July 2nd – posting late, catching up with sleep!

July 3, 2014

I did not get to post yesterday (for this day’s touring!); I became extremely exhausted. I will add much to this post but thought I’d at least begin it prior to my shower and readying for a careful day in Jerusalem. There is much sadness and unrest and our guide Amos is aware and protective and we are so fortunate to have him. But in my own exhaustion I found myself overcome by sadness especially with new rumors involving another child; it doesn’t matter to me what “side”, the loss of children is just WRONG.

We had a lovely day in spite of it all, including the chance to stand and gaze where David slew Goliath! As I said, I will catch up on this wonderful day soon. ~Lila

Israel Time: 11:30am on Friday, July 4, 2014. Oh, just typing this reminds me it’s USA’s Birthday! Happy Birthday home! I’m finally taking the time out to write about our Wednesday (and hopefully Thursday) touring. I stayed in my hotel this Friday morning as I have prior been to Yad Vashem and I needed the rest and sleep and relaxation from two wonderful days in the hot Israel sun!

This Wednesday started with an early morning meditation held at the top of the Ramon Crater we had visited at sundown. Since wake up call for that was 6:45, I opted out! I hate to miss anything, but I have been having a bit of difficulty adjusting to the time and have not been falling asleep until 3 or 4am and knew that would not be a good thing for me to get up that early to head out there. I was sorry to miss and hope will catch up with some of my travel-mates as to the exercise on “Why was the Tora given in the desert?”. But, on the other hand, I felt much better on waking up a bit later and meeting everyone for breakfast before checkout of our 2nd hotel in 2 days! I look forward to our 4 nights in Jerusalem where I don’t have to live out of my suitcase as much (a luxury we enjoy on our annual family/friend cruises!). Breakfast with this marvelous group of academics is something I look forward to. And we each another healthy/hearty breakfast and off we go to our van/bus.

Our first stop is to the Tomb/Grave of David Ben Gurion with magnificent overview of the Wilderness of Zin. I as not sure what to expect of this visit, but was pleasantly surprised at the expansive vies and the wilderness park that was home to the grave of David Ben Gurion and his wife. It is a National Park and here is a bit of information (very short) to read more on it: http://old.parks.org.il/BuildaGate5/general2/data_card.php?Cat=~25~~417599402~Card12~&ru=&SiteName=parks&Clt=&Bur=5470787

He was Israel’s first Prime Minister, but so much more in his vision and purpose to the creation of Israel. And the views, WOW! I doubt my photos can adequately capture the vast and gorgeous views. The park itself has wildlife roaming free and is a calm and peaceful place. Our guide, Amos, spoke with emotion about his son’s Bar Mitzvah Torah portion which addressed the Wilderness of Zin and so they actually took the entire family to this beautiful, breathtaking area for his Torah Service and then back to the Kibbutz for the afterward celebration! I felt his paternal pride in this. It was moving and will be a lasting memory for me. In regards to my SACRED SPACES course for which this trip encompasses, I am certain I will be able to relate a specialness of this Sacred Space as it relates to Amos and his family.

When we left this lovely and peaceful place, we headed to Kiryat Gat to meet with Rabbi Sharon Shalom. (his first name at birth was Zada) Rabbi Shalom walked (at about age 7-1/2) with family/friends from Ethiopa to Sudan in 1985 and came to Israel. Today he is the rabbi of an Ashkenazi synagogue in Kiryat Gat and has earned a PhD in Jewish Philosophy, as well as written a book which is an dill be published in many languages. His synagogue is called the Martyrs of Israel Synagogue founded by Holocaust Survivors. It is an oddity at best that an Ashkenazi synagogue would have a black/Ethiopian Rabbi (there are 2 other Ethiopian Jewish Synagogues in Kiryat Gat), but he has fit in nicely and is quite revered. He speaks several languages and although the English was a bit broken, his passion came through clearly. He talked of the difference between a House and a HOME and that you can live in many different houses, but HOME can remain the same. It was a lovely sentiment and also showed how different Jews celebrate the same holidays and events, with their own personal traditions. Traditions make the difference in House and Home! He began with a quote from Nachman of Breslov regarding man’s Burning Desire. Here’s a little bit on Nachman of Breslov:

The Breslov movement was founded by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. Rebbe Nachman was born in 1772 and passed away in 1810. He was a great grandson of the Chassidic master Yisroel Ba’al Shem Tov. Like his predecessors he was raised in a very spiritual atmosphere where the sole focus was serving Hashem. From his very first breath Rebbe Nachman dedicated his life to reaching high spiritual levels. His greatness was apparent even at a very young age. As time would soon testify he would soon create a fiery movement of spiritual revival, breathing new life into Chassidus, and reigniting the hearts of countless souls to draw close to their father in heaven.

Rebbe Nachman’s endless service and countless acts of devotion allowed him to reach extremely lofty levels. He was imbued with deep esoteric comprehensions of the Torah and rare insights. He had the ability to relate to his spiritual contemporaries and to inspire the simple masses. Rebbe Nachman’s stirring teachings soon began affecting many sincere and searching Jews and a following was formed. The last 8 years of Rebbe Nachman’s life was spent in Breslov, Ukraine. Hence his movement was coined Breslov, and his chassidim Breslovers.

Rebbe Nachman taught his followers to pursue the same path their forefathers had taken since the very dawn of time. It was a path consisting of steadfast but simple devotion and raw faith. A glowing path of endless hope, vigor and joy, He taught that even the simplest people can be very righteous and can perform great acts of devotion

We left there and made a quick stop for a small bite to eat at what was more like a desert rest stop and fuel station than anything else. But, as with everything on this trip, it was just enough, and just perfect!

Our itinerary is now more fluid than not due to the straining issues surrounding the murdered teens in Israel and the resulting reactions and rumors that fly with that. I’m assuming that is why we did not go to the Benedictine Monastery in the Arab community of Abu Gosh. We missed out on our opportunity to meet with the monks who chose to fulfill their life mission int he Judean Hills. Our fabulous guide Amos has his finger on the pulse of current events and our safety is of his utmost concern so we do not questions any changes in itinerary.

Amos also has assessed our group, 9 with ties to Mount St. Vincent College and 2 Jews (Rabbi Enid and me!) and takes us to the Valley of Elah, where David is said to slew Goliath. This was an exciting and unplanned treat! Photos from our viewpoint look simply as though they are just yet additional Israeli desert pics I’ve taken elsewhere. To that end, they look unremarkable. But Amos read biblical references to this and was able to point out actual sites that correlate to Biblical description. This isn’t always so when we are walking these biblical sites. But here, there is some factual confirmation and even some archeological “proof”! I found this article about this: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1081850/Proof-David-slew-Goliath-Israeli-archaeologists-unearth-oldest-Hebrew-text.html

And here is a ling to some tourist information about this site: http://www.goisrael.com/Tourism_Eng/Tourist%20Information/Discover%20Israel/Geographic%20Regions/Pages/Valley%20of%20Elah.aspx

Another adjustment Amos made for us in light of the current situation is take us a day early to the Haas Promenade for a most beautiful scenic overlook of Jerusalem. I did get a nice picture or two from there and hope they are enjoyed (showing the Temple Mount, Dome of the Mosque, etc.). We said Shehecheyanu with Grape Juice together. If you don’t know this prayer, it is a basic STOP in your activity to toast together and thank God for allowing us to be together in this place…whatever the place, event or happening might be. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shehecheyanu It was very poignant for me as it was within hours of Amos having to tell us about the death of a young Palestinian boy. His announcement brought me immediately to quiet tears in our van. My “MOM” instincts kicked in and all I could think of was this boy’s Mom…no matter what else may or may not be involved or true regarding this whole incident. We now have 4 young boys…and they’re gone. And nothing that happened afterward will change that. All around us were groups of 4 or 5 police traveling together, but looking relaxed….just “being there”.

Amos schooled us in more facts and placements of buildings and land territories and who owned what when. I cannot recall most of it off-hand. I did not know, however, that Jordan controlled most of Jerusalem (maybe all!) before the late 1960’s. I know so little, and I realize that every day.

We came to our hotel in Jerusalem, had about 20 minutes in our room before we met for dinner! Dinner was fantastic as all of us were together, including Amos. And Amos excused himself earlier than the rest as he wanted to listen to the news reports and ascertain the climate of things. The entire group remained and stayed together and went around the table and introduced each other more formally and we had an excellent opportunity to meet and understand what or how each of us came to be on this trip. I think it was better that we didn’t do this until a few days together as I think we were so comfortable with each other at this time that we just opened up and really shared WHY and/or HOW we came to be here. It is a group of mostly Academic brilliance. I am so fortunate and honored to be able to travel with them. And they have all been so caring to me. It was lovely.

Some of the group went on to a walk to the German colony. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Colony,_Jerusalem . On the way there is a Liberty Bell replica given to Israel by Philadelphia! I was fortunate enough to go there twice last time I was in Israel and had dinner with son Kenny’s girlfriend Emily’s parents at a restaurant there. That was such an exciting opportunity to meet up with them in Jerusalem, I still cherish that we were able to arrange that! I went back to my room. It was already 9pm or after and I looked forward to officially unpacking my suitcases and hopefully heading to bed! Which, by the fact that I’m writing this blog 2 days later, I did!!!!

4335 steps

Valley of Elah, where David Slew Goliath

Ben Gurion National Park

Ibex

IBEX! So Cool!

David Ben Gurion’s grave

It was so sunny, I could not see the glass of my iPhone and so had a few unintentional selfie photos. I wanted to delete them…but kept them in anyhow! Ben Gurion National Park