Tel Aviv- don't make us leave!

After seeing first hand Israel’s struggle to gain and cultivate new surroundings in the Golan Heights, our travels took us to Tel Aviv. We got an early start on the day with a long bus ride and wasted no time learning Israeli culture by conducting interviews with fellow Israelis on the trip, Michal and Idan. The group discovered what young adult life was like from them and what the similarities and differences are between Israel high school and high school in the United States. The group was also very interested to learn about each Israeli’s time in the IDF. Idan Was an officer in the Israeli navy and Michal was a shooting instructor, who taught soldiers how to properly use their rifles. We reached Tel Aviv around 10:30 and immediately began learning about the life and accomplishments of Yitzak Rabin. Our main Israeli guide, Ori, spoke passionately about the former Prime Minister’s actions to further the peace process for Israel, no mater how unpopular with certain citizens. Ori then instructed the group to interview anyone we could find on the street in order to determine for ourselves the real impact Rabin actually had on the country. Many pedestrians were more than willing to answer our three proposed questions, which were: where were you when Rabin was assassinated, what impact do you think he had, and do you think this could happen again. The group’s overall findings were that most interviewed were at home when Rabin was killed and that it was a terrible shock that a Jewish man committed this horrible act. Our lesson on Rabin ended with a trip to his memorial. The day continued with the group witnessing Israel’s history. Currently, there are massive protests taking place in the city to help better Israelis’ overall quality of life. When we reached Rothschild Street, the forty seven of us encountered a scene very hard to believe. Israelis so dedicated to the beliefs behind the protest had decided to congregate by the hundreds in tents to make sure they could keep the efforts going strong for the weeks to come. Next, the group was led to lunch in the Shuk Hacarmel area, where we were allowed to explore all the different restaurants, shops, and market place and then the beach for some rest and relaxation. Everyone enjoyed the big waves, clear skies, and the new found camaraderie. Our day of sight seeing finished at one of the most important historic sight in the city, Independence Hall, where David Ben Gurion and others including Golda Meir signed the Israeli Declaration of Independence on May 14h, 1948. The obvious significance of this unprecedented act finally gives the Jewish people a place to call home after thousands of years. Everyone was deeply moved as we were taken into the actual room, preserved beautifully, to see a recreation of the declaration and hear a recording of Ben Gurion reciting a 2 minute long meeting. The room also includes a wonderful collection of paintings by Jewish artists including Marc Chagall. The night ended with an opportunity to experience a taste of Tel Aviv’s night life. Groups were encouraged to walk the city and engage in the culture first hand. My group met up with another Shorashim group at a bar called Medete, which was a very colorful spot. We met other tourists and locals alike looking to have a great time.