Capturing CAARI's Spirit 2017 by Ellie Silver

 A Poem to CAARI

by Ellie Silver – 2017

Oh, how quickly a year has gone by,
I know it’s a cliché, but time really does fly.
I’m back at CAARI for year number four,
It’s like the bases were loaded and I hit a home run to score.

It was so nice to see some of the faces I knew,
Barbara, Paula, and Sheila, and of course Neil and Susan too.
And after settling into the City Hotel, which was unrecognizable,  I met the newcomers, a group that was sizable.

And so began a familiar routine, our first forest day <
when we went to work in Horshim.
Unlike Alice in Wonderland, we did not paint roses red,
But used brown and yellow to paint table and signs instead,
And clear brush and rake paths until the work was done,
Of course eat snacks and lunch and generally have a lot of fun.

Our days began early, for teaching at Hagalil,
We looked forward to the challenge with energy and zeal.
The  staff welcomed us back with open arms, to keep the kids interested we had to use all our charm.

Some ran to us eagerly and settled down,
Others thought it was a good time to fool around. 
But at the end of each day, though glad to be back
We felt satisfied that our efforts had been on track. 

It impossible to describe everything we do,
I was moved to tears at Aleh Negev and Sderot too.
Awestruck at the rugged grandeur of Mitzpe Ramon
A Makhtesh, not a crater I’ll tell them back home. 

And who knew that if you have faith and throw away all you pills,
There’s no end to the herbs in Israel that can cure all your ills?
But beyond all of this, with a rating of ten, and spectacular scenery I’ll probably not see again,
Was the Tzin Rive Hike, it surpassed expectations
When we got to the top, it like a celebration.

Every day brought a new surprise, Mayor Benny of Dimona sure opened our eyes
to the possibilities of revitalizing a town that was dying,
With his energy and smarts their fortunes are flying.

Then, on to Jerusalem, the jewel in the crown.
Ancient lime stone buildings and hills up and down.
We walked through the Biblical Zoo, ate at the Israel Museum and saw the art.
There’s so much to tell, it’s hard to know where to start.

We pushed our way through the market,
enjoyed it’s tastes and its smells,
Visited Yad Lakashish, the Begin Center, the Jewish Quarter, and tunnels as well.

And so, Susan and Neil, I must thank you again,
Your planning and efforts, have not been in vain.
Through wheezing and sneezing and coughs and colds,
You both led the way and we mostly did as we were told.
Now, we’re going home from CAARI, knowing Israel so well,

And in the future shall we meet again?
Well, only time will tell.