14 February - Nitzana Youth Village

A main focus of the CAARI 2017 Program is Israel's Youth.  Over the past few weeks, we have visited Alexander Muss High School and saw the value of spending a semester in Israel, we spent time in the Hand in Hand School in the north where Christian, Muslim and Jewish elementary school children learn in the same school,  We visited the Peres Center where Arab and Jewish children join in soccer games and worked along with pre-army age students in the JNF forests and saw the work the JNF does with Aleh Negev and protection for children of Sderot.
Today we spent time in an amazing youth village where students from all over Israel learn in an educational center that fosters environmentalism and ecology.  Nitzana is located along the border with Egypt,  You drive and drive and don't see much more than desert, small kibbutzim and small farms.  Those of us from the city - said - who lives here?  Pioneers, those who love the land and have a passion for farming.  Although, today we did see fields of solar panels and mirrors - new environmental technology,

Our guides from the school were articulate and knowledgeable about their subjects.  We learned about recycling and reusing materials.  We walked about the campus in amazement and appreciation of what is being done at this school. There is a small room that is filled with a donor's private collection from stamps to butterflies! Then Noa took us to the solar garden and explained all the features
of solar power.

We lunched in the student  cafeteria - delicious lunch!

After lunch on to a local farm!
CAARI 2017

February 13 - Jeep Ride of Makhtesh Mitzpe Ramon

BRRRR ! It is a cold rainy day!
 Oy!  Bundled in jackets, raincoats, hats and gloves we boarded the bus for our jeep ride.  As we drove down to the bottom of the crater, it did get a little warmer and the sun was peeping through the clouds.  It was going to be a great day!

For those who are not familiar with where we are -   Makhtesh Ramon is a geological phenomenon in Israel's southern Negev, You might call is a crater, but it is not.  It is similar in looks but not in formation.  It is Israel's largest national park and a real adventure with great hiking trails and incredible views.

We boarded 5 jeeps and off we went over to rocks, down and up hills, through water and sand - are you getting the idea  this was a bumpy ride?  But, we loved it and enjoyed every minute.  We stopped for a hike and an explanation how the Makhtesh was formed.  Most fascinating and fun.

Lunch was at the small town's center,  Mitzpe Ramon.  The area of about 5 shops was packed with Birthright students, soldiers, and other tour groups!  After lunch, we toured that bio center which has the largest porcupine you have every seen!

CAARI 2017

Enjoy our pictures!

here we go!

sun setting over Makhtesh

Departing Tel Aviv for CAARI Touring Program

Zaharia - our bus driver

February 12 - It is hard to believe that our 4 weeks of community service work is over and we are beginning the last 2 weeks of the CAARI 2017 Program.  Each of us was thanked for coming to Israel and told how much we were appreciated and the difference we made.  We too felt tremendous appreciation for our time in schools, the rehab center and botanical gardens. We worked in JNF forests, trimming trees, building walls, and cleaning up picnic areas.  We picked tons of fruit for the needy, enjoyed tours of special places and heard from interesting speakers!  It was truly a special time for us.  

After lunch, we loaded the bus, said l'hitriot (goodbye)  to our City Hotel family, and began our journey south to Mitzpe Ramon.  We hope  that we won't be getting the rain that is expected in Tel Aviv and most of the country the coming days.  We stopped at the JNF Beersheva River Park to view the new Amphitheater and of course, use the rest rooms. Many of us had not been in Beershva for many years and were amazed at the changes that have taken place.

The wind was unbelievable and the temperatures were dropping - so back on the bus.
We arrived at our hotel, Ramon Inn, around 6:00 PM just in time for a lovely dinner and much needed sleep!  Tomorrow is a busy day.

CAARI 2017