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.