CAARI arrives in Israel - January 10,2019

The 36^th year of the Canadian American American Active Retirees Program (CAARI) has begun!  

We came from Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, Winnipeg,  New York State, Philadelphia, Atlantic City, Chicago, and yes, Anchorage, Alaska!  Several of us had been on the program before and were  excited to see each other and welcome the new participants, who are first timers!  And, the weather couldn’t be better – warm temperatures, sunshine and clear blue skies. 

The first order of business was of course, settling into our Tel Aviv hotel, which will be our home for the next two weeks.  The  Metropolitan Hotel is conveniently located between the Mediterranean Sea and bustling Ben Yehuda Street.   What a joy to view the sea, walk along the sea.

In the Orientation Program we selected our volunteer assignment. 

Some of us will be working in a Rehab Center, others in Botanical Gardens and  most tutoring English in Tel Aviv elementary schools.  Dana, the Director of the Volunteers from Education Department of Tel Aviv Municipality, warmly greeted us.  She explained the importance of our work for the students and teachers.   She wants  us to experience rewarding experience and thanked us for coming to Israel participate in the CAARI  3 – 6 weeks Program.   

Following the meeting, we began a tour of Tel Aviv.  Ah, to be outside walking in the fresh air, enjoying the sunshine and warm weather.  It was Friday and the streets, shops, and especially the café’s were filled with Israelis, also enjoying this delightful day.  Neil, our guide, took us down Ben Yehuda, up Allenby Street to Rothchild Boulevard to the ‘home’ of the origins of Tel Aviv and the place where Ben Gurion declared the State of Israel – 70 years ago.  

We were impressed with the innovative presentation as we followed along a golden walking trail .  Neil took us past  heritage sites connected by the trail that meanders through the streets, with explanations and historic pictures on an iPad. We stopped at various sites, such as the work of Israeli artist, Gutman, the Weiss House, which was part of the new neighborhood of Tel Aviv, the place where Herzliya Gymnasia stood, which was the first Hebrew School in Israel,  and the Great Synagogue of Tel Aviv. 

After the tour we shopped in the Crafts Market, had a bit lunch and back to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat. 

Some enjoyed a very lively and spiritual service at the Tel Aviv International Synagogue, which is a CAARI favorite.  We had the traditional CAARI Shabbat dinner with Kiddish followed by an Oneg Shabbat.

Tomorrow is a free day and Sunday we begin our Community Service.  What a thrill to be here! 

Wishing all a Shabbat Shalom!

CAARI 2019

Canadian American Active Retirees in Israel - JNF - USA CEO Russell F. R...

Welcome CAARI Participants

Since 1983, thousands of retirees from USA and Canada have skipped the classic ritual of heading to Florida or Palm Springs for the winter, choosing instead to spend 2 – 7 weeks in Israel with CAARI Program.   It is MORE that a tour Program!  CAARI volunteers, tours the countryside, visits ‘must see’ and ‘off the beaten track sites and meets with  leading journalists, artists,  academics and community leaders.  

Watch the Jewish National Fund’s CEO, Russell Robinson as he congratulates the Canadian & American Active Retirees in Israel on their 36^th year.

For information see our website www.caarivoluteers.com

Li'hitroiot CAARI 2018

We can't believe that this was our last CAARI 2018 touring day.  it was the perfect day - sun and blue skies.  We traveled to outside the Old City walls to an area known as The Temple Mount Sifting Project.  This archaeological project begun in 2005 to recover archaeological artifacts from 400 truckloads of topsoil removed from the Temple Mount by the Waqf during the construction of the underground el-Marwani Mosque from 1996 to 1999. The project continues today as 'digs' are being done throughout Israel today. 

We loved this activity.  It was so much fun and interesting.  We found some significant items, but no jewelry or coin!  Next time! 

Wow, 7 weeks have flown by.  Neil, Zaharia and Susan have truly appreciated your support, your enthusiasm and your dedication to Israel.  Together, this year CAARI has toured the country from Metulla to Eilat, from the banks of the Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea and from the Kinneret to the Red Sea, visiting over 60 sites.  We have worked side by side with Israelis,  met with them in settlements, communities, Kibbutzim and their kitchens in private homes.  We have walked up and down hills and 'some' steps, through tunnels and open fields, in sunshine and rain.  Our speakers have enlightened us on so a spectrum of life in Israel and issues we face.  The camaraderie of the group was amazing,  we laughed and shed a tear together singing Hatikva.  So many CAARI memories!

Safe Travels and warmest regards to a terrific CAARI group! 

City of David and Ammunition Hill

The day begins with a lovely sunrise, sunshine and warmer temperatures.  

Our speaker today was Anat Hoffman who discussed the issues around the Organization 'Women of the Wall'.  Not much progress has been made since we last heard her speak over 8 years ago.  It was an enlightening discussion.  

From there we headed to the City of David for a tour of this ancient archaeology site. With Neil as our guide, we learned about the history of Jerusalem from the time of King David.  We walked down steps, like walking down layers of history.  We journeyed through underground tunnels where the city was conquered and residents fled, where tunnels carried the water supply to local residents and where tunnels led residents to Solomon's Temple.  Time for lunch and off to the Ammunition Hill Memorial.  

The story of Ammunition Hill is the story of the Six-Day War.  We met with one of the fighters who described the battle to us.  Prior to June 1967 this site was under the control of Jordan.  The Memorial contains a informative film of the battle and how Israel recaptured the Old City.  Our guide was terrific and the new exhibit well done.  
A fulfilling day for CAARI! 

CAARI Speaker's Forum and visit to Yad Lakashish

CAARI was honored for the second year in a row with the most authoritative journalist on Arab affairs internally (The Palestinian Street + The Palestinian leadership) and externally (Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan), Ehud Yaari of Israel Channel 2 and The Washington Institute. Just incite into Israel and Middle East politics! 

  

From there CAARI visited a wonderful center for the elderly - poor choice of words as they are full of energy and willing to work.  Yad LaKashish is a non-profit organization empowering and supporting nearly 300 elderly Jerusalem residents on a daily basis by providing them with creative work opportunities in our artistic workshops.
 Great gift shop and a worthy visit.  

Free time until late afternoon for visit to the beautiful Israel Museum and a lovely dinner at Modern Restaurant.  
Another great day!