Take off and First Day in Tel Aviv

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So, after being up over 24 hours straight, the sun is just setting over the Mediterranean here in Tel Aviv, the city that never sleeps. Our group will be sleeping well tonight. Great flights on El Al but we all look forward to heads on the pillows tonight. Uploading photos from this first day with our amazing guide, Nadav BenGal. Highlights of day included visit to Independence Hall and Bialik House. Plus walk on the tayelet (boardwalk) along the beach for some of us, with a dinner by the beach. Photos included, hopefully. Group is bonding nicely and expect even more fun when we are more awake and refreshed.

We did start to use the Birkon Artzi booklets with lovely readings at historic and holy sites. Highly recommend this for anyone traveling to Israel.

I had three special unplanned encounters today and then a reunion with a longtime friend. The unexpected: two Birthright groups from Reform movement were on our plane from Newark. Ran into Rachel S. whose Bat Mitzvah I officiated at about 9 years ago. Then sat down on the plane next to two sisters who turned out to be nieces of one of my good friends - Paul and Kathy! Finally, coming out of Independence Hall we ran into another Birthright group and a young man, David K., ran down the stairs and stopped me. I was his Bar Mitzvah rabbi 7 years ago. Small world!

Laila Tov.

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Photos

Hurry up and Wait
Bob, Harvey, Lari and Shirley waiting for security to open to get to the gate at Newark.

Hurry up and Wait #2
Lauren and Michael waiting and ready.

Susan and Peter at Independence Hall
Let's get this show on the road already!

Independence Hall
Where the State of Israel was proclaimed, May 14, 1948.

On the streets of Tel Aviv
Nadav explains Tel Aviv to Natalie and Shirley.

So much to take in
Standing on Rothschild Blvd.

All ears
Tell us more about Mayor Dizengoff, please.

Sunny day on the Boulevard
What could be bad about 80 degree weather?

Natalie and Rosalyn
Brooklyn Babes in front of mural by Sharir on site of original Herzliya Gymnasium.

Nahum Guttman's famous mural
Nadav explaining the story and symbolism of the mural of Tel Aviv created to memorialize the Herzliya Gymnasium (High School) when it was taken down.

Straining to hear
Listening to story of Tel Aviv through the Guttman mural.

Why do you think they came to Tel Aviv, not Jerusalem?
The question of the day.

La Mer abundant food
Five dishes for five diners much too much food. And delicious too. Thursday night dinner on the beach in Tel Aviv.

A $25 Cheese Plate Extravaganza
If only we had realized this La Mer cheese plate could serve 3 people as a full meal, not just one.