B'reshit - In the Beginning. . .
It's a funny thing to see what happens when 39 college kids show up to O'Hare International Airport at noon on a very "Chicago" kind of day. The streets were wet with two-day-old slush, and the air was biting. After two incredibly long plane rides eating what can only be called "TurkeySans" and rockhard biscuits, 39 people became much closer than strangers only after what ended up being more than half a day of traveling. As we descended into Israel, nobody but a few of the travelers knew what to expect. A sense of restless excitement and electric energy buzzed among the group.
Even if you're not expecting it, you always look for someone holding a sign with your name on it when you walk out of baggage claim. We weren't just greeted with a sign, we were met by seven Israelis in uniform singing us a welcoming song. Within the next few minutes we became "Achim," brothers. That relationship sums up what we are after only these three days. We are brothers and sisters embarking on a journey to discover who we are at the very core. We are discovering what it means and feels like to be Jewish. We aren't just learning what it's like to be around more Jewish people on the North Shore, but in what has truly felt like our homeland. We are all happy and grateful to have been given this gift because it isn't a gift that many people receive. We are finally home.
After a long bus ride to the Golan Heights, we arrived at our first stop. Spending the last three days on the Kibbutz has allowed all of us to get to know one another in various ways. We spent the first morning hiking the Jilibun River in the Golan. This hike wasn't merely a physical exercise, but a way for us to help each other and truly look out for each other. We spent the time trying to stay on two feet as well as helping each other across the creek that ran through our path. We experienced breathtaking views of waterfalls and just the natural beauty of Israel, and many of us learned about the experiences of the Israelis and their time in the army who have seamlessly become our brothers. They taught us that everything that is physical is also mental, and that mental stamina came in handy on our homestretch. The last 10 minutes of the hike tested the entire group as we climbed what felt like the steepest StairMaster imaginable. This final challenge prepared us for the journey that we are still uncovering. After that point we all realized something that the Jewish people have always proudly felt, we can face any challenge as long as we stay united.
After the hike we took some time to sample some Israeli food at a food court. With helpful guidance, the Israelis on our trip taught us how to order Shwarma, a popular food that consists of shredded lamb like a Gyro on a thin pita wrapped with humus and different types of salads. Other travelers got a chance to have "The Best Falafel in the World" as advertised by a very enthusiastic vendor. Whether or not it was the best, it was a very popular choice.
Despite the fact that Christmas Eve was upon us, we all prepared ourselves for Shabbat, and for the first time the Americans in the trip experienced Christmas, or lack thereof, in Israel. Stores closed early and cars disappeared from the highway, but not in respect for the birth of Jesus, but for the Sabbath day. We spent our first shabbat praying and discussing what shabbat means to us and how think it should be. Many participants shared their first memories of Shabbat with family and friends, and many admitted thoughtfully how they want Shabbat to be in the future.
After a night of bonding, we were all excited to sleep in. We awoke for some coffee and cake for breakfast followed by a heartfelt discussion sparked by this week's Torah portion. Although it was supposed to be about the story of Moses, we ended up discussing the experiences we have all had as Jewish students at our various universities. We talked about what it was like to be both American and Jewish, involved in Greek life at school, and how the Israelis experienced Judaism in the modern Promised Land.
After lunch many of us took some time to explore the beauty of the Kibbutz. We spent time looking out over Golan Heights and sharing in the community we were living in. Many others spent the afternoon playing an intense game of Ultimate Frisbee. Surprisingly, no serious injuries were incurred. In the evening we all enjoed a beautiful twilight view of Tiberias from our Kibbutz as we participated in a meaningful Havdallah ceremony.
Life on the Kibbutz allowed us to bond and get to know everyone in the group, but we were all excited to see more of Israel. Last night we ventured out into Tiberias, one of the four holy cities. We walked the boardwalk littered with small shops and restaurants and buzzing with tourists and teenagers like us. We had a chance to grab some dinner and explore the area before getting back to the Kibbutz. After a long weekend of adjusting to traveling we have finally settled into a groove that works for us. We're even setting punctual attendence records because who would want to be late to see something beautiful in what our guide, Lior, has convinced us to be the happiest place on Earth?
This morning we sadly left the Kibbutz for new adventures. We embarked to Zefat, one of the holy cities, and visited the famous Ha'ari Synagogue. Strolling around the town of Zefat we saw how historic Israel coexisted with the modernization of the western world. It was a beautiful experience to see the ark in the temple and be in a shul that is still so cherished. We also learned some history about the town of Zefat and the ideas of Kabbalah. The landscape out here is smething that none of us can even begin to describe. The best I can do is to say that each view is absolutely breathtaking. To use the hebrew word of the day it is "Magnif" or cool.
As we ride over the tallest bridge in the Middle East on our way to Tel Aviv I find myself trying to sum up this trip so far. This world is unlike any other, and if only we saw the beauty that shines onto every acre and the light that overpowers any shadow in this beautiful country then maybe we can achieve the peace and understanding this place deserves. In terms of sites, we haven't seen very much, but the amount of learning and understanding we have found here in these past three days has changed all of us forever. We hope you are all doing well, and we hope you aren't worrying about us. We are all safe and happy where the light is because we are not only in Israel, but we are Israel, and we are a family.
Jamie Hausman
Shorashim Winter 2010
