Debby

Yom Yerushalayim in Jerusalem is the anniversary of the June 1967 reunification of Jerusalem, when Israel gained control of the Old City of Jerusalem at the end of the Six Day War. We had seen many Israeli school and teen groups by the Wall on the eve of this day, Tuesday night, when we were visiting the Western Wall Tunnels, but when we arrived back around 4:30 pm from Masada it was even more incredible. Huge groups carrying dozens of full size Israeli flags (not the little ones on sticks the way we Americans do on Fourth of July) were headed up the avenue past our hotel to the big rally at the top of King George Street from where a march would happen in the early evening down from West Jerusalem to the Old City. ... read more

Writing this from the Dan Panorama Hotel in Jerusalem. Thanks Dan hotels for the upgrade to the awesome suite including a terrace big enough for a group of thirty to have a party. Looking forward to the 5 nights here in Jerusalem. Have to get to bed early (like now) so just a quick summary and will fill in more later. Started out from the kibbutz in the morning. I skipped Nadav's tour and talk about kibbutz life but did my own little walk down to the indoor pool and took a few photos to remember how beautiful it is at Hagoshrim. We drove down the eastern side of the sea of Galilee, past Ein Gev, and all the way down to Beit Alpha. Stopped to see the beautiful mosaic floor of the 5th-6th century synagogue. ... read more

Another long day winding down as our group settles in for two nights at Kibbutz Hagoshrim Guest House in the Upper Galilee, the Hula Valley area, looking out towards the Golan Heights and Mount Hermon. We began the day heading down from the upper part of Haifa on the Carmel to the lower part in order to visit the Nirim School in the Neve David neighborhood. What an amazing place - a neighborhood elementary school serving disadvantaged and immigrant children. The principal who took over less than two years ago has turned it into a place of smiles and joy and learning and growth and hope. His name is Dr. Oded Hershko and he gave up the practice of medicine to devote himself to changing children's lives. Field trips, comfy pillows on the floor in a ... read more

What an amazing day. Except for me, it was the first time for all our group members – both those who had been to Israel previously and those new to Israel – visiting the Ayalon Institute. The museum tells the story of the young people – teens and twenties - who ran the secret underground bullet factory during the three years leading up to the War of Independence in 1948. Our guide was Shachar and he was the best in all my visits here (my fourth visit). If you have not been there, it’s outside Tel Aviv next to the city of Rehovot. Two thumbs up. From there we headed to Yafo for the Co-existence program we had arranged through Mishkenot Ruth Seminar Center, part of the Daniel Centers in Tel Aviv. http://www.beit-daniel.org.il/en/tour-seminar-center/ It was outstanding ... read more

First meeting of our Israel travel group took place two weeks ago. We shared our goal to be pilgrims, not tourists. Learned a bit about each other. And marveled at the itinerary that will take us from Tel Aviv to Haifa to the Galilee to Jerusalem. Here's a photo of those of us who were able to gather that night.... read more