Feb 14 - Visit to Merchav Am - on way to Dead Sea!

Merchav Am Visit - We stopped in the middle of nowhere, Zecharia our wonderful bus driver, found us an Aroma Restaurant at Shoket Junction - one of CAARI's favorite Israeli cafe chains!  Then on to the Merchav Am community  located on a hill between Sde Boker and Yeruham, with magical desert scenery.  Our host, Allison, welcomed us.  We admired her energy, enthusiasm, spirit, sense of humor and native English!  She took us for a tour of community showing us the original caravan housing and the new housing which she and her family will be moving to in the next few months.  Their new community service is amazing.

She explained that Merchav Am is the very first orthodox community established in Ramat HaNegev Regional Council and serves as a model of a developing settlement rich in community life. It is currently home to 42 families and has a local synagogue, mikveh, kindergarten, day care for infants, a members’ club and other facilities. The village also holds Torah lessons for men and women, cultural activities on festivals and other special events, lectures on matters of common interest, Sabbath meals together and more. The children enjoy high-quality religious education, including pre-school day care, a kindergarten up to school age. An orthodox elementary school, a high school Yeshiva for boys and a separate “Ulpana” for girls are only some of the educational options offered. Informal education for children and young adults is also afforded proper attention in addition to activities in the local branch of the B’nai Akiva youth movement.

The sources of employment for local residents include education, regional industries, private ventures and a khan (inn) offering lodging accommodations.

We were all so impressed with this community and were honored to plant trees along the sidewalk being built. Wow - what a day and now we are ready to enjoy the therapeutic waters of the Dead Sea and take in the beautiful desert scenery.

Feb 14 - On to the Dead Sea!

Shalom,
Bags are packed, bus loaded and time to bid 'farewell' to Tel Aviv.  The CAARI group is on their way to the Dead Sea for the next 3 days to  do some touring and enjoy some relaxing time.  The weather is supposed to be sunny and in the low 80's - what could be better.  Rosalie, one of our key 'CAARIites' was there to see us off!


Our first stop - American Independence Park - known as AIP - the American JNF Park and dedication center, located just outside Jerusalem.  We were hosted by Liat, the Director of the American Desk at KKL.  Of course, as is the Israeli tradition, we enjoyed some snacks and refreshments.  As we strolled through the Park, Liat explained the different areas of the Park.  Especially moving was the Bar Mitzvah Wall.  That was topped by the unveiling of the plaque by our CAARI participants, Marian and Shelly Sacks, who had made a generous donation to JNF.  We now know that JNF is MUCH MORE than trees!



Next stop lunch and on to one of the JNF-KKL new communities in the Negev - Merchav Am.  See next 'post' for those pictures.
CAARI 2016

Enjoy our AIP pictures!

Oneg Shabbat skit by CAARI Kibbitzers

It is hard to believe that 5 weeks have passed and CAARI 2016 is going into the final 10 days of the program.  What a wonderful year it has been and so the fun continues.  Friday night, after dinner, the CAARI Kibbitzers treated the group to some outstanding Yiddish humor and 'acting'! Thank you Gloria for your wonderful direction and creativity!  And to the actors - the applause and laughter speak highly of your performance!   We also enjoyed an original poem by Ellie - will post later...just terrific!


From Rosalie....

 As you know, I do ANYTHING for a laugh, and  the first part of our program was a group of stories about Chelm and the rebbe.  I played the part of the rebbe. using my best Jewish rebbe accent.  Our director had decided that it would be good to get into costume while sitting in our usual Shabbat Oneg circle......so I changed my reversible jacket from brown to black, put on a black skull cap, but then needed some help scotchtaping a black jewelry bag to my face as a beard.... I needed some assistance from another participant......which starting the laughing.....and then when she helped put on my payis (cotton stretched and curled and colored with black magic marker) that elicited more laughter.....I will ask our coordinator to send me a picture....which I can forward to you.....hoping it will put a smile on your faces.  Needless to say, our little 15 minute presentation was a BIG hit......lots of laughs all around...........I was one happy camper,......Our program continued with some wonderful jokes by other CAARIites, and ended with a beautiful and touching poem written by a Canadian participant.....who is leaving after the Tel Aviv part (as am I.......so this was our last Oneg with the group) which was both humorous and touching......a very special night.
rosalie

Wishing all of you a Shabbat Shalom and stay warm.  Those of us going to the Dead Sea are looking forward to temperatures in the 80's.  That sounds great!
CAARI 2016 

Community Service for new Participants & IDF Speaker

COMMUNITY SERVICE -PART II

Beautiful sunny day at the Botanical Gardens.  Each day the group works at the Gardens they get to see another spring flower popping out!  The irises are in bloom along with the lupus.  Connie, Marian, and Tobi have joined Nancy working in the garden and seed bank.

ae

The volunteers at the Rehab Center serves breakfasts and helps with paper work.  Yael,the nurse supervisor so appreciates the volunteers.  Sandy has joined Paula, Ann, and Howard.  Job well done CAARI team!

Baal Shem Tov Elementary School has hosted CAARI volunteers for over 20 years.  We thank Tamar and her predecessor for their commitment to CAARI.  Newcomers, Ann, Annette and Doug help the students improve their English.

Deanna and Neil have joined Mindy at Tel Nordau.  One of the projects for these 6th graders was to write an article for the school newspaper.  Several of the students interviewed CAARI volunteers for the assignment.

On Thursday, after a visit to the Palmach Museum, Captain Ben, from the Liaison Unit of the IDF spoke to CAARI about recent events on the Syrian border from an officer who works with UNDOF peacekeeping forces on the Syrian disengagement line.