Pondering What I Hope For Out Of This Trip!

Yes I’m supposed to be packing; yes I’m stalling!  But thought I’d at least accomplish a blog post about my goals, hopes and expectations for the trip.  Heck, I don’t reread my posts so I may have already blogged about this, I’m not so sure!  But now that everything but packing and house cleaning are done, I have a chance to really think about what my hopes are for this trip.  I can’t call it a “once in a lifetime” opportunity because I’m fortunate enough to say that this is my 2nd trip!!!  But the interfaith aspect of this trip sets it apart from my original trip.  Also, just “knowing” what Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem look like makes me feel very excited to get to go again.  I honestly thought 2 years ago when I went that it would be the only time I’d ever get to go.

On a personal level, I’m feeling most fortunate to be able to spend Shabbat (Sabbath) at The Wall again.  I’ll never be able to adequately explain that experience to me.  I can only say that I hope everyone I know gets to have something similar in their lives.  No matter how many people are at The Wall, you are alone. There is a quiet, there is a calm, there is a peace in being there.  Before you get to The Wall, you are taken by the Mall attached to it and the massive movement of people,etc.  I was taken by the separation of men and women even though I’ve known about it for years.  A feminist at the core, it bugs the heck out of me.  But the opportunity to stand and touch a space that transcends history  that I or anyone I personally have known ever lived through, was the most incredible feeling.  Because of the religious significance and the power of the prayers ongoing around you, it is completely separated from anything you could ever experience in a medieval castle, etc.  It’s sacred to many and amazing beyond words.  So the chance to get to go again for me is worth everything else in this trip.

However, this trip has so much more in store for me.  I get to travel with my son Michael, who is only traveling with us to GET to Israel; he intends for up to a year-long post-graduate experience.  I’m so happy both my sons have made life-changing trips to Israel and both were visibly moved by their experience there; and I’m thrilled Michael has chosen to undertake this brave endeavor.  I am certain that no matter how the next year goes, he will be forever changed and inspired by his experience.

I do believe you have to leave home to appreciate home.  And I don’t mean my house as “home”, but I mean home in the sense of whatever it is you’re used to.  Many people forget that Michael and Kenny both left home here when they went away to college.  Then when Michael graduated, he taught fora a year in the Cleveland schools for a year before going back to school for his Master’s Degree.  And even during that time he lived on his own the first year of his Masters, somehow managing on $850 a month stipend and tuition waiver he received as a graduate assistanceship. I felt so awkward when my brother asked him, at his graduation brunch, “so when are you going to go to work” as if he’s just been a student and a sort of “do nothing”.  I’m not saying his Uncle wasn’t proud of him as I know he was, but the question was, well, just sort of dismissive to the massive amount of work he’s done.  Even as his mom, I’m sure I gripe about wanting/needing him to do more, however I want to put down here for my own record that this guy has worked and worked fairly hard.  He worked all the while in college, both at CWRU and CSU, as well as summers, etc. at a multitude of endeavors and been fairly self-sufficient as he could.  And not much is different for Kenny.  He moved onto campus at CWRU and worked in a lab at the med school; he and his brother both worked at the dreaded Sonic and after Kenny transferred to Akron, he worked here in Brunswick and eventually at MTD testing lawn mowing equipment, etc. and stayed there while attending Dealer Academy. He did live at home when he went to Akron as his student funding was running out, etc. but other than that, he’s been on his own.  He started nearly 2 years ago at the Casino after obtaining his State license and his successful auditioning on the “games” he studied.   I hadn’t intend to document all of this, but obviously it’s been on my mind since the “work” question and while I feel the question was unfair and even if unintentionally so, a bit cruel.  I doubt my son even remembers the question…another blessing!  However, for my own good, I can stop rehashing it in my head and heart now that I’ve summarized my thoughts on teh matter!

Back to the trip!  I am also traveling with Rabbi Enid.  I consider her not only my Rabbi, and an incredible one at that; but I consider her my friend.  I would think she would say the same, I hope!  She is an amazing person who sought to fulfill her dream of becoming a Rabbi much later in life after her children were more grown than not, etc. And even during so, she completed it during her husband’s career change and health scares, etc.  She impresses me, and comforts me at differing times.  And I believe she and I are the only two Jewish people on the trip!

But mostly, the trip for me will be educational.  I am receiving 3 credit hours of Sacred Spaces Independent Study credits with my Religious Studies Department Chair and Advisor, Professor Haas.  He has taught Sacred Spaces in the Summer semester meny times and, due to work scheduling, I have been unable to take it.  And this semester he isn’t teaching it at all, so the fact that we could set up this Independent Study opportunity is another fortunate thing…or MIRACLE as I would like to look at it!

I look forward to seeing the interfaith sacred spaces we visit and learn about not only through my religious studies student lens, but through the experience of my fellow travel-mates, most from a Catholic University in New York City.  I don’t know any of them yet, but these intense short-turnaround tours bring everyone close together almost immediately.

I’m in a very different place then when I went last time.  Last time I was 3 months post-divorce and yet still managing to go on the trip of my dreams.  I’m a stronger “person” now than I was then I believe.  Well, maybe not; maybe I was quite strong then having finished the divorce and life change with as much dignity and self-respect as I could muster.  But in other ways, I’m much weaker now.  Two years older shouldn’t seem like so much.  But I feel more tired, less physically and emotionally strong.  But even more grateful than before.  I understand the power of gratitude probably even more so  BECAUSE of my last trip to Israel.  But I feel like I’ve aged 10 years in the last 2!  Some of it is just nearly 56 years old, and some of it is because even though I’m much happier taking care of myself and surrounding myself with those who I love and who I believe love me, I have a sense of a loss of stamina.  I just feel EXHAUSTED.

So, if I have any extraneous hope for anything during this, it is for a deep and personal renewal of spirit and source of energy and ability.  Just having this 2 weeks off work may contribute to that anyway!

So, all the laundry’s cleaned, the luggage is out and open and ready for me to do what I’ve been putting off while I write this…PACK!  I’ve had the toes done, the fingernails done, the hair done.  I got my driver’s license renewed (see photo below!) and I’m posting my trip itinerary in this posting as well!  But I think I probably can’t put off the packing much longer!

~Lila

P.S. I forgot to mention yet another miracle!  I went to the casino and won a Major Jackpot on a penny machine!  More money than I make in half a year of work.  A total miracle and blessing. 95% of it went directly to debt.  I kep most of the marital debt mostly because I didn’t want to lose my house, etc. and so much of the traveling I have been doing has been quite extravagant and so most of it has been clouded in feelings of guilt by me.  But feelings of guilt are the leftovers from my past life and I’ve struggled greatly trying to readjust my thinking.  Often times I’m quite successful, but I also suffer from self-doubt and self-dislike often too; bad habits are hard to break.  Anyway, I’m so grateful and choosing to view this as a chance to rid myself of some of that which makes me feel weighed down: debt.  So, fingers crossed, when I get back, I’ll see greater opportunities ahead to effect positive changes to the house and home to really make it mine!

Sunday, June 29 Arrive at JFK Airport between 11:00 pm-12:00 am
Monday, June 30 Depart New York City at 2:30 am (EST)
 Arrive in Tel Aviv at Ben Gurion International Airport at 7:55 pm.
 Nocturnal Outlook over Jaffa and Tel Aviv.
 Overnight: Metropolitan Hotel, Tel Aviv
Tuesday, July 1 Topic of the Day: “Backwards in Time, Deeper in Space”
 Breakfast overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
 Visit to the Diaspora Museum.
 Walking tour and Lunch on own in Tel Aviv
 Descend to the Negev.
 Discussion on “Abraham at Tel Sheva.”

Description: “Particularism vs. Universalism” – “Genesis 12” vs. Genesis
18:25.” Compare two visions of Abraham – the prophecy that propelled him
to the Land of Israel and the roots of a universal ethical monotheism.

 Sunset outlook over the Ramon Crater.
 Dinner at hotel.
 Overnight: Ramon Inn, Mitzpeh Ramon.
Wednesday, July 2 Topic of the Day: “A Still Small Voice”
 Early meditation exercise in the Central Negev Highlands. Exercise
on “Why was the Torah given in the desert”?
 Return to the hotel for Breakfast and check out.
 Visit to the grave of David Ben Gurion, with magnificent overview
of the Wilderness of Zin.
 Meet with Rabbi Sharon Shalom in Kiryat Gat.

Description: Rabbi Sharon Shalom walked from Ethiopia to Sudan in 1985
and came to Israel as a child during the clandestine immigration. Today he is the rabbi of a synagogue in the town of Kiryat Gat and a doctoral
candidate in Jewish philosophy.

 Free time for Lunch en route.
 Continue to Jerusalem, stopping first at the Benedictine monastery
in the Arab community of Abu Gosh.

Description: Meet with monks who chose to fulfill their life mission in the
Judean Hills.

 Overlook on Jerusalem from Mt. Scopus.
 Check-in and Dinner at hotel.
 Overnight: Prima Royale Hotel, Jerusalem.
Thursday, July 3 Topic of the Day: “Rome and Jerusalem”
 Begin the day with cool breezes and the panoramic outlook over
Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade.
 Discussion on the “Binding of Isaac,” in Jewish, Christian and
Muslim traditions.
 Visit the City of David to view the latest excavations and what
could be King David’s palace.
 Visit to the Temple Mount Excavations, Robinson’s Arch and the
Davidson Center.
 Free time for Lunch in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of
Jerusalem.
 Walk along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Description: Church of the Holy Sepulchre is the traditional site of the
burial and resurrection of Jesus.

 Group Dinner at hotel.
 Overnight: Prima Royale Hotel, Jerusalem.
Friday, July 4 Topic of the Day: “From Out of the Crucible”
 Meet with Rabbi David Rosen.

Description: Rabbi David Rosen played a key role in establishing diplomatic
relations between the State of Israel and the Vatican.

 Visit to Yad Vashem – including the historical museum, Avenue of
the Righteous, Children’s Memorial and Summary.
 Free time for Lunch.
 Afternoon in Jerusalem’s Machane Yehuda Vegetable Market and
free time to prepare for the Sabbath in Jerusalem.
 In evening, join the throngs of thousands welcoming the Sabbath at
the Western Wall, or participate in services in a local synagogue
(such as Shira Hadasha or Kol Haneshama).
 Festive Shabbat Dinner – either in hotel or with home hospitality
at Jerusalem homes.  Overnight: Prima Royale Hotel, Jerusalem
Saturday, July 5 Topic of the Day: “Sabbath in Jerusalem”
 Visit a variety of Jewish prayer services.

Description: Each Jewish prayer service will represent different ethnic and
liturgical traditions.

 Visit the Israel Museum, including the Shrine of the Book exhibit
on the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Second Temple Period Model (on
foot or by taxi).
 Festive Lunch at hotel.
 Late afternoon an optional trip to Bethlehem and the Church of the
Nativity.
 In evening, a nocturnal walk through the Old City of Jerusalem.
 Free time Dinner.
 Overnight: Prima Royale Hotel, Jerusalem.
Sunday, July 6

Topic of the Day: “Social Justice and Fixing the World”
 Holy Mass (TBA).
 Visit to Kibbutz Reishit.

Description: Kibbutz Reishit is the first of the pioneering movement of
“urban kibbutzim” focusing on social justice and breaking the cycle of
poverty.

 Visit to the St. Louis Catholic Hospice in Jerusalem.
 Free time for Lunch.
 Travel to the Galilee via the Jordan River Valley.

Description: Stopping at Qasr el-Yahud (in the Jordan River Valley), a site
traditionally associated with John the Baptist).

 Check into guest house.
 Dinner and summary session at the hotel.
 Overnight: Nof Ginnosar Kibbutz Guest House.
Monday, July 7 Topic of the Day: “Mystics and Mountains”
 Jesus in the Galilee – visit to Capernaum (Kfar Nahum) and the Mt.
of Beatitudes. Discussion on “Faith and Works” – the divergence of
Ancient Judaism and Christianity.
 Drive north through the Upper Galilee to the Golan Heights. Walk
through the springs of the Banias to Caesarea Phillipi.
 Visit to old Syrian bunker at Tel Facher for a briefing on the history
of the Golan Heights.
 Free time for lunch.

 Explore the mystical city of Zefat – trace the rise of Kabbalah in this
city to the Expulsion from Spain in 1492.
Description: Zefat is the center of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) since the
16th
century.

 Return to Ginnosar for program with kibbutz members.
 Dinner summary session at the hotel.
 Overnight: Nof Ginnosar Kibbutz Guest House.
Tuesday, July 8 Topic of the Day: “Galilee Mosaics”
 Morning at leisure for breakfast and to swim in the Sea of Galilee.
 Checkout at 11:00 am.
 Visit to the Chemin Neuf Community in Nazareth. Meditation in
the Church of the Annunciation.
 Free time for Lunch en route.
 Visit the ancient city of Zippori.

Description: Zippori is where the Oral Law was redacted into Mishna, and
site of some of the most beautiful mosaics in the Middle East.

 Summary session and Farewell Dinner in Caesarea by the
Mediterranean Sea.
Transfer to the Ben Gurion International Airport.
Wednesday July 9 Depart Tel Aviv at 12:30 am for an early morning arrival in Newark, NJ
(5:40 am).