Friday, February 11, 2022 Zichron Ya'acov

 Friday, the beginning of the weekend in Israel.  It is a gorgeous day for a ‘tiul” (Hebrew for tour)  We drove north, along the coast,   to the charming village of Zichron Ya’acov, one of the communities founded by Baron Rothschild in the 1800’s.   

Our trip is a tour of Ramat Hanadiv – Gardens and Nature Park –  which is over an area of about 450 hectares, dedicated to the memory of  Baron Edmond de Rothschild. The tour began with a movie about the Baron and the family in relation to the founding of Zichron Yaacov.  From there, we began our stroll through the various gardens, including the lovely rose garden, majestic palm garden, the fragrant herb garden and the modest crypt of  the Baron and his wife.  These exquisite Gardens reflect the Baron de Rothschild’s legacy of dignity and modesty.

From there we drove the village and enjoyed lunch and a little shopping.  Lovely day.  Wishing all a Shabbat Shalom.  Enjoy ‘strolling’ through our pictures. 

#caarivolunteers

CAARI Visits Hannah Senesh Muesem, February 9

 CAARI visits the "must see" sites of Israel, but also takes you to those 'off the beaten track', Israel's hidden gems.  

CAARI had visited the Hannah Senesh Museum, located at Sdot Yam,  several times during the 30+ years of the program. We were always impressed with the story of this national heroine.  However, this time is was so different.  

2021, marked the 100th  anniversary of the birth of Hannah Senesh, and
the newly renovated  museum was reopened.  Those of us who had been there before were so impressed with the quality of the site and the people involved.  The design and exhibits are outstanding and all beautifully displayed.

Hannah Senesh, a paratrooper and poet, was born in Hungary in 1921. At 17, she was an  enthusiastic Zionist immigrating  to the Land of Israel, before it was a State.  She  spent two years at the Hannah's words as we walked through the museum with our guide. 

She was only 23 years old when she was captured and killed by the Nazis after being sent on a mission to help Hungarian Jews during WWII.   She had joined a group of Jewish paratroopers from the Land of Israel on a rescue mission. In her estate she had left a fascinating diary, many letters, a play and around forty poems, including : “Eli, she lo yigamer leolam” (“My God, may it never end”), “Ashrei Hagafrur” (“Blessed is the match”), “Kol kara vehalachti” (“A voice called and I went”) and more. In her memory the members of the kibbutz established the commemoration center which was named after her – the Hana Senesh House.

What’s at the site?  An audiovisual display presenting Hanna Senesh’s fascinating life story, mission and death (in six languages). In the hall there is also a modest exhibition of the photos and life story of the other six paratroopers who were killed on that mission as well as a monument brought from the Budapest cemetery.

It was an ''awesome" visit followed by a delicious dinner at the Port of Cesaerera!  Another GREAT day!  

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.