The rhythm of CAARI - five, six, seven.... tap tap

MEET THE CAARITES!

It is the beginning of our weekend, one more activity after community service!  On the bus for a short drive to the Tel Aviv Port to a dance studio to  participate in a fun-filled Workshop by Mayumana performers.  

Hadas, our instructor, began with movement to the tune by a Bruno Mars hit “Uptown Funk” – perfect for loosening us up and getting into the rhythm.  We were hot! 
Hadas used a combination of  rhythm and coordination exercises, percussion, music, dance, play, performance, and a large dose of humor in the workshop!  CAARI developed their own style!  We were awesome!  Such fun!   Enjoy the pictures and imagine your own beat one, two,  three...!!


Shabbat Shalom!  

8

CAARI works! Digs the soil and meets an underwater archaeologist!

If it is Tuesday, it must be Forest Day. 

It is a sunny and warm day with temperatures in the high 70's, but very windy.  We aren't used to a weather pattern with desert winds!  

Off we go to meet very special people in Horhsim Forest, about a half hour outside of Tel Aviv.  This JNF Forest was established in the 40’s.   We met 91 year old “Yashke” Staretch and his daughter Miri. They have dedicated this recreation area, with picnic tables, walking paths through Byzantine ruins and lovely vistas,  in memory of Hezi (son and brother)  who was killed by a suicide bomber on a bicycle on 11.11.94 at Netzerim Junction in Gaza just south of the City of Gaza.

CAARI works here every year, as Hezi was Neil's IDF commander. We are always  greeted us with a warm reception, including food and drink.   After all, we need our nourishment to work!  And, work we did!  

This forest was badly burned, in a deliberately set fire, in 2016. So we did a mitzvah.  Yashke's  plan was for us to clean an area that was burned by the fire.  With pick, hoe and rake in hand, we cleared the area, dug the holes and planted rosemary saplings.  

 Couldn't believe that 4 hours passed so quickly.  Love being outside in February!  CAARI works!  We did have our picnic lunch indoors, due to wind conditions.  

CAARI meets Yaacov Agam

Today's afternoon adventure was to the newly opened Agam Museum, located in Rishon L'Zion.  Our own Arline gave an introduction to Agam and kinetic art as we drove to the museum.    

The Museum is very impressive with the colorful 29 columns at the entrance plaza.  Once inside, we had an amazing guide Avital, who explained about Agam, the man, his works and the reasoning behind this genius of an artist. 

As she was explaining one of Agam's works of art, she said, "Agam, how nice to see you"! 

We all turned around, with our mouths wide open,  and there he was in person!  What a thrill!  He spoke to the group, explaining some of his concepts.  Yaacov Agam is now 90 years old and still working - restoring one of his leading works in Israel - musical and fire fountain located in Dizengoff Circle. 

The one picture shows Agam intently listening to Susan, one of the CAARI Directors, as she explains our CAARI group.  He was also interested in what we liked.  Later as we were walking through the museum he came up to us and spoke to us and then he continued working on his project. 




Who is Yaacov Agam? 

Agam is known as the Father of the Kinetic Movement in Modern Art and one of the world's leading 20th century artists.  He was born in Israel, Rishon LeZion, and studied in Bezalel School of Art in Jerusalem and in Zurich and Paris with well known artists.  Agam's works have been displayed in important museums around the world, such as,  MoMA, Guggenheim in New York  and the Pompidou Center in Paris.   

CAARI is full of  surprises making this a wonderful way to see and be in Israel!  We REALLY see -  Israel's hidden gems!