We know. No blog update for days. Talk to Margo. She has jam-packed our days such that there has literally been no time to blog. There are going to be a lot of pictures. Look at all of them. We have been to some incredible places the last few days.
Day Five — Tuesday
Dead Sea / Masada / Jeep Ride
The Dead Sea was wonderful. I promised no swimsuit photos would be posted…but there are a couple of us IN the water and a few from around the area. Besides Margo’s sunglasses getting stolen, it was all good. Salt-mud-scrub. Need I say more?
Masada–King Herod’s historic hilltop fortress where a small band of Jews took refuge after Roman destruction of the Second Temple. Everyone n the group made the long, hot walk except Amir, Kimber. Margo and Rachel. They took the cable car. The walking group took lots of water. Alan ascended with seemingly no problems and was far ahead of the rest. Jen arrived next. The rest trickled in. It was a hot day and we are all so proud of those who made the hike. Amir gave a tour of Masada as we reflected if there is any price too high for religious freedom.
Jeep Ride in the Desert. WOW! The ride was wild. We drove irratically through dry riverbeds in the salt-mountains. We learned about the vegitation unique to the region and learned our peoplehood stories from the mountaintop. Yes, we know the story. It is different, though, to hear it in the exact place of the Exodus. To see their view, their land…our view, our land. We all had that “ah ha” reflection moment and have decided to adopt the moto, “Just a bunch of Jews in the Desert.”
Day Five Photographs–Click HERE
Day Six — Wednesday
Independent Professonal Development / Eytan Schwartz / Youth Soccer Program / Shalom Fiedler at Dinner
We begin with each person or persons spending the morning visiting individuals with whom they have a professional or personal affinity.
We then had a session with Eytan Schwartz, the Israeli Apprentence winner, who spoke with us about the state of Tel Aviv today, Zionism and current events.
Next came a favorite for everyone. We visited Hapoel Keter, a youth soccer program serving more than 7,500 children is Israel. These kids are at high risk for educational failure and over half have been removed from their homes due to neglect or abuse. We had the honor to practice soccer with these children who ranged in age from probably 5 or 6 to 11 years of age. Only one picture for this–us with our t-shirts…the children must be protected and their identities cannot be posted online.
We had dinner at Lilith with manufaturer, Shalom Fiedler of Wissotzky Tea. The core of this initiative is a vocational training program for high school drop outs operated within the framework of a restaurat. We enjoyed meeting Mr. Fiedler who spoke with us about business in Israel, the history of his tea company and many other topics, too many to name! We really enjoyed his comany and thank him for the gift of several different types of teas.
Day Five Photographs–Click HERE
The Wee Hours…Click HERE
(not so great quality due to lighting)