We can't believe our trip is already coming to a close.
We spent today wrapping up our fantastic experience. We started today off with a delicious breakfast in the hotel and then walked to a local park for a Saturday morning service. It was really interesting to compare this service to the Orthodox service we experienced last night.
After our service, we spent some time playing on a nearby playground before sitting down for a wrap-up session. Rabbi Marc posed a few questions to the group and asked students to take turns answering them. Students discussed what some highlights of the trip were, what made them laugh, what they had learned, and what questions they are leaving with. It was amazing to hear how much the students got out of these short (but jam-packed) 10 days.
We grabbed some lunch after our conversation. Once we ate and packed up our stuff in the hotel, we headed out for a walking tour of the Old City in Jerusalem. We finished the night with a delicious farewell dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner, we walked back to our hotel and had to say a tearful goodbye to our beloved guide, Zvi.
Students are now packing and preparing last minute things for the early flight tomorrow. We can't wait to see you at JFK tomorrow!
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Friday, February 24, 2017
Day 7- Jerusalem
Shabbat Shalom 8th grade parents!
We had a great 2nd day here in Jerusalem! We started off the day early with a visit to Yad Vashem, the holocaust memorial museum in Jerusalem. Many students came away from their visit saying how much the children's memorial within the museum affected them.
After a quick snack of classic Israeli snacks of bamba, bissli, and rugalach, we made our way up to Har Herzl, Israel's national cemetary. Our guide, Zvi, took us to many notable graves including those of Shimon Perez, Hannah Szenes, and Michael Levine (an American-born child who died in the second Lebanon war.) We also visited the Ethiopian memorial that commemorates the Ethiopians that died trying to get to Israel. The family of our guard, Israela, is from Ethiopia and immigrated to Israel a few years before she was born. Zvi translated Israela's story to the students who found it fascinating and meaningful.
When we finished at Har Herzl, we made our way to the Jerusalem shuk (or Machane Yehuda market) for lunch. The shuk was bustling with people preparing for the shabbos and students were surprised by the massive crowds. We got a chance to try all sorts of authentic Jerusalem food including homemade rugalach, fresh dates, and fresh juice.
After we visited the shuk, we made a quick stop at our hotel to prepare for Shabbat! We then got on the bus and drove to a modern orthodox synagogue for services. This synagogue is a progressive synagogue that allows women to lead services alongside men. Students commented on how unique it was to experience a service in all Hebrew.
Once services wrapped up, we walked back to the hotel for Shabbat dinner with Rabbi Marc's parents and grandmother! We enjoyed a delicious meal and ended the night with a talent show. Your students wowed us with some fantastically hilarious musical acts, skits, and dances.
Can't believe that tomorrow is our last full day! We'll check back in tomorrow.
We had a great 2nd day here in Jerusalem! We started off the day early with a visit to Yad Vashem, the holocaust memorial museum in Jerusalem. Many students came away from their visit saying how much the children's memorial within the museum affected them.
After a quick snack of classic Israeli snacks of bamba, bissli, and rugalach, we made our way up to Har Herzl, Israel's national cemetary. Our guide, Zvi, took us to many notable graves including those of Shimon Perez, Hannah Szenes, and Michael Levine (an American-born child who died in the second Lebanon war.) We also visited the Ethiopian memorial that commemorates the Ethiopians that died trying to get to Israel. The family of our guard, Israela, is from Ethiopia and immigrated to Israel a few years before she was born. Zvi translated Israela's story to the students who found it fascinating and meaningful.
When we finished at Har Herzl, we made our way to the Jerusalem shuk (or Machane Yehuda market) for lunch. The shuk was bustling with people preparing for the shabbos and students were surprised by the massive crowds. We got a chance to try all sorts of authentic Jerusalem food including homemade rugalach, fresh dates, and fresh juice.
After we visited the shuk, we made a quick stop at our hotel to prepare for Shabbat! We then got on the bus and drove to a modern orthodox synagogue for services. This synagogue is a progressive synagogue that allows women to lead services alongside men. Students commented on how unique it was to experience a service in all Hebrew.
Once services wrapped up, we walked back to the hotel for Shabbat dinner with Rabbi Marc's parents and grandmother! We enjoyed a delicious meal and ended the night with a talent show. Your students wowed us with some fantastically hilarious musical acts, skits, and dances.
Can't believe that tomorrow is our last full day! We'll check back in tomorrow.
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Day 6 - Jerusalem
We are finally in Jerusalem!
Today we left the North and headed south to the city of gold. En-route we made two stops. The first was at a nature preserve to see a TON of flowers. It's prime flower season in Israel and the fields were full of them. Then we headed to Neot Kedumim which is a living museum of biblical times. Students practice shepherding sheep (it was much harder than it looks). They also drew water from a well, used an ancient olive press and learned about how people irrigated 3000 years ago.
After lunch we headed into the old city. We only hit a few sites because we will be returning on Shabbat. We went to the southern wall excavation, learned about this history of the old city and who controlled it over time, and saw Robinson's arch (an ancient ruin from 2000 years ago).
Then it was time to head to the western wall (called in Hebrew: the Kotel).
There are actually two sites for the wall. One is a smaller egalitarian section. We started there and talked about it's history. Then we headed over to the main plaza which has a split section (men's and women's sides). In both sections students had the ability to put notes in the wall and say personal prayers. We then compared the two. It was interesting to see student comments since some disliked the separation but others disliked how secluded the egalitarian section was.
After heading back to the bus we dropped our things off at the hotel and headed off to Ben Yehudah street. Students got an hour to eat and shop and many are bringing home really nice things for you.
Tomorrow we start the day at Yad Vashem and Har Hetzel.
Some pictures from today:
Today we left the North and headed south to the city of gold. En-route we made two stops. The first was at a nature preserve to see a TON of flowers. It's prime flower season in Israel and the fields were full of them. Then we headed to Neot Kedumim which is a living museum of biblical times. Students practice shepherding sheep (it was much harder than it looks). They also drew water from a well, used an ancient olive press and learned about how people irrigated 3000 years ago.
After lunch we headed into the old city. We only hit a few sites because we will be returning on Shabbat. We went to the southern wall excavation, learned about this history of the old city and who controlled it over time, and saw Robinson's arch (an ancient ruin from 2000 years ago).
Then it was time to head to the western wall (called in Hebrew: the Kotel).
There are actually two sites for the wall. One is a smaller egalitarian section. We started there and talked about it's history. Then we headed over to the main plaza which has a split section (men's and women's sides). In both sections students had the ability to put notes in the wall and say personal prayers. We then compared the two. It was interesting to see student comments since some disliked the separation but others disliked how secluded the egalitarian section was.
After heading back to the bus we dropped our things off at the hotel and headed off to Ben Yehudah street. Students got an hour to eat and shop and many are bringing home really nice things for you.
Tomorrow we start the day at Yad Vashem and Har Hetzel.
Some pictures from today:
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Day 5 - Up North
Another wonderful day!
We starting the day at breakfast. Lots of new foods to try including a number of kinds of Barekas (cheese filled flaky dough). Then we walked around the Kibbutz together and tried to understand exactly what a Kibbutz is. We are staying at Kibbutz Dagania, the first Kibbutz in Israel. For those of you who aren't so familiar a Kibbutz is a communal socialist experiment in Israel. Although they don't function like this anymore, in the old days everything was communal. You were allotted a house, at TV, even your kids were communal and grew up in dorms with visitation rights. Dagania doesn't work like that anymore but the communal spirit is still alive here.
Then we headed up the Golan Heights We spoke about its history and went to Mnt Bental (3140 ft up) and looked out over Syria and Lebanon. We spoke about the history of wars with these countries and about Israel's relationship to the conflict in Syria. Our students were very interested why Israel does not take Syrian refugees. We were able to have a good conversation because they have a unique and new perspective on politics after this last election.
Then we headed to a chocolate factory. The factory was started by an Argentinian woman who came to Israel. We learned how the chocolate is made, got a chance to try some and then made some ourselves. They love it! And the students are really excited to get to eat their concoctions tomorrow.
After a quick lunch at Rosh Pina (the earliest Zionist town) and a chance for about half our group to choose to try Israeli McDonalds (btw the burgers are HUGE here) we headed to Safed. Safed is one of the oldest cities in Israel and is very holy. It is also the home to Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism. We met with an artist who told us all about his work. Using secrets of math and colors he has hidden meaning in all his paintings. The students were completely blown away. Then we headed to the old synagogue where we learned about one of the most famous Kabbalists (Isaac Luria). We did some singing and meditation and then went shopping in an amazing candle factory.
We then headed home for dinner and little bonding before heading to be.
Of the Jerusalem tomorrow...
Some pictures from today:
We starting the day at breakfast. Lots of new foods to try including a number of kinds of Barekas (cheese filled flaky dough). Then we walked around the Kibbutz together and tried to understand exactly what a Kibbutz is. We are staying at Kibbutz Dagania, the first Kibbutz in Israel. For those of you who aren't so familiar a Kibbutz is a communal socialist experiment in Israel. Although they don't function like this anymore, in the old days everything was communal. You were allotted a house, at TV, even your kids were communal and grew up in dorms with visitation rights. Dagania doesn't work like that anymore but the communal spirit is still alive here.
Then we headed up the Golan Heights We spoke about its history and went to Mnt Bental (3140 ft up) and looked out over Syria and Lebanon. We spoke about the history of wars with these countries and about Israel's relationship to the conflict in Syria. Our students were very interested why Israel does not take Syrian refugees. We were able to have a good conversation because they have a unique and new perspective on politics after this last election.
Then we headed to a chocolate factory. The factory was started by an Argentinian woman who came to Israel. We learned how the chocolate is made, got a chance to try some and then made some ourselves. They love it! And the students are really excited to get to eat their concoctions tomorrow.
After a quick lunch at Rosh Pina (the earliest Zionist town) and a chance for about half our group to choose to try Israeli McDonalds (btw the burgers are HUGE here) we headed to Safed. Safed is one of the oldest cities in Israel and is very holy. It is also the home to Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism. We met with an artist who told us all about his work. Using secrets of math and colors he has hidden meaning in all his paintings. The students were completely blown away. Then we headed to the old synagogue where we learned about one of the most famous Kabbalists (Isaac Luria). We did some singing and meditation and then went shopping in an amazing candle factory.
We then headed home for dinner and little bonding before heading to be.
Of the Jerusalem tomorrow...
Some pictures from today:
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Day 3 & 4 - The Desert
We are back in Wi-Fi and happy to report that we had a wonderful two days.
We began yesterday at Beit HaGuvrin. The site was originally from the era of Hanukkah (over 2000 years ago). Students went into an ancient cave and dug for artifacts. Some of our students found pottery, others bone, and others shells. They didn't get to keep them though. These would be cataloged and sent to the lab. But in the end they did get shards of pottery that weren't needed for research. After digging, we went spelunking. Our students crawled through an ancient cave system (even the claustrophobic ones did great).
Leaving there, we headed to Yerucham to have lunch. We went to the house of an older Moroccan woman who came to Israel in the 1960s. She fed us and told us her story, how when she got here they told her she could move to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem but then was dropped in the middle of the desert and told to settle the Negev.
Soon we were on our way to a quick stop of Sde Boker, David Ben Gurion's retirement home. Our students learned about Israel's first prime minister and saw his house. They couldn't get over how much he read and how short he was!
Then we headed to the Bedouin tent for Camel riding. Our students liked this (though some were a little grossed out by the camels). After a short ride they headed to their tent and ate an authentic Bedouin meal. Then they joined a Bedouin women for tea and conversation. They heard her story and asked her many questions. They were completely enamored by the way she lived within a traditional society but (as a feminist figure in her community) pushed the lines when she could.
We then grabbed warm clothes and went star gazing. We walked quietly out into the desert, learning that the word desert in Hebrew (Midbar) also means to speak. They walked a few hundred feet away from the group so they felt more alone and just listened to the desert/God/our souls speak and looked at the sky. It was a very spiritual experience.
After a short campfire, students went to sleep excited for the coming day.
--
We woke up early today (but after sunrise), ate breakfast and headed up to Masada. Masada is a fortress from the time of the second Temple (2000 years ago) built by King Herod. It was also the site of the most famous act of martyrdom in Jewish history when a group of Jews chose death over Roman persecution. We learned their story after enjoying a steep hike up the mountain. The views weren't half bad either.
Soon we took the Cable car down and spent a bit of time buying Ahava products and eating lunch.
Afterward we headed to the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is the saltiest body of water on earth (it is also the lowest point on earth). Students floated in the sea, complained that the water stung (but no more than most groups) and took a bath in the sea mud. All day students walked around saying "feel my arm...they're so soft!"
We then boarded the bus and headed to Mivaseret Zion to meet up with a group of 8th grade Reform teens at a Reform community there. They played games and got to know one another. They also learned about Nesher which is like NFTY worldwide. It was great for our students to see that BESTY is actually part of a larger movement.
After a 2.5 hour bus ride we are at our hotel Dagania Beit which is in the North near the Sea of Galilee. We ate dinner and students are now getting ready for bed. We have a big day tomorrow and we can't wait to tell you all about it.
We began yesterday at Beit HaGuvrin. The site was originally from the era of Hanukkah (over 2000 years ago). Students went into an ancient cave and dug for artifacts. Some of our students found pottery, others bone, and others shells. They didn't get to keep them though. These would be cataloged and sent to the lab. But in the end they did get shards of pottery that weren't needed for research. After digging, we went spelunking. Our students crawled through an ancient cave system (even the claustrophobic ones did great).
Leaving there, we headed to Yerucham to have lunch. We went to the house of an older Moroccan woman who came to Israel in the 1960s. She fed us and told us her story, how when she got here they told her she could move to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem but then was dropped in the middle of the desert and told to settle the Negev.
Soon we were on our way to a quick stop of Sde Boker, David Ben Gurion's retirement home. Our students learned about Israel's first prime minister and saw his house. They couldn't get over how much he read and how short he was!
Then we headed to the Bedouin tent for Camel riding. Our students liked this (though some were a little grossed out by the camels). After a short ride they headed to their tent and ate an authentic Bedouin meal. Then they joined a Bedouin women for tea and conversation. They heard her story and asked her many questions. They were completely enamored by the way she lived within a traditional society but (as a feminist figure in her community) pushed the lines when she could.
We then grabbed warm clothes and went star gazing. We walked quietly out into the desert, learning that the word desert in Hebrew (Midbar) also means to speak. They walked a few hundred feet away from the group so they felt more alone and just listened to the desert/God/our souls speak and looked at the sky. It was a very spiritual experience.
After a short campfire, students went to sleep excited for the coming day.
--
We woke up early today (but after sunrise), ate breakfast and headed up to Masada. Masada is a fortress from the time of the second Temple (2000 years ago) built by King Herod. It was also the site of the most famous act of martyrdom in Jewish history when a group of Jews chose death over Roman persecution. We learned their story after enjoying a steep hike up the mountain. The views weren't half bad either.
Soon we took the Cable car down and spent a bit of time buying Ahava products and eating lunch.
Afterward we headed to the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is the saltiest body of water on earth (it is also the lowest point on earth). Students floated in the sea, complained that the water stung (but no more than most groups) and took a bath in the sea mud. All day students walked around saying "feel my arm...they're so soft!"
We then boarded the bus and headed to Mivaseret Zion to meet up with a group of 8th grade Reform teens at a Reform community there. They played games and got to know one another. They also learned about Nesher which is like NFTY worldwide. It was great for our students to see that BESTY is actually part of a larger movement.
After a 2.5 hour bus ride we are at our hotel Dagania Beit which is in the North near the Sea of Galilee. We ate dinner and students are now getting ready for bed. We have a big day tomorrow and we can't wait to tell you all about it.
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Day 2: Further Exploring Tel Aviv!
We had another fantastic day here in Tel Aviv!
We started our day out with an 8am breakfast and were on our way to the Palmach museum by 8:30. This is an interactive museum that teaches students about the Palmach legacy through the stories of individuals and groups. Students really enjoyed how they felt like they could get a sense of what life was like for Israeli soldiers at this time.
After the museum we went on a graffiti tour of Tel Aviv. Our students loved our tour guide, an American-born graffiti artist who took us to the back streets to discover some of the most famous street art, graffiti and mural work in the city. Students were excited to see some graffiti that quoted a Jewish psalm/Matisyahu song that we had learned about in Liza's Israel class this year! (Click here to hear the Matisyahu song!) Our guide even let us spray paint a few of our own tags on the wall!
For lunch, we were off to Shuk HaCarmel, the open-air market where students could choose from a wide selection of authentic Israeli food. Our students got to try some amazing falafel, shawarma, fresh juices, baklava, and halva!
After we ate and did a bit of shopping, we got back on the bus and went to the Holon Children's Museum for the "Dialogue in the Dark" exhibit. Our group was led by a blind guide through darkened rooms and got a sense of how visual impairment affects our ability to complete everyday tasks. For example, one room was set up as a supermarket and students were asked to identify different foods using their sense of touch and smell. Students were excited to have the opportunity to talk to our guides after the exhibit to learn about what life was like with visual impairment. Our students couldn't stop talking about how meaningful and interesting this experience was.
Nora, Ruby, Lucy, Sonia, and Maddy wait in line to try freshly squeezed juice at the shuk!
Calliope, Max, Elijah, Sylvie, Nora, Sonia, Sam, and Amalia pose in front of one of the many murals we saw today on our tour.
Lucy, Maddy, Ruby, Sonia, and Nora enjoy authentically DELICIOUS falafel!
CBE students pose with one of our tour guides at Dialogue in the Dark.
We had a few minutes to spare after the Palmach museum, so we went to a playground and had fun playing on the different equipment!
We started our day out with an 8am breakfast and were on our way to the Palmach museum by 8:30. This is an interactive museum that teaches students about the Palmach legacy through the stories of individuals and groups. Students really enjoyed how they felt like they could get a sense of what life was like for Israeli soldiers at this time.
After the museum we went on a graffiti tour of Tel Aviv. Our students loved our tour guide, an American-born graffiti artist who took us to the back streets to discover some of the most famous street art, graffiti and mural work in the city. Students were excited to see some graffiti that quoted a Jewish psalm/Matisyahu song that we had learned about in Liza's Israel class this year! (Click here to hear the Matisyahu song!) Our guide even let us spray paint a few of our own tags on the wall!
For lunch, we were off to Shuk HaCarmel, the open-air market where students could choose from a wide selection of authentic Israeli food. Our students got to try some amazing falafel, shawarma, fresh juices, baklava, and halva!
After we ate and did a bit of shopping, we got back on the bus and went to the Holon Children's Museum for the "Dialogue in the Dark" exhibit. Our group was led by a blind guide through darkened rooms and got a sense of how visual impairment affects our ability to complete everyday tasks. For example, one room was set up as a supermarket and students were asked to identify different foods using their sense of touch and smell. Students were excited to have the opportunity to talk to our guides after the exhibit to learn about what life was like with visual impairment. Our students couldn't stop talking about how meaningful and interesting this experience was.
After a quick stop at the hotel to freshen up, we headed out for dinner at Dr. Shakshuka, a restaurant with authentic & delicious Israeli food. All food was served family style, and our servers seemed to bring out a never-ending stream of hummus, Israeli salad, shakshuka (a baked tomato and poached egg dish), stuffed chicken, couscous, beef stew, and much more. It was absolutely delicious!
We're all in the hotel now winding down and preparing for an early morning tomorrow. We're heading down to the desert to do an archeological dig, ride camels, and sleep in a bedouin tent! We can't wait to fill you in on all that is to come when we get back into wifi on Tuesday night!
Nora, Ruby, Lucy, Sonia, and Maddy wait in line to try freshly squeezed juice at the shuk!
Calliope, Max, Elijah, Sylvie, Nora, Sonia, Sam, and Amalia pose in front of one of the many murals we saw today on our tour.
Lucy, Maddy, Ruby, Sonia, and Nora enjoy authentically DELICIOUS falafel!
CBE students pose with one of our tour guides at Dialogue in the Dark.
We had a few minutes to spare after the Palmach museum, so we went to a playground and had fun playing on the different equipment!
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