All Around Israel/ My Family Arrives

South to Middle to North

It's about time I caught up on my blog. I have been quite busy and find it hard to sit and work on this.
For “spring break” we took a long bus ride to Ketura, a kibbutz in the far south. (My friend, Avishag’s, family lives here). Some of our activities included a bike ride and hiking, and visiting with farm animals and camels. Kibbutz members led us in numerous activities. We also enjoyed a free night in Eilat and tried snorkeling (which sadly resulted in an ear infection for me!).

After returning from Ketura, we finally got back into the classroom. Also, my dad, mom, and brother, Philip arrived in Israel to take part in the TRY family trip. While they participated in some of the planned activities, they also spent time at Bet Shean, Herodian, Tiberius area, and Tzippori to visit “Roman” sites (all areas I hope to get a chance to see). On Tuesday, March 9, our group visited an ancient Crusader fortress at Ein Hemed. Ein Hemed, also known as Aqua Bella (Beautiful Water), is the site of a spring which was used for agriculture in the Crusader period. We then visited Ein Rafa, an Arab village outside Jerusalem, where we visited a Mosque for a discussion with their Imam (Religious Leader) about Islam.

On Thursday, March 11, we went to Tel Aviv which is in the middle of the country and toured the first neighborhood outside the walls of Yaffo, Neve Tzedek. Imagine my excitement when I looked up and saw the studio for Bat Sheva Dance Company! We then visited the Diaspora Museum at Tel Aviv University where we learned how Jewish life continued all over the world after the destruction of the Second Temple and Roman Exile. The day finished with a visit to the Port of Tel Aviv on the Mediterranean Sea.

For Shabbat, we drove to Tzfat, an ancient city in the north of Israel. Here we stayed in a youth hostel while our visiting families stayed in a hotel that had once been a post office.We attended Shabbat services at a Sephardic synagogue and toured the old city of Tzfat and learned about Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism, which developed in the 16th century. Many people today have heard of Kabbalah due to Madonna’s interest in it. After Havdalah services I said goodbye to my family, as we students took the bus back to the Chava.

That's all for now. I'll try to update soon on my midterm week and visit with Avishag and family at Petah Tikvah.

Shalom,
Hannah