Rabbi Lutz's Israel Trip Blog
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Day 12: Shabbat in Tel Aviv
Day 12: Shabbat in Tel Aviv
It is so hard to believe that tomorrow is our last day. I’m not sure if there will be another chance to blog. If not, this may be our last message from the Holy Land.
It has been an amazing trip in every way … and has certainly strengthened our ties to this place and to its wonderful, courageous and strong people. As I am writing this I am listening to the incredulous news that the Vatican has condemned Israel for its incursion into Lebanon … and I wonder how any other country in the world would react to the kidnapping of soldiers from its border or the firing of rockets into its cities.
Today a small group of us traveled to the reconstructed Roman City of Bet Shean. It is really an interesting cite. This was never a Jewish city … always held by the Canaanites, the Greeks and the Romans. The Israelites tended to be a mountain people and this was a valley city. Nonetheless it was a gateway into the Holy Land from Babylonia. It is mentioned only once in the bible as the city and people that defeated King Saul. It is said that it is from the walls of this city that the bodies of the King and his son were hung.
It is a very interesting place to see as most of the ruins remain intact, unvandalized. So, over the past 25 years the city has been reconstructed. There is still another 20 years of work to do … but in the end archaeologists hope to pretty much reconstruct the entire city.
Later we visited a 6th c. synagogue at Kibbutz Bet Alpha.
On the way home we stopped by the natural water pool of Sachneh, which was very, very busy with Israelis (Jewish and Arab alike!) enjoying a day off. Then we stopped at the Israeli Arab village of Um el Fahm for a great lunch.
The majority of the group decided to remain in Tel Aviv enjoying a day of r&r. Many of the kids journeyed to the cinema to see Pirates II (complete with Hebrew subtitles.)
The day ended by joining together for Havdalah … then many journeyed to old Jaffa for dinner and last minute shopping.
Tomorrow is, unbelievably our last day. We will travel to the ancient synagogue of Tzippori where our eldest member, Milt Cohen, will celebrate a second bar mitzvah. After a donkey ride and tree planting we will return to Tel Aviv for final packing and a farewell dinner. Then it is off to the airport. If possible, I will send another communication from there.
If not, thank you all for your words, your prayers, your questions and your support. It has been wonderful sharing this with you …
B’Shalom, R.Lutz
Comments:Thank you for again for taking the time out of your hectic travel schedules to write these blog entries! Please say hello to everyone and have a safe journey home.
Robert
As I read this, I am relieved that the group is on their way to the airport. It has been very emotional for us at home to read about your adventures and of course, to watch the news. I can only imagine what you all are experiencing and feeling.
Rabbi Lutz - your journal entries have been incredible and so full of passion, we feel like we have been there with you.
Can't wait to hear more! Have a safe trip home.
Hi All,
The Bienstocks need to know if the Snows still need to be picked up from the Temple. If you can let us know, that would be greatly appreciated, but if not, that's okay too. We will just go there incase. Anyway, I hope all of you have a wonderful trip home. I know it is long and you feel like you are never going to get off the plane (at lease I felt that way). Thank you SO MUCH Rabbi Lutz for all of your entries. I can tell this took alot of time. For all of us here, it meant so much! Thank You Again.
Laurie
PS- Eliana, we received your message this morning. It was Soooooooooooooo incredibly sweet. Nava is still at Camp Alonim, but I wrote to her and told her about your message. She will be home at the end of the month. I'm sure the two of you will have plenty to talk about. All your adventures, and stuff.........................
Dear TAS Travelers,
Many of us here are trying to figure out why CNN is reporting so one sided. It is truly awful. FOX seems to be a little more truthful.
We are glad that you still found time to enjoy the specialness of all that Israel has to offer.
Our hearts and prayers are still with you for a safe journey home. Praying for Peace ....
Love,
The Doner's
Hi all,
I believe you are one the plane and homeword bound.. Welcome home!! It will be good to see you safe and sound around the synagogue. Reading about your travels has been amazing. Thank you all.
Dori
Well, we arrived home earlier today! It was really heartwarming to see the faces at the Temple welcome us. And to read this blog, is really a wonderful diary of our trip. I see that it hasn't been updated in the last two days. Maybe Rabbi Lutz can add the last days to make the blog complete.
My head is swirling with thoughts and ideas about our trip. I feel we were really lucky to be able to experience Israel in this way with our Temple family. I cannot think of anything that could have made this trip a more enriching experience. And I believe the current events in Israel only added to our learning. It gave us a deeper understanding into some of the politics of Israeli society that a textbook could never teach.
While traveling there many times the people thanked us for coming to their country. They were so happy to have us there and wanted us to convey to our friends that Israel needs you to come and visit. Whatever the current situation holds in the near future the one thing I really took away is that we need to support Israel with our dollars, moral support and tourism. They really need us and appreciate the American community.
Thanks for being a part of our trip blog. Your thoughts throughout the trip gave us a special connection to all of you at home. It was really neat for us to share with you in this way.
Shalom U'lhitraot!
Judy and Arnold
PS. I hope Lila doesn't mind me blogging on our joint User Name. I was too lazy to open one for myself.
A fantastic blog yours. Keep it up.
If you have a moment, please visit my arab mp3 music site.
I send you warm regards and wish you continued success.
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