From Anice Stark - Toronto - CAARI 2014 Arrives in Israel

January 10 - Despite the very cold weather conditions and flight delays in North America, CAARI participants arrived at Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday, January 9, for the beginning of the CAARI 7 week program.  Our journey took us to Nahariya for our 6 day tour of the Galilee and Golan!  We were pleased to see the sun and much warmer temperatures than back home!!  And...for many of us it was wonderful to see good friends, from past years, and so many new faces.  This year we have participants from Toronto, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, New England area and Chicago. 
We are staying in a lovely hotel in Nahariya about 3 blocks from the sea where we have stayed in the past. . 
On Friday, we visited Akko  - touring the Citadel.  Bev described the Crusader Fortress as "AMAZING" and it really is.  I have been here several times, but each time Neil, our guide, gives us a different perspective. They are always uncovering and renewing the site.  For those not familiar visited this site, it goes 5000 years as an ancient port city and continued to flourish through the Crusader Period.  And, in the days prior to the State, it was the location of a British Mandate Prison. 
We got back to Nahariya for a light lunch and a few of us enjoyed a walk to the sea before Shabbat. 
In the evening we welcomed Shabbat with our traditional Shabbat Dinner and Oneg.  We enjoyed seeing the Israeli families welcoming Shabbat in their own unique way! 
Saturday is a day rest before we begin our tour for the coming week. 
To the Hulkowers, Bercovs and Nefskys - we miss you and I hope your ears are ringing as we are thinking of you! 
Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom. 
Love,
Anice