CAARI - A unique Israel travel experience: CAARI 2012

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

CAARI 2012 - Our last day!

What a last day we had! All through our trip the weather had not been the best, but our spirit never wavered - although it was 'tested’ on the last day. We began in somewhat sunny skies, but cool temperatures - even for Jerusalem. After breakfast we had a short walk to the North African Heritage Museum - a relatively new museum located off of King David Street. Our guide began our tour with a discussion about the North African Jewry their customs and traditions. There were lovely works of art, costumes, furniture, etc and we learned much about their lifestyle. We also the saw the beautiful antique Moroccan doors that Gloria Kaufman dedicated to the Musuem in memory of her wonderful husband, Arnie.
From there the group walked through the Mamila Mall to the Jaffa Gate and the Jewish Quarter for lunch followed by a tour of the Temple Institute. The sun was still shining, but very chilly! We made our way to the Hurva Synagogue for a tour. This synagogue was desecrated during the War of Independence and recently restored - just beautiful. While inside the synagogue we began to hear the sound of rain and by the time we got outside - it was really coming down. Umbrellas didn't work as the wind blew them inside out. I guess you get the picture as it was raining too hard for us to get one.
Made it back to the hotel to finish packing, change into dry clothes and departed for our Closing Dinner at the Israel Museum - some were flying back to the States in the evening. Our dinner was superb and all was forgotten about the weather. What we remembered was the wonderful CAARI year -the smiles and laughter of the children that we tutored, the simple 'toda' from the patients in the hospitals, the unforgettable tours and sites we visited from the north to the south, the speakers who enlightened us and most of all the camaraderie of our fellow CAARI friends.

Lihitraot - CAARI 2012

Join us in 2013 for the 30th CAARI Anniversary Celebration!
January 9 - February 28, 2013 with program options
Email : caarivolunteers@gmail.com