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! 

  

Hebrew Music Museum and Mechane Yehuda - 25 Feb

Ah- rain!  Yes is was predicted and as any Israeli says - we need and pray for every drop.  And, so CAARI  endured these precious droplets! 



Our first stop was the newly opened, in the past 3 years , of the Hebrew Music Museum - a real gem and CAARI takes us to 'hidden gems"! 

The museum displays musical instruments from across the world, ancient and modern,  and allowed us  to enjoy hearing their sounds and learning about the instruments history.

Our guide was delightful and so knowledgeable. 

Spring in Israel - Botanical Gardens Feb 24

Spring has arrived!  Although it is still February we have seen the almond trees blooming and spring flowers as we drive through the country.  Today we visited the Botanical Gardens of Jerusalem. Our first stop was the Japanese Cherry Tree!  Magnificent color! 

By foot and train, out guide explained the various plants and gardens.  Enjoy the colors and hope it brings spring in your area!