Feb 3 - Horshim Forest Work

Excerpts from Rosalie

Shalom again...

"First of all, the weather.....which has been in the upper 60's..... today and tomorrow in the 70's....and sunny....Secondly, our activities are so varied and great, I look forward to each day with great anticipation.....and I have not been disappointed. Many of us are from the Boston area and stayed up to watch the game - congrats New England Pats! 

 Tuesday, Feb 3, - after breakfast, we went to the Horashim Forest to help with their spring cleanup....collecting litter and putting fresh coats of paint on stuff in their picinc area....I chose to be a painter.....and I have done that before...and have the paint stains on my sweatshirt to prove it." Rosaile

This forest is very special to our guide, Neil.  

The forest is in memory of Neil's Platoon Commander, Hezi Sapir, who was killed by a suicide bomber in Gaza along with two other officers of his reserve batallion  20 years ago on 11.11.94.  Each year, we are honored to help Yaska, Hezi's father and his sister, Miri, who take pride in this forest.  The forest has a playground, many walking paths with impressive cyclamen and anemenies in bloom, antiquities and a beautiful overlook east.  The park was even being used the day we arrived, lots of picnic benches, walking paths through lovely spring foliage, ancient olive presses, and a view of the valley. Yashka divided us in teams and each team had a different project - making a water channel for the water fountain, clearing the weeds along the road, painting and of course there is always litter to pick up!  Yashkeh and his late wife were both Holocaust survivors from a small town in the Ukraine called Lutsk. Yashkeh in his day was a platoon commander in the Palmach and is even mentioned in Avraham Eden's book, "To The Ink Flag".

We all took to our tasks!  After our chores were done, some of us took a walk through the forest and then our traditional picnic lunch which included Hamantashen - a Purim favorite - although it was TuBshvat!! HMMMMMMM!

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this day! 

CAARI 

Monday, Feb. 2 - Shuni & visit to Druse Village

 Had great weekend - the weather helped.  Wonderful to visit shuk, take in concerts, attend synagogue, enjoy time with family and friends and some of us watched tennis.  One of the benefits of the CAARI Program it  lets us have time to do things on our own.  Sunday is a regular workday here in Israel and that means for us - community service.

Excerpts from  Rosalie's Report

.....Sunday (Feb 1)  was back to school and since the regular teacher wasn't there,we spent our time with the kindergarten kids.....and loved it....played games with them....they sang for us, and we danced with them....and one little girl even drew a picture of herself and me! It was different but very enjoyable!  Took a long nap in the afternoon. after watching most of the men's finals....so I could get up at 1 a.m. and stay up for the Pats win.

Add Group at Shuni

Today, Monday Feb 2,  was one of those days that kinda makes me ask.....how do our leaders keep finding these wonderful places for us to visit?

enjoying delicious Druse lunch

We went to the Shuni Archeology and Historical Site in Benyamini..north of Tel Aviv....and were treated to an outstanding tour by Eli Shenhav, the man who had been in charge of the excavation at the Healing and Recreation Center.....and had uncovered the theater, swimming pool with mosaic floor.....and the many beautiful artifacts on display in the small museum.....he was great and the place was a real gem.  We also viewed a video on the sculptor Shoshany Achiam......and went through a garden filled with his fine work....

Lunch was at the home of a family in a Druse Village on Mt. Carmel near Haifa.....about 8 different dishes served family style.....most of which were new to us......followed by a talk about the Druse people, their customs and their lives in Israel....all of which were excellent!!!  Just another superb day in Eretz Yisroel......

Hope you stay warm and safe through the storm that hit last night.....and be well....

GO PATS!

lots of love,

rosalie