A Visit Home

June 30, 2015

Day 22 - Final Day in Israel

6/29 – Monday: Final Day & Holocaust Survivors

7:30 – Breakfast
8:00 – Shacharit – Luke 22
9:00 – Palmach Museum
11:00 – Visit with Holocaust survivors
1:00 – Italian Restaurant with Survivors
3:00 – Israel College of the Bible

Today we were fortunate enough to meet with 4 people who lived through the holocaust: the ghettos, the work camps, and the horrors. With the help of a translator, we heard their stories. Few people will have this opportunity to hear this in person, especially in the next upcoming generation.

Prior to that, we went to the interactive Palmach museum. It told the story of the IDF formation, starting with the Haganah. You can learn more about it here: http://info.palmach.org.il/ IDF soilders led our tour.

We also took a quick stop at ICB (Israel College of the Bible), a college that aims to unite Arabs and Jews in the same classroom. It was a very interesting and forward-thinking institution, in many ways.

Our evening was spent preparing for our departure, although we did have a nice dinner and gelato for dessert. We had one more beautiful sunset before getting on a plane tomorrow morning.

Saw Jason this past Shabbat!

Last full day here!

Another Rooftop Breakfast

Palmach Museum

Visiting with Holocaust survivors

Italian Lunch with Holocaust Survivors

Mango Juice

Israel College of the Bible

Napkin holder at Dinner

Delicious Ginger Ale

Dinner!

Our last dinner in Israel together

June 29, 2015

Day 21 - Tel Aviv, Continued

6/28 – Sunday: Tel Aviv

7:30 – Breakfast
8:00 – Shacharit – Luke 21
9:00 – Independence Hall -16 Rothschild Boulevard
2:00 – Bet Guvrin National Park
4:00 – Lachish
6:00 – Dinner in Tel Aviv
7:00 - Shuk Shopping, Beach

I'm still enjoying the rooftop breakfasts! It's fun to eat chocolate cake, pasta, and cheeses - although it still feels like lunch.

I didn't expect to get emotional at the Independence Hall. We toured through the area where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and stood to sing HaTikvah. The Israeli National Anthem went through many trials - it was sang at concentration camps, executions, and death marches. Being able to freely sing it among other Jews is a true statement of freedom.

We visited Ben Guvrin National Park, where there were ancient Dovecotes. I had never seen one before - pretty cool! Of course, Dove jokes were made (too obvious to be repeated here).

We had pizza for dinner in Tel Aviv, then went shopping on the Shuk. I bought some crazy pants and an IDF onesie for my (upcoming) baby brother! Our day was concluded with a swim on the beach, and a movie watching session. Overall, a nice day! Only one more day left in Israel....

Tel Aviv Beach
Mediterranean Sea

Catching some waves
Tel Aviv Beach
Mediterranean Sea

The Elevators here have negative floors.

Rooftop Breakfast!

Stairway to Breakfast

Rooftop Shacarit

Rooftop View

Morning Prayers

Independence Hall

Independence Hall
Declaration of Independence
Obviously a copy

Independence Hall

Independence Hall
Israeli Soldiers

Gaza Border

Pistachios from the Shuk

Dovecote (my people!)
Bet Guvrin National Park

Dovecote.

Bet Guvrin National Park

June 28, 2015

Day 20 - Tel Aviv Shabbos

6/27 – Saturday: Shabbat

8:30 – Breakfast
9:00 – Shacharit – Luke 20
10:30 – Services
7:30 – Talmid Study
8:30 – Havdalah
9:00 - Chinese Dinner/ Tel Aviv Hangout

I'm always thankful for Shabbat, especially on this very active trip. It's really important to have that day of rest. First thing we did today was breakfast on the roof. It was delicious, and the view was really nice. We could see the beach, and a nice view of the city.

We then walked almost two miles to services. After the rather long service concluded, we walked another 2 miles back. Needless to say, I was a bit tired. We had a cold lunch and then I napped. I woke up in time for our final Talmid study. We concluded Shabbat and went out for Kosher Chinese food. Afterwards, we had gelato on the beach. The sand was incredibly soft - Tel Aviv has a gorgeous shoreline. It was very fun and relaxing.

When we got back, it didn't quite feel like bedtime yet - we (meaning, the girls) decided to watch High School Musical. I think we will miss having each other around, despite having to share our space for so long.

Shabbat Shalom

Rooftop Breakfast

Shabbat Service

Our Hotel

Dinner

Gelato for Dessert

Watching High School Musical

June 27, 2015

Day 19 - Last Stop - Tel Aviv!

6/26 – Friday: Southern Coast & Tel Aviv

7:00 – Rise & Shine & Pack
7:30 – Breakfast
8:00 – Shacharit – Luke 19 & Talmid Study
10:00 – Caesarea & Aqueduct
1:00 – Old Jaffa Port
3:00 – Check in at HaGalil Hotel
4:00 – Beach Time!
6:30 – Shabbat Dinner with Noam & Robyn Levy & Jason Silverman

Our time in Akko came to a close this morning as we packed up and went to Tel Aviv. We drove for a while, and then stopped at Caesarea to learn about Roman life thousands of years ago. The Aqueducts were fascinating. At one point, however, we were scolded by an abrasive Israeli man, who claimed we were walking on a no trespassing zone. I remember him saying, "Would you do such a thing in America?! You have chutzpah!!". It was an interesting glimpse into the cultural personality of Israelis. Things are handled differently here.

Jaffa Port was an artsy, nautical place. We had lunch there, and someone was passing out free chocolate/vanilla pudding things (Called "YOLO", don't ask me why). They were really good! A live band was playing, and there were craft vendors everywhere.

We checked into HaGilgal, which is a very nice place. This is the place where we will be spending the remainder of our stay. Instead of going to the beach, I had a nice nap... The beds are too comfy!

We spent Erev Shabbos dinner in Old Jaffa again, this time with friends: Noam & Robyn Levy & Jason Silverman. We learned more about what it's like to make Aliyah, from a practical standpoint. I'm excited for what Tel Aviv has in store for us! It's my last Israeli Shabbos on this trip.