Botanical Gardens - Israel Museum - February 24

This morning we head off to do our 'own' thing!  CAARI 2014 ends tomorrow 26 February, 2014 and some of us had last minute shopping, visited with friends and then there are some who already started packing.

 In the afternoon we began our tour at the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens with a delightful tour with one of the original designers of the Garden, Professor Michal Avishai.  Springtime was evident in the garden, the bright yellow daffodils were in bloom along with colorful anemones, pink cherry trees and the blue/purple mountain luppin were just coming into bloom.  We walked up and down the paths that lead us into the various continents’ species  from all over the earth as Prof. Michal described the type of vegetation and how it grows in Israel in the middle of Jerusalem! 

Next stop, the Israel Museum!  Neil took the group to the model of the Second Temple – outstanding!  Some visited their favorite exhibit, such as the one on 19^th Century Jewish Painters.  We concluded the day with our Farewell Dinner and the Modern Restaurant!  Excellent food and lovely place to have dinner! 

Jerusalem Day - Monday, February 24

Monday we spent in the center of modern Jerusalem.  Our first stop was "Yad Lakashish" an Shivtei Yisrael Street.  This is a non-profit organization designed to empower over 300 Jerusalem elderly providing them with sense of purpose and self-worth through creative opportunities and a sense of community.  For more than 5 decades this organization has provided creative and creative work for the elderly.  They take pride in what they are doing whether it be making greeting cards, jewelry, needlework or metal art. Their work is sold to the public at the gift shop.  CAARI had the opportunity to tour the workshops and meet the people and THEN shop!  See their website for more information:
www.lifeline.org.il

Zvi, our guide for the day, then took us across the street to the 'Museum of the 'Underground Prisoners' which was built as a Russian Woman Pilgrim Hostel in mid 19th Century.  During the Mandate Period, the British transformed the building into the Central prison.  Hundreds of Jewish underground fighters were imprisoned here.  It was a very moving visit as we learned about their lives and how they fought for the establishment of the State of Israel.

Off to lunch - walking through the streets of Jerusalem, City Hall to Mamila Mall!  Following lunch we walked to Jaffa Gate to the David Citadel Museum for a spectacular view of the City (several flights up!)and tour of the museum, which describes in various exhibits, the history of Jerusalem!
We concluded the day with a talk by Gadi who discussed Jerusalem after 1967 - giving us incite into today's issues and challenges.  That was our Jerusalem Day!

 

Herodian - Feb. 23

Spectacular!  Amazing!  And...what a view!  It is hard to describe one of Herod's greatest architecture  achievements! But, Neil always does a superb job!   CAARI climbed the mountain that Herod had built to house his Palace and his final resting place.   Then we made our way down for a tour of the Royal Palace area and into the tunnels that held the water cisterns.
Our next visit of the day was Gush Etzion to learn about the dramatic story of the massacre that took place in May 1948.  But, 19 years later, the area is back in Jewish hands and today this is a thriving community.