Traveling to Mtizpe Ramon - Feb. 16 by CAARI 1st Negev Touring Day

We said our goodbyes to Tel Aviv and the marvelous staff at the Prima City Hotel and began our journey through the Negev to our evening destination - Mitzpe Ramon. This was truly the first day that it was windy, cloudy with cooler temperatures.  But, all of us were prepared with many layers!   It was a day of meeting people who work and live in the Negev and seeing sites to understand the importance of this area.

Our first stop was the JNF Forest Station at Plugot Junction where we met with the foresters Boris and David Shriki who demonstrated fir fighting techniques on one of the new fire trucks - which happened to be donated from Toronto!  Impressive vehicle and nice to meet the dedicated foresters!

Back on the bus to our next stop - a view of Gaza Strip and explanation from the Nebi Meri Lookout Over Gaza City - a JNF overlook dedicated to a Druse Officer who fell in 1996.
Oh - and we stopped by Nir AM  - a JNF reservoir!
Our next stop was the Bedouin Village of Lakia one of the recognized towns on Bedowin in the Negev where we met a most impressive person, Naama who has organized a workshop and organization for th advancement for Bedouin women.  She discussed how she got started and what she is doing to change the educational status of women in both the recognized and unrecognized villages. - from a mobile library, weaving workshops, young leadership groups and a store to sell the beautiful merchandise.  Truly an impressive person!

Lunch time in Beersheva followed by a tour of the JNF Nahal Beersheva Park a five mile JNf project.  For some of us who visit the area yearly, we were so impressed with what we saw and the development of the area.  Shahar Hermalin, JNF (USA) Tourism Director, gave us a guided tour and took us to the new amphitheater - with a press of his phone we were in the area and on stage!  What a site!  Beersheva certainly looks a lot different than it did a few years ago.   From there we went to the new Beer Sheva Visitors Center for a movie and tour of Abraham's Well. On to the Canada JNF' Plotnick's project along the river and over the Pipe's Bridge - back on the bus and off to Mitzpe Ramon for dinner and overnight! BRRRR - quite cold in the desert in the evening!
Love to all,
CAARI

Shabbat in Tel Aviv at Beit Daniel by Joyce Zwieg

Hi Everyone:
Last night after a great Shabbat dinner-----besides all the regular goodies like chicken soup with noodles, gefilte fish, chopped liver, chalah, wine, all the regular salads, we also had poached salmon, sushi, stuffed peppers, stuffed chicken breasts--now you know why I come home schlepping extra pounds----anyway, after that feast we went to our regular Friday night Oneg Shabbat.
We talked about good things that we experiences since our arrival in Israel and Marion and I talked out last week's Shabbat service at Beit Daniel where we were called for an Aliyah and witnessed all the lovely Phillipino women who were up on the bimah celebrating their conversion.  (See last Shaabbat's email)
We spoke so enthusiastically about the experience that five women wanted to come this morning.    So off we went in 2 cabs (we walk home but too much of a rush to walk there) and this week we were treated to a BarMitzvah. The extended family is large as seen by the happy cousins and aunts and uncles who went up for Aliyahs as well as the parents, grandparents and sister and brother.  It was so beautiful to watch.  And this week there was a lovely young man playing the guitar and the music made the service even more special.
Of course we din't understand one word of the service but being Reform, I was able to follow the Siddur  and the rabbi and cantor told us the pages quite often.  But when I really missed not knowing Hebrew was when  the Bar Mitzvah made a speech as well as his sister and brother and parents.  They spoke so well (Larry and Cheryl--where are you when I need you).  And the mother and the guitarist and the Bar Mitzvah sang a beautiful song on their own.  It was such a wonderful morning and when we spoke to the family afterwards and mazel toved them, they thanked us for coming.  

I spoke to the guitarist.  He is from the Beit Daniel congregation in Jaffa.  His English is perfect.  He was born in America, came here at six and said they spoke English at home so as not to lose the language.
What a wonderful morning----and now we have to pack because we leave Tel Aviv tomorrow at 8.  Up ward and onward, or in this case, downward and onward as we are traveling south to Mitzpe Ramon.

Love to all,
Mom/ Joyce   

Pictures to follow. 

Friday in Tel Aviv by Anice Stark

Well, it is our last Friday in my favorite city in Israel - Tel Aviv.  I went to two of my favorite places - the Carmel Market or shuk, as it is known, and its neighbor on the next street over - the craft market.  
The shuk is divided into two sections.  The beginning is clothing, toys, supplies of all kinds including religious articles and souvenirs.  The second section is filled with fruits, vegetables, breads, cakes, prepared foods, olives, candies and nuts, etc.
The sites and sounds are wonderful, the people come with shopping carts, bicycles, strollers with babies, elderly people comes with canes and walkers, even the odd wheelchair - all shopping for Shabbat.  Even sounds of the vendors calling out their goods, prices and people buying, waiting their turn to pay - not always typical of Israel!  
One very special sight is people buying flowers for Shabbat and this is one thing I try to do when I am back in Canada.  Perhaps it reminds me of Shabbat in Tel Aviv, especially when it is cold and snow is on the ground.
The craft market brings out a variety of crafts people from jewelery to wooden objects, ceramics, toys, fancy soaps - it runs the gamut. Also, on Friday various musicians perform on the street.  Today, the most unusual was a young lady playing to two reed instruments thru her nostrils, making music.  One never knows what one will see on Fridays in Tel Aviv.
Shabbat Shalom,
Anice 

Community Service at Ichilov Rehab Center by Anice Stark

Anice and Marion

Wednesday, February 12, was our last day at the hospital.  We started one week later than usual, as the hospital was undergoing a medical assessment.  When we arrived on our first day we were giving a royal welcome.  Since it was only my second time helping at the hospital, I was surprised by how many of the staff recognized me and welcomed us.
The residents, who are there for rehab, weren't sure at the beginning what we were doing there, but welcomed us as we were helping them, even though we didn't always speak the language.  But some Yiddish, some English and sign language helps. And, we learn the Hebrew words for breakfast items.  Each day, we served them breakfast.  Among the other jobs we do is put away the laundry,  some paper work, as long as Hebrew is not needed. What ever we do is so much appreciated.  The 3 weeks we were there felt like a short period of time but we felt we contributed something.  The closing comments from the Chief Doctor and nurses and anyone we came in contact with, - say..."please come back again next year!"  And, so our friendships have been formed!
All being well, I hope to return to this rewarding experience.
Anice