Thursday in Tel Aviv - January 21

Shalom,

Another busy day! We are getting into the routine of getting up early, eating breakfast, picking up the newspaper at the small store across the street and waiting for our taxis to take us to our community service - some of walk to a neighborhood school. The kids already know us and "love us"! The patients in the rehab eagerly await our arrival - we feed them breakfast! This afternoon we visited a place called the Jaffa Institute where we packed food boxes for the needy. We also visited one of their after school facilities. It is wonderful to see that work that people do for others who are less fortunate. Enjoy the pictures!

CAARI 2010

Our Jaffa Adventure - Jan. 20 by Joan Hulkower

Shalom,

Every day has been an adventure and it is only day 2 in Tel Aviv. We started our community service work this week. Everyone comes back at noon very enthusiastic about their students. I am back at the Rehab Hosptial. Many of last year's staff greeted me like an old friend. The patients are all new, but we quickly learn who wants coffee or tea. My day starts serving breakfast to about 35 people in the Rehab dining room. When we are finished with breakfast, I change the linen on the beds and do odd jobs till we leave, around noon.

Lunch on community service days has been a special treat! Tablecloths and a served meal rather than a buffet!

This afternoon, we went to the American Colony in Jaffa, where we saw the houses that were built in 1865 by American families, from Maine, who came here on a 3 masted ship filled with wood for building the homes, farm equipment and even a piano. Although 5 out of the 22 homes are left, we visited one of the homes which is now owned by a couple who has ties to one of the original families. The people who came in 1865 only stayed 2 years due to the harsh existence and returned to Maine, but their rich history remains. Last night we saw a documentary about the American Colony in Jaffa made by Yael Katzir and were fascinated to be walking on one of those streets.

What a CAARI experience Bernie and I are having. We have only been in Tel Aviv 2 days and we have toured sites Tel Aviv, visited the wonderful Palmach Museum and heard about the issues in Iran by Bar Ilan University's Professor, Mordechai Kedar. They are really keeping us busy - we need time to do our laundry!
Joan

Working in the JNF Forests - January 17

Dear Friends and Family,

For years and years - for celebrations and in memory of all loved ones - all of us have had trees planted in the JNF forests in Israel. Today, we had the opportunity to see some of the millions of trees that have been planted - what a view. We drove to an area called Sataf, which is one of the Jewish National Fund's forests. This 250 acre site is the site where ancient agriculture is practiced as it was thousands of years ago and CAARI was going to do some of that work. We met with the forester who gave us an overview of the beautifully terraced site, most of which are planted with olive trees. We put on our work gloves, grabbed a hoe, cutters and off to work we went. We trimmed the olive trees, preparing them for a better harvest. Some of us worked on repairing the stone terraces. What hard work - first we had to take down the old stones, separate them and then rebuild. It took some time, but with the guidance of our JNF forester, Jamil, we did it. Check out the pictures - we are really proud of what we accomplished.

Picnicking at the JNF's American Independence Park (AIP) under the sunny warm skies was a delight. We walked around the site, viewing the dedicatory walls and stopping by the special Bat - Bar Mitzvah Wall where Bar/Bat Mitzvah children can link their names with children who perished in the Holocaust. This was particularly memorable as one of our former CAARI participant's brother, who perished in Hungary, was twinned with a teenager from Pittsburgh. Our journey continued to the amazing Sorek Caves. Yes, we climbed up and down the 100+ steps to see the artful display of limestone formations known as stalagmites and stalactites, some of which are three hundred thousand years old. On to Tel Aviv, where we will be staying for the next four weeks.
Our best to all of you!

CAARI 2010

Friday, January 15 from Herzl to Herodian

Dear Family and Friends,
We can't believe that the week is almost over - where did it go! We have seen so much and been so busy - most of us don't know what the date is. It has all been wonderful - including the weather. This morning we left the hotel early - but of course, had plenty of time for the delicious Israeli breakfast! Our first stop was the Herzl Museum. All of us agree that this is a must for anyone who comes to Israel! We are all so grateful to Theodore Herzl and his vision. From the museum we walked to the site of his grave - very impressive and stately. While we were there several groups of soldiers were also there to learn about this great leader. A couple of them were practicing for a ceremony and playing Hatikva on their guitars. They asked if we wanted to hear them - "of course" we all shouted! Wow - now that was something special! Neil, our guide, took us through Mt. Herzl Cemetery - past the graves of Israel's leaders - like Rabin, Golda Meir - and then on to the military part of the cemetery. Oh...so many young people gave their lives for us. We thank them for their sacrifice.
On the bus again and a short drive to the outskirts of Jerusalem, near Bethlehem, to Herodian. That King Herod really built some beautiful palaces! He placed this palace on a man-made mountain. You can only wonder - how did they build this 2000 years ago? We walked up the mountain and came down through the tunnels leading to the water cisterns. Even back then, they had to manage their water supply!
To prepare us for Shabbat Weekend, we stopped at the marketplace - Machane Yehuda - for a quick lunch and to see how Israelis prepare for the Shabbat. You really feel the spirit here! Many of use are going to services this weekend at the various synagogues. We are looking forward to spending Shabbat in Jerusalem.

Wishing all of you a Shabbat Shalom - enjoy the weekend.
The CAARI 2010 Family

January 14 - Jerusalem Sites by Karen Barnett & Marilyn Oser

By Karen Barnett
A combination of rigorous exploring and intellectual stimulation greeted us today. At 8 AM we departed for the Damascus Gate (one of the Gates to the Walled Old City) in the Muslim Quarter. We walked on the paving stones from the time of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Neil (our guide) explained the history spanning 2000 years ago. We walked down, a daunting descent - but worth it, to Zedekiah's Cave. This cave is a quarry under the Old City. This huge rocks provided a source of building materials during the time of King Herod. Amazing that the temperature of the cave is about 68 degrees year-round. From there we walked the Ramparts along the Old City Walls - spectacular views! Lunch in what is called the German Colony - for us it was falafel on pita! The afternoon brought us to the home of Shai Agnon, the revered Nobel Prize Israeli author. His short stories and poetry are unparalleled in Hebrew literature. Reading aloud a discussing his short story "Foe or Friend" was an exercise which thrilled us all.

By Marilyn Oser
We took a walk through history today - from the quarries that supplied stone for King Herod's buildings 2000 years ago; to the ramparts of the Ottoman Wall surrounding the Old City, dating back 500 years;to Jordanian lookout posts to "the seam" line separating a divided city into East and West Jerusalem from 1948-1967).

Today's Journey by Amy Glaser, Marilyn Oser, Bernie Hulkower and Anice Stark

Dear Friends and Family,
Here are the thoughts about today's travels by a number of the CAARI participants.
Amy Glaser - Boston area

I (Amy Glaser) would call today - 'From Holocaust to Hope at Hadassah and JNF (Jewish National Fund).

Love to my family - enjoying your comments!

Marilyn Oser (Port Washington)
This was a day of remembering. In the morning, after a sumptious Israeli breakfast, our group visited the world headquarters of the Jewish National Fund. We viewed their "Golden Books", a collection of annual volumes going back to 1901 and the founding of JNF. Each is a tomb of enormous size and impressive verses, tooled in painted leathers covers. Each documents important donations made in honor of individuals, and documentation includes the honorees names, date and places of birth and often a photo. It was very moving to see these tributes. It was fun - as well to see a small exhibit of blue tzedaka boxes so familiar worldwide, dating from early in the century up to recent times - and one even made by Tiffany!
Next, or our itinerary was Hadassah Hospital where we visited the Chagall Windows, a reminder of the 12 tribes - the sons of Jacob. Chagall's evocative work makes for a beautiful place of visit and contemplation in the midst of the hive of activity that is in the hospital. The afternoon was dedicated to Yad Vashem, which means a memorial to the names. This is always a sobering experience, sober yet somehow uplifting, too, in its commitment to preserving the memory of all those who died and to telling their story with dignity and integrity.

For the entire day I was reminded again and again of the strength of our Jewish Community.

Bernie Hulkower- Port Washington
Our trip started in Jerusalem where winter has delivered harsh weather in past visits. Thankfully, these first two day have been pleasant with temperatures in the 60's with sun. Today, we went to Hadassah Hospital where we visited the Children's Pavillon (in addition to the Chagall Windows). It was an eye opener. Each room has a bed for a parent so that the child need never to alone. They also provide teachers so that the child held for a prolonged period need not fuall behind in school.
It was also made clear that the hospital is OPEN to people from all faiths. This is an impressive place!

Anice Stark - Toronto, Canada
It was another lovely day in Jerusalem - perfect weather for touring. Our visit to Jewish National Fund World Headquarters was very meaningful to Arnold and me. Each book, with covers beautifully designed by artists, is a history of the Jewish People going back to 1901. One of the books, that brings you to tears, is the one that has Bar Mitzvah aged children - many who perished in the Holocaust.
Our visit to Hadassah Hospital began with a video about the Hadassah's work and it's vision for the future. It is impressive to see their contributions in the medical field. And then to see for ourselves, the Mother and Child Unit - is truly amazing. After lunch, we headed to Yad Vashem. This year we divided the group so that those that have been there before visited several exhibitions which we have never seen before. The collection of art by painters who perished in Theisenstadt was amazing. We also visited the synagogue which has some artifacts from synagogues that had been destroyed. What made our visit special was the warm reception we received from Mr. Shaiya Ben Yehuda, Director of International Development, who spoke to our group. He made us feel very special and we appreciate the time he took to be with us.

CAARI 2010 Arrives in Israel by Roberta Jacobs - Boston

Dear Family and Friends
We arrived in Israel Sunday - had our welcome dinner at the hotel. This gave us all to chance to meet each other and play "Jewish Geography"! Yes - there are many connections. The group is terrific, congenial, knowledgeable and all of us have one thing in common - we are happy to be in Israel. We are HOME!

What a first day! First of all, the weather is beautiful - sunny with temperatures in high 60's. Doesn't that sound nice? The Program Director, Susan is delightful and organized. Neil, our guide, is thorough, flexible and a wealth of knowledge. We began the day with a view of Jerusalem from Mt. Olives, followed by a tour of the City of David - amazing what they have found - artifacts from 5000 years ago. We walked down steps viewing the various layers of civilizations and through the water tunnels from time of Abraham. We were all in awe with what we saw. But, the highlight for me was going to the Wall. It was dusk, the sun setting and a perfect way to end a day! But - our day didn't end there - in the evening Ido Aharoni, from the Foreign Ministry, spoke to the group about how Israel is viewed and what is being done to change this. Good discussion!

Enjoy, the pictures!
Shalom from Jerusalem,

Roberta