just enjoying all the pictures
and just being with you in spirit
stay well and have fun
shabbat is coming , enjoy and relax
love to rabbi michael and sally
shabbat shalom
joanie shiner

Tel Aviv, Independance Hall, With our new and past Shin Shanim

Today's Top 10 (in no particular order)

1. Meeting the shin shinim coming to Temple Sinai next year
2. Seeing Israeli friends
3. Awesome dinner at Yemenite, meat restaurant called Meganda
4. Goosebumps during Hatikvah at the end of Ben Gurion’s Declaration of Independence in 1948
5. Market in Old Yafo was full of people selling their garbage
6. Mediterranean Sea
7. Palmach Museum was like being inside a movie
8. Story of Yitzchak Rabin in Rabin Square. Especially seeing the graffiti on the wall and diagram of where Rabin, his security and the murderer stood on the sidewalk.
9. Chillin’ on the beach during sunset
10. Beautiful view from Old Yafo

Our day today, Massada and Ein Egdy. Great!

The lowest point on Earth did not mean a low day

Today we traveled down to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on the Earth.

Atop Masada

Jeremy, our guide, told the compelling story of the Jews who fled the destruction of the Second Temple. He challenged us to see how we might respond in a situation that required us to fight and die for our Jewish beliefs. "We felt the story of Masada was very interesting." "It gave me a different perspective than previous knowledge." "What would I do on Masada? I truly don’t know.”

Our day at Ein Gedy.

Today was “a completely new experience. The Dead Sea and mud were very cool. It was something that can only be done in this place and few others around the world”. “The smells at Ein Gedy were terrible.”

And now back to pilgrim or tourist:

“I feel that I am a pilgrim because I have so many things to learn about myself and I feel I will learn it from coming here.” “I believe that slowly I am becoming more of a pilgrim. When I first came to Israel I was really excited that I had the chance to make my own experience. Now I feel more like a pilgrim because my specific reason is to find the holiness and spiritualness in myself and Israel.”

One final question:

“How will this experience effect my life? This trip has given me knowledge and understanding of many different cultures and how they relate to each other.”

What a great day!

Amazing photos and inspiring words! So glad to know that your young travellers are so passionate about what they are seeing and hearing.

Looks like you're having warm weather -- short-sleeve shirts seem to abound! No short sleeves to be seen here.

I need a favour from Ira or Cantor Katie. Please tell Robert he has a job for the summer. I know he will be happy to hear that. Rob, we're all very proud of you!

Enjoy! Enjoy!

Hope you guys are enjoying Israel

Hey guys, seeing you walking in the old city between that holy place brought me back so many memories from last year when I was there with Jordan. I can just imagine myself walking that very place and having the exact same feeling you are all having at that very moment. I wish that all of you will make the very best of your trip in Israel because you are very lucky to have the opportunity to explore such an amazing place.
SHERI!!! I HOPE YOU TAKE MANY PICTURES!!! WE MISS YOU!!!

- Rami & Jordan :)