SH-22-123's blog

As the trip comes to an end I started to reflect on what made this a unique and special experience. Yes, it’s true we have managed to see all the highlighted points- it‘s evident that our energy is drained as we head the airport to say our goodbyes. The places will forever be engrained in my memory. However, it is the people who ran our trip that played an essential role in my enjoyment. Kineret, Dan, and Esther have managed to take ten days and turn them into life long memories that I will keep with me for the remainder of my life.

Today we saw a thermometer that read “40° C.” For those of you keeping score at home, that’s 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Some of us have rarely, if ever, seen thermometer readings this high. And this, please note, was already at five o’clock in the afternoon.

Where does one spend a 40 degree day? In our case, it was the desert--specifically the Negev, the desert that covers 70 percent of Israel. Awaking before 7 am in a Bedouin tent, we loaded ourselves up with water, hats, and sunscreen and ventured out into the desert. At least, we consoled ourselves, it’s a dry heat.

The future is greener here. Tel Aviv acts as a center of business and innovation. Our group visited an electric car showroom, information center, and test track. At Better Place, we discussed the importance of decreasing our dependence on limited resources and more efficiently and effectively using what we have. By using electricity to fuel our cars, we eliminate the need and demand for oil and decrease the impact on the environment. The visit made us consider how much more we depend upon cars in the United States than the rest of the world.

Our travel to the holy city of Tzfat was an incredible experience. The city itself is beautiful, with shady, narrow streets and bright buildings. We learned about mysticism in Tzfat while touring a synagogue and candle-making business. After touring the city and beginning a discussion about Kabbalah, we went to talk with Avraham Loewenthal, a Kabbalist artist who shared his personal experiences of Kabbalah with us. Whether or not we agree with the teachings of Kabbalah, Avraham's words resonated with many of us.

I hadn’t really thought much about what to expect from this trip so I packed up everything I needed and headed to the airport with not a thought in my mind. It wasn’t until we stepped off the plane in Israel was I consumed with pride. That pride only continues to fill my heart as we proceed throughout the trip. Walking through the city of Jerusalem made me feel connected to my people historical, culturally, and spiritually. The old city was truly breathtaking, being at the western wall made me feel more connected to my faith and people.

The beginning of our Israeli adventure got off to an interesting start with a 10 hour plane ride like none other. From the moment we stepped on the plane, we were bombarded with the sounds and sights of elements of Israeli culture. The energy that the estimated 100 children (16 of whom were infants) radiated was undeniable. Watching mothers chase their children down the aisles and observing the Orthodox men as they their tefilin and talis, positioning themselves to face East, almost destracted from the fact that it was nearly imposible to sleep.