Our First Community Service Day and visit to Independence Hall - Tuesday, Jan 20

Ellen and Rosalie with Principal and Staff at Tel Nordau School

Report by Rosalie Whitehill - Today was our first day of community service.....and I was assigned to the school within walking distance......five short blocks away....instead of the mile + trek I had to the other school (not part of the program this year).....Met with the principal and English teacher (of upper grades) and I was delighted that they were so warm and friendly.

CAARI Group on Rothschild Street near Independence Hall 

This afternoon, we visited Independence Hall (Mayor Meir Dizengoff's old residence) where Ben Gurion declared the existence of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948......saw a fine film about the dreams to have a Jewish state, and the beginnings of Tel Aviv....then went into the room in which the Declaration was made and signed and heard a recording of Ben Gurion's speech, followed by Hatikvah......something that always leaves a lump in my throat. 

So I continue to bask in the warmth of Tel Aviv and this program......and hope you all stay well and warm!!

with love,

rosalie

Statue of Meir Dizengoff

Famous stage area in Independence Hall 

CAARI inside Independence Hall where State of Israel declared

Monday, January 19 - Train the Tutor & visit to Independence Hall

 CAARI Orientation  Program - Last night we selected our community service assignments - some of us are tutoring English in elementary schools, some working in the Ichilov Rehab Center and others in the Botanical Gardens  at Tel Aviv University.  As part of the program, past participants present 'tutoring ideas' for those that will be going to schools.  Excellent presentation by Rosalie! Great ideas and suggestions by all.  

Train the Tutor with Rosalie, Barbara, Ellen and Rhoda

Major (ret) Tiran Attia 

Today was a free afternoon to get ourselves acclimated to Tel Aviv - those of us who came from Eilat had some laundry to do.  

Rosalie Reports;"..... last nite's speaker, Major Tiran Attia, spoke on the different Islamic radical groups - where they are headquartered, and who leads the different groups, as well as their strengths and weaknesses and much more that I did not know before......much too much to write here, but I did take copious notes and will share them with anyone interested when I return
He was wonderful - surpassing,  my expectations.......and so I was very happy about that.  Things seem like they can't get much better, but they usually do when I am in Israel."

Regards, CAARI 2015

 .

Tiran, Barbara,, Mark & Marianne

Group Arrived in Tel Aviv - Welcome by Rosalie Whitehill

Rosalie welcome Ellen Charm - new CAARI participant this year

WELCOME TO TEL AVIV AND THE CITY HOTEL - The group from Eilat arrived in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening and greeted with a warm welcome by Rosalie Whitehill, CAARI participant for 10 years!  Rosalie arrived in Israel a few days earlier, from Boston, She is one of the participants that will be taking part in the 4 week community service program.    Rosalie reports - "Yes, weather is in upper 60's and sunny.... just had my first slice of Israeli pizza....yum

Rosalie and Esther Rose 

The CAARI schedule for most of the week has been posted......"meet and greet" after dinner tonight......orientation and my presentation called "train the tutor" are tomorrow a.m.

Tomorrow night's speaker is an IDF (Israeli defense force....the army) major and the topic is "Different Islamic Groups" so I am really looking forward to that.

 And so, again I wish you all well, along with warmth...inside and out.

Meeting Barbara and Anice waiting for her hug from Rosalie 

Yes, weather is in upper 60's and sunny....right now it is about 2 p.m. and I have returned from getting my Israeli hair cut and a manicure, and picking up a few things I did not bring.(with the weather below freezing, I did not venture out to any stores the week before I came.....could not risk a slip on ice).  Also just had my first slice of Israeli pizza....yum!

The CAARI schedule for most of the week has been posted......"meet and greet" after dinner tonight......orientation and my presentation called "train the tutor" are tomorrow a.m.

Rosalie welcome Mark Weiss

Tomorrow night's speaker is an IDF (Israeli defense force....the army) major and the topic is "Different Islamic Groups" so I am really looking forward to that.

And so, again I wish you all well, along with warmth...inside and out.

Lots of love,

Rosalie