January 14, 2009 18 Tevet 5769

Over the past two days we have done an extensive amount of touring. Yesterday, after posting to all of you, we spent a mystical day in Safed. This town is known for its ancient ties to Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism). We started our tour with a conversation about what it means to be Jewish and the implications of that in our world today. Learning about Safed's strategic location, we expereinced first hand the importance of being atop a mountian for security to anceint people. We stopped for lunch at the sun splashed outdoor cafes and munched falafel, schwarma and pizza. In the afternoon our group was divided into two. One group spent the time learning about Kabbalah, visiting the Arie Mikvah and seeing the ancient cemetery. The other, went to a circus performed by Arabs and Jews together. The evening was spent relaxing at a local night spot.

Today we left the north and headed to the coastal city of Tel Aviv. Often called the New York of Israel, it is a bustling, modern city. We toured the downtown area, ate lunch at one of the best burger restaurants in the country and went to Independence Hall. Today was the start of our mifgash (meeting) and we welcomed eight Israeli soldiers onto our bus. Over the next few days the soldiers and American students will interact with one another and learn more about the differences and similarities in their lives.

Tomorrow marks the start of our Jerusalem adventure!

January 13, 2009, 17 Tevet 5769

We arrive at the feild school on Monday evening and were treated to an Israeli dinner with schnitzel, Israeli salads and oriented ourselves to our new location. Everyone went to their rooms and when we woke up, we were treated to a beautiful morning in the Golan! The days touring included Tel Dan national park where we discussed the importantance of natural resources, particularly water. We began a discussion about Jewish history, putting Israel in the context of 3,000 years of history. We toured the region on Jeeps following important paths from the Six Day War. We went to the Naot Factory/Outlet Store and toured the Golan Winery. We concluded the days touring at a military bunker, from which we could see Israeli's border with Syria and Lebanon. It was a great day! Looking forward to tomorrow and updating you about our travels again in a few days!

The Day Before

January 9th, 2009, 13 Tevet 5769
The day before we leave for Israel. This will be my first birthright experience and my first trip to Israel as a madrich(staff). I have been to Israel 4 times and have replayed many of the trips in my mind. Trip #1 was with my parents, #2 my high school class, #3 the Jewish Youth Directors Association, and #4 with Hebrew School teachers from Philadelphia Supplememental Hebrew Schools. Each trip has been different and I have found Israel to be in constant motion, changing so rapidly it seems, that I don't recognize it at first. Each trip has been colored by the individuals who participated, the tour guides who have led, and the status of war or peace in which Israel found itsself at that time. One thing that has remained constant however, is my affection for the land and its people. To walk through downtown Jerusalem and see billboards in Hebrew or to buy falaffel at a kiosk, to be moved through the Jewish market, Mahane Yehudah, on a Friday afternoon shortly before sundown are just some of the experiences that I am looking forward to sharing with the students.

I'm looking forward to visiting Masada, the Herodian desert fortress, and swimming in the Dead Sea, and talking and talking, and holding conversations deep into the night about the meaning of Israel and our connection to her and to Jews all over the world. I'm looking forward to beautiful vistas and crowded city streets and bus rides and jeep tours and orthodox Jews and secular Jews and soldiers. Schwarma! I'm looking forward to experiencing these things through the eyes of those who have never seen such things before. I'm looking forward to "a ha!" moments and laughter and tears and deep thoughts and stories of pride and heroism and joy.

As I prepare my suitcase and double check the list of items that I need, I think about all that will be in the next 12 days and can't wait to meet the students from the U. of Hartford and all the Temple students that have been on break for the past month. See you in Newark!