Forest Day with visit to Music Box Museum = CAARI Program Feb 8 2022

Today, our volunteer project was working in a JNF-KKL Forest.  The one that was chosen is the Horshim Forest, which is located in Israel's Sharon region.  It covers an area of about 7,000 dunams and includes walking and biking trails and recreation areas. The forest is dedicated to the  memory of Neil’s IDF commander. 

Avi, the KKL forester, gave us a introduction to KKL, their work and the history of this particular forest, which is not only a forest, but an archeology site. 

Each year of CAARI, works in the forest, restoring paths, clearing brush, planting herbs, paining signs, picnic tables or whatever needs to be done.  This year we cleared brush around the trees and did some trimming.  This helps prevents fires that may occur in the hot summer. Today, the weather was perfect and the view outstanding!  Neil took us for a short hike where he explained some of the political issues of the area.  After…of course, a picnic lunch!

  What could be better! 

Our next stop was the artist community of Ein Hod, where we met Nissan, who is definitely a legend.  He is a very young 95 and has been collecting music boxes, from all over the world, for many, many years.  His knowledge of music and love for his collection is amazing.  What a treat!  

February 5 - CAARI in Action! - Volunteering in the AM and Rhythmic Class in PM

 Shalom,

It is trues that CAARI is for active retirees and we take that seriously.  It is much more than a tour program.  Today was our first time with our volunteer assignment.  All of us are working in the Botanical Gardens, located on the campus of Tel Aviv University.  

We had a terrific introduction by Tal, who took us for a tour of the Gardens and than put us to work, weeding and separating seeds for as part of an international seed project.

    We also had the opportunity to  met other volunteers.  It was a great day to be outside.  

Back to the hotel for lunch before our next adventure. Mayumana is one of Israel’s leading dance troupes, established in 1996 and performs throughout the world.  It combines dance, rhythmic and percussion sounds with much energy and enthusiasm.  On Sunday, CAARI  joined a class,  No, they are not ready for the stage, but it sure was lots of fun. 

Arriving in Israel CAARI 2022 - February 4

 

CAARI 2022

Welcome CAARI 2022 participants – we are delighted that you have arrived in Israel.  It has been a long a difficult year,  but here you are.  Your enthusiasm, energy and love for Israel is so appreciated by all who met you.  ‘Thank you for coming to Israel’ is a welcome comment for all who meet you. 

The first day began with a walking tour with Neil, our guide.  We walked from our hotel, the Metropolitan Hotel, to one of the historic neighborhoods, site of Tel Aviv’s first City Hall, at the time Meir Dizengoff. 

The street is special, not only for who lived there,  Israel’s national poet, Chaim Bialik,  and Reuben Reuben, painter and sculpture.    But, also for the style of architecture, from eclectic to Bauhaus,  which was prevalent in the 1920's.

From there we walked to the bustling marketplace and crafts market.   We had time to shop, look, eat and enjoy the spirit of Israel on a Friday afternoon.  Shabbat was special, beginning with candle lighting and Shabbat dinner.  

Stay tuned for our adventures for our first week of volunteering.  

Shabbat Shalom

 

Join CAARI 2022 - and visit Timna Park (Part 1)

 

The Canadian & American Active Retirees in Israel, AKA CAARI, is going to visit Timna Park, just 20 minutes north of Eilat from 20-24 February, 2022, with 2-5 week Program Options.  See Timna Park - Part 2 in next post! 

 

Timna Park is approximately 25 square kilometers! A unique geological and archaeological
park that is one of the few places in Israel you can fine granite and igneous rock, as well as, younger limestone rock and copper deposits that were mined as early as 6000 years ago through the times of the Egyptian New Kingdom, approximately 3550 years ago.

 

There are also geological formations and sandstone pillars commonly called Solomon’s Pillars. Lots of hiking trails and an artificial lake that was formerly a pit mine that the JNF/KKL turned into a unique tourist attraction.

Solomon’s pillars that are a very rare formation of Early Cambrian Sandstone about half a billion years ago (550 million year ago) a 50-60 million year period that cellular life transformed to multi-cellular animal life as we know it today. Lots of fossils and mineral wealth are found here. 

 On the site you can find  the earliest copper mines from 6000 years ago or more are located and you can go underground and see the nuggets of the copper ore chiseled out with large hammers.  

Capture the spirit of Israel and join CAARI in 2022.  The CAARI program is a Volunteering, Touring and Speakers forum affiliated with the JNF/KKL. It has been operating since 1983.   This year will begin on  with 2 – 5 week program options. See www.caarivolunteers.com for costs, highlights, itinerary and registration.

Join the CAARI 2022 Program - Visiting Timna Park (Part 2)

 

The group at the base of Solomon's Pillar 

More Pictures of the Canadian & American Active Retirees in Israel aka The CAARI Program at Timna Park froom 2018.  

Great pics of Timna Park's majestic scenery,  and an example of the CAARI  participants' energy and spirit. They make CAARI SO SPECIAL!!

                                  The JNF Visitors Center at the entrance of Timna Park

The red sandstone of Corkscrew Mountain

CAARI's own Queen Esther all the way from Persia via Sarasota climbin Solomon's Pillars with the CAARI group

The group at the top of the mountain standing by the  inscription from the time of the Ramses. King of the Imperial Egyptian New Kingdom (Late Bronze period).

Capture the spirit of Israel and join CAARI in 2022.  

The CAARI program is a Volunteering, Touring and Speakers forum affiliated with the JNF/KKL. It has been operating since 1983.   This year will begin on  with 2 – 5 week program options. See www.caarivolunteers.com for costs, highlights, itinerary and registration. 

Musical Instrument Collector Legend - CAARI 2022 Program Highlights

 

Join us this coming Winter!

CAARI takes you to the MUST SEE sites and those behind the scenes.  This one is a true treasure!  

The CAARI program (The Canadian & American Active Retirees in Israel) will visit the Nisco Museum in Ein Hod.  

This Museum, named for its founder, in the 1970's. Nisan Cohen, originally from NY, brought his collection of mechanical music boxes and vintage mechanical recording devices from previous centuries. 

Nisan himself is quite musical. He served in the US Air Force in WWII and has directed several films. The museum was severely damaged by the fire in the Mt. Carmel Forest in December 2010 and reopened the next year. 

For more information about registering for the CAARI Program and a full itinerary from 27 January to March 3 see www.caarivolunteers.com

In 2014 Nisan received a large Merry Go Round player organ and you can see the assembly of it on at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g21ETZ2Ca8s

 

CAARI 2022 Program Highlights - Archeological Sifting Project

On CAARI 2022 you may discover an ancient item from Jerusalem’s Temple Mount’s heritage!

One of the special CAARI activities  in 2022 is to take part in ‘real’ archeology work.  

CAARI will be volunteering to retrieve real treasures from the First and Second Temple Periods.  These archaeological artifacts, are from the Temple Mount Compound, and uncovered during restoration and other activities. 

 

To date, thousands of artifacts have been extracted from within the soil, including coins, tiles from the Temple’s floors, ancient weapons, signets and more. You will be working with archeologists and students,  as you “sift” through the items.  

Be a part of history!  Join CAARI 2022!