January 14 - Winery Visit and tour of Naot Shoe Factory

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Sunday, January 14 - Jeep Tour along Northern Border

Thunder, lightening, and  rain, but that didn't dampen the CAARI spirit!  We came prepared!  

Following breakfast, we departed for Kibbutz Meron HaGolan, where we will meet Ilan Shulman, a company commander in a reserve Paratroop Battalion,  with a MA degree  in Mideast Studies.   We  explored the Kunetra Valley, with it lush orchards fields, and panoramic view of Syria, in 4X4 jeeps to learn about complexities of the region - the  geopolitical nature of the region.  And, they are complex! 

Ori and his 'girls"

Saturday January 13 - Shabbat

Perfect sunny winter day!  Temperatures in high 60's.  This is a day that we enjoyed doing our own thing. Some took walks, some rested up and others enjoyed Mozart - another classical concert followed by a 'light snack"! 

In  the afternoon, some of us toured the Kibbutz.  Our guide was perfect for our group - knowledgeable with a great sense of humor.  Did you know that the Kibbutz was named after a Jewish Prime Minister of France back in the late 20:s?  We enjoyed a lovely walk around the kibbutz along the River Jordan.  Beautiful scenery and serene or Pastoral, some may say!


Neil conducted Havdalah - very memorable - dinner and rest for a busy week. 














Shavuah Tov!
CAARI 2018

January 12 - on to Meggido and Pastoral Hotel - Kfar Blum

From Atlit the group continued their journey north to explore  ancient  Megiddo.   This is a and unusual ancient  and important Canaanite City. The remains of the palaces, temples, gates, and the sophisticated water system of the city are evidence of its great power. James Michener's ‘The Source’ was based on Meggido.  Neil, our walking book of knowledge,  led us through the ancient gates of the city to view  the site and walk down and up the steps of the water system.  He did tell us there were 180 steps, down, down we went and then up and up - we made it!  Yeah CAARI! 

We had lunch on our own  and continued on to Kfar Blum, our new home for the next 6 days. Shabbat dinner was unbelievable - the food was a work of art.  In the evening, some of enjoyed a special classical musical event - "Between Berlin to Jerusalem" .  

All Aboard for CAARI 2018 - Atlit Illegal Detention Center - British Mandate Period

Thursday evening, January 12 CAARI 2018 began.  They came from , California, North Carolina, Virginia, and the cold of Chicago, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts,Toronto, Edmonton and Montreal to sunshine and warm temperatures of Tel Aviv and the warm hospitality of the City Hotel .  Many are new participants,  and others have been on the program in previous years and happy to see familiar faces and meet new participants.  On Friday morning the group traveled north stopping at our first site - Atlit.
 (More to follow)