Welcome to CAARI 2012

Janaury 15, 2012 begins the 29 consecutive year for the CAARI Program, affliated with the Jewish National Fund of Canada, Israel and the USA. We in Israel are very excited to meet the group who will be traveling to Eilat, followed by 4 weeks in Tel Aviv, 4 days in the Galilee and conclude the 7 week program in Jerusalem.
Stay tuned for our unique program and meet the class of CAARI 2012!
Follow along with us. We welcome your comments.

Warm Regards,
Susan Horwitz and Nahum Eisenstaff (Israel CAARI Administrators)

LeHit'triot CAARI 2011

Greetings,
Can you believe that this was the last day of the CAARI 2011? Where did the time go? Our tour continued this last day with some exciting and interesting places and some time for last minute shopping. The first stop was to the Menachem Begin Museum. For those of us that have been there before, it is still a fascinating place to visit. We were all impressed with Israel's museums - each has unique audio visual presentations. And..the Begin is no exception. On went the headsets and off we went with our guide through a maze of rooms, each describing Prime Minister Begin from childhood until his death. What could top this? Well, a visit to the newly renovated Israel Museum which just reopened last summer. Beautiful and well done! Neil gave a short tour of the Judaica and Archeology sections and then we were on our own to select are favorite exhibits.

So, ends CAARI 2011 - it was an amazing time - the participants (you were terrific) , the tours, the community service and the speakers, even the weather - all made this an exceptional program. And - let’s not forget the lasting friendships that were made.

We traveled from the Mt. Adir (on the northern border), to the Negev deserts and the Dead Sea. We climbed mountains, valleys, rode camels, trains and buses – oh - and taxis! We felt the spirit of the country and learned about the current issues as we heard from a variety of speakers from academics to government leaders, artists and ordinary citizens. We worked alongside Israelis helping in schools, hospitals and a food bank. We visited over 60 sites from throughout the country. What an memorable experience we had.

Neil and I want to thank YOU who made this program a success. We are sad to see you go, but so happy that you enjoyed your time on CAARI. We hope to see you next year in Israel!
Lehi'triot and safe travels,
Susan and Neil

From the Old City to the Botanical Gardens!

Greetings,
The Old City is full of civilizations and cultures – from Greek, Roman, Mamuluks, and so on! We captured a little of this as we walked the Four quarters. We learned about walls, relics, battles, the Jewish High Priests, the First and Second Temple Periods - and so much more! We walked the quarters, walked the rooftops and challenged Susan who was trying to keep us all together! A highlight of the tour (no, it wasn't the sherutim - bathroom - stops) was the newly renovated Hurva Synagogue - wow, most impressive. And, of course, we didn't miss the tour of the Western Wall Tunnels. Time for a little coffee - now which Quarter were we in? Do you think that street sign "HaKKari" was the first CAARI Period or from the First or Second Temple Period?

On Wednesday afternoon we had a delightful tour of the Botanical Gardens - spring, flowers and sunny skies- what could be better? Oh...maybe the little train that we road through the gardens - a welcome rest for our weary feet. Dr. Michael Avishi, the first director of the Botanical Gardens, gave a splendid tour of this special garden in the middle of Jerusalem.

In the evening, we enjoyed our Farewell Dinner at Luciana's in the German Colony. Dee, your song was so fitting as you included everyone in the lyrics! We have lots of talent in the group - and will publish the 'works' of Sid Golden, Gloria Kaufman and Marcia Bercov!

As they say...a good time was had by all! Some of our participants left that evening as CAARI 2011 starts to come to a close.

Warm Regards,

CAARI 2011

A Very Special Day - Feb. 21

Shalom,
Wish you could have been with us today - it was indeed very special. Our first stop was at Yad LaKashish, located near Jerusalem City Hall - an extraordinary place.

This is a non-profit organization that empowers and supports over 300 seniors and disabled Jerusalem residents on a daily basis by providing a creative work environment for them. We toured their workshops and watched as they diligently worked to make lovely gifts that they sell in the gift shop – yes, we did shop. They made cards, jewelry, tallit, embroidered tablecloths, challah covers, worked in wood, metal, paper mache and more. They spoke all languages and some of us spoke to them in Yiddish. Oy! Their website is http://lifeline.org.il/
Highly recommend a visit to this fanastic workshop.

Back on the bus to Mt. Herzl where Neil spoke about Theodore Herzl. We visited the graves of our fallen leaders - always a moving experience.

Our tour of Yad Vashem was indeed special. Most of us had been there before, but never had any of us had the experience that we had on this day. Our own CAARI 2011 participant, Nat Leipciger, a survivor of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp spoke to us. He began speaking to us at the site of the railroad car, on the grounds of Yad Vashem. He said that this was where it all began it began for him some 60 years ago - at a railroad car as the Nazis forced him and his family to board the train. From there we slowly and thoughtfully walked to the auditorium where for the next hour or so we sat and listened – silently. We were mesmerized as he shared his ‘story’ - we felt his pain and suffering as he told his story. Nate gave all of us a new meaning to the word ‘Holocaust’ and one we will never forget.
Later that evening we met with Chuck Kanafi, from the Foreign Ministry, who spoke on Israel and Turkey relations – all so relevant to what is going on in the news! What a Speakers Forum we have had these past 7 weeks!
Our CAARI 2011 days are coming to close – 3 more days. Wow – where did it go! We still have interesting places to visit.
CAARI 2011