Anice and Arnold Stark - Jaffa Tour

Each year on the CAARI program we do a tour of Jaffa, the clock tower, the square, the underground museum, and the old streets. This year - it was different! We went to the old American Colony (originally inhabited by Christians from Maine) where we saw one of the houses renovated from the 1800's with some of the original wood on the back and sides of the building. Aside from the slightly different shade, it was difficult to tell. Imagine - they brought this wood from Maine! We also visited a grand house which is now a hostel. It belonged to the Peter Ustinov's (the actor) Grandfather. There we met Pedro an architect who is in charge of the renovations and rebuilding of the area. He showed us original glass slides from the late 1800's to the early 1900's. The slides were shown on a projector from that era of life in Palestine, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem - what great views! He found this treasure of slides while cleaning out one of the old buildings. We ended our visit with a tour of the old Jaffa port which is also being renewed. They had just uncovered the orginal steps to the port built by the Turks. We couldn't help thinking of the people who walked these steps as they landed on the shores of Palestine. The renewel in the area is unbelievable. It will be a great place to visit next year.

'My Adventures' by Susan Stock
This morning we walked to school for our classes with students. We work with a few students during each class period, mostly conversation so that they get to practice speaking in English.
Lunch back at the hotel. This afternoon, our regular guide in CAARI, Neil Eisenstadt, joined the group. He is just back from serving in the IDF and was in Gaza. Needless to say, we were all happy to see him!
Our visit to the home of Hannah Senesh filed us with admiration for this your poet who lost her life during the World War II. It is a story of heroism and strength. I won’t go into it now, but you must read about her. Following our lecture and movie at her Kibbutz, Sdot Yam, near we had a sumptuous dinner while we watched the sun set over the sea in Caesarea.
We saw waves crashing against the shore, sending cascades of white water on to the beach. At the same time, we helped ourselves from dishes of delectable delights, including cauliflower, taboulie, and eggplant. The second course was sensational – Greek salad, green salad and foccacia filled our plates. Then came the main course, plenty of pasta, sweet potato ravioli – proclaimed to be the best dish of all. Then dessert – various cheesecakes and a chocolate tower cake with ice cream – of course, coffee and tea. Hungry??? We weren’t after all this! It is nice to get meal outside the hotel.
On the bus back to Tel Aviv, we listened to Neil, our guide; share with us a few of his recent military experiences.

Warm Regards to all,

Susan Stock

January 15- 17

“My Travels” by Rosalie Whitehill
Dear All,
Well, Thursday here was another great day - sensational weather - warm, sunny and a fine walk to and from school for me. In the afternoon we visited the Yemenite Heritage Experience Museum in Rosh Ha’yin, near Tel Aviv. It was the place where the Yemenite Jews were first taken when they arrived as part of the ‘Magic Carpet Operation’ in 1948-1950. It was an immigration center, and the Yemenites were then supposed to leave and become part of the Israeli population throughout the country. However, some of you may remember as I do, that the Yemenites had a difficult times - many Ashkenazi Jews discriminated against them, and so did the Arabs. Many returned to Rosh Ha’yin which became pretty much a Yemenite community.

We had another marvelous guide through the history of the community in a building that was built by the British and later became a school. We learned about their customs and traditions. Some of us were dressed in typical Yemenite wedding garb for some good photo ops. I keep having new, fascinating, and wonderful experiences here.
Friday afaternoon, I met one of my former students at the Pizza place. I also saw several kids - one little girl with her father who knew of Long Island. - he had been to Syosset!!! My young ‘boyfriend’ from last year came and was all smiles and hugs. He showed me where on the sidewalk they were selling puppies.....and the little park where there was a small band playing Beatle music, and then walked with me almost as far as back to my hotel. His English is a bit better than last year. I gave him my cell phone number, and later last nite, his mom called and invited me over for Saturday night.
Friday night, I went to services, had Shabbat dinner with the group, attended the Oneg for a while and then left for a Chava Silberstein concert at 10 p.m. at the Tel Aviv Museum theater. That was a real treat - she is a performer who seems to hold the audience in the palm of her hands. She sang one song in English, 3 in Yiddish and the rest in Hebrew.
Saturday, I folk danced on the Tayelet.....the weather was overcast, walked with another friend to the Rubin Museum - .Rubin, the Tel Aviv artist's home.
Guess you can tell, I am having a wonderful and exciting time!!!
Love to all,
Rosalie