We had a full day in Jerusalem on Friday.  We woke up early and participated in a fabulous archaeology project that was absolutely amazing.  Sponsored by the City of David and private donors, we went to a temporary site (literally a tent) -- in which archaeologists and volunteers are working to "sift" through rubble from the Old City of Jerusalem that was unfortunately bulldozed in 1999.  The rubble, taken mostly from the Temple Mount area has yielded amazing finds that date back from the Roman times until the present.  The site has been in operation for the past 7 years, and only 1/3 of the rubble has been sifted.  They have had many volunteers over the years, who, like us, find incredible pieces that will help reconstruct the Temple Mount area through the generations.  This was no "rigged" activity.  In fact, our group found a few wonderful remains -- pottery shards, part of one of the painted tiles from the Dome of the Rock, marble imported from Egypt or Italy, and more. All of this work and some of the best minds in archeology...all under one simple, temporary tent in the hills of Jerusalem.

From there we spent a few hours at Yad Vashem -- Israel's Holocaust museum.  But it is far more than a museum; it is a living memorial to those who lived and died under the Nazi regime -- and also those who saved Jews at great risk to their own lives.  It was a gratifying experience to go through this amazing place with our students -- many of whom had traveled together two years ago to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington.  I was really proud of our students who really took in a great deal of difficult information from our guide, synthesized it, and came out of the museum with questions and comments of a sophisticated nature.  I think one of the most moving moments of the entire trip was at Yad Vashem, where Ilana Pavlotsky stood with all of us under an enormous photograph of Babi Yar and told the story of her family and her mom's friend who somehow crawled out from amongst the dead bodies...and survived.  

From Yad Vashem we headed for the Old City of Jerusalem.  What a contrast of mood and color and texture....that is the story of the Jewish experience and indeed the message of Jerusalem.  One goes from one type of intensity to another.  Following the intensely sad and painful experience of Yad Vashem, we went to the equally intense Old City where life is carefully balanced for all who live there and the least interruption in the status quo disrupts the entire place.  We walked the winding streets of the Old City, observing the different people from all over the world and of every religion and culture who, like us, seek to understand the meaning and mystique of this singular place on earth. 

As the sun sunk in the horizon, one did not need a calendar or a watch to know that Shabbat was imminent.  There was a rush of people in the Jewish Quarter getting ready, the smell of Shabbat dinner in the air, and the clatter of dishes and pots and pans as we strolled through the neighborhoods. Our walk ended in dramatic fashion as we found ourselves overlooking the Kotel (the Western Wall) as it was filling with men, women and children ready to welcome the Sabbath - each in his or her own way.  Our students puts notes in the Wall, said the Shema together and quietly made keen observations as they took it all into their minds and hearts.  It is always an overwhelming experience to be there: at once welcoming and forbidding. As liberal Jews, especially, there is a sense of belonging and alienation that is immediately felt among the many Orthodox varieties of people who just seem more comfortable there.  We reminded the students that this place, the Kotel, belongs equally to us all even if we do not always feel a sense of ownership when we are there.  History, after all, has not differentiated between Jews and the manner and fashion in which they and we practiced over the years.  I, personally, have discovered the best way to "be" at the Kotel is to feel and not think too much.  And, then, to dream about the next visit to Israel. We walked back to the hotel and enjoyed Shabbat blessings, dinner together and a night of some leisure time together.  

Click here to watch our final video

On Shabbat morning, we took a walk to a very different part of the Old City -- to the Arab Market (known as the Shuk).  As quiet as the Jewish Quarter is on Shabbat, that is how busy and filled with color the Arab Market is!  We experienced the Market in traditional fashion:  we gave the students one area in the Christian Quarter to explore, observe, bargain, and shop.  The smell of middle eastern spices and the sight of multi-colored clothing and foods and merchandise is indescribable.  I waited in one of the small intersections in the Arab Market and observed Christians from all over the world rushing in one direction to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Moslems were heading to Mosques for prayer in another direction, and Jews of all varieties were going with Siddurim in hand to and from the Jewish Quarter.  

We traveled by bus to a sweeping overlook of Jerusalem, and took some pictures together as we said goodbye to this amazing and complex city.  We then traveled to the ancient city of Jaffa - Tel Aviv's great-great-grandparent!  Jaffa is a magnificent port city that has been in continuous existence for some 7000 years.  We had a wonderful Yeminite lunch outside overlooking the Mediterranean, and even though rain threatened, the sun ultimately emerged for us as we strolled through the ancient city that served as the major port city of Israel for many years.  We boarded the bus and then began walking the boardwalk that connects Jaffa and Tel Aviv -- moving from ancient to modern and cosmopolitan within a few minutes.  It was obviously Purim -- people throughout Tel Aviv were dressed in costume and there was truly fun and laughs all around us.  We were reunited with all 3 of our Puzzle Israel leaders -- Nir, Guy and Nikki -- for our final hours in Tel Aviv before heading to the airport for our midnight flight.  We walked and walked through the streets of Tel Aviv, all the way to the newly renovated Dizengoff Center where the Agam fountain serves as a centerpiece of the entire modern city.  We walked passed cafes and shops and homes and condos and got a sense of why young people living in Israel - and outside of it - rush to Tel Aviv to visit and live.  In Tel Aviv, the pace is fast, the economy seems to be booming, the young outnumber the old, and the tourists enjoy the beaches, clubs and night-life.  

We were tired when we boarded the bus to travel from Tel Aviv to nearby Ben Gurion Airport.  The experience of the ten days we traveled together caused the usual Tel Aviv airport hassles to vanish into insignificance.  Our flights were on time despite weather predictions to the contrary...and most of us got at least a few hours of much needed rest on the plane.

The pictures and words only tell a fraction of the story that was our experience over the course of our journey together.  I, personally, am enriched and energized by the quality of our travels and the extraordinary interest, wisdom and passion of this group of students from Temple Beth Avodah.  As parents of teenagers, we often wonder if indeed we are succeeding; if we are doing a "good job," and if the hard work of raising kids in the 21st century will ultimately yield the kind of adults we hope to nurture and then, just a few years later, offer to the world.  I can tell you without hesitation that each and every one of your children is a gem in his or her own way.  I am grateful to have returned to Boston safely and happily -- with our teens who are well on their way to adulthood that will bring them -- and us -- gratification and satisfaction.  I thank their parents for entrusting them to us; for thinking out of the box and allowing us to travel a great distance with them; for giving them the gift of Israel as high school students.  I assure you that in doing so, these parents have enriched them for today, and helped secure their future -- and ours -- for many years to come.

Our climb up Masada....

On Thursday morning, our Puzzle Israel friends woke us up at 5am and met us at the bus with hot tea and sweets; just a little something to nosh on before our hike. We arrived at the base of Masada and then began our climb up the Roman Ramp to the top of this unbelievable fortress where we witnessed a clear and dramatic sunrise over the Dead Sea. We were met by a surprise actor who, in costume and with props, acted out some of the history of Masada in an entertaining and unforgettable fashion. With history as complex as Masada, it was great to watch and hear Ron, a professional actor, bring some of the personalities and events to life. We explored a few of the many sites on the top of Masada that were built by King Herod for his own pleasure, but later served as a fortress and hideout for Jews who tried to escape Roman capture years after Herod's death in the period of time when the Romans sought to destroy Jews and Judaism. We visited Herod's master bedroom, the Roman bathhouse, the storehouses used to keep and preserve food. We also visited the Jewish sites that were built by the community of Jewish Zealots who resisted Roman Rule and used Masada as a stronghold as the Romans sought to conquer them.

Click here to view our latest video on Facebook:  More Adventures from Israel

We saw the ancient Mikva, the synagogue and even walked down into one of the enormous underground water cisterns that still held the fresh water that was pumped up the desert mountain hundreds of years after life at Masada had ended. The story of Masada is yet another David and Goliath story of Jewish resistance; the small Jewish community that hid at Masada did their best against the enormous and powerful Roman armies. In the end, though, as the Jews watched the Romans finally ascend the mountain and prepared to overtake it, they realized this time they would not prevail. In the hours that preceded the arrival of the Romans at the summit, the families atop Masada decided that death was preferable to Roman dominance. And so, family by family, the men actually killed their wives and children and then killed each other, leaving the last man alive to commit suicide so that when the Romans arrived at the top, they would find no one living there. It is always a moving experience to be on Masada; however, to experience Masada with our Israeli guides was really unique. Masada is used by the Israel Defense Forces as a ceremonial place where soldiers are both challenged and honored. Our guides spoke about the meaning of Masada to them today -- as a place of pride -- as an example of the strength of the Jewish spirit even during times of physical weakness. Israelis actually take an "oath" on Masada and swear: "Never shall Masada fall again!" 


We took the cable car down from Masada and enjoyed breakfast and a mid-morning hike at a beautiful oasis and natural waterfall in the desert called Nachal David. It was a refreshing break from the dry heat and hot sun of the desert. Following our little swim in fresh water, we then descended to the lowest point on earth -- to the Dead Sea -- where we spent the afternoon on the "beach" of the Dead Sea. As you will see from the pictures, everyone went into the dead sea -- complete with the therapeutic "mud" found there -- and had a great time floating in the salt water. We enjoyed a delicious Moroccan lunch overlooking the Dead Sea and the country of Jordan on just the other side. From the lowest point on the earth, we began the short drive up to Jerusalem. We entered Jerusalem just before sundown on Thursday night and made only one stop -- to a stunning vista located at Hebrew University on Mount Scopus -- from which one is able to see the entire city of Jerusalem -- old and new -- and everything in between. We spent the evening shopping, eating, drinking coffee in the center of the "New City" of Jerusalem -- on Ben Yehudah Street. Our students met up with friends and relatives and enjoyed the colorful night life of this walking mall in Jerusalem.

More desert adventures...

Following our delicious dinner and overnight with the Bedouins in Mitzpe Ramon, we awoke on Wednesday, packed up and then headed for more desert adventures.  Wednesday was a dry and cloudless sky and after a short bus ride, we arrived at Sde Boker -- a magnificent city and kibbutz in the desert that was home to David Ben Gurion.  As you most likely know, David Ben Gurion was Israel's first Prime Minister and served as such for last 20 years of his life.  Because Israel is 2/3 desert, Ben Gurion believed that the key to the State of Israel's success was in settling the Negev Desert and making it bloom. While as a diplomat and head of state, Ben Gurion spent his working life in Tel Aviv, following that, he retired to a quiet and modest life in Sde Boker.  His small and simple home was left just as it was when he died in 1973; complete with his library, his honors and awards, and his family photographs.  Now, Sde Boker is a booming desert metropolis (of sorts!) and, in addition to the large Kibbutz that has been there since 1953, there is also a college that attracts students from all over the world because of its programs and research on the topic of desert agriculture.  Even Ben Gurion's bedroom slippers remain on the floor at his bedside and have never been moved.  His homestead is now surrounded by beautiful gardens and olive trees -- a living legacy to this man who truly believed that the desert could be a productive and fruitful part of the State of Israel.   

After our visit to Ben Gurion's home, it was time for some fun.  The Puzzle Israel guides divided the group into 4 biking teams and, very early that morning, had set up a desert scavenger hunt for us. Each student got a bicycle and helmet, and was given a map of the area and navigational directions.  The goal was to correctly bike to and find 10 stations in the desert -- and to bring back proof of being there upon return.  It was a blast!  The scenery was gorgeous, the views were spectacular, and through this interactive experience we learned so much about the wilderness terrain.  After taking photographs and relaxing for a bit, we headed from the Negev Desert to the hills of the Judean Desert and arrived at our next overnight destination -- another tent experience in the wilderness very close to Masada.  This time, rather than being hosted for dinner, Chef Nir led us in a cooking experience that resulted in a delicious and healthy dinner outside -- cooked by our group of students and staff!  It was a fabulous feast:  we prepared everything from salads to dessert outside under the stars, using a couple of camping burners and an open fire for cooking. Everyone was involved:  peeling, chopping, dressing, seasoning, grating, cooking, tending the fire.  We even made our own middle eastern style breads and a pear crumble for dessert.  There is nothing like outdoor cooking and dining --- especially in the fresh and dry and pure air of the wilderness.  We sang by the campfire until we couldn't keep our eyes open any longer and tried to get at least a few hours of sleep before our early wake-up for our hike up Masada.

We have emerged from the desert!

We are having a fantastic time!  Everyone is wonderful and we have seen and experienced so much.  We just arrived in Jerusalem as the sun was setting.  I'm looking out at the Old City walls listening to the Muslim calls to worship, church bells ringing and Purim songs.  Jerusalem is an intensely interesting, beautiful and complex city.  More later.... I must confess:  there was some relief in being "disconnected" for a couple of days!  

Rabbi Lisa Eiduson

Greetings from the Negev Desert....

Dear Friends,

Sorry for the delay….but we are literally in the middle of the Negev Desert…with no internet access!  I found the only Cafe Aroma in the area (like Starbucks!!)…that has WiFi…and rather than drinking coffee, I decided to write and let you know that we are all doing great!

There was a sad goodbye yesterday afternoon in Haifa.  Tears and hugs all around.  We feel good about what we accomplished in Haifa, and there were many promises made between the students for return visits - both to the US and to Israel. 

Puzzle Israel is guiding us as we head to Tel Aviv.  The bus ride was a bit more muted than it had been with the Israelis, but we were able to rest and reflect on the past few days in Haifa.  The change between Haifa and Tel Aviv was immediately apparent to everyone as we entered this major cosmopolitan center of Israel.  We walked a bit around Tel Aviv University - the largest university in Israel, and heard many, many different languages spoken all around us.  The campus is enormous and is continuing to spread through the area.  We began to learn about the birth of the State of Israel at a new interactive "museum" dedicated to the Palmach (the special unit of fighters who, in large measure, helped plan and execute the capture of this area from the British), the proclamation of the Jewish State, and the subsequent War for Independence that followed.  It was really moving and introduced our students to the foundation of what is now the IDF -- the  Israel Defense Forces.

We got back onto the bus, and within a short amount of time, the landscape changed from the traffic and congestion and tall buildings of Tel Aviv to the wilderness of the Negev.  We arrived at our destination -- a Bedouin Village.  Following a delicious traditional Bedouin meal, our guides took us on a night hike in the desert.  We hiked without flashlights, maps, or technology!  Our students learned how the IDF navigates the desert wilderness in the dark with the help of only the moon and the stars.

It was a late night…and our students retired for the evening in a large tent.  We woke up to breakfast and camel rides!

We are now at the ancient city of Avdat…where the group is learning about the Nabateans who lived in this place many, many years ago.  From here, we go to Sde Boker - the home and burial place of David Ben Gurion.  Tonight we will be staying close to Masada so that we can be prepared for the sunrise climb up the mountain. 

More later, I hope.  But if not, you will know that I couldn't find another coffee shop with WiFi in the desert wilderness!

Rabbi Lisa Eidsuon

Monday was another terrific day in the Haifa area....

The students accompanied their hosts to the Alliance School in the morning where they were invited to sit in on classes and get to know a little bit more about the school and their educational program.  Even though they were only at the Alliance School for a couple of hours, our Temple Beth Avodah students enjoyed the experience and were warmly welcomed by everyone -- teachers and students and administrators.  Following that, we left by bus for a beautiful village called Ein Hod.  Ein Hod is just about a half-hour outside of Haifa in a picturesque and quiet area.  What is special about Ein Hod is that since 1952, it has served as an artists' colony where some of Israel's most talented and world-renown artists live and work.  Ein Hod is a place of magnificent natural beauty that is complemented by paintings, sculptures, ceramics, jewelry and Judaic pieces both indoors and outdoors.  It is an inviting village where artists choose to live and work together:  they share gallery space, a museum, workshops and lives based on the foundation of artistic collaboration and creativity.  I would encourage you to visit their official website to learn more about this special village:  http://www.ein-hod.org/en/about.asp.  

We had the opportunity to do a mosaic project with one of the most well-known artistic families -- three generations -- who have lived in Ein Hod for more than 60 years.  Alon Yarkoni taught us about the art of traditional mosaic-making, and then each student from Boston and Haifa created his or her own unique mosaic based on drawings and designs from ancient Persia.  Alon's workshop is located on a hillside in Ein Hod -- with orange and lemon tress on the property.  He conducts workshops and classes on a magnificent porch overlooking the entire area -- where one is able to see all the way down to the Mediterranean Sea.  Everyone enjoyed the views and the creative experiences that we shared together --first in Boston with Bette Ann Libby and now in Haifa.

Following our visit to Ein Hod, we got back on the bus for a few moments and visited another special village called Yemin Orde.  Yemin Orde is a children's village in which some of Israel's most challenged "teens at risk" live and learn together.  Supported by the State of Israel and private donors -- from Boston, in particular --  Yemin Orde provides more than a "boarding school" for these kids; Yemin Orde is home.  Like Ein Hod, Yemin Orde has been in existence since the early 1950s as one of Israel's many homes for children who are orphans, children whose parents are unable to care for them, new immigrants, etc.  Currently, about 70% of the 400 teens who live at Yemin Orde are from Ethiopian descent.  While we were at Yemin Orde, we heard the story of one woman, Racheli, whose family escaped from Ethiopia in the 1980s when she was only 5 years old.  She remembers walking from Ethiopia to Sudan on her father's shoulders and then staying in a Sudanese refugee camp for over a year before being airlifted to Israel as part of a secret mission carried out by the State of Israel to bring Ethiopian Jews to the Jewish State.  Once Racheli and her family arrived in Israel, she remembers questioning how it was possible that Jews could be white as well as black!  Yemin Orde is an inspirational place where the synagogue/sanctuary serves as the center of not only religious life but also communal life.  It is a model for the Jewish values associated with the privilege and challenge of raising children -- all of them -- with a sense of security, love and dignity.

We took the bus back to Haifa where we were hosted by educators from Haifa-Boston and participated in an interactive lesson about Jewish identity.  Using props and prompts to speak about the meaning of Judaism to each of us, the students from Boston and Alliance articulated similarities and differences between and among them in the ways in which they interpret and practice Judaism.  It was fascinating to listen to these 16 year old students speak about their families, their cities, their homes and their Jewish identities in language that clearly demonstrates that they have been deeply influenced by their parents, grandparents, schools, synagogues and experiences.  Then we participated in a communications seminar that will result in the production of a "documentary film" of sorts through which the students will continue their connection into the future.  The students returned to their host families for their final night in Haifa.

Today's Youtube video can be found onthe TBA web page Our Teens in Israel.

or Click here to watch it on Facebook. 

Rabbi Lisa Eiduson

Click here for today's video on Facebook

or visit the TBA's Our Teens in Israel page to view on Youtube

Today was a truly magnificent day for travel in the Haifa area and to the north.  We began at the Alon School, our elementary school-match in Haifa. While the school-match between Grade 10 Midrasha and the Alliance School is new, our 8-year partnership with the Alon School makes us "old friends." It was a warm reunion...we were welcomed by the Principal of the Alon School, Ilana Vagman, and then enjoyed a clever art project and  "presentations" from our friends in Grades 5 and 6.   Joined by our teens were some of the the Alliance School students (several of them had graduated from the Alon School and have siblings that are current Alon students), they loved getting to know the Israeli kids and teachers. It was a real reunion!  Some of the siblings of the Alliance students  are looking forward to "coming to Boston and visiting Temple Beth Avodah" when they are older -- just like their brothers and sisters.   At the end of our visit, we departed with a "mishloach manot" bag -- a gift of candies and sweets for Purim which is happening on Saturday of the coming week.

Next we boarded a bus to begin a short touring day in the north of Israel. First, we visited the ancient city of Akko. Akko is a fascinating place with a rich history that spans the millennia. Located at the northern tip of Haifa bay on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Akko is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the region. The extraordinary thing about Akko is the variety of cultures and nationalities and foreign empires that settled it and made it home. Because of its location on the Mediterranean, one conquering nation after another captured it and added its own special imprint to its unique character. Among other sites in the old city of Akko, we explored the enormous Crusader city in Akko that was developed and then sustained for almost 500 years. Now, a predominantly Arab Muslim area, the Old City of Akko and its marketplace remain authentic to Akko's origins and has some of the best hummus in the entire world!

From Akko, we traveled up to one of the northernmost areas of Israel -- Rosh Hanikrah -- which is where the border between Israel and Lebanon stands overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. We took cables cars to the uppermost point and looked through the fence toward Lebanon. Rosh Hanikrah not only has political and geographic importance, but also is a place of extraordinary natural beauty; it is known for its magnificent grottos which are naturally carved out of the soft rock by the power sea that continuously beats against the soft limestone creating wonderful caves and caverns and dramatic views of the Sea. It turned out to be such a clear day that we were easily able to look out in into the Haifa Bay and see the tall towers of modern-day Haifa on the horizon. Tired from the walking and sun and fresh air, many students fell asleep on the bus as we headed back to Haifa.

 

While the TBA adults were hosted by Haifa-Boston Connection tonight, our students all met at the "Canyon Mall" for some shopping, noshing and meeting Israeli friends or relatives for an hour or so. Then, back to host family homes for a good night sleep!

We are having a great time. Everyone seems happy and satisfied. Israel is truly a living Jewish classroom with lessons to glean even in the most remote corner of the land. We learned from Akko that the modern and the ancient can coexist even in a population where Jews are not always the majority; and we learned from Rosh HaNikrah that sometimes the most externally beautiful sites have suffered the deepest of problems. Above all, even in the most contemporary areas of the state, Israel is a land with an old soul.

Rabbi Lisa Eiduson

Our adventure in Haifa continues...

It is now Saturday evening and Shabbat has ended.  Our teens spent the day with their host families doing what most Israelis do on Shabbat:  sleep late, eat good food, spend time with family and friends, and travel to new sites.  For such a small country, it is quite extraordinary that there is always a new place to travel to and explore.

Rabbi Stern, Rabbi Joe Eiduson, Rosie and I had our own private "tiyyul" (field trip) with our Puzzle Israel friends, Nir and Guy.  (Nir and Guy will be guiding us a group beginning on Tuesday when we depart from Haifa.)  We explored Lower Galilee, including the small Jewish settlements in the area known as "Misgav." We were treated to an authentic Bedouin lunch before coming back to Haifa. The beautiful views from atop the hills, and the gardens lovingly planted and tended to by Israelis, were absolutely breathtaking!

 

The teens reunited this evening at a well-know artsy mall with stores and galleries called The Castra.  One if the Israeli students, Barak, turned 16 today, and his parents hosted a lovely evening for all of the students in a party room at The Castra - complete with a DJ and lights, pizza, soda and birthday cake!  You would think that these students hadn't seen each other in months when they arrived at the party this evening....they all hugged and kissed and shared stories of their respective Shabbat travel adventures.  It was a typical winter day in the north of Israel - rays of sun alternated with the much needed and blessed rains of the season.  Our day was made complete by a gentle rainbow over the Mediterranean Sea - a symbol of promise and hope and peace.  We are so fortunate to be here together. 

Rabbi Lisa Eiduson

Preparing for Shabbat....in Israel!

Good afternoon from Haifa where it is breezy and sunny!

We are overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and had a short tour this morning which was wonderful and had the opportunity to learn about the origins of Haifa and talked with our guide about how Haifa is really the model for a co-existent city.  Haifa is home to many people -- included among them: Jews, Christians, Moslems and Bahai.  The gold dome of the Bahai Temple here in Haifa is a landmark that can be seen throughout the area, and the 19 terraces of gardens that lead up to the sanctuary are absolutely magnificent.  We spent some time in the German Colony and viewed its red roofs and talked about the early German settlers to Haifa beginning in 1869.  The combination of the mountain on one side and the sea on the other side make Haifa one of the most beautiful places in the world.  But what's more is the feeling of many people of different religions and cultures living side by side in harmony and peace.

The students are now heading back to their host families where they will prepare for Shabbat, and we will meet at one of the two local Reform synagogues for Kabbalat Shabbat.  The host families are taking great care of our kids...they arrived at host homes last night with signs that said:  "Welcome Home" last night!  The students report that the host parents cooked them a wonderful breakfast, brought them extra pillows to make sure that they were comfortable and have generally been fussing over them "just like our own parents do at home."

Soon it will be Shabbat, and with the setting of the sun, things do slow down a bit -- even in the predominantly secular city of Haifa.  We will celebrate Shabbat together in gratitude and we will pray for peace in Israel and throughout the world.  We are so fortunate to be here.  I cannot even begin to express just how thankful I am to Temple Beth Avodah's leadership and to CJP for making this dream a reality. Hopefully, the connections that are made here will be meaningful and long lasting.  It is my personal prayer that these connections between our children will enrich and transform them -- now and always.

Here is a short video of our first day!

Shabbat Shalom to everyone back at home,

Rabbi Lisa Eidsuon

We are finally in Haifa!

We landed safely and went directly from the airport to Haifa...and on to school where they had a lovely welcome ceremony for us.

Our teens were so happy to see their Israeli counterparts, and it was so wonderful to be greeted by the friendly faces of TBA Vice-President Neil Jacobs and his wife Debby Posin. They were at the school when we arrived and witnessed the entire reunion and ceremony of welcome.

Now everyone is happily settled in with their host families.  We have wifi and are charged up and ready to go.  Stay tuned for pictures and more.

We are all good!

Rabbi Lisa Eiduson

Thoughts from "the air".....

Dear Temple Beth Avodah Families,

I am writing on the final stretch of our airline adventure, with 30 minutes remaining before landing in Tel Aviv! Our travelers (TBA teens) were patient and flexible as we dealt with an emergency medical situation on the ground in New York that took us from our ready position at the runway back to the gate. 

The students bartered away their prime aisle seats on this 12-hour flight so that they could sit together!  Of course, the other passengers were thrilled and so were our kids!  (Very clever!)  The flight has been smooth for the most part, and it seemed that despite all of the electronics – or perhaps because of the electronics – movies, music and games gave them what they needed in order to relax and fall asleep at least for a few hours. 

We have traveled almost 11,000 miles from New York, and with an extra two hours added onto our journey, we are more than eager to get out of the skies and onto the ground.  And, not just any ground:  we will soon be stepping on that unique and mystical ground that has drawn people to it for several millennia. 

The take-away for our students is complex and simple at the same time.  The history and geography and story of this small strip of land in the middle east has fascinated and frustrated; it compels us at the same time it feels so forbidding.  We will soon use all of our senses to try to capture the secret message of this land and its people – our people.  As it has done century after century, it will tell its story to us and to our students, and even if the history or geography or politics elude us sometimes, we will fall in love with this place and its people – our people.

There is really no perfect way to prepare for this touch down; whether it is the first visit or the hundredth, there really is something “promised” about this land.  We are about to discover that promise for ourselves.

Warm regards,
Rabbi Lisa Eiduson

...and they're off!

...and they're off - on their way to Israel to explore, learn and continue the amazing friendships they began in the fall.