Shalom All,
We are now on our flight leaving Israel. What a wonderful trip we had. Starting in Tel Aviv we saw the old port in Yafo, the Palmach Museum (which I’d never been to but turned out to be a great way to begin because it gave a great history leading to the Israel’s Independence), and an Israeli lunch of falafel and swarma, before heading north. On the way we saw the Roman aqueduct in Caesarea, the Baha’i Gardens in Haifa, the Crusader fortress in Acco, and finally ended our first full day at Kibbutz Kfar Blum in the Galilee.
The next day included shopping at the Teva Naot store (a different kibbutz), the archeological site at Tzippori, which was once the seat of rabbinic life where the Mishnah was codified by Rabbi Jehudah Hanasi, and the mystical city of Safed, the home of the Caro and Ari synagogues where L’cha Dodi was written and the Kabbalah studied. We ended the day with dinner back at the kibbutz and a discussion of kibbutz life with one of the members.
On our third day we walked the Tel Dan nature reserve and archeological dig, we drove up the Golan to see where some of the Six Day war was fought and even went to the Syrian boarder to discuss the current situation. Following lunch at a Druse village, some of us got a chocolate workshop at the De Karina Chocolate which is made at Kibbutz Erin Zivan while others discovered some of the best wine from Israel at the Pelter Winery. We then made the trek to Jerusalem where we said Shehecheyanu while looking out at the Old City.
Our first full day in Jerusalem was definitely full. We walked the ancient City of David, hiked through a tunnel under the wall and emerged very near to the Kotel, the Western Wall, where we had time to pray, wander the Jewish Quarter and eat. We had an emotional tour of Yad Vashem and ended the day back at the Western Wall for another tunnel.
The next day, which was one of our hottest days, included Masada and the Dead Sea, before we returned to Jerusalem to prepare for Shabbat. We were blessed to pray at Kehillat Yozma, a Reform congregation in Modi’in and were then invited to different members homes for Shabbat dinner and stories of Israeli life. A truly wonderful highlight.
Our first, and really only restful day was Shabbat in Jerusalem, as is should be. But then there was only one day left for the group. On Sunday we went digging for artifacts at Beit Guvrin, then lunch at the Jerusalem market, Machane Jehudah, a little more shopping, and a farewell dinner with everyone.
We should all be back in the states by the time you read this. I hope you were able to follow us on the Temple’s Facebook page. There are some great pictures and videos there. Regardless, once we’re all back, we’ll host a Shabbat service where we can all bring our favorite pictures and stories to share more fully with you.
See you all soon.
B’shalom,
Rabbi Todd
