Monday, January 23, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Reflecting as the trip draws to a close, the greatest value of CJHS's Senior Israel Experience is the advanced level of discourse in which the students engaged. They confronted the major issues facing Israel today: What does it mean to be a Jewish state? Whatever the Jewish character is, how to balance this with the democratic value of protecting Israeli Arabs' rights? What is the best policy regarding the territories and "East Jerusalem." We heard from experts, politicians, and everyday people from a variety of perspectives. The students sought to understand each person and his or her views. Sometimes this challenged students' long-held assumptions, other times it reinforced their positions. Overall, students realized the complexity of the situation and that this trip is an introduction and invitation to delve deeper. Our superior tour guide, Jamie Salter, made the intense learning relevant and fun for our group. We provided opportunities to reflect and process at critical steps along the way. This trip strengthened student interest in spending more time in Israel to take the next step in the life-long process of developing a strong and nuanced relationship with the modern state of Israel.
The other major takeaway is the closeness of the grade after sharing such an intense experience. The students are very conscious of taking the next step in their life journey beyond high school. For many, this was the first time back in Israel since the Schechter trip in eighth grade. The experience in Israel at these transitional times in life allowed them to measure their growth individually and their capacity to develop a more sophisticated relationship with Israel. This experience afforded them the opportunity to enjoy the deep bonds of friendship in the unique setting of our Jewish homeland. The memories of this trip nurtured and will seal these relationships for a lifetime.
Our two Israeli madrichim, Eyal and Danielle, served as great role models and friends. At our celebratory dinner tonight on Lake Kinneret in Tiberias, students presented Eyal and Danielle with gifts and paid tribute to the wonderful contribution they made to our group. Dr. Auslander and Mrs. Susnow provided the vital link for our students back to our CJHS community. Together, we created a dynamic and supportive learning community.
My favorite part of the trip happened unexpectedly. Two nights ago, when we arrived at the Youth Hostel on the Kinneret, we encountered other guests at the hostel, German students traveling through Israel with a group from their Catholic high school. Within an hour of checking into the hostel, all of our school's staff and a majority of the students informally gathered around tables engaged in discussion with the Germans. At the end of the evening, three CJHS students and about ten German students stayed back to enter into a more conscious dialogue about the issues. I was awed by the transformational power of this honest and direct exchange. We slowly built up to the main topic that tragically links our two peoples -- the Holocaust. The German students shared their struggle with their nation's dark history three and four generations later. Two of the three CJHS students shared how their grandparents were personally affected by the Holocaust. Ironically, the hometown in Germany of one of the CJHS student's grandmothers was only fifty miles away from the German students' school. The German students asked our students what they thought that survivors would like them to know. Our students spoke about the legacy of their grandparents: education about the Holocaust, understanding the importance of Israel for the Jewish people, and building mutual respect between our peoples today. This chance encounter is one of many examples of the intense experiences our students have had throughout the trip.
We look forward to the seniors sharing this experience with the students at Tefillah on Tuesday at CJHS. This will be one of a series of planned activities that the seniors will participate in to extend their learning and relationship with Israel back home at CJHS.
The other major takeaway is the closeness of the grade after sharing such an intense experience. The students are very conscious of taking the next step in their life journey beyond high school. For many, this was the first time back in Israel since the Schechter trip in eighth grade. The experience in Israel at these transitional times in life allowed them to measure their growth individually and their capacity to develop a more sophisticated relationship with Israel. This experience afforded them the opportunity to enjoy the deep bonds of friendship in the unique setting of our Jewish homeland. The memories of this trip nurtured and will seal these relationships for a lifetime.
Our two Israeli madrichim, Eyal and Danielle, served as great role models and friends. At our celebratory dinner tonight on Lake Kinneret in Tiberias, students presented Eyal and Danielle with gifts and paid tribute to the wonderful contribution they made to our group. Dr. Auslander and Mrs. Susnow provided the vital link for our students back to our CJHS community. Together, we created a dynamic and supportive learning community.
My favorite part of the trip happened unexpectedly. Two nights ago, when we arrived at the Youth Hostel on the Kinneret, we encountered other guests at the hostel, German students traveling through Israel with a group from their Catholic high school. Within an hour of checking into the hostel, all of our school's staff and a majority of the students informally gathered around tables engaged in discussion with the Germans. At the end of the evening, three CJHS students and about ten German students stayed back to enter into a more conscious dialogue about the issues. I was awed by the transformational power of this honest and direct exchange. We slowly built up to the main topic that tragically links our two peoples -- the Holocaust. The German students shared their struggle with their nation's dark history three and four generations later. Two of the three CJHS students shared how their grandparents were personally affected by the Holocaust. Ironically, the hometown in Germany of one of the CJHS student's grandmothers was only fifty miles away from the German students' school. The German students asked our students what they thought that survivors would like them to know. Our students spoke about the legacy of their grandparents: education about the Holocaust, understanding the importance of Israel for the Jewish people, and building mutual respect between our peoples today. This chance encounter is one of many examples of the intense experiences our students have had throughout the trip.
We look forward to the seniors sharing this experience with the students at Tefillah on Tuesday at CJHS. This will be one of a series of planned activities that the seniors will participate in to extend their learning and relationship with Israel back home at CJHS.
Posted by Rabbi Ruven Barkan
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Go To Youtube for Video Clips
Remember to click on our Youtube link to view short video clips of our trip:
http://www.youtube.com/user/gauslander?feature=guide
Some more have been added today.
http://www.youtube.com/user/gauslander?feature=guide
Some more have been added today.
Rainbow After the Storm
Our day began with a stroll down to the shores of the Kineret, just meters (or yards, for the metrically challenged) away from the hostel where we are staying. While we walked, we noticed tall wooden structures, and we continued to walk across a sandy field until we reached the Kineret itself. Our guide shared with us that the wooden structures that now stood somewhat in the distance were the lifeguard posts that were built with the intention of hovering right beside the water, but now stood half a football field away. The reality of water scarcity in Israel is not shocking, but seeing the lonely lifeguard posts sitting lonely in the distance was a real reminder of how real the water crisis is, and we then understood why the buttons on the toilets look different, and why Israelis turn the faucet off while they rub the shampoo into their hair.
I did extensive research on the water crisis in the Middle East for my Middle Eastern Studies research paper, and I became familiar with the security and strategic implications of water control. We drove past the National Water Carrier that was constructed in the late 50's-early 60's by Israel, and that was seen as an aggressive act of water diversion not only by the Arab countries of the region but by the larger global community. We witnessed the inhabitants of the Galilee's attachment to the Golan and Galilee region and the symbolic significance of the Kineret.
An interesting opinion that I discovered while researching the topic was that even if peace were somehow achieved between the Arabs and Israelis, the water conflict would still exist and challenge the region. However, if the water crisis were resolved, peace might be far more achievable. My research showed me that while ideological differences polarized the Arabs and Israelis from the time of Israel's independence, conflicts over water were the underlying causes of the many skirmishes and wars during Israel's beginning years. Israel discovered that if she was to exist and prosper, it was vital to secure sustainable water access. Likewise, the Arab countries recognized that if Israel were denied access to water, she would struggle to survive. Thus, from the inception of the Arab-Israeli conflict, water lay at the heart of the tension.
While we walked down to the shores of the Kineret this morning, we were greeted with a cool rain that continued throughout the entire day. The rain provided an interesting perspective on the water conflict, because we pray three times a day for God to provide Israel with rainwater, and before our eyes, the Kineret was swallowing the drops of water from the sky. At the same time, the rain was a burden, prohibiting our group from doing the hike that was planned (we visited Tel Chai instead), and also making our volunteer gardening experience rather challenging. (To briefly elaborate on the latter point, we volunteered for Ayalim, an organization that reaches out and helps less privileged communities with various projects. Our group was given the task of hoeing weeds from the land, digging holes, and planting trees. We returned to the bomb shelter that was being used as a youth lounge dripping in mud and water, though we had fun and felt accomplished.)
Throughout the trip, we have been exposed to various conflicts that have challenged, confused, and engaged my classmates and me. From the tensions between Israel and her neighboring countries, to the conflicts within Israel, both within the Jewish community and regarding the Jewish relations with the other people living in Israel, our eyes were opened to the many challenges and dilemmas that face the Jewish State. As this trip winds down, many of us are finding that our views have shifted and that we must now reevaluate the way we think about and connect to Israel. Standing at the Kineret was, for me, a great way to put into perspective the intellectual, spiritual, and religious journey that I have undergone these past few weeks. The water conflict is one that is as complex as any; however, the paradox of the rainfall showed me that the solution to conflicts is often a complicated process that is sometimes in our control and sometimes not. Israel's water sanitation, diversion, and conservation efforts assist her struggle to preserve the vital resource, but sometimes all that can be done is pray for rain. Even when the rain fell, we found that we were not entirely pleased with that situation either, even though we understood that it was helping a greater cause. Likewise, all of the conflicts that we have confronted are extremely multifaceted and complex and may or may not have clear-cut solutions. The rain may start to fall, meaning the wheels of resolution may start turning, and even when this stage comes, the conflict still exists and may still go unresolved.
As we drove back to our hostel at the conclusion of the day's activities, we peeked out the windows of the bus to see a complete and clear rainbow illuminating the beautiful landscape. I also want to mention that on Shabbat I walked to the Kotel, and I saw a rainbow straddling the Temple Mount as I walked away. Just like in the story of Noah, these rainbows were beautiful reminders of the light at the end of the tunnel, and these natural phenomena were the perfect send-off for me to return back to the States after this intense experience that I shared with my classmates these past few weeks.
Posted by Benjy Forester
I did extensive research on the water crisis in the Middle East for my Middle Eastern Studies research paper, and I became familiar with the security and strategic implications of water control. We drove past the National Water Carrier that was constructed in the late 50's-early 60's by Israel, and that was seen as an aggressive act of water diversion not only by the Arab countries of the region but by the larger global community. We witnessed the inhabitants of the Galilee's attachment to the Golan and Galilee region and the symbolic significance of the Kineret.
An interesting opinion that I discovered while researching the topic was that even if peace were somehow achieved between the Arabs and Israelis, the water conflict would still exist and challenge the region. However, if the water crisis were resolved, peace might be far more achievable. My research showed me that while ideological differences polarized the Arabs and Israelis from the time of Israel's independence, conflicts over water were the underlying causes of the many skirmishes and wars during Israel's beginning years. Israel discovered that if she was to exist and prosper, it was vital to secure sustainable water access. Likewise, the Arab countries recognized that if Israel were denied access to water, she would struggle to survive. Thus, from the inception of the Arab-Israeli conflict, water lay at the heart of the tension.
While we walked down to the shores of the Kineret this morning, we were greeted with a cool rain that continued throughout the entire day. The rain provided an interesting perspective on the water conflict, because we pray three times a day for God to provide Israel with rainwater, and before our eyes, the Kineret was swallowing the drops of water from the sky. At the same time, the rain was a burden, prohibiting our group from doing the hike that was planned (we visited Tel Chai instead), and also making our volunteer gardening experience rather challenging. (To briefly elaborate on the latter point, we volunteered for Ayalim, an organization that reaches out and helps less privileged communities with various projects. Our group was given the task of hoeing weeds from the land, digging holes, and planting trees. We returned to the bomb shelter that was being used as a youth lounge dripping in mud and water, though we had fun and felt accomplished.)
Throughout the trip, we have been exposed to various conflicts that have challenged, confused, and engaged my classmates and me. From the tensions between Israel and her neighboring countries, to the conflicts within Israel, both within the Jewish community and regarding the Jewish relations with the other people living in Israel, our eyes were opened to the many challenges and dilemmas that face the Jewish State. As this trip winds down, many of us are finding that our views have shifted and that we must now reevaluate the way we think about and connect to Israel. Standing at the Kineret was, for me, a great way to put into perspective the intellectual, spiritual, and religious journey that I have undergone these past few weeks. The water conflict is one that is as complex as any; however, the paradox of the rainfall showed me that the solution to conflicts is often a complicated process that is sometimes in our control and sometimes not. Israel's water sanitation, diversion, and conservation efforts assist her struggle to preserve the vital resource, but sometimes all that can be done is pray for rain. Even when the rain fell, we found that we were not entirely pleased with that situation either, even though we understood that it was helping a greater cause. Likewise, all of the conflicts that we have confronted are extremely multifaceted and complex and may or may not have clear-cut solutions. The rain may start to fall, meaning the wheels of resolution may start turning, and even when this stage comes, the conflict still exists and may still go unresolved.
As we drove back to our hostel at the conclusion of the day's activities, we peeked out the windows of the bus to see a complete and clear rainbow illuminating the beautiful landscape. I also want to mention that on Shabbat I walked to the Kotel, and I saw a rainbow straddling the Temple Mount as I walked away. Just like in the story of Noah, these rainbows were beautiful reminders of the light at the end of the tunnel, and these natural phenomena were the perfect send-off for me to return back to the States after this intense experience that I shared with my classmates these past few weeks.
Posted by Benjy Forester
Monday, January 16, 2012
Community, Chocolate, and Hot Water
I've learned about many different things on this trip and, as the trip has progressed, themes have started to appear in my experiences. One major theme is community. Not exactly new but hear me out. We began the day in the Golan Heights on Kibbutz Hannaton with a pluralism workshop led by Rabbi Yoav Ende that reminded me of my world religions course last summer at Brandeis. The ultimate goal of pluralism is to create a cycle of learning and dialogue that does not compromise your own identity in the process. Kibbutz Hannaton uses this process to create a pluralistic Masorti (Conservative) community that thrives off of an inherent value of interaction between diverse groups.
After tefillah, we left Hannaton for the ancient ruins of the citadel of Gamla. I found it far easier to enjoy the natural surroundings (including vultures, small cliff-dwelling rodents, and some unusual flora) during the hike down than the steep hike back up the way we came. But enough kvetching, let me tell you about what I saw when I got there. Actually my first memory is a sound. After all of the modern problems and conflicts, it was nice to finally hear the crunch of ancient pottery beneath my feet. This sound reminded me of why I fell in love with archaeology in the first place. To think that these potters shaped the clay with their own hands thousands of years ago sends shivers down my spine. But I digress. When we reached the site where the synagogue once stood, our tour guide told us about what it must have been like to live here. The idea that the Beit Knesset, translated as a meeting house, may not have simply been the house of prayer that a shul is today struck me. The center of spiritual community at that time was still the Temple; the original synagogue was just a communal JCC. Also, the story of this steep city on a hill parallels Masada but appears to have been a far more desperate situation. As the story goes, about 5,000 Jews jumped off the cliff rather than be captured by the Romans. There still appears to be some holes in the story, but worth exploring more at some point.
But enough heavy stuff, let's talk about the fun that our community had. We started that afternoon with something that everyone could bond over...CHOCOLATE!!! We visited the De Karina Chocolate factory. After viewing a short film, we each made our own chocolates. I can't believe how much I ate and how thick the hot chocolate was. The only conflict here were between white, milk, and dark chocolate lovers, but a compromise was reached. What else is there to say about such an agreeable subject. We then rounded out the day with a trip to the Hamat Gader hot springs that had such a strong odor of sulfur that I could smell it through my stuffy nose but was otherwise incredibly enjoyable. The water was so warm and cleansing when combined with the bracing cold air of Israel in winter that it naturally brought our community together. Today was not only fun; it also highlighted what draws together our own community here in the Holy Land. Relationships are just as central to the communities formed in the ancient city of Gamla as they are to the modern CJHS class of 2012.
Posted by Erik Howden
After tefillah, we left Hannaton for the ancient ruins of the citadel of Gamla. I found it far easier to enjoy the natural surroundings (including vultures, small cliff-dwelling rodents, and some unusual flora) during the hike down than the steep hike back up the way we came. But enough kvetching, let me tell you about what I saw when I got there. Actually my first memory is a sound. After all of the modern problems and conflicts, it was nice to finally hear the crunch of ancient pottery beneath my feet. This sound reminded me of why I fell in love with archaeology in the first place. To think that these potters shaped the clay with their own hands thousands of years ago sends shivers down my spine. But I digress. When we reached the site where the synagogue once stood, our tour guide told us about what it must have been like to live here. The idea that the Beit Knesset, translated as a meeting house, may not have simply been the house of prayer that a shul is today struck me. The center of spiritual community at that time was still the Temple; the original synagogue was just a communal JCC. Also, the story of this steep city on a hill parallels Masada but appears to have been a far more desperate situation. As the story goes, about 5,000 Jews jumped off the cliff rather than be captured by the Romans. There still appears to be some holes in the story, but worth exploring more at some point.
But enough heavy stuff, let's talk about the fun that our community had. We started that afternoon with something that everyone could bond over...CHOCOLATE!!! We visited the De Karina Chocolate factory. After viewing a short film, we each made our own chocolates. I can't believe how much I ate and how thick the hot chocolate was. The only conflict here were between white, milk, and dark chocolate lovers, but a compromise was reached. What else is there to say about such an agreeable subject. We then rounded out the day with a trip to the Hamat Gader hot springs that had such a strong odor of sulfur that I could smell it through my stuffy nose but was otherwise incredibly enjoyable. The water was so warm and cleansing when combined with the bracing cold air of Israel in winter that it naturally brought our community together. Today was not only fun; it also highlighted what draws together our own community here in the Holy Land. Relationships are just as central to the communities formed in the ancient city of Gamla as they are to the modern CJHS class of 2012.
Posted by Erik Howden
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Our journey to the North
After saying goodbye to Jerusalem this morning, we got back on the bus and drove to the north for the first time on this trip. After a lengthy bus ride, we arrived in Givat Haviva, which is a a kibbutz that rents out its facilities to the IDF for three reasons. The first reason is to enable soldiers to finish their high school degrees. The second reason is that this kibbutz helps non-Jews in the army convert into Judaism. And the third reason is to focus on soldiers who come from problematic homes.
The first person we met with was Lydia Eisenberg, who is originally from Wales. She made aliyah due to the terrible anti-Semitism there.She reviewed with us the complexity of the conflict. However, the main part of our visit to Givat Haviva was to meet with an Israeli-Arab, Amir. Amir is different than any of the other Palestinians that we have met with previously because he is an Israeli citizen and should have all of the same rights as a Jew living in Israel. However, he shared with us that he does not receive the rights that he should be getting and that is a major issue for him. Amir just wants equality for all Israeli-Arabs. Many of the students and teachers challenged Amir, saying that the Israeli-Arabs need to do more on their part in order for them regain full rights. Amir also shared with us that one of the reasons why Israeli-Arabs do not have equal rights is because there is no constitution in Israel. After a lengthy dialogue with Amir, he drove with us and showed us two Israeli-Arab villages which are on the green line. Amir showed us his house and the difficulty that he had receiving a permit for his house. He also took us to his parents' house, which was nearby. Last, he showed us that there is a house that is literally built into the security fence separating Israel and the West Bank. Overall, we all gained a lot of knowledge from Amir.
After leaving Givat Haviva, we enjoyed another lengthy bus ride to Kibbutz Hannaton, where we are spending the night. We listened to a panel of three kibbutz members, who shared their journeys to this specific kibbutz. In addition, they shared with us what it means to live on a pluralistic kibbutz. Overall, everyone thought today was amazing and we all gained lots of knowledge. Good night from the north.
Posted by Noah Chasin
The first person we met with was Lydia Eisenberg, who is originally from Wales. She made aliyah due to the terrible anti-Semitism there.She reviewed with us the complexity of the conflict. However, the main part of our visit to Givat Haviva was to meet with an Israeli-Arab, Amir. Amir is different than any of the other Palestinians that we have met with previously because he is an Israeli citizen and should have all of the same rights as a Jew living in Israel. However, he shared with us that he does not receive the rights that he should be getting and that is a major issue for him. Amir just wants equality for all Israeli-Arabs. Many of the students and teachers challenged Amir, saying that the Israeli-Arabs need to do more on their part in order for them regain full rights. Amir also shared with us that one of the reasons why Israeli-Arabs do not have equal rights is because there is no constitution in Israel. After a lengthy dialogue with Amir, he drove with us and showed us two Israeli-Arab villages which are on the green line. Amir showed us his house and the difficulty that he had receiving a permit for his house. He also took us to his parents' house, which was nearby. Last, he showed us that there is a house that is literally built into the security fence separating Israel and the West Bank. Overall, we all gained a lot of knowledge from Amir.
After leaving Givat Haviva, we enjoyed another lengthy bus ride to Kibbutz Hannaton, where we are spending the night. We listened to a panel of three kibbutz members, who shared their journeys to this specific kibbutz. In addition, they shared with us what it means to live on a pluralistic kibbutz. Overall, everyone thought today was amazing and we all gained lots of knowledge. Good night from the north.
Posted by Noah Chasin
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Saying Goodbye to Jerusalem
Shavua Tov. Shabbat just ended and the group is going one last time to Ben Yehuda Street. Some students walked to the Kotel today as the rain let up and actually saw a brilliant rainbow. We had a wonderful Shabbat which capped off a very stimulating week. We began our stay in Jerusalem by focusing on the political divisions. We toured the security fence and gained a greater understanding of the complexities involved from both Israelis and Palestinians as a result of erecting the fence. We toured East Jerusalem and met with a Palestinian man in front of his home. We listened to an Israeli and a Palestinian who lost close relatives in the years of the struggle between the two sides. We toured the Jewish and Christian quarters of the Old City as well as El Aksa Mosque. We explored the future of Masorti Judaism, Charedi life, and processed religious pluralism. We visited the settlements and absorbed views from both the left and the right. We had a stimulating class at the Conservative Yeshiva. The group had a great time with students at Beit Guvrin, a mechina designed to work with students for one year before they enter the Israeli Army. On Friday, we volunteered in a soup kitchen and later got soaked in a cold Jerusalem rain. We did a lot and learned a lot. At the end of the week, we discussed where we began politically and how that may have changed. One student shared his confusion, but we explored the notion that this trip only opens up the doors of learning, and the rest is up to him. How he will continue to integrate what he learns will be a lengthy venture.
So we say good bye for now to Jerusalem and head to the North. We will stop at Kibbutz Hannaton. Much more to follow.
So we say good bye for now to Jerusalem and head to the North. We will stop at Kibbutz Hannaton. Much more to follow.
Video Clips
The ability of the video to communicate with the blog has been hampered by deep political divisions within the two systems. Therefore, we have worked hard to reach a compromise solution in order for you to view the video . All clips are stored in my YouTube account. Click on the link below to view the clips that we do have. There will be much more.
http://www.youtube.com/user/gauslander?feature=guide
http://www.youtube.com/user/gauslander?feature=guide
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Judea and Samaria
We started off our day discussing the issue of Settlements in the West Bank. The Senior Class had the opportunity to meet with representatives from both sides of the current dispute. Our first speaker was Leor from the organization Peace Now. Leor presented the more left-wing view on the issue. Leor did a good job covering all issues related to the settlements and gave the class a great insight on the topic from a more liberal stance. We then crossed into the West Bank to visit Kfar Etzion, a Jewish Settlement located just south of Jerusalem. After learning about a brief history of the area, we toured with Eve Harow, a former Efrat Local Council member, who provided us with a view of the settlement issue from a more right-wing perspective. Eve discussed the history behind the settlements by taking the class on a tour of the region around the city of Efrat. After listening to both speakers, their words really opened my eyes to the different sides of the political spectrum. I am glad I had the opportunity to formulate some of my own views on the topic. The group had some time before heading to Beit Guvrin and stopped at a Stalagmite Cave discovered about 30 years ago. This little sidelight tour provided an interesting view of part of Israel that is little known. We then traveled to Beit Guvrin to visit with Israeli teens on a program called Mechina. This program is designed for Israelis who are in a gap ear and about to enter the army. We played some ice breaker games and broke into small group discussions. Everyone had a delightful time as they were great hosts who used the brief time with us to get to know us better. After our dinner with the Israeli teens, we journeyed back to Jerusalem for a meaningful reflection about our experiences today.
Posted by Danny Hochberg
Posted by Danny Hochberg
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Judaism and Its Differences
First off, all the way from Israel, I want to wish my amazing mother a very happy birthday!
Yesterday, we struggled with the conflict of faiths in Jerusalem and saw how Jerusalem is in fact the city of three religions. Today, however, we struggled with an even more important and internal conflict with the Jews living in Israel. This is the issue of living in Israel, in a Jewish state, but believing in different forms of Judaism. Today, we saw the real spectrum of Judaism in Israel. We started off the day by hearing from Rabbi Andy Sacks, who represented the Masorti Movement (the Conservative Movement in Israel), and he told us about the future of the Masorti Movement in Israel. He discussed how the issues of the Masorti are hurting because of how the courts control all other issues regarding marriage, conversions, and divorce.
We then took a 10-minute bus ride in the cold and rain to a mainly Charedi neighborhood in Jerusalem to see how Charedi life in Jerusalem was different. For us as students, this was a chance to get a peek into a side of Judaism that some, if not most of us, have never seen. There, we met with Yehoshua Weinberger, who spoke on behalf of his community. He gave us a tour of an all girls' school. Walking into this meeting with Mr. Weinberger, a lot of my classmates, including myself, did not know what to expect and we did not know exactly what we were going to hear, as many of us had many questions for Mr. Weinberger. As we got off the bus, Jamie told us that in order to respect the community that we were about to walk into, boys and girls needed to walk separately. Although, I was a bit skeptical in doing so, I reminded myself of a theme that I have brought myself back to many times on this trip, which is to respect others even though I did not agree to their way of doing things. Mr. Weinberger gave us our tour and then talked with us about the issues his specific community believes in and how the stereotype of "Charedi" has been given at times a bad name. Our grade really pushed Mr. Weinberger to really think about the issues and I believe many people in the grade, including myself, took away a better understanding of not only his views but a better understanding of what we believe as Conservative Jews.
After our talk with Mr. Weinberger, we then had a nice lunch on Ben Yehuda. After lunch, we found ourselves back at the Fuchsberg Center discussing our final end of the spectrum for today. We met with a representative from Women of the Wall. This an organization that was founded by women who go to the Kotel every Rosh Chodesh and daven together. Although, I personally had some issue with this organization, I believe that the conversation with the representative from Women of the Wall strengthened my own beliefs. After a very intense day of back and forth between the internal conflict of Jews in Israel, our grade had a chance to relax and play some games with our Israeli staff members, Eyal and Danielle. We then went to have our final speaker of the day, a representative from Tav Hevrati, an organization that strives for social justice for people with disabilities in Israel and specifically justice for workers in restaurants. This was the end of our speakers for the day and we all got to blow off some steam and headed over to Emek Refaim for dinner and a lot of schmoozing time. Personally, I got to have dinner at an awesome Italian restaurant with my cousin, Rachel, who is in the army in Israel. It was great to see her and hear from her and to hear what she is up to in the army.
These past couple of days have been very intense on every level for every single person in our grade. There is a feeling in the air with everyone that our time as high schoolers and our time at CJHS is in fact coming to end. The time we are spending with our friends and the class of 2012 in the holiest of lands is something we will never forget. I touched on the theme of respect, a theme in which not only Israelis and Palestinians are working on, not only a theme Jews in Israel are working on, but this a theme for us a grade. We have come together and shown not only our staff, but our community at home that what we have here in Israel is something special. On days like these, I sit down and thank my parents so much for sending me on a trip of a lifetime and a trip in which I feel more educated about the issues of conflicting visions of Judaism. As I sat at Aroma (the Israeli version of Starbucks, just ten times better) with our tour guide Jamie, Jonah and Benjy Forester, we discussed the idea of respect and the question of what is our purpose as Jews if we live in a land in which Jews can't get along and how do we expect to have peace with the Palestinians, if we as Jews can't even get along.
What a day it was!
Posted by Aaron Freeman
Yesterday, we struggled with the conflict of faiths in Jerusalem and saw how Jerusalem is in fact the city of three religions. Today, however, we struggled with an even more important and internal conflict with the Jews living in Israel. This is the issue of living in Israel, in a Jewish state, but believing in different forms of Judaism. Today, we saw the real spectrum of Judaism in Israel. We started off the day by hearing from Rabbi Andy Sacks, who represented the Masorti Movement (the Conservative Movement in Israel), and he told us about the future of the Masorti Movement in Israel. He discussed how the issues of the Masorti are hurting because of how the courts control all other issues regarding marriage, conversions, and divorce.
We then took a 10-minute bus ride in the cold and rain to a mainly Charedi neighborhood in Jerusalem to see how Charedi life in Jerusalem was different. For us as students, this was a chance to get a peek into a side of Judaism that some, if not most of us, have never seen. There, we met with Yehoshua Weinberger, who spoke on behalf of his community. He gave us a tour of an all girls' school. Walking into this meeting with Mr. Weinberger, a lot of my classmates, including myself, did not know what to expect and we did not know exactly what we were going to hear, as many of us had many questions for Mr. Weinberger. As we got off the bus, Jamie told us that in order to respect the community that we were about to walk into, boys and girls needed to walk separately. Although, I was a bit skeptical in doing so, I reminded myself of a theme that I have brought myself back to many times on this trip, which is to respect others even though I did not agree to their way of doing things. Mr. Weinberger gave us our tour and then talked with us about the issues his specific community believes in and how the stereotype of "Charedi" has been given at times a bad name. Our grade really pushed Mr. Weinberger to really think about the issues and I believe many people in the grade, including myself, took away a better understanding of not only his views but a better understanding of what we believe as Conservative Jews.
After our talk with Mr. Weinberger, we then had a nice lunch on Ben Yehuda. After lunch, we found ourselves back at the Fuchsberg Center discussing our final end of the spectrum for today. We met with a representative from Women of the Wall. This an organization that was founded by women who go to the Kotel every Rosh Chodesh and daven together. Although, I personally had some issue with this organization, I believe that the conversation with the representative from Women of the Wall strengthened my own beliefs. After a very intense day of back and forth between the internal conflict of Jews in Israel, our grade had a chance to relax and play some games with our Israeli staff members, Eyal and Danielle. We then went to have our final speaker of the day, a representative from Tav Hevrati, an organization that strives for social justice for people with disabilities in Israel and specifically justice for workers in restaurants. This was the end of our speakers for the day and we all got to blow off some steam and headed over to Emek Refaim for dinner and a lot of schmoozing time. Personally, I got to have dinner at an awesome Italian restaurant with my cousin, Rachel, who is in the army in Israel. It was great to see her and hear from her and to hear what she is up to in the army.
These past couple of days have been very intense on every level for every single person in our grade. There is a feeling in the air with everyone that our time as high schoolers and our time at CJHS is in fact coming to end. The time we are spending with our friends and the class of 2012 in the holiest of lands is something we will never forget. I touched on the theme of respect, a theme in which not only Israelis and Palestinians are working on, not only a theme Jews in Israel are working on, but this a theme for us a grade. We have come together and shown not only our staff, but our community at home that what we have here in Israel is something special. On days like these, I sit down and thank my parents so much for sending me on a trip of a lifetime and a trip in which I feel more educated about the issues of conflicting visions of Judaism. As I sat at Aroma (the Israeli version of Starbucks, just ten times better) with our tour guide Jamie, Jonah and Benjy Forester, we discussed the idea of respect and the question of what is our purpose as Jews if we live in a land in which Jews can't get along and how do we expect to have peace with the Palestinians, if we as Jews can't even get along.
What a day it was!
Posted by Aaron Freeman
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Skewed Myths
Thomas Friedman, in his book From Beirut to Jerusalem, says, quoting Ludwig Wittgenstein that "if you ask a man how much is two plus two and he tells you five, that is a mistake. But if you ask a man how much is two plus two and he tells you ninety seven, that is no longer a mistake. The man you are talking to is operating with a wholly different logic...."
As we walked up the creaking entrance to the temple mount this morning and looked over as the charedim and tourists huddled close to the Western wall, and then as we exited the ramp into a plaza full of women in hijabs or burqas and families whispering greetings to one another in Arabic, I thought that no other thought could better describe the split reality of the Old City.
As we walked up the creaking entrance to the temple mount this morning and looked over as the charedim and tourists huddled close to the Western wall, and then as we exited the ramp into a plaza full of women in hijabs or burqas and families whispering greetings to one another in Arabic, I thought that no other thought could better describe the split reality of the Old City.
We began our day praying underneath Robinson's Arch at the southern corner of the Western Wall. We then walked through the narrow streets of the Arab meat market between freshly slaughtered goat carcasses, careful to avoid the blood running towards the sewers, and as we emerged from the dark streets we found ourselves overlooking the entire city bathed in mid-morning light. Our walking tour took us through the cavernous Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where we watched like tourists while the members of six different Churches knelt at the burial place of Jesus. After lunch many of us visited the temple mount and gazed at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. As we left the plateau, both in awe of the Muslim prayer space and somewhat resentful of our position as "mere visitors" to what was once our center, a friend of mine said, "It's as if we're in a different country."
We encountered the most obvious example of dual-reality in the City of David, when we met with a Jewish man who had traveled beyond the Green Line to settle in a formerly Arab neighborhood. While we saw just as much passion and desire in his eyes as we saw in those of the Palestinian refugee with whom we talked yesterday, we heard an entirely different story. We heard a story in which the same facts and the same events had been flipped, and had led not only to a different outlook but a different "logic." Two plus two was no longer anything definite.
In Jerusalem, facts are fluid and myths are all that is real. The myth of IDF aggression against Palestinian civilians comes to blows with the myth of a Jewish right to the land based on archaeological excavations, and the same facts flow from one side to the other in an argument which will never end because neither side can step outside of its reality and see the other.
Our day ended at home in the Fuchsberg Center, where we heard from representatives of the Interfaith Encounter Association (IEA). The IEA provides a meeting place for myths; events that bring Jews, Christians and Muslims together in an apolitical setting allow these two groups to acknowledge, if not accept, the validity of each other's myths. I see two potential ends to the conflict we have been studying: either one myth will win and drive the other out by force, or the two will intertwine to create a new future in which both are recognized.
Posted by Benji Fleischacker
Jerusalem: Political Divisions
Today's focus was very serious and enlightening for the entire group. We began with a lecture by Neil Lazarus, who took us through a historical perspective of the political divisions in Israel and Jerusalem specifically. He began with a film that opened with Yerushalayim Shel Zahav and focused on how much of Jerusalem do we really know, and how much do we want to know. Are we satisfied with the beauty of the song and the vision of Jerusalem, or do we need to include all the warts? Jamie, our guide, then took the group on a tour of the security fence, raising questions throughout the tour of the location of the fence, who wanted it in the first place, and how it affects both Israelis and Palestinians. He elaborated on the difficulty Palestinians have traveling from one side of the fence, or is it called a wall, to the other. The side that they live on to the side where they work, grow their crops and so on.
We then met up with one of the Rabbis for Human Rights, Rabbi Arik Ascherman, who reviewed for the group the overall goal of RHR and the experiences that he has had reaching out to the Palestinians who HE felt were being oppressed by Israel. He raised many questions about the need for Israel to assume such a role or whether their goals could be accomplished in a more humane fashion. He believes that as Jews we have an obligation to treat others with dignity and respect and sees that as a way of building bridges. Rabbi Ascherman then took the group to a Palestinian Village where we met a Palestinian man in front of his home. The overriding issue was ownership of land. The Palestinian man concluded that the Israelis only want war and although he is friends with Israeli Jews, he does not any faith in the government. He told stories of harsh treatment, which included several nights spent in Israeli jails.
As we were leaving, we met up with his next-door neighbor, an Orthodox Jew. He spoke briefly and very emphatically claimed that all the land was Jewish and that Palestinians have absolutely no claim to it. What he had to say made most people very uncomfortable but showed the extreme views held by many settlers.
We boarded the bus and headed back to Fuchsberg (the USCJ base in Jerusalem), where we listened to two members of the Parents' Circle, an organization of Israeli Jews and Palestinians who have lost close family members. Both spoke of the grief but their need to reconcile this grief and begin to speak with people from the other side. Avraham spoke about a son he lost over 30 years ago and believes the effort that he is making to establish bonds with Palestinians is the best way to heal. The Palestinian woman, Siham, spoke of her losing her brother as he was shot at close range by an Israeli soldier who she knew. After a period of grief and anger, she felt that the best way to heal would be to meet with this soldier and have him come to her home and meet her family and learn what they had lost. This has yet to happen. This session was a highly emotional and enlightening experience for the entire group.
Poster's Note: at this stage we are having difficulty posting pictures and videos at Fuchsberg. We hope this can be resolved soon.
We then met up with one of the Rabbis for Human Rights, Rabbi Arik Ascherman, who reviewed for the group the overall goal of RHR and the experiences that he has had reaching out to the Palestinians who HE felt were being oppressed by Israel. He raised many questions about the need for Israel to assume such a role or whether their goals could be accomplished in a more humane fashion. He believes that as Jews we have an obligation to treat others with dignity and respect and sees that as a way of building bridges. Rabbi Ascherman then took the group to a Palestinian Village where we met a Palestinian man in front of his home. The overriding issue was ownership of land. The Palestinian man concluded that the Israelis only want war and although he is friends with Israeli Jews, he does not any faith in the government. He told stories of harsh treatment, which included several nights spent in Israeli jails.
As we were leaving, we met up with his next-door neighbor, an Orthodox Jew. He spoke briefly and very emphatically claimed that all the land was Jewish and that Palestinians have absolutely no claim to it. What he had to say made most people very uncomfortable but showed the extreme views held by many settlers.
We boarded the bus and headed back to Fuchsberg (the USCJ base in Jerusalem), where we listened to two members of the Parents' Circle, an organization of Israeli Jews and Palestinians who have lost close family members. Both spoke of the grief but their need to reconcile this grief and begin to speak with people from the other side. Avraham spoke about a son he lost over 30 years ago and believes the effort that he is making to establish bonds with Palestinians is the best way to heal. The Palestinian woman, Siham, spoke of her losing her brother as he was shot at close range by an Israeli soldier who she knew. After a period of grief and anger, she felt that the best way to heal would be to meet with this soldier and have him come to her home and meet her family and learn what they had lost. This has yet to happen. This session was a highly emotional and enlightening experience for the entire group.
Poster's Note: at this stage we are having difficulty posting pictures and videos at Fuchsberg. We hope this can be resolved soon.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
The Refugee Issue In Tel Aviv
In the last several years, several thousand refugees have flooded into Israel, some legal and some not legal from mostly African countries like the Sudan. As of this date, over 40,000 refugees have settled in Southern Tel Aviv which historically has had a population of people of lower or no incomes, a high crime rate and many migrant workers. Binah, a social action and study organization which has a liberal perspective, is actively working with these people and trying to promote education about the very complex issue. Binah has organized a gap-year program in Tel Aviv where students volunteer to help immigrants.
As the 27 of us walked through a neighborhood in Tel Aviv filled with African refugees, I struggled with the feeling in the pit of my stomach. I was unsure of exactly the reason, but simply observing the poverty and hardships faced by the residents of the neighborhood pained me. As we walked deeper into the neighborhood, witnessing more atrocities, the reason for the feeling I had suddenly dawned on me. Although what I was seeing upset me, the fact that I was seeing it without the ability to do anything to solve it upset me more. What right did we as the American tourists have to come in and impose on their town? It seemed to me that we were using someone's home as somewhat of a tourist attraction, something nearly impossible for me to reconcile.
After I made the point to one of my friends, she responded that there might be a reason. It was true that at the time it felt like nothing more than an observation of the hardships that life can bring, but our group was also being educated on exactly that. Often education is the first step towards advocacy, and this solution could be the case in our group as well. As we boarded the bus and looked out the window one last time, students spoke about the ways they could help and the possibilities of taking a gap year in Israel and helping this village. That alone was inspiring, proving that although the situation had at first been difficult, it had in fact resulted in a thought provoking experience for many.
Posted by Jill Merrick
As the 27 of us walked through a neighborhood in Tel Aviv filled with African refugees, I struggled with the feeling in the pit of my stomach. I was unsure of exactly the reason, but simply observing the poverty and hardships faced by the residents of the neighborhood pained me. As we walked deeper into the neighborhood, witnessing more atrocities, the reason for the feeling I had suddenly dawned on me. Although what I was seeing upset me, the fact that I was seeing it without the ability to do anything to solve it upset me more. What right did we as the American tourists have to come in and impose on their town? It seemed to me that we were using someone's home as somewhat of a tourist attraction, something nearly impossible for me to reconcile.
After I made the point to one of my friends, she responded that there might be a reason. It was true that at the time it felt like nothing more than an observation of the hardships that life can bring, but our group was also being educated on exactly that. Often education is the first step towards advocacy, and this solution could be the case in our group as well. As we boarded the bus and looked out the window one last time, students spoke about the ways they could help and the possibilities of taking a gap year in Israel and helping this village. That alone was inspiring, proving that although the situation had at first been difficult, it had in fact resulted in a thought provoking experience for many.
Posted by Jill Merrick
The Streets of Tel Aviv
This morning we split up into four groups with colored bandanas to distinguish the groups. The overall goal was to travel Tel Aviv on foot for over 2 1/2 hours to learn more about Tel Aviv and pick out various landmarks. Groups were given scavenger-hunt-style clues and had to find information along the way. Each clue led to a location where the next clue could be found. In addition, we were instructed to find various people along our route--twins, an ultra-Orthodox Jew, an IDF soldier, a person with tattoos and piercing (Gothic) and so on. When we found each of these, we took a picture with that person. Most groups had difficulty finding an IDF soldier until we reached our final destination (Independence Hall). Many group salso had trouble finding an ultra-Orthodox Jew. The group I was with did not see one throughout our journey but were able to find a tattoo parlor and a couple "Gothics." The overall goal was to gain a better sense of Tel Aviv, and our adventure in the morning help set the tone. Jamie, our guide, asked us how Tel Aviv looked to us. Since this was the first city built by Jews in 2000 years, is this the city we wanted it to be? The morning's adventure was the beginning of examining this question.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Tel Aviv Arrival
Our group traveled to Tel Aviv through the Negev Desert. We got to see what could not be seen when we arrived Monday evening: spectacular desert landscapes for miles and miles. It was truly breathtaking. As we got closer to Tel Aviv, we made a brief stop to use the facilities and found a kosher McDonalds. Several students seized the opportunity to buy a Big Texas, a giant hamburger with all the stuffings. It was pricey, but worth it according to those who ate the burger.
We then arrived at the Deborah Hotel in Tel Aviv and quickly brought the luggage to our rooms. Dinner at the hotel followed as we were right on schedule to go see the Na Lagaat performance at the Theater for the Blind and Deaf at Jaffa old port. Before the show, we met up with Noah Weinberg and his family. It was great to see them and share our experiences. We hung around the cafe in the theater, which is serviced by waitstaff who are deaf.
The show presented about 15 different actors who told the story about being deaf and blind in short scenes, highlighting the experiences of several cast members. The story told of their yearnings, frustrations, hopes and dreams. It was meticulously choreographed and assisted by sighted and hearing people. The periodic beat of a drum signaled to the performers the need to change scenes or places. Everyone knew their roles and it became very clear just how much time and effort it took to put the show together. After the show, the entire audience (the theater was packed) was invited up on the stage to interact with the performers assisted by those who were sighted and hearing.
After returning to the hotel, the students received information about boarding the bus the following day for their destinations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The following two days will be spent with family in Israel, friends, friends of family, etc. Shabbat Shalom.
We then arrived at the Deborah Hotel in Tel Aviv and quickly brought the luggage to our rooms. Dinner at the hotel followed as we were right on schedule to go see the Na Lagaat performance at the Theater for the Blind and Deaf at Jaffa old port. Before the show, we met up with Noah Weinberg and his family. It was great to see them and share our experiences. We hung around the cafe in the theater, which is serviced by waitstaff who are deaf.
The show presented about 15 different actors who told the story about being deaf and blind in short scenes, highlighting the experiences of several cast members. The story told of their yearnings, frustrations, hopes and dreams. It was meticulously choreographed and assisted by sighted and hearing people. The periodic beat of a drum signaled to the performers the need to change scenes or places. Everyone knew their roles and it became very clear just how much time and effort it took to put the show together. After the show, the entire audience (the theater was packed) was invited up on the stage to interact with the performers assisted by those who were sighted and hearing.
After returning to the hotel, the students received information about boarding the bus the following day for their destinations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The following two days will be spent with family in Israel, friends, friends of family, etc. Shabbat Shalom.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Saying Good-bye to Kibbutz Keturah
Yesterday afternoon, we all packed up and left Kibbutz Keturah to head up to Tel Aviv. For the brief intense time that we were at Keturah, we were all very impressed with the kibbutz, the scientific initiatives it has taken, and most of all the people. Yuval, a 31-year-old Israeli, was most engaging and knowledgeable. He first welcomed us, took us on a very informative tour, told us of his impending marriage, and it began to feel like we have known him for years. At the wrap-up meeting, all students gave him a standing ovation. Then there was Yoni, who took many students on an expedition to explain the geology of the region, how the Arava Valley was formed, and how the rocks we were standing on took their present shape. He spoke with compassion and a great deal of knowledge. I spoke with him afterward and learned that he was not a geologist but a chiropractor who lived with his family on Long Island, New York before deciding to come to Israel and live a less hectic life. He, his wife, and two children have been here for five years. We also met kibbutz members from the United States, Great Britain and other countries. One woman was from Oklahoma City and has been on Kibbutz Keturah for over 30 years. Her three children grew up and one moved back to the U.S. and now lives in Boston. She reflected that this may be some payback for her leaving her own family. Overall, she has no regrets and felt that her children growing up on a kibbutz provided a great experience whereby they were part of a strong community. All those I spoke with talked about how the kibbutz was managed, and although there were disagreements from time to time on the management of the kibbutz, people generally agreed that things ran very well. They all mentioned that they lived on the kibbutz for a common purpose: to be part of a strong, caring, supportive, and loving community.
Oh, by the way, we all ate very well. With all the positives mentioned about the kibbutz, the food gets high marks. A good variety of food, well-managed dining hall, and lots to eat. On a personal note, my being a chocoholic was greatly enhanced by one breakfast meal that was served with pancakes. There was certainly maple syrup to put on the pancakes, but who wanted maple syrup when hot, gooey chocolate sauce could be used as a topping?
With very fond memories, we say good-bye to Kibbutz Keturah.
Oh, by the way, we all ate very well. With all the positives mentioned about the kibbutz, the food gets high marks. A good variety of food, well-managed dining hall, and lots to eat. On a personal note, my being a chocoholic was greatly enhanced by one breakfast meal that was served with pancakes. There was certainly maple syrup to put on the pancakes, but who wanted maple syrup when hot, gooey chocolate sauce could be used as a topping?
With very fond memories, we say good-bye to Kibbutz Keturah.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Desert Survival Experience
All too often people get stuck in the material world; however, the expanse and bareness of the desert allows one to reflect on the opportunities presented in life. On this desert survival experience, we went into the middle of the desert. We cooked our food over a campfire, had alone time at night, and also went on a morning hike. To me, the most powerful experience of this time spent in the desert was the time I spent alone, reflecting on my life, especially the opportunities presented to me on this trip. As I looked up at the stars on the cool desert night, hearing the silence of the desert, I was reminded to appreciate everything I have and make the most of every experience. The desert can be a harsh, inhabitable land, but it can also be an amazing place where one can find him or herself and connect to our ancestors.
Posted by Jeff Budweg
Posted by Jeff Budweg
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Arava Institute for Environmental Studies and Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed
Wednesday morning, January 3 was spent mostly learning about the Arava Institute and the Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation. We met with three students at the Institute, one American, one Israeli and one Jordanian. The institute brings together Israelis (Arabs and Jewish), Jordanians, and Palestinians, as well as students from other parts of the world. In order to solve environmental problems in the Middle East, Israelis, Palestinians, and Jordanians must work together because the water they drink all comes from the same sources. They breathe the same air and share the same ecosystems. In the process of learning together, they learn how to work together even though they come from different cultures. The three students focused on their working relationship and what they have learned about the other students' cultures.
Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed received his Ph.D. in chemical engineering and is the first director of the Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation. Dr. Abu Hamed made a strong case for studying renewable energy, as the current sources for energy are time-limited and present other problems, such as danger (nuclear reactors) and cost. By collaborating together, Israel and Jordan stand to gain much. Their research focuses on sustainable agriculture, water management, and long-term socioecological and renewable energy projects (solar energy). Dr. Abu Hamed showed the group the solar panels and discussed how they are used and the care given to them in order to become most effective. Everyone in the group was impressed with the presentation made by Dr. Abu Hamed.
Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed received his Ph.D. in chemical engineering and is the first director of the Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation. Dr. Abu Hamed made a strong case for studying renewable energy, as the current sources for energy are time-limited and present other problems, such as danger (nuclear reactors) and cost. By collaborating together, Israel and Jordan stand to gain much. Their research focuses on sustainable agriculture, water management, and long-term socioecological and renewable energy projects (solar energy). Dr. Abu Hamed showed the group the solar panels and discussed how they are used and the care given to them in order to become most effective. Everyone in the group was impressed with the presentation made by Dr. Abu Hamed.
The morning tour of Kibbutz Keturah and neighboring sites
 |
| Yuval leading the morning tour |
 |
| At Kibbutz Yotvata |
 |
| Harnessing solar energy |
 |
| Ice Cream Stop |
 |
| Some of the hundreds of date trees lining Kibbutz Keturah |
 |
| Yuval showing the group the solar energy plant at Kibbutz Keturah |
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Off and Rolling
Tuesday was an exciting and action-packed day for the seniors. Taking advantage of our early morning start, we climbed up a mountain that overlooked much of the surrounding area. We all had to take a few minutes to relax after reaching the top of the mountain, as the climb up the steep mountain was quite steep. However, the view was great and it helped us paint a picture of where we are in the Negev. Seeing Jordanian hills right across the border was very cool, as it showed us just how close we were to a neighboring country. After davenning Shacharit, we headed back down the mountain to eat breakfast at the kibbutz.
Another highlight of the day was visiting some of the solar panel fields that are in the area. It was especially interesting for me to learn that the Israeli solar panel company that builds many of the solar panels we saw is planning to sell panels to other countries in order to better the environment all around the world. The detail that I found to be most inspiring about these visits was that people who live in the Negev, the hottest and most isolated part of Israel which has never been thought to be completely worth investing in, are the ones taking the initiative to find more sources of energy. It was empowering to see that people who do not live in some of Israel's spotlight cities (Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem, etc.) are fighting to make a change and are actually succeeding.
Later on, we headed to Kasui Dunes. Running around and diving in the sand was both fun and extremely tiring. The whole grade really seemed to enjoy running around and then cooling down with conversations on what I think is the softest sand on Earth.What followed was the day's most meaningful activity, in my opinion. Each person (student, teacher, and counselor) was instructed to find his or her own place to sit and think. After settling in my spot, perched up on a peak of a mini-mountain, I could not look away from the sunset until the sun had finally set. The time we spent by ourselves allowed us all to think about various topics, such as our connection to Israel, the satisfaction of completing the first semester of our senior year, our expectations for the two-and-a-half weeks that lie ahead, and many other interesting things.
Today was definitely a stuffed and exciting day, and we all can't wait to experience the rest of this great trip!
Posted by Adam Schrag
Another highlight of the day was visiting some of the solar panel fields that are in the area. It was especially interesting for me to learn that the Israeli solar panel company that builds many of the solar panels we saw is planning to sell panels to other countries in order to better the environment all around the world. The detail that I found to be most inspiring about these visits was that people who live in the Negev, the hottest and most isolated part of Israel which has never been thought to be completely worth investing in, are the ones taking the initiative to find more sources of energy. It was empowering to see that people who do not live in some of Israel's spotlight cities (Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem, etc.) are fighting to make a change and are actually succeeding.
Later on, we headed to Kasui Dunes. Running around and diving in the sand was both fun and extremely tiring. The whole grade really seemed to enjoy running around and then cooling down with conversations on what I think is the softest sand on Earth.What followed was the day's most meaningful activity, in my opinion. Each person (student, teacher, and counselor) was instructed to find his or her own place to sit and think. After settling in my spot, perched up on a peak of a mini-mountain, I could not look away from the sunset until the sun had finally set. The time we spent by ourselves allowed us all to think about various topics, such as our connection to Israel, the satisfaction of completing the first semester of our senior year, our expectations for the two-and-a-half weeks that lie ahead, and many other interesting things.
Today was definitely a stuffed and exciting day, and we all can't wait to experience the rest of this great trip!
Posted by Adam Schrag
Hiking and Touring Tuesday
We had a very ambitious morning beginning with a hike before breakfast up one of the nearby mountains. Although not a great distance, it was very steep and extreme care had to be taken. Shacharit services were held once we reached the top. We then toured Kibbutz Yotvata which is described by Nic Levy, followed by a tour of the Arava Power Company, which harnesses the energy from the sun and is used to power the entire kibbutz. On the bus, our guide, Yuval, announced that he is getting married on Lag B'Omer, and everyone is invited. At our home base, Kibbutz Ketura, Yuval showed us a number of important current projects at the kibbutz. The first is a very substantial plant using Algaetechnologies; pure antioxidants are made from algae, and they are so good that many drug companies and food companies are willing to pay well for the antioxidants. Very, very fascinating. We also saw the numerous date trees where over 400 tons of dates are grown each year. Trees from Morocco and India have been planted on the kibbutz to make medicine and cosmetic oils. Finally, there is a very substantial solar energy plant that produces 5 megawatts of power, which is enough to supply 3-4 kibbutz communities.
Needless to say, we have eaten very well. We had a wonderful breakfast outside after the hike. The temperature now is in the 70s and sunny. It gets much cooler at night. We are off to the Kasui Dunes for play and a powerful solo experience.
Many pictures from this morning will be published in a Picasa web album. Stay tuned for more information
Needless to say, we have eaten very well. We had a wonderful breakfast outside after the hike. The temperature now is in the 70s and sunny. It gets much cooler at night. We are off to the Kasui Dunes for play and a powerful solo experience.
Many pictures from this morning will be published in a Picasa web album. Stay tuned for more information
Kibbutz Yotvata
Today we visited Kibbutz Yotvata, whose major industry is dairy farming. So as to be more self-sufficient and green, they have a facility that enables them to collect methane (natural gas) from cow manure. From this process, they are able to reduce their waste and generate power for the kibbutz, in total saving them 600,000 sheqels a year in energy costs. Water is also a by-product of the manure. The facility itself is small, holding only 50,000 liters of manure, but the pungent odor can be smelled from far.
Posted by Nic Levy
Posted by Nic Levy
Monday, January 2, 2012
At O'Hare Airport Before Leaving for Newark
 |
| The plane left 30 minutes late but arrived on time due to a medical emergency of another passenger. |
ARRIVALS
We are finally in Israel! After twenty hours of traveling from Chicago to the southern tip of Israel at Kibbutz Ketura, everyone is happy to be here. We met our madrichim, Danielle and Eyal. Now the question is to sleep or not to sleep. Either way, we will begin the day at 7:30 a.m. with a hike up to an overlook of the Arava desert where we will absorb our natural surroundings as we do Shacharit (the morning service). I am grateful for this unique opportunity to experience Israel with the senior class of 2012. There is a wonderful feeling among this group that should continue to guide us as we explore the complexities of our beautiful homeland.
Posted by Rabbi Barkan
Posted by Rabbi Barkan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)