Eilat Experience with the Starks

Our time in Eilat by Anice and Arnold Stark – Toronto, Canada
As we come to the end of our time in Eilat we look back on the program with fond memories. Some of the places were new to us and some we seen before. About 5 years ago, we visited Kibbutz Lotan. They are very ecological minded and I believe one of the first kibbutzim to be ecological. Today we can see the results of their efforts and see that what they had planned is now happening. This is also due to the support of JNF-KKL. We can see that they recycle and use what is available and what nature provides. Once again we toured with Mike Nitzan and learned about the new developments to the Kibbutz.

They served us tea with boiled water from a solar stove with their own home grown herbs. It is truly inspiring to see the efforts of this group of people who not only care about the environment, but are doing something about it!
That same evening had our Red Sea Dinner Cruise on the ship, Oriania. It was a delightful evening – did I tell you that we have had great weather – summer like – in Eilat. The setting was magnificent, blue sky and calm waters – temperature in the high 70’s. As time went by it did get cooler, but we managed to keep warm was by dancing and singing on deck. We were also served a lovely dinner cooked and served by the crew. During the cruise we got see how close some of the countries are - imagine sailing in Israeli waters and looking at Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
During the week we have had several interesting hikes this year – some were easier than others and some challenged us. Our hikes take us through the wadis (dry river beds), we see the amazing rock formations, various types of rocks – reds, beige, black – all kinds of colors that are granite, sandstone and clay– such magnificent colors especially against the blue sky. We also saw all kinds of flora and fauna…amazing what grows in this dry climate!
We visited a the site of Avrona where early inhabitants were able to farm because of an underground spring. It is hard to believe that there is actually farming in this area and that they grew crops. Today it is just sand! We saw how they captured the water- how the wells and irrigation systems worked. These same principles that they used hundreds of years ago are still in use today!!
On Thursday, we visited the Mariculture Institute and learned what they are doing to help the fishery industry survive. This is also a JNF project. Actually, you can’t go anywhere in Israel without seeing the “footprint” of JNF!
We also learned interesting facts about fish…did you know that the grouper starts out as a females and becomes a male…and the sea bream fish is the opposite. Talk about the learning about the birds and the bees.
The professor was fascinating and while we couldn’t retain all the information we did learn a lot. A few of us even had a day or two to visit the amazing sites in Petra, Jordan! All had a great time and were in 'awe' with what they saw!

Sunday - on to the Dead Sea for some R&R and massages, floating in the salt pools and just “vegging” out. We will visit Masada…and perhaps hike Eid Gedi.

A visit to Grofit by Arnold and Anice Stark – Toronto, Canada
One of the most impressive sites we visited was the Red Mountain Therapeutic Riding Center – one of our favorite JNF projects! We visit each time CAARI is in Eilat – we’ve gotten to know the staff and even some of the riders.
Horse back riding is used as therapy for disabled and handicapped children. These children have limiting physical and mental disabilities such as autistism and cerebral palsy.
When we arrived, there was a bus load of handicapped children from a school in Eilat – which I had worked in several years ago on the CAARI program. To see these children with all their problems riding is quite a sight. The smiles on their faces and the delight in their eyes were something to see. They all just loved coming to the riding school. They loved sitting on the horses and being taller than the others.
Grofit had a special ceremony for Nettie Steinman, one of our long time CAARI participants. Nettie and Joni, her daughter, have been coming on the CAARI program for 5 + years – who’s counting! Joni is active in JNF and President in San Diego and a member of the JNF Sapphire Society. Joni’s gift to JNFmade was in honor of the Mother. To commemorate the event a kumquat tree was planted by Nettie. The Steinman family has been JNF donors in Canada and the USA for many years…as Nettie’s father was one of the founders of Amazia, a new Negev community back in the early 1950’s. And…so from generation to generation the link to Israel and JNF continues in this wonderful family. It was quite an emotional moment for all of us. And…as Nettie said “it was a gripping experience for me – one that I enjoyed sharing with my CAARI family.”

Eilat Experience by the Bercovs

Hello from Eilat by Ron and Marcia Bercov - Edmonton, Canada

We arrived in Eilat on Friday afternoon, greeted by sunshine and warm temperatures. Checking your atlas, you'll find Eilat at the southernmost tip of the country, on the Red Sea. Many tourists from Europe travel to enjoy a week in the warm weather here, along with others from exotic places who pass through on their way to Jerusalem. My name for Eilat is "Las Vegas by-the-Sea" for its large and beautiful luxury hotels and elegant shops. But there's much more to Eilat, much to see in the desert country which surrounds it, including many archeological sites. As the CAARI group does on a regular basis, some of us volunteered on Sunday morning to help out at Beit Refael, a centre which serves meals to people in need, some of them homeless. Zili Grossmann, who at one time owned a boutique in Eilat, has devoted the past 14 years establishing this haven and working hard to help the people who come there. She and her volunteer crew, an interesting group too, serve a hot lunch to about 100 people every day at noon except Saturday, the Sabbath. Before that, in the morning, they prepare and deliver 500 sandwiches to school children in the area. At 1:00 p.m. another group of people come to get food for their families for supper. This food arrives in a truck around 12:30 p.m. and comes from hotels in the area. The food is good and fresh, and if not for volunteers in this organization, would be thrown away instead of being used to feed the hungry. A word about the volunteers: one gentleman who does the driving to pick up and deliver food, comes from Amsterdam and spends part of the year in Eilat. The lady who helped serve the meal comes originally from Ireland, but lives in Eilat now. She volunteers at Beit Refael two days a week, and in a hospital for two days each week as well.
Moving on to other things, on Monday evening Noam Meshe came to speak to our group about the marine environment in the Eilat area. He explained that the ecosystems in the Red Sea are very fragile and have suffered damage in the past. As four countries share this area (Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia) they also share the responsibility. Happily, some organizations now exist to reverse the damage from years past, and to research how to maintain the best conditions to protect this area. For example, there are the Coral Reef Initiative and the Red Sea Marine Peace Park. Until recently the fishing industry used fish cages to raise fish for food, but the cages have all been removed to improve the condition of the sea.
One evening this week our group took a sunset cruise on the Red Sea. We sat on board the Oriana, a three masted schooner built in 1920 and refurbished in 1962, and watched the cities of Eilat and Aqaba drift by. A number of wind surfers were on the water as well, with their colorful sails. The crew served a most delicious dinner to everyone, followed by some dancing on the deck.
Another adventure last week, a hike in Timna Park, site of ancient copper mines. We saw some spectacular desert landscapes and felt a great sense of accomplishment after navigating through the rough, hilly, rocky areas. Some passages were so narrow and steep that we slid down, carefully, of course. Neil, our knowledgeable guide, explained about the desert landscape and showed us acacia trees and caper plants, and how they adapted to the lack of water. He also guided us on another short hike up a hill where we saw an ancient Egyptian inscription carved into the rock face.
On another morning we toured Evrona Farms, which looked nothing like a farm as we know it. This was in a desolate, dry, rocky area, with not a plant anywhere around. But, somehow, ancient peoples knew how to find the water deep underground and channel it to an area with mineral rich sand.They grew enough food to feed thousands of people, and provided food for the many travellers who passed that way. Their water system was based on gravity, and they even fashioned crude valves to control the flow. Neil showed us a square reservoir which held water, and, scratching through the gravel on the bottom, he held up a small shell of a snail which could only live in fresh water. The proof!
Another excursion took us to Kibbutz Lotan, started by a group of Reform Jews 25 years ago. The philosophy of this kibbutz concerns sustainable development and it houses the Center for Creative Ecology, where groups of students come to learn about the environment and work together. Other young people from Israel spend a year doing their National Service there, before going into the army. The kibbutz buildings are adobe with solar power, and there is a system to purify waste water for agriculture. Fences and even a children's playground were constructed using old tires, a creative use of material which would only be relegate to the landfill. Of course, they were covered in adobe and painted with bright colors. I've got the pictures to prove it! The kibbutz has cows and produces milk, and very good chocolate milk we're told, as well as dates.
As always, there's much more to say, but this will be all for the moment.
We leave for the Dead Sea on Sunday, with more adventures there.
Take care.
Best wishes and shalom,
Marcia and Ron

Hello again,

My last note left everyone stranded in the desert. In truth, that's not such a bad place, considering what people in Israel have built in this challenging environment. One example, Kibbutz Grofit, was founded in the late 1960s. Now it grows field crops, manufactures zip lock plastic bags as its light industry, and serves as a repair depot for trucks. But this remarkable place is also home to the Red Mountain Therapeutic Riding Center. As the only place of its kind in this part of the country, it serves some 200 children with varying disabilities and gives them so much more than a simple ride on a horse. The Center has psychologists and other specially trained staff who plan the children's therapy and aid them on their weekly rides. Results have been truly amazing, including an example of an aphasic child, that is without speech, who started making sounds and eventually developed some speech. Ellen Reisel, the supervising psychologist, said thatnobody really understands the process or why it works, but that there must be some kind of connection between the movement of the child on the horse and the result of sound and speech. Some riders have more body strength, but others need three helpers, one to guide the horse and one on each side for support. Sometimes volunteers fill some of these roles. Special saddles allow some children to ride in a reclining position. By the way, the horses are born and trained at Grofit, and the process takes eight years. During the course of our visit, Grofit honoured a member of our group, the amazing Nettie (also known as Computer Nettie), 92 years young, a fireball from Montreal. At the end of our visit, everyone gathered around to help plant a tree in her name, to recognize her support of Grofit. Many of us, including Nettie herself, shoveled some soil around the sapling till it stayed firmly upright and looked comfortable in its new home. And the variety? A kumquat! A few days later Nettie's daughter, Joni, who was accompanying her on part of the trip, found some real kumquats in the market, so Nettie knows firsthand what kind of fruit her tree will produce in a few years. (now we like to call her Kumquat Nettie)

Moving right along, not necessarily in order (!) our group also went for a hike in Red Canyon, driving there by following the road of the Haj, the way of Muslim pilgrims on their way to Mecca. This was another hike through rugged mountains and canyons created by water, though all was completely dry at this time. The inclines were so steep that there were metal bars pounded into the rock for climbing aids going up or down, rather like individual rungs of a ladder on alternate sides of the narrow passages. Toward the end of the hike, we were overtaken on the path by a class of school children on a weekend trip from an Arab Christian school outside of Haifa. I noticed a guard with a rifle who accompanied the group. Neil, our guide, explained that the Ministry of Education required two guards with two long barreled weapons along with a licensed medic and medical kit for all school groups on tours. The ruling came in 1997 after some girls were killed whileon a school trip. Senseless tragedy...After the hike, we continued driving along the Egyptian border making a stop at Border Stone 82, a short distance away from where an Egyptian guard sat in his watchtower. There are some 91 Border Stones, but only four of them are located at actual crossings. The school group also stopped there for their look at the stone and presumably a short history lesson. Then our two groups moved on...More to say, of course, (always more!) so the next installment will cover the final part of our CAARI adventure.
Shalom and best wishes,

Marcia and Ron

Canadian's Youth Meet CAARI

JNF Canada sponsored a tour for students from CHAT, Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto. They were visiting Israel for touring and work in Nitzana. They had a short visit with CAARI and photo - op. Of course, there were several Jewish connections as half of the CAARI group is from Canada. JNF's education shilacha, Avivi Reifler, was coordinating the tour.

Uzi Dayan spoke to CAARI about the outcome of the elections and outlook for a new government. He spoke about some of issues regarding education and Jewish heritage of Israelis, especially those living abroad. Uzi is one CAARI's favorite speaker and always look forward to meeting with him. His incite into Israel affairs is always pervocative and enlighting.

Israel Elections and Our Tour!

Elections, Dancing and visit to Israel Guide Dog Center by Marcia and Ron Bercov - Edmonton, Canada
Well, as everyone knows, Israel had its election on Tuesday, February 10. Schools were closed, as they were used as polling stations. Not qualified to vote officially, our group held its own "elections" and the winner was Tsippi Livni - she was also the winner in Israel. But, as this is being published on Feb. 21...Bibi Netanyahu is the one that has been asked to form the new government. Never say things are dull in Israel politics!
Election evening we enjoyed a rousing folk dance session, led by Sarah, an energetic and talented Israeli lady who also leads dancing on the Tayelet on Saturday mornings. She speaks just enough English to impart her enthusiasm about dancing and encourage everyone to join in. Her husband plays some lively music to accompany the dancing. Great way to stay fit and happy...
Which leads to the explanation of the subject line of this letter.
On Wednesday morning we set forth for Balfour School for the second last time. In the teacher's room I spied a familiar face and approached the lady in question. Yes, she was the one! The same lady mentioned in a previous note, the one who I recognized at the dancing on the Taylet from both this and last year. She works as a couselor at Balfour. She came originally from Philadelphia, and has been living in Israel for many years now. (and, by the way, she never met my Aunt Tillie from Philly, which shouldn't be too surprising...)
On Wednesday afternoon our CAARI Group went to visit the Israel Guide Dog Training Center. The establishment of this center made it possible for the first time for Hebrew speakers to use guide dogs! Until then, blind or partially sighted people had only canes or assistance of others to help them in their daily lives. Now the Center trains and supplies dogs to people in this country. We met Itzik and his Partner for Life, Jimmy, a mixed Lab and Golden Retriever. Itzik explained, with the aid of Noah Braun, Director of the Center who translated from Hebrew, how he started losing his sight at the age of seven, and then at age 17 was completely blind. Some years later, after Jimmy became part of his life, Itzik was able to do so much more for himself and his family, even take his children to pre-school. To demonstrate how a guide dog helps, Noah asked for a volunteer to put on a blindfold and be guided by one of the dogs. Our group watched as the guide dogs took the brave volunteer, Mark (from New York, where everyone is brave!) through the designated course, around obstacles along the path. Afterward we visited the kennels and learned how the dogs were selected and trained. A very inspiring story...
Stay well and keep warm.
Shalom and best wishes,
Marcia and Ron

Our Visit to Sderot and Community Service Celebration

By Marcia and Ron Bercov - Edmonton, Canada
Our group took a trip to a very special place. On Monday, 9 February we drove south from Tel Aviv - to Sderot, a community much in the news as the destination of too many Hamas rockets. Yes, we saw the rockets, labelled by date and location, and heard about the trauma to everyone as a result of the continual bombardment. Our host, Shalom HaLevi, said that his family arrived there in 1907 from Yemen, and he intended to stay! He explained about the sad changes in life in Sderot during the last eight years, and how the children can no longer play outside. During our drive to meet Mr. HaLevi we had seen bomb shelters on nearly every corner near bus stops, located so that people could run to them within the 15 second time between the alert and the rocket's impact.
And then, a creative solution to this sad situation - we drove to an amazing place under construction - a 19,000 square foot indoor playground! The project was started last spring, funded by the Jewish National Fund from the U.S. and with help from many people who expedited permits and found hard working contractors, and will be completed in March, a huge project done in six short months. There was a very strong smell of paint as our group toured, and we saw many workmen trying hard to complete their tasks. This amazing effort combines six separate play areas, (each with bomb shelters), providing amusement and entertainment for children of all ages, from babies and toddlers to teens, with movies, computers, indoor soccer, food court and an area which turns into a night club for teens in the evening. But, alas, there's no Merry Go Round, because stopping it takes more than the 15 seconds needed to run to the bomb shelter...what can you say.
Warm Regards from Ron and Marcia

Other Impressions of CAARI's day
We arrived in Sderot - all was quiet - not many people around and in fact to some of us it reminded us of a ghost town....no one waiting a the bus stops, few people going into stores, no schools kids outdoors playing....just quiet. Neil, our guide took us to an observation point - the one used by the press during the war, to view the area, including the close proximity of Gaza. Hats off to JNF and their donors for building the indoor playground. Shahar, the Director of Tourism, gave us a tour of the facility and explained what this will mean to the community. Next year, we will look forward to seeing children play in this wonderful new facility!

Our group decided that it was important to support the town of Sderot so we had lunch in several of the local shops - great falefal!!! The few residents that we met thanked us for being there and supporting them.

Back in Tel Tev - In the evening we celebrated Tu'bshvat with teachers, hospital staff and invited guests at our Appreciation Dinner. This gave us a chance to socialize with our community service hosts and thank them of providing us with the service part of the CAARI program. Not only did we have a sumptuous dinner, but Gidi and his keyboard provided us with great entertainment - we also saw some "fancy" dancing by Mark and Esther Francis!
Regards,
The CAARI Clan