAAAA2A/oXW61R5Qyjk/s640/blogger-image--1934884094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6IP4nFKLNAY/VZBLuD_CEHI/AAAAAAAAA2A/oXW61R5Qyjk/s640/blogger-image--1934884094.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here, Uri is sharing how water was collected on the mountain, using the dry river beds and a system of large collection cisterns built into the mountain. He used his volunteers to show the water collection process. It is incredible to think that this mountain only received 2 inches of rainfall annually, and that King Herod's builders were able to figure out how to get water up the mountain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Oa_CFNFKv9o/VZBLoyRmIqI/AAAAAAAAA1w/jzInYeUgcoo/s640/blogger-image-522179305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Oa_CFNFKv9o/VZBLoyRmIqI/AAAAAAAAA1w/jzInYeUgcoo/s640/blogger-image-522179305.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xnV43hpZ9hA/VZBLw-q9c4I/AAAAAAAAA2I/xQ8cQPJ0M3k/s640/blogger-image--1667114033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xnV43hpZ9hA/VZBLw-q9c4I/AAAAAAAAA2I/xQ8cQPJ0M3k/s640/blogger-image--1667114033.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Uri then took us on a tour of Herod's elaborate and enormous palace atop the mountain. Herod loved luxury and this estate did not disappoint.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C0QeKPgYTyU/VZBLjwKuNcI/AAAAAAAAA1g/KeDI7P2xSDk/s640/blogger-image--1242842166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C0QeKPgYTyU/VZBLjwKuNcI/AAAAAAAAA1g/KeDI7P2xSDk/s640/blogger-image--1242842166.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZQTdI65SydA/VZBLOnTCKSI/AAAAAAAAA0g/T0nelI5uf5g/s640/blogger-image--466261806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZQTdI65SydA/VZBLOnTCKSI/AAAAAAAAA0g/T0nelI5uf5g/s640/blogger-image--466261806.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We learned how Herod was able to store food in storage sheds like these.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VRtWInO0xfQ/VZBbOkGz3WI/AAAAAAAAA6o/rXrIzgnbtG0/s640/blogger-image-321410648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VRtWInO0xfQ/VZBbOkGz3WI/AAAAAAAAA6o/rXrIzgnbtG0/s640/blogger-image-321410648.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And we toured other ruins from Herod's palace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yihgOlmQ1zc/VZBLbT54ILI/AAAAAAAAA1I/Y4uHfW53jaE/s640/blogger-image--1209990812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yihgOlmQ1zc/VZBLbT54ILI/AAAAAAAAA1I/Y4uHfW53jaE/s640/blogger-image--1209990812.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O65xiCuljVs/VZBLmBtLxoI/AAAAAAAAA1o/HMSV90UC9MI/s640/blogger-image-2087909553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O65xiCuljVs/VZBLmBtLxoI/AAAAAAAAA1o/HMSV90UC9MI/s640/blogger-image-2087909553.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We saw the Roman Bath House and were amazed at some of the mosaics preserved at the sight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FLYAsF6XYCk/VZBLCu_KpuI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/WKZQW58t1Jo/s640/blogger-image--80644272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FLYAsF6XYCk/VZBLCu_KpuI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/WKZQW58t1Jo/s640/blogger-image--80644272.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The ruins were really incredible. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A long time after Herod was no longer ruling and about 2000 years ago, Masada became famous for another event. As the Romans were conquering Jerusalem, the Jewish Zealots who were fighting with them retreated to Masada with 900 plus men, women and children. Because of Herod's advanced building techniques they were able to maintain a nice life atop the mountain for some time. The Romans simply waited below in camps like these for the Zealots to be forced to give up. They waited for years...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W6gWgLxdGbA/VZBLdhknBTI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/z1k4rzWBmfM/s640/blogger-image-336777786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W6gWgLxdGbA/VZBLdhknBTI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/z1k4rzWBmfM/s640/blogger-image-336777786.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We saw direct evidence that the Zealots lived in Masada. One of these was the addition of these two Mikva'ot. It really showed how much their Judaism meant to them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yx-YPU-21Mg/VZBLz67yMEI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/bPEHpd8VXGI/s640/blogger-image-1535562962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yx-YPU-21Mg/VZBLz67yMEI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/bPEHpd8VXGI/s640/blogger-image-1535562962.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We saw the temple they created where many important decisions were made. The most important was after the Romans decided not to wait below at the foot of the mountain any longer, because they grew impatient and the Zealots had so much water and food stored that it seemed like they would never come down the mountain for supplies. So, the Romans began to build a huge ramp because if the Zealots were not going to come down, they were going to come up. Here are the remnants of the ramp built by the Romans.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tkuNBiZ4OgE/VZBLATRl3aI/AAAAAAAAA0I/w6E4xU0PLN8/s640/blogger-image--1538182907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tkuNBiZ4OgE/VZBLATRl3aI/AAAAAAAAA0I/w6E4xU0PLN8/s640/blogger-image--1538182907.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As it became clear that the Romans were coming, the Zealots had to make a difficult decision. They knew there was no way they could win against the Roman army that outnumbered them 15 to one. They could either fight to the death, give up, try to run down the mountain or decide to leave our world on their own terms and die free instead of getting caught and being tortured and enslaved. Here is the temple where the decision was believed to be made.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RO22E93ff7g/VZBLg2qrz0I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/gRVaBB1BEq8/s640/blogger-image--1937066556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RO22E93ff7g/VZBLg2qrz0I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/gRVaBB1BEq8/s640/blogger-image--1937066556.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_HcLTSgp2Mc/VZBLQ3LCXhI/AAAAAAAAA0o/89e8Cmydbis/s640/blogger-image-1300372375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_HcLTSgp2Mc/VZBLQ3LCXhI/AAAAAAAAA0o/89e8Cmydbis/s640/blogger-image-1300372375.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">According to Josephus Flavius, a Jewish Zealot turned Roman documentarian, the decision was made that all 900 plus on top the mountain would, in essence take their own lives and choose to die free rather than risk getting caught. It is important to note that while there is evidence that the Zealots were indeed on top of the mountain, there is no evidence with the exception for the documentation from Josephus Flavius. We simply do not know what truly happened. But today Masada stands for the strength that is Israel. Israelis often say that Masada will never again fall as it did 2000 years ago. This drive, sometimes against all odds is one of the things that define Israel and Israelis who have fought for freedom again and again. Even if we do not agree with what the Zealots may have done, or the tactics they used, Masada has become <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">an important symbol for Israel, so important that every tourist, every Israeli school child ascends to the top of the mountain to experience all that Masada has to offer.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fj8cyboBHW8/VZBLYvwnhlI/AAAAAAAAA1A/c5vP9BHrybU/s640/blogger-image--223275679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fj8cyboBHW8/VZBLYvwnhlI/AAAAAAAAA1A/c5vP9BHrybU/s640/blogger-image--223275679.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gpf2wuU5BAM/VZBLMt2T-YI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/L-VlSJo-N6o/s640/blogger-image-245995114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gpf2wuU5BAM/VZBLMt2T-YI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/L-VlSJo-N6o/s640/blogger-image-245995114.jpg"></a></div></div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was an interesting couple of hours that really gave us pause to think about how we might face certain challenges in our own lives. It also gave us a feeling of gratitude that we are not in a similar position to the Zealots who had to make a difficult and unthinkable decision.</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>David Shukiarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978415102065674198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959669837373536683.post-25435829534239067702015-06-27T12:40:00.001-07:002015-06-27T14:02:01.952-07:00Shabbat in Jerusalem<div>Waking up on Shabbat morning in Jerusalem brings one a different kind of calm. Walking the streets you find that almost the entire city takes a Shabbat. Can you imagine it? If you were walking down Thousand Oaks Blvd. with every store closed and absolutely no one on the road except for taxi cabs driving tourists around? It is almost silent, peaceful. A truly unique experience. I really hope all of our travelers were able to see the Shabbat calm that comes over Jerusalem as we share this Shabbat here in Israel, a day with very little organized programming.</div><div><br></div><div>After sleeping in and having breakfast (not quite the same feast we are used to because there is no fresh hot food being cooked because it is forbidden on Shabbat, even the espresso machine was turned off) many of us chose to go to the renewed Israel Museum, one of the few museums open on Shabbat. I truly love this museum, probably the largest museum I have ever been to in my life. I remember last time I visited Israel I went here and never made it out of the first building! I could hardly wait to share this with my family. </div><div><br></div><div>We started our visit with a walk through a sculpture garden where Hayley couldn't resist recreating the pose of the statue.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g6zwBxkIj5E/VY77_aS4DZI/AAAAAAAAAyg/sSXsQEe2fqk/s640/blogger-image--632450739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g6zwBxkIj5E/VY77_aS4DZI/AAAAAAAAAyg/sSXsQEe2fqk/s640/blogger-image--632450739.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We then went to one of my favorite exhibits, the Shrine of the Book, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls. I loved watching Hayley absorb this exhibit, realizing that she was looking at the earliest example of our biblical writings. She would try to recognize some of the Hebrew letters, and even though it looked very different then the script we read today, she was able to spot many letters. Leasa also was able to read the Hebrew, and we commented at how tall the letter lamed was in the writings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AT7eX8Nishc/VY77sTkQAkI/AAAAAAAAAxg/l70wQNriTt0/s640/blogger-image--1965429816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AT7eX8Nishc/VY77sTkQAkI/AAAAAAAAAxg/l70wQNriTt0/s640/blogger-image--1965429816.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Another posing moment...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NjrPtzt7iCQ/VY770ObgjMI/AAAAAAAAAx4/UXJmHoHkt9A/s640/blogger-image--1152397395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NjrPtzt7iCQ/VY770ObgjMI/AAAAAAAAAx4/UXJmHoHkt9A/s640/blogger-image--1152397395.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When we were doing our archeological dig, our archeologist explained about the most important find that came from a group like ours. Someone dug up a piece from a tablet, with writing on it that was identified as coming from the time of the Maccabees. He explained that we could see this tablet in the Israel museum and really appreciate the size of the find. We made it our mission to find this tablet, and I am proud to say we did! It took some work and research, but we accomplished our goal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QDrDCV6pWqY/VY7766sKyfI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/iKUMoVrOjfk/s640/blogger-image-1874133552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QDrDCV6pWqY/VY7766sKyfI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/iKUMoVrOjfk/s640/blogger-image-1874133552.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It is amazing to think of what might be dug up next in these caves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The last time I visited the museum, I really wanted to see the exhibit that took synagogues from the 1700's from all over the world and transported them to the museum where they were on permanent display. I never had a chance to make it to this exhibit last time, and was determined to get there this time. On the way we walked through exhibit after exhibit of judaica from across the centuries as well as ancient archeology. We found the synagogues and were blown away.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here is the Vittorio Veneto Sunagogue, completed in 1700 near Venice, Italy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sCxFm377UZo/VY77uUZyYFI/AAAAAAAAAxo/X3QmS414g10/s640/blogger-image--2133316956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sCxFm377UZo/VY77uUZyYFI/AAAAAAAAAxo/X3QmS414g10/s640/blogger-image--2133316956.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-odv-wwDbwrs/VY77fkfNKrI/AAAAAAAAAw4/0SNh7393Sqc/s640/blogger-image--901714075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-odv-wwDbwrs/VY77fkfNKrI/AAAAAAAAAw4/0SNh7393Sqc/s640/blogger-image--901714075.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Next we walked into the Horb Synagogue from Germany, a temple that was turned into a barn, with only the ceiling displaying any evidence that a synagogue once was there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Next was the Kadavumbegam Synagogue from Cochin, India. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-udu5WvXOe0M/VY779GxtxwI/AAAAAAAAAyY/ooZgHFJph3I/s640/blogger-image--1439562501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-udu5WvXOe0M/VY779GxtxwI/AAAAAAAAAyY/ooZgHFJph3I/s640/blogger-image--1439562501.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ofJzKPfYCpE/VY774y3YyZI/AAAAAAAAAyI/HFa7xbF8rj0/s640/blogger-image-643644156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ofJzKPfYCpE/VY774y3YyZI/AAAAAAAAAyI/HFa7xbF8rj0/s640/blogger-image-643644156.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Finally, we walked into the Tzedek ve-Shalom Synagogue found in Oaramaribo, Suriname, which is in Holland. Hayley especially loved the sand on the floor of this synagogue, placed there to remind the worshippers of the Sinai desert (I also learned that it was to prevent noise from walking on the floor).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qfubX8LhlrM/VY77Vb9U8LI/AAAAAAAAAwY/nngUNgyASDs/s640/blogger-image-304961528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qfubX8LhlrM/VY77Vb9U8LI/AAAAAAAAAwY/nngUNgyASDs/s640/blogger-image-304961528.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EQQOxUXoHwg/VY77S-R83mI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/NT5GzjWTy_k/s640/blogger-image--1233203498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EQQOxUXoHwg/VY77S-R83mI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/NT5GzjWTy_k/s640/blogger-image--1233203498.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Seeing these synagogues and explaining the women's sections upstairs brought up some interesting conversations about this and how women were separated. It was another reason I am so proud to be a part of Temple Adat Elohim where I can pray next to my wife and daughters. I simply cannot imagine a Judaism where I could not do this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We then walked into an amazing display of artwork, including pieces from Monet,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5js8hFbqXHw/VY772Mar9GI/AAAAAAAAAyA/yQZyoFFJi8s/s640/blogger-image--1648750073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5js8hFbqXHw/VY772Mar9GI/AAAAAAAAAyA/yQZyoFFJi8s/s640/blogger-image--1648750073.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1nxYURLeuQA/VY77XG9zdpI/AAAAAAAAAwg/MuRS0p6F7vY/s640/blogger-image-1028035958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1nxYURLeuQA/VY77XG9zdpI/AAAAAAAAAwg/MuRS0p6F7vY/s640/blogger-image-1028035958.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cezanne,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5EFC0VQvZwE/VY77pu5zgHI/AAAAAAAAAxY/MKHNvVzGf3w/s640/blogger-image-639059622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5EFC0VQvZwE/VY77pu5zgHI/AAAAAAAAAxY/MKHNvVzGf3w/s640/blogger-image-639059622.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Van Gogh,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-usBD9t-szvQ/VY77wfdj-fI/AAAAAAAAAxw/UkFe9M4yvoM/s640/blogger-image--741447108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-usBD9t-szvQ/VY77wfdj-fI/AAAAAAAAAxw/UkFe9M4yvoM/s640/blogger-image--741447108.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Picasso,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nJkcapa8c4k/VY77jZeer7I/AAAAAAAAAxI/JrAmeNPnJYQ/s640/blogger-image-297783064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nJkcapa8c4k/VY77jZeer7I/AAAAAAAAAxI/JrAmeNPnJYQ/s640/blogger-image-297783064.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And Jackson Pollock.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8gwOW3Tw7M4/VY78BldG0_I/AAAAAAAAAyo/fTyGDk9U73w/s640/blogger-image-142667021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8gwOW3Tw7M4/VY78BldG0_I/AAAAAAAAAyo/fTyGDk9U73w/s640/blogger-image-142667021.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was amazing to watch Hayley discover art, some she really connected to and others she looked at and couldn't figure out why it was called art. Leasa was wonderful at explaining the different time periods and artistic styles and Hayley really loved absorbing all she could from these incredible artists. It was an awe-inspiring collection.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We then went into the large sculpture garden where we saw the famous Ahava sculpture and some other interesting and thought provoking pieces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GbnZYh0liPs/VY77lgA8i-I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/bItS86rvbz8/s640/blogger-image-890264530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GbnZYh0liPs/VY77lgA8i-I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/bItS86rvbz8/s640/blogger-image-890264530.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yl9NqYW2MNI/VY77dEubx3I/AAAAAAAAAww/KOg-oFJsl9A/s640/blogger-image--1275541463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yl9NqYW2MNI/VY77dEubx3I/AAAAAAAAAww/KOg-oFJsl9A/s640/blogger-image--1275541463.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QHsQX3MlZAo/VY77hGH8kAI/AAAAAAAAAxA/TxuIivJuKno/s640/blogger-image-289162724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QHsQX3MlZAo/VY77hGH8kAI/AAAAAAAAAxA/TxuIivJuKno/s640/blogger-image-289162724.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We thought the Second Temple Period Model of Jerusalem was amazing as well, giving us a clear picture of what ancient Jerusalem looked like so very long ago. We were able to identify places around the Temple Mount that we had visited including the southern steps, Robinson's Arch and the arches that supported the ramp to the entrance to the Temple Mount we stood under when we visited the Western Wall Tunnels.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0P0ULOZnaZY/VY77Zw8e-AI/AAAAAAAAAwo/0GqHIOJVQHI/s640/blogger-image-631441115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0P0ULOZnaZY/VY77Zw8e-AI/AAAAAAAAAwo/0GqHIOJVQHI/s640/blogger-image-631441115.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2PcW2dN70iE/VY78FXqbCfI/AAAAAAAAAyw/JFxDpUxMgls/s640/blogger-image--2054229417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2PcW2dN70iE/VY78FXqbCfI/AAAAAAAAAyw/JFxDpUxMgls/s640/blogger-image--2054229417.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Shabbat ended with a walk to the Hebrew Union College to meet with three other Reform congregations for a communal havdallah ceremony. There were more than 125 people from the four congregations as well as some HUC students, including Rachel Dubowe. It was so nice to be a part of such a strong and large community to share in this ritual. My part of the ceremony explained the notion of separation, and I tried to recognize not only separating Shabbat from the rest of the week, but separating this trip from the rest of our lives.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We also took this opportunity to wear our trip t-shirts to show our TAE pride (thanks Randy, for coordinating these shirts for us).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BVhQwalf2h8/VY8DBsKEUKI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/XRv3DcMoYBw/s640/blogger-image--682223356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BVhQwalf2h8/VY8DBsKEUKI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/XRv3DcMoYBw/s640/blogger-image--682223356.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_lipzyCV7LQ/VY8DJmKqHjI/AAAAAAAAAzo/hDV6WrXBCQ4/s640/blogger-image--1942046569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_lipzyCV7LQ/VY8DJmKqHjI/AAAAAAAAAzo/hDV6WrXBCQ4/s640/blogger-image--1942046569.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8fId1xk3t3Y/VY8C9UrmeKI/AAAAAAAAAzA/U5UgTu4jHaI/s640/blogger-image-649672080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8fId1xk3t3Y/VY8C9UrmeKI/AAAAAAAAAzA/U5UgTu4jHaI/s640/blogger-image-649672080.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IXTknR7RiC4/VY8C_MsarqI/AAAAAAAAAzI/vQ7CSu8Dbzg/s640/blogger-image-944729489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IXTknR7RiC4/VY8C_MsarqI/AAAAAAAAAzI/vQ7CSu8Dbzg/s640/blogger-image-944729489.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There is not another group of people I would rather share this trip with then those in these pictures below. It is a special group of people who are becoming a special family sharing some incredible experiences together that will bond us forever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nXiUsgtSVpU/VY8DEC5nn5I/AAAAAAAAAzY/mIKo7epyuUM/s640/blogger-image--1319946941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nXiUsgtSVpU/VY8DEC5nn5I/AAAAAAAAAzY/mIKo7epyuUM/s640/blogger-image--1319946941.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u89U63upEBM/VY8DHEXC2TI/AAAAAAAAAzg/_HMveGIpCbg/s640/blogger-image-715959121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u89U63upEBM/VY8DHEXC2TI/AAAAAAAAAzg/_HMveGIpCbg/s640/blogger-image-715959121.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div>Following havdallah we walked through town to dinner. The amazing thing about Jerusalem is how the city wakes up when Shabbat ends. We went to a non-kosher restaurant that was open while it was still Shabbat and by the time we were finished, every store was open and every restaurant was packed, and Jerusalem was alive again! It was wonderful to see the transformation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We are off to bed now because tomorrow we get an extra early start as we experience Masada, floating in the Dead Sea and riding camels! It will be anoth terrific day in this unbelievable place. You must travel here and feel what Israel can give to you. TAE will gladly take you there, as we will begin planning our next trip in 2017 when I return. Coming to Israel is amazing, coming with your community is priceless. Shavua tov to you all!</div></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>David Shukiarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978415102065674198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959669837373536683.post-51557591127751503772015-06-26T23:11:00.001-07:002015-06-27T07:05:08.467-07:00Ready, Set, Cook and Enjoying Shabbat<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br>After returning to the hotel to change out of our nicer clothes we boarded our bus for an adventure... We were only the third group to participate in this activity, called Ready, Set, Cook. As I explained it to our travelers, to be honest they did not look too excited... An activity that forced them to cook??? On vacation????? The bus took us in to the wilderness and dropped us off where there were three tables set in front of us loaded with ingredients. The chef split us randomly in to three teams and we were ready to get our instructions for the activity. Here is what he said to our anxious group:</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Make whatever you want.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Yes, that was all the instruction we got. We were to create whatever meal we wanted and we would be judged by what we created. We had 45 minutes to cook. The beginning was kind of chaotic, but then something magical started to happen. Our individual travelers began working in teams, building beautiful dishes and building beautiful friendships. It was incredible to watch. I hope you can see this in the pictures below.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DNODKM4w8t8/VY3APNoXqyI/AAAAAAAAAms/c2v-ocvqzOU/s640/blogger-image--700187497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DNODKM4w8t8/VY3APNoXqyI/AAAAAAAAAms/c2v-ocvqzOU/s640/blogger-image--700187497.jpg"></span></a></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The yellow pepper team!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HpagFVu9C00/VY3BWqbs14I/AAAAAAAAAps/iMeKXRwY1mA/s640/blogger-image-1178233779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HpagFVu9C00/VY3BWqbs14I/AAAAAAAAAps/iMeKXRwY1mA/s640/blogger-image-1178233779.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The green cucumber team!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gz2TDeogjJc/VY3AticAxhI/AAAAAAAAAn8/wUVnhlYKs5s/s640/blogger-image-1755499101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gz2TDeogjJc/VY3AticAxhI/AAAAAAAAAn8/wUVnhlYKs5s/s640/blogger-image-1755499101.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The red tomato team!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And... Go!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AbN-1WP-NZg/VY3A80DtkRI/AAAAAAAAAo0/dk5VJszWIVY/s640/blogger-image--636962830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AbN-1WP-NZg/VY3A80DtkRI/AAAAAAAAAo0/dk5VJszWIVY/s640/blogger-image--636962830.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FsFt20Et7tU/VY3A275rylI/AAAAAAAAAok/qHBFPgbVieU/s640/blogger-image--2143278408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_C1UFSv0UfY/VY4-k3ugh3I/AAAAAAAAAvw/V8r11rruocY/s640/blogger-image--75788769.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X9iDjQfWImg/VY4-iNrkldI/AAAAAAAAAvo/9J1nJhN7VfM/s640/blogger-image--1215540036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X9iDjQfWImg/VY4-iNrkldI/AAAAAAAAAvo/9J1nJhN7VfM/s640/blogger-image--1215540036.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eGzAlsTlIWk/VY4-fvTD4KI/AAAAAAAAAvg/fMzXmxP_JDQ/s640/blogger-image-1691303538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eGzAlsTlIWk/VY4-fvTD4KI/AAAAAAAAAvg/fMzXmxP_JDQ/s640/blogger-image-1691303538.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zs_lQ5lSPRc/VY4-dLSVsqI/AAAAAAAAAvY/7-bmO0YlQK0/s640/blogger-image--1544488418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zs_lQ5lSPRc/VY4-dLSVsqI/AAAAAAAAAvY/7-bmO0YlQK0/s640/blogger-image--1544488418.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2OgFkF7o5Bk/VY4-ONL75YI/AAAAAAAAAuw/77fgZu6iRfA/s640/blogger-image--268085123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2OgFkF7o5Bk/VY4-ONL75YI/AAAAAAAAAuw/77fgZu6iRfA/s640/blogger-image--268085123.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The meals we created were creative and delicious! We all enjoyed each other's creation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ovhNzd65sn8/VY4-Wmc-uBI/AAAAAAAAAvA/xD3iAISC7Vk/s640/blogger-image--1852801241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ovhNzd65sn8/VY4-Wmc-uBI/AAAAAAAAAvA/xD3iAISC7Vk/s640/blogger-image--1852801241.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The chef did select some people who displayed extra skills with their dishes and awarded them a souvenir apron, and chose the yellow peppers as the winning team. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9g805brYjqQ/VY4-EaRBkHI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/6_F52Sif2Us/s640/blogger-image-1188159611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9g805brYjqQ/VY4-EaRBkHI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/6_F52Sif2Us/s640/blogger-image-1188159611.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mx-bQE96eCo/VY4-B3whUGI/AAAAAAAAAuI/FBeElofJHP0/s640/blogger-image--545018565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mx-bQE96eCo/VY4-B3whUGI/AAAAAAAAAuI/FBeElofJHP0/s640/blogger-image--545018565.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A9SwgWVXTIA/VY4-Kt4wSiI/AAAAAAAAAuo/7ulZaYCOfRU/s640/blogger-image--256329104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A9SwgWVXTIA/VY4-Kt4wSiI/AAAAAAAAAuo/7ulZaYCOfRU/s640/blogger-image--256329104.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was a terrific event, another magical moment in Israel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Friday night brought a special activity, sharing Shabbat with a local reform congregation and then going in to the homes of the congregants to share a meal. This would give our travelers a truly Israeli Shabbat experience. Services were held with Rabbi Stacey Blank at her community, Kehillat Tzur Hadassah, a community of about 45 member families. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nx0pAW5fD7M/VY6a-b_cmuI/AAAAAAAAAwA/zYMgqz3HwZM/s640/blogger-image-608557625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nx0pAW5fD7M/VY6a-b_cmuI/AAAAAAAAAwA/zYMgqz3HwZM/s640/blogger-image-608557625.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The service was beautiful, the music familiar to us, so familiar that you could hear TAE singing along with the prayers. It was so meaningful to be with our community praying in Israel. Our banot mitzvah were invited to light the Shabbat candles in honor of their accomplishments. Rabbi Stacey was kind enough to print out a copy of her sermon for us in English as she would deliver it in Hebrew. What a powerful sermon that made me think of all that was happening at TAE in regard to our transition. It was a powerful message that we all need to hear. Here is what she said. "All endings are sad, painful and even sometimes complicated. But they all lead to new beginnings which are exciting, refreshing and full of hope." The departure of Rabbi Dubowe is hard, and very sad, and the arrival of Rabbi Straus signifies a new beginning that is full of hope. And feeling that hope and excitement with the arrival of Rabbi Straus does not, in any diminish our sadness as Rabbi Dubowe leaves TAE. What an important and impactful sermon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After services each family was paired with a family from Kehillat Tzur Hadassah and invited into their homes to share a meal. We had about two hours with our families. Two hours feels like a long time, but I remember from two years ago it flew by. Spending time in Israeli homes, getting to talk about life in Israel is such a gift to help us understand what it like to live there and to be a Reform Jew. As our families left one by one I could see that they were nervous about this meal. And I knew that when I saw them again they would share how they wished they could have more time...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Leasa, Carly, Hayley and I spent the evening in the home of Rabbi Stacey Blank and her family. We were able to participate in many of their Shabbat rituals, like singing z'mirot around the table as we made Shabbat together. In between each song we would share things that are special about each person around the table. First, we focused on the mothers, then the fathers and finally, the children. It was a beautiful ritual, one that reminded me how grateful I am to have my family with me. After a fantastic meal and an even more fantastic time getting to know this beautiful family, it was time to get back to the hotel and get to bed. Shabbat in Israel is unlike anywhere else.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here are a couple of pictures of our touring group with their Israeli families.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ImRW8oAlnN8/VY4-GM50CAI/AAAAAAAAAuY/CjOSoLMFgVY/s640/blogger-image--686926304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ImRW8oAlnN8/VY4-GM50CAI/AAAAAAAAAuY/CjOSoLMFgVY/s640/blogger-image--686926304.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ketjij7zgjo/VY4-I5jjpcI/AAAAAAAAAug/zfLKttZ8sHQ/s640/blogger-image--1406148820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ketjij7zgjo/VY4-I5jjpcI/AAAAAAAAAug/zfLKttZ8sHQ/s640/blogger-image--1406148820.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; 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background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><br style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">David Shukiarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978415102065674198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959669837373536683.post-13457043114995920402015-06-26T22:56:00.001-07:002015-06-27T00:50:10.168-07:00Spirituality and Tradition<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This next day of traveling needs to be broken up in to two different blog posts because I have so many pictures to share...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our Friday in Jerusalem began with a short bus ride to the Goldman Promenade, a beautiful place with an incredible view overlooking the Old City and the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount. Here, under a canopy, we would gather, as a community, to experience communal prayer in Israel. Doing a service while overlooking four thousand years of Jewish history is really powerful. Uri started by pointing out what we were seeing and I could see our community connecting to the sites we had experienced. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I remember the last trip I led two years ago how transformed I was by praying and facing the holiest of Jewish places. Since that trip each time I turn to face east during a prayer like the Bar'chu I am once again standing at the Wall with my hands touching the ancient stone. Israel has had a huge impact on the way I pray. I wanted our group, especially our children, to have the chance to feel what is like to pray facing the Temple Mount.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We also had some surprises for everyone...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZJTbxDgcxuk/VY3AZVnGcFI/AAAAAAAAAnM/8M-XCU9Gjxo/s640/blogger-image--1760716554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZJTbxDgcxuk/VY3AZVnGcFI/AAAAAAAAAnM/8M-XCU9Gjxo/s640/blogger-image--1760716554.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The first surprise is that two of our adult travelers decided to use this moment to declare how important being Jewish is to them by reading Torah as a bat mitzvah. While some of the adults knew this was going to happen, none of the children did, and it was a beautiful surprise for them. Here is Julie Klein receiving her Tallit from her family.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s2xomOL2Yyk/VY47FNhBLWI/AAAAAAAAAtk/22gcXxKpOVE/s640/blogger-image-1405649469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s2xomOL2Yyk/VY47FNhBLWI/AAAAAAAAAtk/22gcXxKpOVE/s640/blogger-image-1405649469.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dcOoaYGR6I0/VY3CIqslbFI/AAAAAAAAArM/6P2IS8NyaAE/s640/blogger-image--1931965173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dcOoaYGR6I0/VY3CIqslbFI/AAAAAAAAArM/6P2IS8NyaAE/s640/blogger-image--1931965173.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And here is Melanie Weisenfeld receiving hers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M0K3HZTtxk4/VY3CTqe4xWI/AAAAAAAAArk/57PDaBPMVKY/s640/blogger-image--2014437297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M0K3HZTtxk4/VY3CTqe4xWI/AAAAAAAAArk/57PDaBPMVKY/s640/blogger-image--2014437297.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SYmIwJTT8r4/VY3BmfZ4wmI/AAAAAAAAAqM/7GHUr6zaokU/s640/blogger-image-239992564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SYmIwJTT8r4/VY3BmfZ4wmI/AAAAAAAAAqM/7GHUr6zaokU/s640/blogger-image-239992564.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I then invited all the children to come forward to be our prayer leaders. Most of these kids have already led services at Temple Adat Elohim in some way, either as a bar or bat mitzvah, a confirmand, or as a part of the Junior Choir. I wanted to give them the chance to lead a service IN Israel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sVJIhqREpAs/VY3B4g8PrxI/AAAAAAAAAq0/E04BAWJwfQQ/s640/blogger-image-2074175480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sVJIhqREpAs/VY3B4g8PrxI/AAAAAAAAAq0/E04BAWJwfQQ/s640/blogger-image-2074175480.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For me, the coolest part was preparing for the Bar'chu. I am so accustomed to asking our community to face east as we throw our hearts across the sea to Jerusalem. This time, I had to ask everyone to face north so they could see the Old City and the Western Wall. This is a truly unique experience in Israel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4UtHEjcW260/VY3AkVhY2uI/AAAAAAAAAnk/3aedOcN5-tc/s640/blogger-image--477007444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4UtHEjcW260/VY3AkVhY2uI/AAAAAAAAAnk/3aedOcN5-tc/s640/blogger-image--477007444.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l9jiK0z9PL8/VY3BA7gYPFI/AAAAAAAAAo8/SA75U18gK98/s640/blogger-image-1094620399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l9jiK0z9PL8/VY3BA7gYPFI/AAAAAAAAAo8/SA75U18gK98/s640/blogger-image-1094620399.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kNRh31vBnuk/VY3AAshSatI/AAAAAAAAAmE/0YRa8tpE4LE/s640/blogger-image--1324477090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kNRh31vBnuk/VY3AAshSatI/AAAAAAAAAmE/0YRa8tpE4LE/s640/blogger-image--1324477090.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1lv0eNHBEek/VY3B0zlxP5I/AAAAAAAAAqs/THr-xW6KhEw/s640/blogger-image--1294194564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1lv0eNHBEek/VY3B0zlxP5I/AAAAAAAAAqs/THr-xW6KhEw/s640/blogger-image--1294194564.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The highlight of the service was our two banot mitzvah reading from our Torah. I am so proud of both of them, not just because of the wonderful job they did, but for the powerful statement they made that being Jewish is important to them, so much so that they, in front of their families and our community wanted to declare this publicly. They are an inspiration to us all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tSKuSIVVYE0/VY3BEqae5II/AAAAAAAAApE/fvBiG4yk7Kg/s640/blogger-image-959281053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tSKuSIVVYE0/VY3BEqae5II/AAAAAAAAApE/fvBiG4yk7Kg/s640/blogger-image-959281053.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hZ2G_tMITBE/VY3BLKVF0SI/AAAAAAAAApU/0MabMG71gL8/s640/blogger-image--793152874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hZ2G_tMITBE/VY3BLKVF0SI/AAAAAAAAApU/0MabMG71gL8/s640/blogger-image--793152874.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q1pkPkMURjw/VY3Av1fVV8I/AAAAAAAAAoE/RNXEOMeRuzM/s640/blogger-image-633779108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q1pkPkMURjw/VY3Av1fVV8I/AAAAAAAAAoE/RNXEOMeRuzM/s640/blogger-image-633779108.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EOpDnSIHeXY/VY3CEh94yMI/AAAAAAAAArE/Sl_bVEPdOn0/s640/blogger-image--1163838743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EOpDnSIHeXY/VY3CEh94yMI/AAAAAAAAArE/Sl_bVEPdOn0/s640/blogger-image--1163838743.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9D_NyUy7GiE/VY3AU-mJqQI/AAAAAAAAAm8/asDnyg24LI4/s640/blogger-image-1395657643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9D_NyUy7GiE/VY3AU-mJqQI/AAAAAAAAAm8/asDnyg24LI4/s640/blogger-image-1395657643.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iGpyzsMj1r4/VY3Aq_cPTyI/AAAAAAAAAn0/dqzVsDIVhfc/s640/blogger-image-1940554187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iGpyzsMj1r4/VY3Aq_cPTyI/AAAAAAAAAn0/dqzVsDIVhfc/s640/blogger-image-1940554187.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And then came some surprises that almost no one knew about, starting with a pre-wedding blessing for Robin and Randy, who will be celebrating their wedding in October. How beautiful it was for us to honor their commitment to each other in Israel surrounded by so much love.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PEZcCflVx4I/VY3CP3JlpoI/AAAAAAAAArc/vthgzVpvSlw/s640/blogger-image--1286412537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PEZcCflVx4I/VY3CP3JlpoI/AAAAAAAAArc/vthgzVpvSlw/s640/blogger-image--1286412537.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-95GhKneaMqM/VY46-4xeXjI/AAAAAAAAAtM/ebshtiQoah4/s640/blogger-image-279044251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-95GhKneaMqM/VY46-4xeXjI/AAAAAAAAAtM/ebshtiQoah4/s640/blogger-image-279044251.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sSMdw2as7ko/VY46ufE4eeI/AAAAAAAAAsM/QkHyNAJYqEw/s640/blogger-image--302647810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sSMdw2as7ko/VY46ufE4eeI/AAAAAAAAAsM/QkHyNAJYqEw/s640/blogger-image--302647810.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The next surprise was an anniversary blessing for three couples celebrating anniversaries during the trip, the Appells, the Minassians and the Messes. It was such an honor to stand and bless these beautiful couples, surrounded by their children as we all celebrate their love. I was so touched by the words they shared with each other, the gratitude that all of these couples feel for having found one another. We all hope Robin and Randy have the same strength of love and friendship as they walk through their married life together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8jL4ShklPW0/VY4610z4AnI/AAAAAAAAAss/vyHc9DCmdtE/s640/blogger-image--1368642175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8jL4ShklPW0/VY4610z4AnI/AAAAAAAAAss/vyHc9DCmdtE/s640/blogger-image--1368642175.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8ditsu0KQog/VY46x6Hos3I/AAAAAAAAAsc/uk71Tg9NUq0/s640/blogger-image--1330587397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8ditsu0KQog/VY46x6Hos3I/AAAAAAAAAsc/uk71Tg9NUq0/s640/blogger-image--1330587397.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xd7oJZt5_7Q/VY2_-fyjxhI/AAAAAAAAAl8/GEnBRsLg6Qs/s640/blogger-image--1383967082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xd7oJZt5_7Q/VY2_-fyjxhI/AAAAAAAAAl8/GEnBRsLg6Qs/s640/blogger-image--1383967082.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3s-e0X0aJig/VY47DI10iEI/AAAAAAAAAtc/AoO2boJx-uY/s640/blogger-image-1577416021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3s-e0X0aJig/VY47DI10iEI/AAAAAAAAAtc/AoO2boJx-uY/s640/blogger-image-1577416021.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was a terrific way to start our Friday as we prepared for the Shabbat experience that was coming in the evening.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>David Shukiarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978415102065674198noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959669837373536683.post-11916958472323423992015-06-25T10:29:00.001-07:002015-06-25T14:57:49.747-07:00The power of memory and of mountains<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IRDeApUo5n0/VYw5mKC2cDI/AAAAAAAAAik/UEx46dkS6WM/s640/blogger-image-877755765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IRDeApUo5n0/VYw5mKC2cDI/AAAAAAAAAik/UEx46dkS6WM/s640/blogger-image-877755765.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We began our third day of the tour with a huge change in mood as we experienced Yad Vashem, the Jewish National Memorial to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. There are truly no words to describe this experience except to say that one leaves this complex changed forever <i>because</i> of the experience. Having been here before, I was trying to anticipate what would impact me during this visit... I will try to explain because in many ways I was more moved by this experience than I was two years ago during my first visit to the memorial and museum. This is mainly because I was here with my family, and I was especially tuned in to how Carly and the other young adults were impacted by what they saw. I have to say that I am so proud of each and every one of these young adults. They were so present today, ready to dive into the darkest of places in our history.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The first thing you notice about the complex is the amazing architecture of the building, a building that actually cuts through the mountain. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GVX6DykRuZE/VYw5sJM6vAI/AAAAAAAAAi8/rkfM5v6GexA/s640/blogger-image-1409475146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GVX6DykRuZE/VYw5sJM6vAI/AAAAAAAAAi8/rkfM5v6GexA/s640/blogger-image-1409475146.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our four youngest travelers had a special program designed just for them, entitled Stars Without a Heaven, focusing on the mementos left behind by children lost at the hands of the Nazis. They would join us later for the Children's Memorial.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iC5t5uZAf6g/VYw5YwFFFAI/AAAAAAAAAh8/J_7JIn4Ushg/s640/blogger-image-1622226536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iC5t5uZAf6g/VYw5YwFFFAI/AAAAAAAAAh8/J_7JIn4Ushg/s640/blogger-image-1622226536.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jPS7u_uwqQI/VYw5S07vZ7I/AAAAAAAAAhs/TTmFP6YkJko/s640/blogger-image-458497884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jPS7u_uwqQI/VYw5S07vZ7I/AAAAAAAAAhs/TTmFP6YkJko/s640/blogger-image-458497884.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For the rest of us we began our visit with a walk through the Garden of the Righteous. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9cmT7M5V7k8/VYw6JP0CbVI/AAAAAAAAAk0/f3SHGwqwyiA/s640/blogger-image--1057138122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9cmT7M5V7k8/VYw6JP0CbVI/AAAAAAAAAk0/f3SHGwqwyiA/s640/blogger-image--1057138122.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lBpZMXqlXnI/VYw5ek_wK0I/AAAAAAAAAiM/0X2tTuiKuik/s640/blogger-image-436329610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lBpZMXqlXnI/VYw5ek_wK0I/AAAAAAAAAiM/0X2tTuiKuik/s640/blogger-image-436329610.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here, Uri told us about some of the non-Jewish people who risked their lives to help Jews. There were trees planted for each of these people. He shared that during the Holocaust there were about 20,000 people who chose to help us. He challenged us to ask ourselves, would WE chose to help others? And then came a really honest moment where he shared that until 15 years ago he knew how to answer this question. Of course he would help. 15 years ago he became a parent. Would he be willing to risk not just his life, but the lives of his family to help a stranger? It brought a whole new level to these most generous people who, in spite of what would have been certain death for them and perhaps their children, chose to help Jews during the war. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g92XEgpYi-4/VYw6FcdPyHI/AAAAAAAAAkk/ERkfmKVIhU0/s640/blogger-image-1493253811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g92XEgpYi-4/VYw6FcdPyHI/AAAAAAAAAkk/ERkfmKVIhU0/s640/blogger-image-1493253811.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_dyqhZIXiEQ/VYw6Nt9JJQI/AAAAAAAAAlE/iEfHbY8H_go/s640/blogger-image--164186958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_dyqhZIXiEQ/VYw6Nt9JJQI/AAAAAAAAAlE/iEfHbY8H_go/s640/blogger-image--164186958.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is the tree planted for Oscar Schindler. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The question is, why does our experience at Yad Vashem start with this walk? Why not start with Hitler or the death camps? The sacrifices these people made are so significant that it was felt that this celebration of the preservation of life was a key focus. The mountain is covered with trees for these people, and I wish we could have walked and acknowledged each and every one of them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We were not allowed to bring cameras into the museum. I will share some meaningful moments with you so that you can get a sense of what moved me most during our visit. The achitecture of the building is really stunning and powerful. You start looking down a long corridor to the exit and you naturally want to walk down the center of the building towards the light at the end of this solid concrete structure. The trouble is, the only way to get to the exit is to follow the path that tells the entire story, no matter how difficult the story may be. You simply cannot walk straight; the path is obstructed and you are forced into these different rooms.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our group was silent during the tour. Uri guided us with his words with such care. I have to say something about Uri. It is obvious by his depth of knowledge that he has done this many times before. And with tour guides you often can tell when they have been giving the same tour over and over again... The passion and intensity that he led us through the museum with was inspiring, and we all wanted to truly take in and absorb all he was sharing. Indeed we could have stayed there all day long.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I recall being in the room where the different types of stars of David that Jews were forced to wear were on display. From where I was standing, I could see Carly as she took in this display. What struck me was the coat she was wearing. In front of her were these yellow stars, meant to single out and shame the Jews. On her back she was proudly wearing a jacket covered with Jewish stars from her summer camp, camp Alonim. And I thought of the hat I was wearing proudly stating that this was a TAE tour, and the shirts we had made for the trip with the TAE logo on it, and the Kippah I wear, these are all identifying markers that we are choosing to wear. I felt this sense of gratitude that my daughter was living in a world where she could wear her Alonim jacket with such pride, and seeing that pride against the backdrop of such deep hatred makes me want to try to remember to wear my Jewish badges with even more pride. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was also taken by the fact that when someone in our tour group would breakdown at the reality facing them, another person from our group would be there to embrace them, to help support them as if to say, let's do this together. This happened again and again during our visit. Looking back at the Holocaust, Jews were alone, with no support from others. Seeing these moments of true support and love for others made me want to try to be more present for others in my life. To be that support for someone when perhaps no one else will rise up to show support. How I wish there were these types of people who were there for our brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers and sons and daughters during the Holocaust. And I am reminded of the 20,000 righteous people who WERE there, and wish that there were more who would have helped.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For me, one of the most powerful rooms on this campus is the Hall of Names, a large circular room with a circular platform in the middle that overlooks a dark pond below and about 450 pictures of victims above. And we are right in the middle, between the darkness of the Holocaust and the light that each victim represents. As I looked at the faces of the pictures above me I recognized myself in these pictures. And I recognized Leasa there, and my children, parents, siblings. I saw each person traveling with me in these faces. And I saw you there, too. These victims ARE us and we are them. There were not six million Jews who died during the Holocaust, there was just one Jew who died, six million times. On the outside of the rooms were bookcases from floor to ceiling, more than 20 feet high. These cases were filled with binders. Binder after binder that hold the names of more than four million victims within them. There were too many binders to count. Some of the cases were empty, because with four million names written on the pages means that there are still two million more that need to be added, names that, as Uri shared, probably will never be documented because entire families were destroyed and there is no left to document these lost souls. Seeing those binders always brings me to tears. Seeing the empty spaces in the cases makes me weep.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After leaving this difficult and sobering room we are led outside, with a view that overlooks the beautiful landscape that is Israel. Many people believe that Israel was granted statehood as a result of the Holocaust. Uri shared that Israel was granted statehood DESPITE the Holocaust. And he said that most every Israeli would say this, for the yearning for statehood goes back to the late 19th century.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mfV9vBESmXc/VYw5WaVLsuI/AAAAAAAAAh0/wxEcdcFCe9k/s640/blogger-image--1780028054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mfV9vBESmXc/VYw5WaVLsuI/AAAAAAAAAh0/wxEcdcFCe9k/s640/blogger-image--1780028054.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As Uri was talking with us I was, once again, struck by the support that was given to others so openly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fu1CBbvcbs0/VYw6C5pSOMI/AAAAAAAAAkc/MiDXdhF2UVg/s640/blogger-image-2094413811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fu1CBbvcbs0/VYw6C5pSOMI/AAAAAAAAAkc/MiDXdhF2UVg/s640/blogger-image-2094413811.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qCbUkY6xfOY/VYw53QXiBiI/AAAAAAAAAjs/z2DiwPp_D-Y/s640/blogger-image--1982207528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qCbUkY6xfOY/VYw53QXiBiI/AAAAAAAAAjs/z2DiwPp_D-Y/s640/blogger-image--1982207528.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SOJ3Pf9iDHM/VYw5zDBeaHI/AAAAAAAAAjc/G4DS5S0wQCc/s640/blogger-image-592912965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SOJ3Pf9iDHM/VYw5zDBeaHI/AAAAAAAAAjc/G4DS5S0wQCc/s640/blogger-image-592912965.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sometimes it was parent hugging child or child hugging a parent, and sometimes it was friends, who were only strangers days ago, offering love and support for each other. It was beautiful. As we made our way to the Children's Memorial, our four youngest travelers were reunited with their parents and siblings. The hugs shared were some of the deepest imaginable. I know I hugged Hayley so tightly she could hardly breathe. The reason the children came back to be with us was that we decided that they could accompany their parents through the Children's Memorial. At the entrance to this memorial are these pillars in the picture below. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RhxY-Mf5MSo/VYw5qcjZ0vI/AAAAAAAAAi0/jzHVid7kBlA/s640/blogger-image-553883878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RhxY-Mf5MSo/VYw5qcjZ0vI/AAAAAAAAAi0/jzHVid7kBlA/s640/blogger-image-553883878.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">They are broken and of different heights, representing the lives cut short before their completion, of various ages. Each pillar representing the potential held by each of the more than 1.5 million children victims of the Holocaust.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There are no words to describe the Children's Memorial, so I won't even try. All I can say is that every Jew, no, every human being must visit this memorial. As I said earlier, you will be changed after your visit is over.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Following this, we, as a group gathered for a short yizkor service. As we prepared to read Kaddish, our memorial prayer, I invited all of the post bar and bat mitzvah kids to share the names of their Holocaust Twins that they were given as a part of the Remember Us Program. Name after name was spoken aloud, again putting the focus on the individual rather than the total. I paid close attention to each name, thinking of those pillars broken before they could be finished. I was especially moved when Carly spoke the name, Sophia van Hasselt. In about a week we will be off to Amsterdam to meet Sara, Sophia's cousin who, through this twinning program, has become a part of our family. As we read the Kaddish I tried to hold onto the notion that we were not acknowledging the death of these victims, but rather praising God for their lives, even if they were far too short.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The question is, how do we go from this dark place and move to a more fun part of our itinerary? That is the challenge with the Holocaust. It becomes so easy to bog ourselves down with the despair that comes with this that we forget that WE are still living. Indeed, in honor of these victims we should work for moments of joy and excitement. We need to bring the memories of these precious souls with us and honor them by living our lives to the fullest. And that is exactly what we did.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our next stop was a visit to Machaneh Yehudah, an open air market. Here we went on a multi-cultural tasting journey through this market where Jewish Jerusalem shops. We had such a great time wandering the many streets finding our way to six stops where we were greeted with tastes of unique Israeli foods.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6_ODYrKhqK8/VYw5oTXzlMI/AAAAAAAAAis/obWwJHhdCQs/s640/blogger-image-1551662992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6_ODYrKhqK8/VYw5oTXzlMI/AAAAAAAAAis/obWwJHhdCQs/s640/blogger-image-1551662992.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It seemed at every store were tons and TONS of olives. Black olives, green olives, you name the olive, they had that type of olive and more.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KJ3jBEz4qbg/VYw5vuLL2bI/AAAAAAAAAjM/PJn4Yeze_IY/s640/blogger-image-718668937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KJ3jBEz4qbg/VYw5vuLL2bI/AAAAAAAAAjM/PJn4Yeze_IY/s640/blogger-image-718668937.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o65TBm98Rss/VYw581kyk4I/AAAAAAAAAkE/0c32qLu3xIs/s640/blogger-image--1055724413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o65TBm98Rss/VYw581kyk4I/AAAAAAAAAkE/0c32qLu3xIs/s640/blogger-image--1055724413.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And for me, besides the iced coffee I bought from Aroma (possibly the worlds greatest coffee house) and my visit with the Kipah Man was our visit to Marzipan, where the best rugalah, hands down is created. How wonderful to share this sweet moment with my three girls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MIvMrNfU4FM/VYw6UEcCQMI/AAAAAAAAAlc/9UWqSQK7TCo/s640/blogger-image-1014916284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MIvMrNfU4FM/VYw6UEcCQMI/AAAAAAAAAlc/9UWqSQK7TCo/s640/blogger-image-1014916284.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">With full tummies we were off to our next adventure, an activity I knew would be a highlight of the trip for many. We took part in an archeological dig at the Beit Guvrin Caves, where we uncovered pottery and other finds from the Hellenistic period about 2300 years ago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V_cS-iF0d4k/VYw6W_Xsp8I/AAAAAAAAAlk/bbgMMDhH7Cg/s640/blogger-image--1146106944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V_cS-iF0d4k/VYw6W_Xsp8I/AAAAAAAAAlk/bbgMMDhH7Cg/s640/blogger-image--1146106944.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Descending in to the caves where we would be digging...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fj4t7xT7J28/VYw5htOHLJI/AAAAAAAAAiU/1TquzkwUIQQ/s640/blogger-image--658897174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fj4t7xT7J28/VYw5htOHLJI/AAAAAAAAAiU/1TquzkwUIQQ/s640/blogger-image--658897174.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HCM-QsBZpMc/VYw6G5B8BGI/AAAAAAAAAks/iqgH4cfRtPU/s640/blogger-image-1478680634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HCM-QsBZpMc/VYw6G5B8BGI/AAAAAAAAAks/iqgH4cfRtPU/s640/blogger-image-1478680634.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nTeZrnzYy3w/VYw6PcFSg0I/AAAAAAAAAlM/UENAUwUMUH0/s640/blogger-image--2079281401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nTeZrnzYy3w/VYw6PcFSg0I/AAAAAAAAAlM/UENAUwUMUH0/s640/blogger-image--2079281401.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_ZEsWYQNroA/VYw5-2WkEyI/AAAAAAAAAkM/kWcxDqdWQtY/s640/blogger-image-1810293623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_ZEsWYQNroA/VYw5-2WkEyI/AAAAAAAAAkM/kWcxDqdWQtY/s640/blogger-image-1810293623.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xk14TL-tWss/VYw6Li4NhJI/AAAAAAAAAk8/eYpryKyX1SY/s640/blogger-image-84720720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xk14TL-tWss/VYw6Li4NhJI/AAAAAAAAAk8/eYpryKyX1SY/s640/blogger-image-84720720.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After our resident archeologist gave us the rules for digging and our tools, we were off to be the first hands to touch these ancient pieces of pottery in 2300 years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4Yh38EtyWKU/VYw55KlNYEI/AAAAAAAAAj0/CybYBAY3Li4/s640/blogger-image-91512448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4Yh38EtyWKU/VYw55KlNYEI/AAAAAAAAAj0/CybYBAY3Li4/s640/blogger-image-91512448.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gKGxJSO3-Ig/VYw5ktlbFBI/AAAAAAAAAic/LHNW7XMpN98/s640/blogger-image--1507179020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gKGxJSO3-Ig/VYw5ktlbFBI/AAAAAAAAAic/LHNW7XMpN98/s640/blogger-image--1507179020.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TEQ5cQ-z97M/VYw562WmjdI/AAAAAAAAAj8/8THBhJ_42T8/s640/blogger-image--1967791394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TEQ5cQ-z97M/VYw562WmjdI/AAAAAAAAAj8/8THBhJ_42T8/s640/blogger-image--1967791394.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IykZkq4qcTo/VYw5P1pLHLI/AAAAAAAAAhk/OWrYbQWD690/s640/blogger-image--246216868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IykZkq4qcTo/VYw5P1pLHLI/AAAAAAAAAhk/OWrYbQWD690/s640/blogger-image--246216868.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zCs-x7Fo7Nc/VYw6SKNIPkI/AAAAAAAAAlU/KcvuaJKQJiQ/s640/blogger-image--1804093559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zCs-x7Fo7Nc/VYw6SKNIPkI/AAAAAAAAAlU/KcvuaJKQJiQ/s640/blogger-image--1804093559.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CgO3MwSF7QU/VYw6YpEdspI/AAAAAAAAAls/aqxdVpqkGIo/s640/blogger-image-1854215685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CgO3MwSF7QU/VYw6YpEdspI/AAAAAAAAAls/aqxdVpqkGIo/s640/blogger-image-1854215685.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C3oy-07AmBY/VYw6AmXbsnI/AAAAAAAAAkU/e4TCzCp9us4/s640/blogger-image--1445050272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C3oy-07AmBY/VYw6AmXbsnI/AAAAAAAAAkU/e4TCzCp9us4/s640/blogger-image--1445050272.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yIWoXqcRWvM/VYw5tqUoboI/AAAAAAAAAjE/4WiRQu4Y_uk/s640/blogger-image-2128393083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yIWoXqcRWvM/VYw5tqUoboI/AAAAAAAAAjE/4WiRQu4Y_uk/s640/blogger-image-2128393083.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-de9yy3FULqw/VYw51A67a4I/AAAAAAAAAjk/IfhIN9Y7nw4/s640/blogger-image-610536509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-de9yy3FULqw/VYw51A67a4I/AAAAAAAAAjk/IfhIN9Y7nw4/s640/blogger-image-610536509.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dlznLQN2dzc/VYw5bdJh1NI/AAAAAAAAAiE/SXfRvglT5GI/s640/blogger-image-1234293136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dlznLQN2dzc/VYw5bdJh1NI/AAAAAAAAAiE/SXfRvglT5GI/s640/blogger-image-1234293136.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jj6IO-GkKOc/VYw5x-ZfpFI/AAAAAAAAAjU/4QQwzU6kYZ0/s640/blogger-image-1880297047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jj6IO-GkKOc/VYw5x-ZfpFI/AAAAAAAAAjU/4QQwzU6kYZ0/s640/blogger-image-1880297047.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We got really dirty and found so many pieces of pottery and some bones (from the dinner they ate, not from people). If that wasn't dirty enough we then had the chance to crawl through an unexcavated cave, the Maresha Cave. Lit by candlelight it was quite the adventure to crawl through this wonder. We were able to being some pieces of ancient pottery home with us to help us remember our dig.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Another emotional and exhausting day is done, and another is set to begin. As I always say at the end of posts, words do. Not adequately describe what we are doing. You simply must come here with an Adat Elohim trip in the future. I am so excited to bring 28 people to Poland and Israel in October of this year and, bythe way, we have already begun planning for summer, 2017!</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>David Shukiarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978415102065674198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959669837373536683.post-3809580078967842952015-06-24T14:31:00.001-07:002015-06-24T22:08:47.783-07:00Another Day in the Old City<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When I awoke from a much needed sleep this morning, I thought back to some of our activities from our first day of touring, especially remembering our time on the Ramparts as we claimed and hiked the walls of the Old City seeing sights like the one below, the Tower of David which was not built by David at all...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eK9oOYXBZcQ/VYsgw4mp2iI/AAAAAAAAAe8/gH9NfdhRlkc/s640/blogger-image-518761223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eK9oOYXBZcQ/VYsgw4mp2iI/AAAAAAAAAe8/gH9NfdhRlkc/s640/blogger-image-518761223.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And as I thought back to my time at the Wall, I must say that something just didn't feel right. The first time I went to the Wall two years ago had been life changing and powerful and this time, to be honest, it felt different. I had moments of feeling lonely, actually jealous of some of the others in our group. I was jealous as I watched David Messe standing at the Wall with his arms around his sons, the three of them holding onto the Wall together. I was jealous as I watched Bernie Klein and his son Sam sharing a special moment at the Wall together. I was jealous as I saw Gary Cohen and his sons wrapping themselves in Tefillin and praying together at our holiest of places. And I felt alone. All I wanted to do was to be able to wrap my arms around Leasa, Carly and Hayley and share that moment at the Wall together. Two years ago I traveled to Israel alone. This time, being with my family, I wanted to share this most special moment with them. But I was not allowed to because the plaza of the Kotel is still segregated and the men and women are separate. While I can understand the reasons behind the division, Judaism to me is all about family. If I can't share my Judaism with my family on every level, then it truly is not my Judaism. This morning, we had the honor of meeting and learning from a woman who is working to change this. One day, because of her work I will be able to embrace my wife and daughters as we all lay our hands on the Western Wall together. I look forward to that day. Anat Hoffman shared with us some of the darker sides of Israel, or as she puts it "pimples on the butt of Israel," areas where she and her organization the Israel Religious Action Center are working hard to change. We learned of one law that prevents deaf kids from experiencing bar mitzvah at the Wall because they would not be able to hear the Shema. We. Immediately thought of his w sign the Shema thanks to Rabbi Dubowe and for many it is more powerful than actually saying the words.<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> They have already won victories for equal rights for women as well as other key issues facing Israel. The takeaway was this... We matter. Israel listens to the voices of Reform Jews, the largest movement of Judaism. Her charge was for us to not be silent, but to raise our voices for change in Israel. It was a powerful session that empowered us all.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y_5rX6yG9fI/VYshcUkB6-I/AAAAAAAAAg0/t3xBSu_HImY/s640/blogger-image--760145592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y_5rX6yG9fI/VYshcUkB6-I/AAAAAAAAAg0/t3xBSu_HImY/s640/blogger-image--760145592.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After this enlightening session we made our way back to the Western Wall Plaza to go under ground and into the Western Wall Tunnels, the continuation of the Western Wall beneath the Muslim Quarter in the Old City. We paused for our group picture with the Western Wall behind us...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o1ahiYKXbq0/VYsg0U5e7bI/AAAAAAAAAfM/y4FnHqX5-zk/s640/blogger-image--1778816032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o1ahiYKXbq0/VYsg0U5e7bI/AAAAAAAAAfM/y4FnHqX5-zk/s640/blogger-image--1778816032.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Aren't we a handsome group?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The tunnels are truly amazing, and the scale of the Western Wall cannot be described in words. We all see the Western Wall as it is today, and often do not realize that in fact it is only one eighth the size of the actual wall that supported the Temple Mount. It reminded us of a powerful Mussar teaching about how we look at situations. Often we react to things without knowing the entire picture. In other words, we only see the one eighth of the wall rather than allowing ourselves to really see the entire structure. If we can just step back from a situation we can truly see the entire picture. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mLclSCq9heU/VYshFPdmSPI/AAAAAAAAAgE/5pkQbpm_Mg8/s640/blogger-image-199658301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mLclSCq9heU/VYshFPdmSPI/AAAAAAAAAgE/5pkQbpm_Mg8/s640/blogger-image-199658301.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This arch was the support for a ramp that went up to the entrance to the Temple in ancient days. How incredible to stand beneath it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F0XX4QScJvQ/VYshdjGKYdI/AAAAAAAAAg8/atgUJTvkUlY/s640/blogger-image--871646037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F0XX4QScJvQ/VYshdjGKYdI/AAAAAAAAAg8/atgUJTvkUlY/s640/blogger-image--871646037.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We learned from our guide David about how the Wall was built and how they moved the enormous stones, some forty feet long, without the help of modern machines. It truly was an unbelievable accomplishment. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-USdWWZeECVI/VYsg1rHqg0I/AAAAAAAAAfU/NGMH7z-Gs4c/s640/blogger-image--1909877401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-USdWWZeECVI/VYsg1rHqg0I/AAAAAAAAAfU/NGMH7z-Gs4c/s640/blogger-image--1909877401.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here is that stone, forty feet long, long enough for those in our group to stand side by side with room to spare, each holding on to the same stone.</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v6yRmqzO2mg/VYshZu3EBMI/AAAAAAAAAgs/vkLwSUBeDkQ/s640/blogger-image--441296793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v6yRmqzO2mg/VYshZu3EBMI/AAAAAAAAAgs/vkLwSUBeDkQ/s640/blogger-image--441296793.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-daXX92KJOmg/VYshCb9bf0I/AAAAAAAAAf8/x8xpQPv4STo/s640/blogger-image-1939037981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-daXX92KJOmg/VYshCb9bf0I/AAAAAAAAAf8/x8xpQPv4STo/s640/blogger-image-1939037981.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We paused for a moment at a certain spot, believed to be the closest we can get to the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. We were only 90 meters from where this was! Here we each had some time to pray at this unique section of the Wall. We also could see and touch the top of Mount Moriah, not only the mountain where the Temple was built, but also the mountain where Abraham was ready to sacrifice his son, Isaac. To be in that place was powerful beyond words.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hSTOuED7iCk/VYsgpkd099I/AAAAAAAAAek/IS7x5Ckbfqc/s640/blogger-image-1339802686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hSTOuED7iCk/VYsgpkd099I/AAAAAAAAAek/IS7x5Ckbfqc/s640/blogger-image-1339802686.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PKOtD1ucydA/VYsg-AXTqsI/AAAAAAAAAfs/-tY4Xmf9kIM/s640/blogger-image--911720473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PKOtD1ucydA/VYsg-AXTqsI/AAAAAAAAAfs/-tY4Xmf9kIM/s640/blogger-image--911720473.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After this we spent some time at the Western Wall again. Uri asked each of us to pick out a stone from the Wall. He told us to think that as our stone. He explained that this stone will always be here, even though we will return to the United States. This stone will serve as our connection to this holy place. He said we can think of the countless people who have visited the Wall and have chosen the same stone as we did and feel the link to them. He also told us that in the future countless people may choose our stone as theirs, creating another link. It was a powerful image for all of us. Here is my stone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GWpYdoYGrvw/VYsgrDtnDGI/AAAAAAAAAes/8YBBrtDExF0/s640/blogger-image--245745191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GWpYdoYGrvw/VYsgrDtnDGI/AAAAAAAAAes/8YBBrtDExF0/s640/blogger-image--245745191.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Robin Platt shared with me a very powerful her father Joel experienced while at the Wall. As he was approaching the Wall, a very religious man asked if wanted to lay Tefillin. He politely declined, but the man had seen his name tag and recognized that he was of Cohan descent. This gentleman asked Joel if he would bless him. He took off his hat and Joel placed his hands on his head and offered him a blessing. Joel has been to Israel several times before, but nothing like this has ever happened to him. It was a powerful moment. Have you ever offered a blessing to another? There is not just power in receiving blessings but also in giving them to others. I challenge you all to take a moment and give another person your blessing today. I have been blessed by each person on this trip, sharing some pretty unique experiences. I hope they feel my blessing as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After this we made our way from the Wall to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre by way of the Muslim Quarter and the Via Dolorose. I need to share some thoughts about our trip through the Muslim Quarter. We walked through the market by many storefronts. In each of these stores were countless toy guns, mostly machine guns for children to play with. We saw t-shirts for sale that said "Free Palestine" and one that struck me that said "Google Isreal... Did you mean Palestine?" I was taken, as was many in our group, with the number of children who were playing with toy guns often pointing them at people passing by and pretending to shoot them. It was a sobering reminder of the challenges facing Israel and how fragile peace really is. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After this short, but powerful walk, we turned onto the Via Dolorosa, the street believed to be the route taken by Jesus after his conviction as he headed for his crucifixion. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vS7uq6ToX_k/VYsguDtWNwI/AAAAAAAAAe0/UB5AWidoIO0/s640/blogger-image-1995606121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vS7uq6ToX_k/VYsguDtWNwI/AAAAAAAAAe0/UB5AWidoIO0/s640/blogger-image-1995606121.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This led us to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a central holy place for many forms of Christianity. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wkOuOb3R8LA/VYshfIs4hUI/AAAAAAAAAhE/_BPZ7ZD8tvE/s640/blogger-image--357508339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wkOuOb3R8LA/VYshfIs4hUI/AAAAAAAAAhE/_BPZ7ZD8tvE/s640/blogger-image--357508339.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Inside the church we saw the place where Jesus was said to be nailed to the cross, the place where the wood of the cross was set in stone and the stone his body was believed to be placed on after his death. I was surprised as to how moved I was by this place. While it is not from my tradition, I was taken by the many people who made the pilgrimage there to be as close to their faith as possible. </div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8xdS8z_F61I/VYshk8j4WbI/AAAAAAAAAhU/xR6vsFkHyVU/s640/blogger-image--1280836242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8xdS8z_F61I/VYshk8j4WbI/AAAAAAAAAhU/xR6vsFkHyVU/s640/blogger-image--1280836242.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is the stone that is said to be where they placed Jesus after his death. It was really amazing to see the people gathering and laying their hands on this stone, much like we placed our hands on the Western Wall. Two different faiths finding meaning in ancient stones. It was a remarkable connection. We witnessed people taking articles of clothing and rubbing it on the stone, wanting to have as much of their belongings touching this holy rock as possible.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After this we saw the place where the body of Jesus was placed in a temporary grave and where they found the grave empty some three days later. At the moment we were there we saw this beautiful light coming in from the ceiling.</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i44C2huGbCA/VYsg_plhh9I/AAAAAAAAAf0/xCTL9n6HgRU/s640/blogger-image--750766748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i44C2huGbCA/VYsg_plhh9I/AAAAAAAAAf0/xCTL9n6HgRU/s640/blogger-image--750766748.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Being in this place brought up the question, "how do we know that this is really where this happened?" The truth is we do not know, just as we do not know for sure the validity of many of our Torah stories. Uri explained in a very powerful sentence... "Faith has the power to succumb all question."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After this we stopped for a bite to eat in the Christian Quarter, making the day of the restaurant owner who continually could be overheard saying "praise God."</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WljiwDg53tI/VYsg5-_Ok8I/AAAAAAAAAfk/IEfrIA8Y2K0/s640/blogger-image--3829069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WljiwDg53tI/VYsg5-_Ok8I/AAAAAAAAAfk/IEfrIA8Y2K0/s640/blogger-image--3829069.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We then made our way to the City of David, a more recent archeological find in what used to be a Palestinian town. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After changing in to our water clothes we prepared to descend down under ground into King Hezekiah's tunnel, a 2700 year old water tunnel that brought water to Jerusalem.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jqzP4SFYSY8/VYsgysJ-MAI/AAAAAAAAAfE/JU13R58z-mY/s640/blogger-image--1166598230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jqzP4SFYSY8/VYsgysJ-MAI/AAAAAAAAAfE/JU13R58z-mY/s640/blogger-image--1166598230.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_JOlq_MOWVI/VYshH9A_ifI/AAAAAAAAAgM/bg10BvadKeo/s640/blogger-image-1710492719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_JOlq_MOWVI/VYshH9A_ifI/AAAAAAAAAgM/bg10BvadKeo/s640/blogger-image-1710492719.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As we waded through the cool water, we were amazed that this was built entirely by hand so long ago. Inside the tunnel it was pitch dark except for the light from some small flashlights we were given to help us navigate through the tunnel and the many flashbulbs going off to try to capture pictures. Only in Israel can you go from the holiest of Jewish sights, which is directly under one of he holiest of Muslim sights, to the holiest of Christian sights to an amazing ancient water park build entirely underground!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mAFL1wJQoFU/VYshgNam1sI/AAAAAAAAAhM/-5LWdD4INpI/s640/blogger-image-902369476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mAFL1wJQoFU/VYshgNam1sI/AAAAAAAAAhM/-5LWdD4INpI/s640/blogger-image-902369476.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iqnXrDKUHn8/VYsg3osq4JI/AAAAAAAAAfc/SwfoXykHLnk/s640/blogger-image-646445255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iqnXrDKUHn8/VYsg3osq4JI/AAAAAAAAAfc/SwfoXykHLnk/s640/blogger-image-646445255.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yfrBOKHO7-E/VYshSnLsVAI/AAAAAAAAAgc/dwUOMz-2HO8/s640/blogger-image--356442472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yfrBOKHO7-E/VYshSnLsVAI/AAAAAAAAAgc/dwUOMz-2HO8/s640/blogger-image--356442472.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You often heard the sounds of "ouch" as our taller travelers banged their heads on the low ceiling again and again...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ULeosFoLwEw/VYshXmazZ_I/AAAAAAAAAgk/Y8bXD9SDqig/s640/blogger-image-1940465177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ULeosFoLwEw/VYshXmazZ_I/AAAAAAAAAgk/Y8bXD9SDqig/s640/blogger-image-1940465177.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yaGkOWDR1qs/VYshL1KGVyI/AAAAAAAAAgU/uBTCKy_hjIc/s640/blogger-image-1877981809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yaGkOWDR1qs/VYshL1KGVyI/AAAAAAAAAgU/uBTCKy_hjIc/s640/blogger-image-1877981809.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was another amazing day in Israel, another day indescribable by words and pictures other than to say that everyone should have the chance to experience what we are experiencing. We ended our day with the Night Spectacular at the Tower of David Museum, where the walls of the Citadel serve as the stage for a night time show which is a celebration of sight and sound, depicting the history of Jerusalem. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tomorrow we are set to change the mood of our trip as we head to Yad VaShem, the memorial for the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust. While I am not excited to face this darkness once again, I feel a strong sense of moral obligation to share this with our community. Tomorrow will be another emotional, amazing day.</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>David Shukiarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978415102065674198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959669837373536683.post-20078229562342038152015-06-22T21:35:00.001-07:002015-06-23T13:16:26.662-07:00Day one of exploring the Old City of Jerusalem<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our phone rang early this morning... "This is your wake up call, boker tov." Even the hotel wake up calls feel special in Israel! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After a huge Israeli breakfast (have I mentioned how amazing the breakfasts are in Israel????) it was time for us to officially begin our tour. We met Uri, our unbelievable educator, Shachar, our youth counselor and David, our bus driver. We sat in a room and spoke about our expectations for the trip. Some expressed their fear that they would not have a deep reaction to certain sights we see... I can totally relate to this fear based in my own experience as a first time Israel traveler two years ago. But deep down I knew that this was a fear that was not going to come true. Israel has a way of sneaking into the very fabric of your soul. That is why I feel so passionately about bringing our community here. Just speaking of her is not enough, you must experience it for yourself. So I sat listening to these fears and came to a realization. Last time I was here I was totally focused on my own experience as I felt the power of Israel for the first time. This trip is different. I am really enjoying taking in watching others being moved by Israel. It is a very different experience. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v37UwOyZ_do/VYm-QXg_1nI/AAAAAAAAAc0/WtAdf2TfGPI/s640/blogger-image-739149980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v37UwOyZ_do/VYm-QXg_1nI/AAAAAAAAAc0/WtAdf2TfGPI/s640/blogger-image-739149980.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t_j3NT2F3n4/VYm-iV2lZAI/AAAAAAAAAeE/qNhqTQXNys8/s640/blogger-image--1480692184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t_j3NT2F3n4/VYm-iV2lZAI/AAAAAAAAAeE/qNhqTQXNys8/s640/blogger-image--1480692184.jpg"></a></div><br></div>As I think about what I can say about today, I am overwhelmed because we did so many amazing things it would take an entire volume to document it all. But, I will do my best so you can get a sense of what we are experiencing here in our home in the east. We began our day with a short walk to the windmill with an amazing overview of the Old City. This is where we met to sing the traditional Shehechianu prayer that one says when gazing on the Old City for the first time. As Uri put it, even though for some of us it was not the first time we looked on the Old City, it was the first time this group of individuals looked at this ancient city together, and because of that it felt like the first time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wIdBZ6-Ec_E/VYm-S0JHVPI/AAAAAAAAAc4/NhULxVoLsR8/s640/blogger-image-1564100943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wIdBZ6-Ec_E/VYm-S0JHVPI/AAAAAAAAAc4/NhULxVoLsR8/s640/blogger-image-1564100943.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UsdfBpJJuNY/VYm-Lmc60tI/AAAAAAAAAck/bw7VO75z3is/s640/blogger-image--35684926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UsdfBpJJuNY/VYm-Lmc60tI/AAAAAAAAAck/bw7VO75z3is/s640/blogger-image--35684926.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yJPS0srrMBg/VYm-UMP39VI/AAAAAAAAAdE/Drx4RG7zjfw/s640/blogger-image-1947866670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yJPS0srrMBg/VYm-UMP39VI/AAAAAAAAAdE/Drx4RG7zjfw/s640/blogger-image-1947866670.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This was a special moment as we all shared how grateful we were to be together, sharing this experience. It was an important reminder for us to allow ourselves to truly be in the moment we were in rather than looking ahead to future moments. The problem with looking ahead is we tend to miss the here and now. What a shame that would be for our trip. This prayer really gave us perspective to be present for this moment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Uri shared a poem written by Yitzchak Yasimowitz that says:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One does not travel to Jerusalem,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">one returns,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">one ascends</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">the road taken by generations,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">the path of longing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">on the way to redemption. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One does not travel to Jerusalem, one returns. It did feel like a homecoming for us all, as Jerusalem and Israel opened her arms and embraced each one of us. It felt like we were ready to discover the ancient history of this place as well as the newness of it. Israel is not a museum, it is a living and breathing place, a place like no other, a place I could not wait to share with my family and the travelers from our community who are already like family to me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We boarded our bus and headed to the Jaffa gate where our Old City experience would begin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LzEJ890wMnE/VYm-JP4_QNI/AAAAAAAAAcc/nra5FI3eQRM/s640/blogger-image--1925233885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LzEJ890wMnE/VYm-JP4_QNI/AAAAAAAAAcc/nra5FI3eQRM/s640/blogger-image--1925233885.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our first stop was a walk atop the Ramparts of the Old City. We walked up some steep stairs and walked along the outer wall of this ancient city. Uri explained that these walls were actually only 5 or 6 hundred years old. That's all, 5 or 6 hundred years. While in Israel terms this is not such a high number, for us Californians who's local surroundings go all the way back to the 1970's 500 years feels ancient!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3-BxIg0qICM/VYm-cLmMQmI/AAAAAAAAAdk/jwLz0981A44/s640/blogger-image-1119533835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3-BxIg0qICM/VYm-cLmMQmI/AAAAAAAAAdk/jwLz0981A44/s640/blogger-image-1119533835.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y-2IVdB86ws/VYm-Fz5ENiI/AAAAAAAAAcM/yHL6JOhhej0/s640/blogger-image--97577149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y-2IVdB86ws/VYm-Fz5ENiI/AAAAAAAAAcM/yHL6JOhhej0/s640/blogger-image--97577149.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Walking along the walls of the Old City gives us a perspective as to how this wall was used to protect the inhabitants inside. We then walked in to the Jewish Quarter and went up on the rooftops for another amazing view of this city. We learned about the four quarters, the Jewish, Armenian, Christian and Muslim quarters. What amazed all of us was the close proximity of these quarters and how so many different religions could find meaning in such a compact space. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After lunch near the Cardo, which is the old marketplace of the Old City, we gathered in the shade so Uri could give us a history lesson as to a timeframe of Jewish history. Actually he had us try to put the timeline in the proper order. Needless to say we were not totally correct... With some help from Uri he explained each stage for us in order that we might have a context to understand what we were experiencing in a different way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lmX4m1a8QQc/VYm-eDtwocI/AAAAAAAAAds/uIy2Jf4Jvug/s640/blogger-image--1726158507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lmX4m1a8QQc/VYm-eDtwocI/AAAAAAAAAds/uIy2Jf4Jvug/s640/blogger-image--1726158507.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He then used these four travelers to explain the four types of Jews that lived in the timeframe we were discussing. We loved the special costumes he had his volunteers wear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wl4hyrlE_ek/VYm-HkQgF0I/AAAAAAAAAcU/ousrXwbnhxk/s640/blogger-image--1526294210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wl4hyrlE_ek/VYm-HkQgF0I/AAAAAAAAAcU/ousrXwbnhxk/s640/blogger-image--1526294210.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then we name the trek to the Jerusalem Archeological Park including the Davidson Center, the Southern Wall Steps and Robinson's Arch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-no_qfzXlzR4/VYm-VmjhlXI/AAAAAAAAAdM/EVlCZpIbChs/s640/blogger-image--2121208655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-no_qfzXlzR4/VYm-VmjhlXI/AAAAAAAAAdM/EVlCZpIbChs/s640/blogger-image--2121208655.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At the Sourhern Steps we learned about how people would make pilgrimages to the Temple three times during the year, once for Passover, once for Shavuot and once for Sukkot, purchase their necessary items to be given to be sacrificed at the Temple and take a dip in the Mikveh so that they would be pure when approaching the Temple. We saw the arches that marked the entrance where they walked and the arch that was the point of exit. For me, the most moving part of this was in the middle of Uri's explanation we heard the traditional Muslim call to prayer that happens 5 times each day. It was broadcast over loudspeakers from different Mosques from around Jerusalem. During the day we also heard the chiming of the church bells... Each of these instances is a reminder as to how special this place is to so many faiths.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CwXYHJKZF_w/VYm-Ny0WaZI/AAAAAAAAAcs/3NNxflXtQr8/s640/blogger-image--856257710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CwXYHJKZF_w/VYm-Ny0WaZI/AAAAAAAAAcs/3NNxflXtQr8/s640/blogger-image--856257710.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We then walked around the corner to Robinson's Arch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pdoInzNK7KI/VYm-D9j1BEI/AAAAAAAAAcE/cLXCh7PMmJI/s640/blogger-image--1874264441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pdoInzNK7KI/VYm-D9j1BEI/AAAAAAAAAcE/cLXCh7PMmJI/s640/blogger-image--1874264441.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here were able to reach out and touch the destruction of the Second Temple. Seeing this pile of rubble from the destruction reminds us that this point in our history was supposed to be the end of Judaism. But somehow, we survived and are still finding meaning at this holy sight. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HUbtsyVDWB4/VYm-mCaGOdI/AAAAAAAAAeU/KZ2rBjGhiSs/s640/blogger-image--2060009332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HUbtsyVDWB4/VYm-mCaGOdI/AAAAAAAAAeU/KZ2rBjGhiSs/s640/blogger-image--2060009332.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">How amazing it is that even when all evidence points to Judaism not being able to survive somehow we are here, representing our Jewish community, making the same pilgrimage to this place that our ancestors did. So many people have tried to destroy us, and yet, we persevere and continue to survive. How proud would our ancestors be that we are here now, experiencing the places that they experienced. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our final stop on this day filled with ancient discovery was a visit to the Kotel, the Western Wall. After going though security Uri gave us paper and pens to create our prayers that we would place into the Wall. We each took our own private moment to approach and pray at this most holy place. Uri explained how many people view this place in different ways, some as merely a pile of useless bricks while some see it as an extension of the Temple. I tried to remind our travelers that three times during each service, the Bar'chu, the Amida and the Aleinu we turn our hearts and our bodies toward this exact place. I explained how from this moment forward, every time they turn towards Israel they will be reminded of this day when they were actually able to place their hands on this ancient stone. Their prayer will be forever changed by this experience. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was so moved, this time not by my own experience, but by watching others be moved by their experiences. I saw fathers and sons linked together as they prayed together at the Wall. I saw mothers and daughters holding hands as they walked in to the woman's section. I saw fathers and sons being wrapped in tefillin as they enhanced their prayer through this ritual. I saw people walk away from this experience with tears in their eyes, even my own daughter Carly embrace Leasa, overcome by her experience. I saw one person in tears not because she found such personal meaning in being at the Wall, but that she was there with her daughters.</div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xHotxzMS-S4/VYm-YVn3WsI/AAAAAAAAAdU/Rtv-9HsmWq4/s640/blogger-image--1757565452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xHotxzMS-S4/VYm-YVn3WsI/AAAAAAAAAdU/Rtv-9HsmWq4/s640/blogger-image--1757565452.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qLepdqCE1j4/VYm-aCpxfdI/AAAAAAAAAdc/jp4obfvuFnc/s640/blogger-image--671229726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qLepdqCE1j4/VYm-aCpxfdI/AAAAAAAAAdc/jp4obfvuFnc/s640/blogger-image--671229726.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4VWK4_hhaS8/VYm-fVgJ9PI/AAAAAAAAAd0/evZcJY1cLjA/s640/blogger-image--642656193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4VWK4_hhaS8/VYm-fVgJ9PI/AAAAAAAAAd0/evZcJY1cLjA/s640/blogger-image--642656193.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tjysFPBQP8o/VYm-g-uOAqI/AAAAAAAAAd8/5YZTA88FPw0/s640/blogger-image--353145888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tjysFPBQP8o/VYm-g-uOAqI/AAAAAAAAAd8/5YZTA88FPw0/s640/blogger-image--353145888.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Each of these moments brought more meaning to this place for me, and I was privileged to be a witness to these deep and powerful expressions of love shared by people. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WLK2JVlGw0E/VYm-kMFmd0I/AAAAAAAAAeM/L-dqFllmT1o/s640/blogger-image--1481850447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WLK2JVlGw0E/VYm-kMFmd0I/AAAAAAAAAeM/L-dqFllmT1o/s640/blogger-image--1481850447.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There was a lot of talk after this and at dinner at how meaningful this day was. I sat back and listened, with a smile on my face because I knew that this was only the beginning. Our trip is filled with these types of moments. Israel is filled with these types of moments. And I can't wait to see the reaction to our next day's activities. What a blessing it is to be in this place. There are so many moments where a shehechianu is appropriate. It feels like in Israel it is after each moment. I am overcome with gratitude.</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>David Shukiarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978415102065674198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959669837373536683.post-343391214438012222015-06-22T05:46:00.001-07:002015-06-22T23:19:29.914-07:00B'ruchim Habayim!<div><br></div>All of our travelers have arrived safely in Israel and we are ready to begin our tour! Our first official day of traveling is tomorrow, but I thought I would share some of my thoughts with you as my family traveled from Los Angeles to Jerusalem through Paris. I apologize for the length of this post, but there is just so much to share.<div><br></div><div>One of the most exciting elements of this trip for my daughters was the fact that our flight from Los Angeles to Paris was on an Airbus A380, their favorite plane. <div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C3aAFsZRsyA/VYgDdnQtLJI/AAAAAAAAAac/IYUx9pMCyJo/s640/blogger-image-1885278224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C3aAFsZRsyA/VYgDdnQtLJI/AAAAAAAAAac/IYUx9pMCyJo/s640/blogger-image-1885278224.jpg"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L7505l3wYwI/VYgDcQTO2yI/AAAAAAAAAaU/AMHcycHk4gE/s640/blogger-image--1126627279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L7505l3wYwI/VYgDcQTO2yI/AAAAAAAAAaU/AMHcycHk4gE/s640/blogger-image--1126627279.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Do my girls look excited?????</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div>We were a little crazy in planning our trip. For some reason we thought it would be a good idea to begin our trip with an extended layover in Paris which would give us a chance to cross some items off the bucket list of our daughters. During our 12 hour stopover we left the airport, took the in to Paris and visited one of the most iconic sights in Paris, the Eiffel Tower, and enjoyed a cruise in the river Seine past some wonderful landmarks like the Louvre museum and the Notre Dame Cathedral. I especially loved seeing the l'Arc de Triumphed from the top of the Eiffel Tower. What a terrific way to spend Father's Day exploring Paris with my daughters and wife. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k6xhE7EK4gU/VYgDVE04TpI/AAAAAAAAAZs/-aBI5XlrL2o/s640/blogger-image-1644811325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k6xhE7EK4gU/VYgDVE04TpI/AAAAAAAAAZs/-aBI5XlrL2o/s640/blogger-image-1644811325.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YHcbOdPogtM/VYgDRX13dVI/AAAAAAAAAZU/ouKnzFWa0Jw/s640/blogger-image--806656512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YHcbOdPogtM/VYgDRX13dVI/AAAAAAAAAZU/ouKnzFWa0Jw/s640/blogger-image--806656512.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-__dVbytYen8/VYgDYKGNcJI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/6uKex8vON4c/s640/blogger-image--939861824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-__dVbytYen8/VYgDYKGNcJI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/6uKex8vON4c/s640/blogger-image--939861824.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I can't think of a better way to spend Father's Day. It was a magical day. We did have the usual hiccups like missing our tour and having to find them on the way to the Eiffel Tower and realizing that the train station we needed to use to get back to the airport to make our flight to Israel was no longer in service... But we persevered and made it back to catch our second all night flight in as many days, this time from Paris to Tel Aviv. Needless to say we all slept almost the entire 4 and a half hour flight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In prep for our trip we did a lot of readings helping us get ready spiritually to visit Israel. The main focus of the readings was to help us view Israel not as filled with sights, but rather filled with sites; sites that move us spiritually. The places and things we saw in Paris were sights; things that amazed us but meant nothing on a deeper level. The Eiffel Tower was awesome, but it did not fill us with awe. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This point was driven home as we stepped foot on our second flight. We were exhausted from our more than 24 hours without proper sleep and after running around Paris on Father's Day. All we wanted to do was to sit on the plane and sleep. As we prepared to leave the gate, we heard the pilot announce in French (we flew Air France) and then in English, and then a amazing thing happened. The announcement was made in Hebrew. I immediately felt my energy rise a bit as I realized that we were heading to a place that made me feel things in a deeper way that I have ever had before. A place that in an instant felt like home when I arrived two years ago. I felt this tears in my eyes as I listened to the indescribable beauty of the Hebrew language. At about 4:30 in the morning, after 4 hours of uncomfortable sleep the pilot came on and announced that we were entering Israeli air space in preparation for landing. My heart started to beat a little faster. I could see in both of my daughters the excitement building for their first Israel experience. Leasa grabbed my hand and said a silent shehechianu prayer. It was a perfect way to capture the moment, as I could not be more grateful for the place I was in at that moment, and we both truly thanked God for enabling us to reach this moment. Watching Leasa say the words of the shehechianu was one of the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed. Suddenly, it was like the four of us had slept 12 hours! We could not wait to get off the plane and smell and taste the Mediterranean air. As our plane touched down, many of the passengers (including my family) spontaneous burst into applause, acknowledging our gratitude for arriving safely. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After dealing with all the formalities of arriving in Israel we made our way to the hotel in Jerusalem. Driving through the West Bank is a reminder at how close everything is in Israel, and how fragile peace in this region is. We drove by security checkpoint after checkpoint, we drove by walls constructed to keep homicide bombers away from harming civilians. We drove by many Palestinians getting an early start to their day, crossing from the West Bank into Israel so they could go to work to provide for their families. It was a humbling drive as it reminds us of how living in Thousand Oaks is like living in a bubble. We truly have no idea what it is like to be an Israeli or a Palestinian. All we can do is support a process that leads to peace with every ounce of our souls. We arrived at the Dan Panorama Hotel in Jerusalem to a surprise, the banner hanging on the side of the hotel representing our trip!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S-W8n5QVCgo/VYgDZIVX8vI/AAAAAAAAAaE/rkWjBLIO-Ic/s640/blogger-image--1057020005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S-W8n5QVCgo/VYgDZIVX8vI/AAAAAAAAAaE/rkWjBLIO-Ic/s640/blogger-image--1057020005.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After seeing this we realized that we did not want to go to our room and sleep. We checked in to this beautiful hotel, ate our first of many AMAZING breakfasts (these are truly not to believed!) and decided to try to stay awake by walking in to the Old City with Robert and Ilyssa, two travelers from the tour who arrived at around the same time we did. I got the same excited feeling when i led our group through the Jaffa Gate into history. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r7L0hlNT3OA/VYgDg-evcXI/AAAAAAAAAas/iBFURoS8fo8/s640/blogger-image-1818434751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r7L0hlNT3OA/VYgDg-evcXI/AAAAAAAAAas/iBFURoS8fo8/s640/blogger-image-1818434751.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As we wandered through the streets I tried to give them a sense of the history of this place, how it is not a museum, but rather a living and breathing piece of our history as we interacted with those who study and pray there. We spent time at the Burnt House, a favorite stop of mine that really gives a sense of what life was like during the time of the destruction of the Second Temple. We also paid a special visit to the Kotel, the Western Wall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xUnu7CtFlLg/VYgDbILgtKI/AAAAAAAAAaM/w3bpS3IetGY/s640/blogger-image-1049282972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xUnu7CtFlLg/VYgDbILgtKI/AAAAAAAAAaM/w3bpS3IetGY/s640/blogger-image-1049282972.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As we walked down the path that leads to this unbelievable place I was reminded of how I felt the first time I laid eyes on this Wall. I remember my breath being literally taken away. It was the same reaction for me today as I took step after step back into our history, feeling connected to every Jew who has taken these same steps. As we gazed upon the Temple Mount and the Western Wall we were reminded how close these Jewish and Islamic holy sites are to each other and we had a different understanding of some of the conflict that continues to separate us from our Arab brothers and sisters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tBKVZsa_X00/VYgDWEbvgoI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/HwrOXtQBf_Y/s640/blogger-image--644886679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tBKVZsa_X00/VYgDWEbvgoI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/HwrOXtQBf_Y/s640/blogger-image--644886679.jpg"></a></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was a busy day at the Kotel. We saw countless bar mitzvah boys carrying beautiful Sephardic Torah scrolls around the plaza at the Wall. There was singing and dancing... It was almost distracting! But Robert put it best when he shared that as he approached the Wall he heard all of the activity around him, but as he laid his hands on these stones the noise faded away and he was alone with his prayers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sw9xHlFFdJE/VYgDh3xRwrI/AAAAAAAAAa0/8RpeV0N2NQ4/s640/blogger-image--1276691014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sw9xHlFFdJE/VYgDh3xRwrI/AAAAAAAAAa0/8RpeV0N2NQ4/s640/blogger-image--1276691014.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3GaQ-rrrLs8/VYgDkpGlQrI/AAAAAAAAAbE/Yo9GnGqr3Wc/s640/blogger-image--2109733971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3GaQ-rrrLs8/VYgDkpGlQrI/AAAAAAAAAbE/Yo9GnGqr3Wc/s640/blogger-image--2109733971.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-twlakQpiMZs/VYgDUOY374I/AAAAAAAAAZk/YoVnrmLtyNI/s640/blogger-image--269360610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-twlakQpiMZs/VYgDUOY374I/AAAAAAAAAZk/YoVnrmLtyNI/s640/blogger-image--269360610.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mcTDTH47ckI/VYgDS-qK-8I/AAAAAAAAAZc/LZH5H62u4jE/s640/blogger-image-96922390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mcTDTH47ckI/VYgDS-qK-8I/AAAAAAAAAZc/LZH5H62u4jE/s640/blogger-image-96922390.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had a similar reaction to Robert. I was nervous that placing my hands on this ancient stone once again would not have the impact it did two years ago. The truth is it had MORE of an impact, because it connected me back to that moment that has changed how I pray forever. I remember explaining in the last blog how I had never felt so connected and I had never prayed so deeply, and today my experience was just as powerful. Praying at the Wall has changed the way I pray forever. I can hardly wait to share this holy site with the rest of our tour tomorrow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here is picture of one of the many bar mitzvah celebrations we experienced today and we sang and clapped to the music. It was beautiful!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qkyxhPLqxbg/VYgDjc6ZEDI/AAAAAAAAAa8/JPuAinTVhlI/s640/blogger-image--78897998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qkyxhPLqxbg/VYgDjc6ZEDI/AAAAAAAAAa8/JPuAinTVhlI/s640/blogger-image--78897998.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We arrived back at the hotel to find many other TAE travelers had arrived at the hotel in Jerusalem. What a nice welcome we had, embracing each other IN Israel after all of the planning and anticipating. </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xv7NBVNRuoY/VYgDf_kXtJI/AAAAAAAAAak/6iRdCChWH-M/s640/blogger-image--949937943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xv7NBVNRuoY/VYgDf_kXtJI/AAAAAAAAAak/6iRdCChWH-M/s640/blogger-image--949937943.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For dinner this evening we had the honor of dining with Rachel Dubowe. It was so great to see her and hear about all of her adventures as a student at the Hebrew Union College. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z9yOb21TD5k/VYg41uJDgAI/AAAAAAAAAbk/Gh8W-x15ZZ4/s640/blogger-image--653246678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z9yOb21TD5k/VYg41uJDgAI/AAAAAAAAAbk/Gh8W-x15ZZ4/s640/blogger-image--653246678.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8jxrBLo1nNM/VYg4w4Y1izI/AAAAAAAAAbU/8Bqkjy4SpnU/s640/blogger-image--874409694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8jxrBLo1nNM/VYg4w4Y1izI/AAAAAAAAAbU/8Bqkjy4SpnU/s640/blogger-image--874409694.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XEPAF00rITY/VYg426Yi3PI/AAAAAAAAAbs/OZhPU3p1LeI/s640/blogger-image--69170483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XEPAF00rITY/VYg426Yi3PI/AAAAAAAAAbs/OZhPU3p1LeI/s640/blogger-image--69170483.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GR043qi_e1U/VYg44VqS0BI/AAAAAAAAAb0/JeDgl85-6oY/s640/blogger-image-571688771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GR043qi_e1U/VYg44VqS0BI/AAAAAAAAAb0/JeDgl85-6oY/s640/blogger-image-571688771.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-InzXpRreeCY/VYg4zuv-RKI/AAAAAAAAAbc/AVtiRAacaFo/s640/blogger-image-1305634360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-InzXpRreeCY/VYg4zuv-RKI/AAAAAAAAAbc/AVtiRAacaFo/s640/blogger-image-1305634360.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And after a full and wonderful first day in Israel, it is time for us to say laila tov, good night to you all. We will hopefully get a good night's sleep and be ready for a full day of touring tomorrow. I can hardly wait to show our group the Old City and meet Uri, our educator. All I can say to everyone is, you must come to Israel. There is no better place in all the world...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div><br></div></div></div>David Shukiarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978415102065674198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959669837373536683.post-74803593919413121392015-06-13T07:45:00.001-07:002015-06-15T07:59:46.922-07:00A Shabbat of blessingsShabbat shalom to you all! For nearly two years now we have been working hard to plan this trip. Back in July of 2013 when we first selected the dates for our journey to Israel the first thing we programmed was this Shabbat (actually we programmed it for next week but because a number of our families are leaving for Israel early we needed to change the date to June 12). On this Shabbat most of our group was together at Temple Adat Elohim so our wonderful Rabbis and community could offer a special blessing for us as we prepare to travel to Israel. The blessing we received was beautiful, but the lesson I took from last night's service was more profound. Each person traveling in our group is the blessing. Israel is the blessing. Israel will bless us as we experience her beauty, history, her struggles and her triumphs. And we who have the honor of being there will bless Israel by allowing ourselves to be fully present, by allowing our hearts to be totally open to the experiences that await us. <br />
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Traveling to Israel is a mitzvah, and I am honored to be one who is helping so many people fulfill this mitzvah.</div>
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After services we all congregated in the social hall to enjoy our oneg Shabbat. And as usual, as the room started to thin out as people left Temple Adat Elohim, I found that those left were many traveling on this trip. I think it was David Messe who first approached me and instead of offering a usual good bye handshake said, "See you in Israel." I was so taken with this statement. For two years this group has been together many times, shared many moments, and we were never able to end our time together with these words. </div>
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And now we can.</div>
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I literally threw myself into his arms for a meaningful hug (sorry David!) and what followed was a slurry of "see you in Israel" moments. You could see the connections between people strengthening as we offered our hopes for safe travels to our home in the east. Our normal hugs were held a little longer, with more meaning then normal. </div>
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In many ways, Israel has already blessed and changed our group of travelers and we have not even stepped foot on her beautiful soil yet. I look forward to helping you to share this journey with our travelers through this blog. I hope it helps you to experience a piece of what we are feeling. So as I said so many times last night...</div>
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See you in Israel!</div>
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David Shukiarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978415102065674198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959669837373536683.post-18513085329811274132015-06-11T14:47:00.002-07:002015-06-11T14:47:51.263-07:00Getting ready to leave...On June 6th, the adult travelers in our group met at the home of Stacy and Allen Minassian to share some social time, go over details of our upcoming trip and to share in the ritual of Havdallah.<br />
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Havdallah means separation, and as we acknowledge separating Shabbat from the rest of the week, we also acknowledge that we are creating a separation between this trip and the rest of our lives. We will build relationships while traveling that will bond us together always, as we will remember the places and sites we will see and experience together. Once we experience Havdallah in Israel, we will forever be linked to our home in the east, and every time we experience Havdallah back home, we will remember our time together in Israel. As the moments pass, I am more and more excited to share this experience with these dear friends.David Shukiarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978415102065674198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959669837373536683.post-32666177382750197662015-06-10T11:30:00.000-07:002015-06-13T08:59:02.612-07:00In just 2 weeks...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can hardly wait to lay my hands on the ancient stones of the Wall again. For the better part of 2 years now I have been working hard to plan this trip. And, it is hard to believe that in just about 2 weeks I will be taking 43 TAE members back home to Israel! Follow our journey here as we experience the beauty of Israel! David Shukiarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978415102065674198noreply@blogger.com0