First Day In Israel | Shorashim - Israel with Israelis

First Day In Israel

Jacqueline Heeman

Today marked our first full day in Israel after a long day of travel! We started in the Golan heights with a morning hike along the Gilabon River that led us to two waterfalls. Though this hike was a great way to get the blood moving to our travel stiff legs, it was an even better way to get to know the 7 Israelis who met us at the airport last night.

After the hike, we ate lunch in Katzrin, which is the only city in the Golan heights. Here the group divided into shwarma or falafel, with great discussion on which is better, and it marked our first native meal. After lunch we headed to the Syrian boarder, which we observed from a look out point. We listened to our guide and an Israeli Soldier discuss both the politics and the crisis that is happening in Syria. It was interesting to hear what the IDF is doing to continue to monitor and protect Israel and those living along the boarder. Our day out concluded with us visiting a memorial site from the six day war, where again we discussed how crucial the land we have the opportunity to stay on is to Israel.  We ended the day with dinner and activities on the Kibbutz. 

Today was a great beginning to a wonderful trip, but the discussion reminded me of how fortunate our country is to not have to continue to actively defend its boarders. More importantly how we as a nation, culture, and religion we can continue to help our brothers and sisters in Israel defend theirs.