Day 9 & 10, ISRAEL, Tel Aviv and Departure, posted by Sharon Schwartz, Bonnie Seligson, and Mark Bello

Posted by Sharon Schwartz

It is 3:20 AM as I sit on the plane for our return home. I am reflecting on each and every moment we spent in Poland and Israel. It is bitter sweet—wanting to be back with my family yet wanting to remain in our Jewish homeland.

This was my third trip to Israel. Each time has been like it was the very first. I learned different things, went to different places, and loved it all over again. One of our last stops was at Independence Hall in Tel Aviv where the Declaration of Independence was delivered over radio and signed in 1948. We sat in a the very room where it all took place and listened to one of the most enthusiastic and passionate speakers I have ever heard. I hung onto each and every word he shared. For me, he brought together the entire trip. He captured exactly what the State of Israel is, and what we all must do to make sure it survives. It is our obligation and we must certainly make it our commitment to ensure this. (To see a video clip of the speech, click here)

Before our farewell dinner, several of us literally ran through the shook buying souvenir to bring back for our loved ones and even for ourselves. We had a ball as we tried to spend every last shekel!

From the depths of sadness and darkness in Poland, to the joy and brightness of Israel, it was a perfect trip. I am exhausted physically and emotionally, but I am exhilarated and on a high you can only et from being is Israel, experiencing first hand. I wish for everyone the opportunity I have been able to participate in. I am so very grateful.

Posted by Bonnie Seligson
I am sitting in the airport waiting to leave Israel. I will end my blog entries with a song:
If we had just gone to Poland....Dayenu
If we had just gone to Poland and then Jerusalem....Dayenu
If we had gone to Poland, Jerusalem and been with our Rabbi....Dayenu
If we had gone to Poland, Jerusalem with our Rabbi and our Israeli guide Muki...DAYENU!!!!
A big thank you to Tobye Bello and to Marcus Frieze of Da'at Travel....also so much more should be in the song but they are calling my flight. NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM.
L'HITRA'OT....
Bonnie Seligson

Posted by Mark Bello
Our morning in the Galilee, as usual, starts with breakfast and Shacharit. The difference, this morning was that we are treated to a very interesting speaking by the name of Rube Rogel. Rube is a psychologist who is working on a Phd in post traumatic stress management. His recent work includes assisting victims of the Thailand tsunami and the hurricane in New Orleans, LA and Biloxi, MS. He also happens to live in the Galilee, and, in July 2006, he was sitting on his back porch when he heard a loud bang. Rube says that a person’s first reaction to potential trauma is to ignore it; the second occurrence is a “call to action”. True to human nature, Rube ignored the first “bang”, but when he heard a second, closer one, this was his “call to action”. The bombs fell on the northern regions of Israel for well over a month. The average family in that situation has two basic choices: Should we stay, or should we leave? While it is against human nature to leave, most realize that it is the safest option and choose to leave, Rube chose to stay and counsel those who were traumatized.

Rube describes what he saw and heard for that terrible month as “the Fourth of July fireworks” 24/7 for a solid month. It was very difficult because he had to deal with both personal and professional issues; he had to assist others while he was trying to cope with his own (and his family’s) trauma. He was assigned to counsel children who were exposed to the bombing. He asked them a very simple question: “What scares you the most?” Then, he asked them to draw it. He tells us the story of one little girl from the Galilee who was frightened at the sight of a particular terrorist on TV. She draws a very good likeness of the man and Rube asks her to alter the drawing to make the man less scary to her. She draws him in a pink dress; this makes her feel better. Rube tells the story to a group in Washington DC, and a woman is so touched, she crochets a pink blanket and sends it to Rube for the girl. The girl is very pleased with the gift, and the two begin a correspondence. The woman visits Israel and meets the child. The gift is such a hit that blanket-making has turned into a program, and pink blankets are being knitted for children all over the country. (To watch a video clip of this powerful presentation, click here)

After Rube’s presentation, we board the bus and David (our driver) takes us to the Tel Dan Nature Preserve, a very short drive from the Kibbutz. I am continually amazed at this country. As I have said before in these blogs, this is my third visit to Israel, but this visit has taken me to places that I did not know existed; each one is more beautiful, or as beautiful, as the next. This place exists around and about the ancient city (ancient city ruins are visible at the entrance gate) of Dan and the Dan stream (rapids which start as melting snow from Mt. Hermon and rapidly empty into Jordan River. We learn that the Dan is the longest and most important of three stream water sources for the Jordan which makes spring water plentiful and vegetation lush and green 365 days out of the year (most of Israel vegetation turns yellow in the late spring and early summer). There are eucalyptus trees all around. The sound of rushing water can be heard everywhere.
We enter the park on foot and, in the interest of time, choose the “30 minute walk” over the “60 minute walk”. The path follows the rapids and we can hear and feel the coolness of the rapids throughout our journey. We stop in the woods and Muki offers a prayer for our presence in this exquisitely beautiful G-d made place. Imagine the Tribe of Dan and their arrival at this lush and scenic place after wandering in the desert for so long. The “land flowing with milk and honey” has come to life.

We walk along a nature path of dirt and stone, weaving over and around the water. We arrive at a flour mill that had been used for hundreds of years, until 1940. The last water wheel rests at the side of the building. For centuries, the colonists harnessed the powerful water flow, and used its pressure to crush wheat and turn it into flour. Seymour finds a bamboo pole and assumes the persona of “Moses” Dubrinsky. I challenge him to part the waters or turn the pole into a snake, but he is unable to do so (later, he does part a pair of elevator doors at the hotel). We press on further into the woods and encounter a small pool of water. Several of us remove our shoes and socks and wade in the water, sharing it with one large and lonely crab. The mosquitoes are biting, but no one seems to mind.
Throughout this trip, I have commented about seeing nature at its best. We have seen and climbed mountains (by Jeep). We have seen rolling hills, multi-colored landscape, rivers and valleys. We have seen beautiful new and old cities, synagogues and structures. Now, up close and personal, we are experiencing a natural setting the likes of which I have never experienced. The path ends and we venture into a store on the premises where we much on sesame pretzels (better than salt). We return to the bus and begin the long trip from Israel’s northern tip, heading south, to Tel Aviv.

We arrive in Tel Aviv, Israel’s business, fashion, and information center. All foreign embassies are located here. In sharp contrast to Jerusalem and other Israeli cities, there are no Jerusalem Stone mandates or height restrictions. Consequently, concrete high-rise buildings dominate the landscape. The charm of the city is that it is the NYC of Israel; one can dine, be entertained, shop, relax at a sidewalk café, and lie on or walk the beach or the boardwalk. It is not difficult to find something to do in Tel Aviv.

Tobye and I check into the hotel and find we are on the 14th floor. The room has a view of the beach and the Mediterranean Sea; it is, simply, breathtaking. This is another example of Israel’s natural beauty.

We have arranged to meet Muki for a short walk to the Shuk, the outdoor market. The market is bustling with people and vendors; one can buy all types of food, fruits, vegetables and sweets. At the arts & crafts section, vendors display their talents in many different forms and subject matter. There is also a large clothing market on the premises. There is something for everyone, including a strange guy dressed in yellow spandex with ruffled lapels and anklets. He is still until someone places a coin in his basket; he comes to life upon receipt of any such deposit with an operatic voice, bird calls, and additional assortments of odd noises and movements.

Tobye and I wander about soaking up the sights and sounds. This market, for some reason, does not evoke the same “old world” charm of the Jerusalem market, but it is big, varied and fun. We stop at a display of beautifully carves soap, and we purchase gifts in all shapes and sizes, for my office staff. We start to exit the market and I am leaving in relatively good financial shape. We have one foot out of the market and one foot in, when the telephone rings. It is Linda Jacobson and she has found a whole new section and a store that sells beautiful Challah covers and tablecloths. So, we schlep back the way we came, meet Linda and Steve, and Tobye makes some serious (but very reasonably priced) purchases for our Shabbat table.

We part company with Linda & Steve, and leave the Shuk. It is a very short walk back to the hotel, but, somewhere, we make a wrong turn. We are wandering the streets of Tel Aviv for an hour, with no end in sight. We see some lovely old buildings (including a synagogue) and quaint restaurants and shops, but we can’t see the hotel or the sea. What we finally do see, is a taxi and a very nice Israeli born driver (who has also lived in NYC and LA-he must like large, bustling cities) takes us back to the hotel.

For dinner, we join Rabbi Berkun, Sharon, Joyce, Jules, Barbara, Linda & Steve at Kyoko Sushi, downtown. Dinner is delicious and a good time is had by all. We return to the hotel, where we run into Susan Tapper; Linda, Steve, Susan, Tobye & I decide to go to a beachfront coffee shop for coffee and/or desert. The place is right on the beach and tables are set outside on the sandy beach, a short walk from the hotel. We take off our shoes and enjoy iced coffees with ice cream and other goodies while digging our toes into the sand and, simply, enjoying each others’ company. A cool breeze is blowing and this is a very nice and relaxing ending to a wonderful and eventful day. Tomorrow, we have an event-filled agenda for Tel-Aviv; it is the final day of our trip. It will be difficult to leave this magical, enchanting country, but it will be good to get home to my family.

The next morning is our last day in the Holy Land. I am sad to be leaving, but excited to see my family and return home. Today, after a brilliant lecture from Muki about Israeli government, politics and judicial system, we take a walking tour of Tel Aviv and Jaffa. We started at Independence Hall, the site where David Ben Gurion announced an independent State of Israel in the land of Israel. We are treated to a passionate lecture by one of the curators of the Hall about how and why a Jewish State was absolutely necessary in the late 1940’s and how the Jews bravely built, then defended, it. Sharon Schwartz comments that this visit has brought us to an absolutely appropriate conclusion and understanding of the “Darkness to Light” theme. She is absolutely right (Bennett, you have always known that, right?).

Next, we visit to the spot at Kings of Israel Square where, on November 4, 1995, Yizhak Rabin was assassinated. The exact locations of the Prime Minister, his bodyguards and entourage, and the assassin are clearly marked on the ground, in bronze. It is eerie to stand on the spots where they stood. The area also has several monuments detailing the accomplishments of a remarkable public servant. Finally we walk through old Jaffa, which is experiencing a rebirth after years of decline.

Tel Aviv/Jaffa represents both the old and the “new” Israel. Tel Aviv has become the “New York” of Israel. Concrete high office buildings and apartments are everywhere. Traffic, both pedestrian and auto, is heavy. Muki points out a mural depicting the building and growth of the city. In the mural, men proudly push wheel barrels. This is a Jewish city, built by the labor of Jews, and they are proud of that fact. Jaffa is “right next door”, and provides an older, neighborhood setting. The two exist, side by side, and one feels the charm of the Israel of old and the excitement of Israel anew. Muki calls the city a “butterfly out of the womb”. This “new” Israel seeks to accommodate all Jews; it is a very inclusive Israel, for secular to ultra-Orthodox. It is seeking to build bridges, from Jew to Jew, from male to female, form young to old. While “Kosher” is less important here, there are still plenty of marvelous restaurants to choose from and exciting entertainment venues to try. It stands in sharp contrast to the religious, historical, old world charm of Jerusalem.

We have lunch on the beach, Tobye goes shopping (again!?) and I decide to walk the beach back to the hotel. I spend the rest of the afternoon lounging by the pool as the day becomes overcast.

Before dinner, we meet in a hotel conference room to share reflections of our trip. Without going into detail, it is obvious that we have bonded from this marvelous experience, and sustainable friendships have been made. One of the wonderful aspects of a trip like this is to share the experience with fellow Jews and congregants, whether old friends, or new. Hopefully, lasting relationships have developed here in the Holy Land.

Dinner is a group event and we dine together, one final time, just kibbutzing and enjoying each others company. It is time to leave and we take a short drive to the airport. We say goodbye to David, our driver, and Muki helps us through the rigorous security check. I write this just after saying farewell to Muki, whose love of Israel and keen insight has made him the best tour guide I have ever had the pleasure to travel with. I know he has been reading this blog, and I wish for him to know that I, and all of my fellow travelers, thank him for everything he has done for us. We will miss him and his beautiful country, but it will be good to return home. This process of “blogging” has been a wonderful experience for me and has helped me focus. I have thoroughly enjoyed bringing my trip experiences to whoever is reading these almost daily reports. For those of you who have been to Israel, I say, “Go again, soon” (and take Muki with you)! For those of you who have never been to Israel, GO! GO, SOON! It is a life changing experience.

With respect, Mark.

Here is a link to pictures from today and yesterday: http://picasaweb.google.com/jonberkun/Day910May89GalileeTelAviv