Re: Erev Shabbat (Called Shishi Shabbat here)

On Fri, Apr 8, 2011 at 8:20 AM, Jane Cohen <jcohen@sassds.org> wrote:

It is really Friday afternoon but I will not be able to write to you later because of Shabbat.  We have arrived at our last stop, Kibbutz Nachsholim, where we will stay until we go to the airport on Sunday morning.    We had a glorious day.   First the kids said good-bye to their host families (except for the students who are a part of the project) and we all gathered for our first destination of the day, the Chai-Bar.   The Chai-Bar is a nature reserve on the Carmel where the fires took place in December.  So we were able to take in the beauty of the Chai-Bar where animals from the Tanach that were near extinction have been bred and raised and let out into nature all over Israel.   We also were able to see the devastation of the fire.  So many noticed that, because of the rains, amongst the charred trees, there is already green coming up and flowers blooming.  You can see a picture of that on the website.   We stopped at the memorial for the passengers on the bus that died in the fire.  They were on their way to get the prisoners out from the prison because of the fire.  They were told to turn back and when they thought they would not make it, got out of their bus and tried to run.  They were found in a group hug.  The memorial is simple and is amongst the burned forest.    We went from there to a Druze Village where we wandered for a little while.  After that, we went to Zichron Yaakov and walked in the botanical gardens.   Perhaps the most noteworthy part of today is the friendships that are developing between the Ironi Gimmel kids and our kids. They truly seem to like each other and enjoy each other's company.  If history teaches us, there will be plenty of tears when we say good-bye to them tomorrow night, even though they will be in Boston in June. 

So, the afternoon is beautiful, the sun is shining, the kids have some free time before we get ready for Shabbat, and then we will enjoy a peaceful Shabbat by the Mediterranean Sea.   Before too long, we will be returning the kids to you....  However, the memories of this trip will still be a part of them. 

Shabbat Shalom. 

It is Thursday night..

This has been one of those days with highs and lows but throughout it all, the kids have been great.  This morning, the kids could not stop talking about their Israeli hosts- the food they fed them, the warmth, the fun that they had together.  They were all carrying huge sacks of food that the families packed for them for the day.  We went together with the Israeli kids to Rosh Hanikra which was just beautiful.  Our trip to Acco was not as interesting as it could have been but the kids liked seeing the fishing boats, the light house, and a few other sights.  Afterwards, they went to Technion to hear some speakers on food engineering.  It was after that that we heard of the missile attack in the Negev.  We told the kids, in case they heard from someone else, and that the attack was no where near where we are.  The kids then returned to their Israeli friends and went off to the mall, to tour Haifa, and to get ice cream.  I just spoke to Michael Agus at the mall and he said that the kids are truly becoming friends -  that the partnership between the two schools is really working.  What happens when you spend this much time with a group of kids is that you care even more deeply than before.  When Michael told me that, I felt so proud of them.  Wow!   

Tomorrow, we go to donate money to the nature reserve that had the fires this year.  We will make a few more stops before going to Kibbutz Nachsholim for our last Shabbat.  We will be home before you know it..  (Oh, I guess there is that VERY long plane ride and bus ride in between)

Night...Day 7 just a short update

The kids are with their Israeli hosts, calling in to their chaperones regularly.  The meeting was very sweet, a bit quiet at first but soon they were dancing together up on the stage of the hall.  There were some who were reluctant to go but their hosts were so welcoming and made them feel comfortable.  You would have been so proud of our kids as they worked hard on connecting!  

We had a lot of fun before Haifa, including visiting the home of Avner, our tour guide.  The kids got to see a regular Israeli home and Avner's wife baked cakes for them. 

Tomorrow is another busy day spent together with Ironi Gimmel.  We look forward to an exciting Day 8.  

btw:  thanks for so many great notes back...  We are so glad you are enjoying the notes and the videos!!

Still morning of Day 7

Wow... No one in Israel can believe that we had rain all night and woke up to more rain.  If you check out the video, when it comes, you will see the kids jumping up and down for Shacharit just to keep warm.  But, look again because in the background is a beautiful view of the Hula Valley from our place going up a mountain in the Golan.  So, we switched plans a bit and instead of a hike through water, the kids are hiking on the Dan River in a beautiful Nature Reserve.  This morning we visited the bunkers in the north and the kids learned a lot about the Yom Kippur War.  When we got back on the bus, Rabbi David, Dr. Resnick, Dr. Agus, and our tour guide all told more about the Yom Kippur War.  The kids were listening intently.  They are both excited and nervous about meeting the Ironi Gimmel kids tonight.  It always starts off with a bit of awkwardness until the kids have shared experiences to talk through and about.  that will all happen.  It feels like we are already winding down.  We will say good-bye to our tour guide and guard tonight as we will travel with Ironi Gimmel tomorrow and Friday with their tour guide and guard.  I think the kids will be sad to say good-bye...or maybe it is L'hitraot.

Day 6

We ended last night with a really fun group game.  We were all laughing and having fun together.   The kids went to sleep relatively early which was really needed after the early morning hike up Masada.

Day 6 is going great!   We left the Negev and started our journey to Tel Aviv!  We were lucky enough to go to Nacalat Binyamin, one of the first neighborhoods in Tel Aviv.  There was a craft fair there.  Then we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Dr. Shakshuka... It was really fun!  We went to the Palmach Museum afterwards.  If you are planning a trip to Israel, this museum of the story of the early days of the Israeli army is excellent for kids.  We also saw Anat, who used to teach at our school, there!  We ended our time in Tel Aviv with a visit to the place where Yitzhak Rabin was shot.    The kids got a taste for Tel Aviv.

Now we are on the bus driving to the north.  The kids are happy, having fun, and learning...oh, and a bit tired, also!

We are really getting to see so much of the country!

Last day in the Negev- Our fifth day in Israel!

We are back at our hotel after a fun day.   Almost all the kids climbed Masada this morning at 5:30 am.  There was no beautiful sunrise because of the weather but it was a spirited climb and Rabbi David led them in a beautiful Shacharit Service.  By the end of their time on Masada, Michael Agus had also joined the group and he, Andy, and a group of the kids chose to hike back down again.   After breakfast, we were on our way to Ein Gedi but we found out it was closed because of rain and went to a different fresh water spring/hike.  We walked through the stream and had a lot of fun (except for those who did not want to get their shoes wet...).  And then, to the Dead Sea.  The kids were floating away, even though it was raining outside.  They swam, did the mud, rinsed and had a delicious lunch.  Our kids experienced something amazing-  because rain is so rare in the Negev and we were here for rain, we saw waterfalls off the sides of mountains.  It was so unusual that people were pulling their cars to the side of the road to see.  We also saw a double rainbow across the Dead Sea in Jordan.  (We did not go to Jordan, don't worry)  The Ahava Factory was our last stop of the day.  And now, we are having a little free time before dinner.  After dinner we will sing together, play some games, and pack.  We leave for Tel Aviv in the morning.

You can see all of this in pictures and video on the school website  www.sassds.org.  There is also a blog and we would love to hear from you!

Jerusalem

The Sound and Light Show was very beautiful ...for those who stayed awake.  It was at Migdal David, with amazing pictures illuminating on the ancient stones.   Will took great video which should soon be on its way.  Will is our official videographer until Rabbi David gets here.   Off to Yad Vashem, Har Hertzl, and Machaneh Yehudah today.  We hear you have snow...Our kids are worried about the heat today!   It will be an exciting Shabbat as 8 of our alumni in Israel will have Shabbat dinner with us after we have Kabblat Shabbat at Shira Chadashah.

BTW:  Most kids had a great night's sleep last night!

I will try to write before Shabbat.

and from later on....

Will's video is on its way!  We had an extraordinary day -  Yad Vashem was the kind of experience educators dream of as the guide said he had never had a group that knew so much.  Afterwards we went to Har Herzl where we heard the story of Michael Levin.  And, the kids had a ball at Machane Yehudah.  We are getting ready for Shabbat... We are so happy to be celebrating Shabbat with your children.