We've had a very exciting past two days.
We began on Monday by heading to an ancient cave system called Beit HaGuvrin. Together the students learned what archaeologists do. They got a chance to dig in an ancient cave and all of them found artifacts, from bone to pottery shards. They were budding each a Indiana Jones. Then we went spelunking in a cave that had not been excavated. The students were troopers because at points they were crawling through very small holes. It was not for the claustrophobic. Many of them took home pottery shards for each of you.
We then headed to a town called Yerucham for lunch. Yerucham is a town that was settled in the 1950s by Jews from the Arab world. They were put on trucks and told they were headed for Tel Aviv and Eilat but were then dumped in the middle of the desert. We ate lunch at one of these residents house who was brought there as a young girl. The food as amazing and some of our picky eaters even tried new food.
We then got on the bus and headed to Sede Boker, the retirement home of David Ben Gurion, Israel's first prime minister. We learned about his life, saw his house, and learned about what the desert meant to him. The students were especially impressed by his library.
We then got on the bus and headed to the Bedouin Tent. We began by riding camels. I'm not sure what it is about the experience but this seems to be THE highlight for so many of our students. I guess it's the city. We then were hosted with hospitality by the Bedouins, given tea and learned about their life. After a delicious dinner we went star gazing, spending a little each on his or her own in a process known as hitboddedut. We finished the night with a campfire.
When we woke up the next day, we ate breakfast and then headed to Masada, an ancient Jewish fortress built by King Herod in the desert. Students saw his palace, and learned about the story of Jews giving up their life rather than submit to the Romans. We spent some time talking about the idea of Marterdom and we challenged them to think if there was anything they would sacrifice their lives for.
Then we headed to the Dead Sea Spa. Students swam in the sea (or rather floated, it's 30% salt), covered themselves in mud and then after swimming in a regular pool took a dip in a hot sulfur pool.
We headed up North to Kibbutz Degania (the first Kibbutz in Israeli history) where we are staying. After dinner at the Kibbutz we are spending the night bonding and playing Celebrity and Mafia.
Tomorrow we have a full day but it may change due to weather. It's supposed to be very rainy. It's also supposed to snow in Jerusalem when we are there. Please look out for announcements about how this may change our itinerary since roads tend to close in Jerusalem when it rains.
Pictures below:
We began on Monday by heading to an ancient cave system called Beit HaGuvrin. Together the students learned what archaeologists do. They got a chance to dig in an ancient cave and all of them found artifacts, from bone to pottery shards. They were budding each a Indiana Jones. Then we went spelunking in a cave that had not been excavated. The students were troopers because at points they were crawling through very small holes. It was not for the claustrophobic. Many of them took home pottery shards for each of you.
We then headed to a town called Yerucham for lunch. Yerucham is a town that was settled in the 1950s by Jews from the Arab world. They were put on trucks and told they were headed for Tel Aviv and Eilat but were then dumped in the middle of the desert. We ate lunch at one of these residents house who was brought there as a young girl. The food as amazing and some of our picky eaters even tried new food.
We then got on the bus and headed to Sede Boker, the retirement home of David Ben Gurion, Israel's first prime minister. We learned about his life, saw his house, and learned about what the desert meant to him. The students were especially impressed by his library.
We then got on the bus and headed to the Bedouin Tent. We began by riding camels. I'm not sure what it is about the experience but this seems to be THE highlight for so many of our students. I guess it's the city. We then were hosted with hospitality by the Bedouins, given tea and learned about their life. After a delicious dinner we went star gazing, spending a little each on his or her own in a process known as hitboddedut. We finished the night with a campfire.
When we woke up the next day, we ate breakfast and then headed to Masada, an ancient Jewish fortress built by King Herod in the desert. Students saw his palace, and learned about the story of Jews giving up their life rather than submit to the Romans. We spent some time talking about the idea of Marterdom and we challenged them to think if there was anything they would sacrifice their lives for.
Then we headed to the Dead Sea Spa. Students swam in the sea (or rather floated, it's 30% salt), covered themselves in mud and then after swimming in a regular pool took a dip in a hot sulfur pool.
We headed up North to Kibbutz Degania (the first Kibbutz in Israeli history) where we are staying. After dinner at the Kibbutz we are spending the night bonding and playing Celebrity and Mafia.
Tomorrow we have a full day but it may change due to weather. It's supposed to be very rainy. It's also supposed to snow in Jerusalem when we are there. Please look out for announcements about how this may change our itinerary since roads tend to close in Jerusalem when it rains.
Pictures below:
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