Israel Trip Report

Israel Trip Report #2

The congregation's Israel trip is under way and going strong. We have
toured the north of the country and are now in Jerusalem.

The group arrived on Shabbat and after some rest, we toured some of Tel Aviv. The highlight of the day was a visit to the site where Yitzchak Rabin was assasignated three years ago. Even exhausted, everyone was moved. As Michele said: "It is one thing to see it on television but to actually be there...."
From Tel Aviv we drove north to Ceasarea, Haifa, Acco and finally to Kfar Blum where we spent two nights. A special moment on this leg occurred in Haifa where Peggy met up with a friend she had known since elementary school and had not seen since high school.
Our first day out of Kfar Blum, was very busy. We toured the Golan Heights by jeep, walked through the lush forest of the Dan nature preserve where we also waded in the head waters of the Jordan River, had a briefing with the security officer of Kibbutz Misgav Am on the Lebanese border and had a quiet boat ride on Lake Kinneret (the Sea of Galilee) and dinner in Tiberias.

Nov. 24, we left Kfar Blum and drove to our guide Nir's army reserve base. There, following a long established Jewish tradition of planting trees in Israel, we planted over half a dozen fruit trees that will one day provide shade and sustinance to Israeli troops. Some dedicated their trees in memory of loved ones, others in recognition of the blessing we have in being here together. Nir is a wonderful man with a great sense of humor and a wonderfully honest perspective on life in Israel. A third generation Israeli (his great grandfather came here in the early 1900's) he is married with three young children.
After planting our trees, we drove to Safed, our mystical city, and after a brief tour we continued onto Kefar Nachum (Capernium) and headed toward Beit Shean. I actually dug there in 1971 as part of an emergency archeological project, however, what you see there today far exceeds what anyone ever thought would be found. A huge Roman city is being reconstructed out of the ruins there. You have to see it to believe it.
Then we headed to Jerusalem through the Jordan River valley. We marked our arrival here with the Shehechiyanu and Kiddush overlooking the old city walls at night. There were few dry eyes.	Nov. 25 we met with a representative of the Reform Movement and had a tour of the Kenesset by the chief speech writer and aide to the Speaker of the Kenesset. We toured a large segment of the old city. I truely believe no one ever sees it all, although our feet feel like we gave it our best!
For me, the highlight has been seeing Israel through the eyes of "first timers" again. I remember first coming to Israel as a teenager and then many times now as an adult. Each time is special for me. But this time, I really see how it is affecting those who are here for the first time. There is wonder, excitement, joy, sadness and awe. Having Libby with us is a real gift. Her enthusiasm, energy and optimism inspire us all. Not bad for a fifth grader.

Nov. 26 Joe and Sue redo their marriage vows on Mt Scopus, We visited the Dome of the Rock which stands on the site of Solomon's Temple. Later we met with a representative of the Palestinian peace group and drove to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity. Friday we wandered Masada, visited Qumran, and bathed in the Dead Sea before heading back to Jerusalem for Shabbat.

Shalom u'vracha,

Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld

The above is what Rabbi has written. Now I would like to give you my impressions as a first time visitor to Israel.

The Wall was the most moving thing I have seen, All I could think of was my parents and 4000 years of Judaism. I was overwhelmed when I stood at the wall.

On Monday, November 30 some of our group will leave us and the rest will go on to Eilat. It has been a wonderful trip so far.

Update posted by Joe Polinsky, live from Israel.