Dec. 30th in Israel

Contributed by Scott Farkas

Kids at Yad Vashem

an underground ammunition factory

Last Supper

Last Supper

Saying Goodbye

Update from Israel

Contributed by Wendy Goldberg
Photos from Jon Meyers

I spoke to Rabbi Azriel by from a coffee shop in rainy Jerusalem  this afternoon.  In his words, they were the only Reform Jews in the place.  They feel safe and have had a wonderful time in Israel.  Tomorrow they will participate in an archeological dig, visit the Ayalon Institute, Rabin Memorial,  Diaspora Museum and if time permits shopping in Tel Aviv.  After a farewell dinner at 2See restaurant in Tel Aviv the first members of the group will board a plane back to Omaha, how time flies.

Wishing them a safe return.
Praying for peace.

Wendy

Ben Noodell and Yaniv Azriel

Rabbi getting into a Jeep to go to Noah's Bar Mitzvah

Praying at the Wall

The bags have arrived

Eighth day and the Miracle of lights.  The oil lasted for eight days when the Temple was destroyed.  Funny, the lost luggage also lasted 8 days. All but one bag showed up– some of the clothes were wet but all is well.

Yesterday:  MASADA,  Floating in the Dead Sea, Riding Camels, Dinner on own.

More tomorrow.

Photos from Israel

Masada

Temple Israel on Ben Yehuda St.

Safe Right Now

By Jon Meyers

We’re watching the local news, international to you.  We were on rooftops at noon in the Arab Quarter and heard jets overhead and explosions in the distance.  Quite a surreal experience.  Our current plans are to keep all as planned at this point.  We believe that we are safe in Jerusalem and are looking forward to the next few days here.  Brings a deeper meaning when I say Shabbat Shalom.  It is Shabbat, unfortunately not so peaceful.

Kanuf Synagogue in Golam Heights Noah Grossman’s Bar Mitzvah extravaganza!

Contributed by Mimi Rogers

“Kanuf Synagogue in Golam Heights Noah Grossman’s Bar Mitzvah extravaganza! Jeep Ride Keneken very muddy very bumpy. Hot Springs Oy So Nice!”

Practice Time

We just lit our 5th candle on the only menorah we have with the group of 43. The Meyers brought this lovely arch that we have lit faithfully each evening. Alex, our guy, tells us we can light anytime after sundown until midnight. There is a place in the lobby where each group lights and keeps their burning candles. No Christmas tree in site even today Dec 25 Christmas day. We are in the World of Hannukah lights! No big fuss. Part of the day. A bit more special. We are now resting early the 1st day for most.! 13 of us still charged and excited for Jerusalem tomorrow! They have not received their luggage yet. They are in good spirits despite the misfortune. They have great stories and enjoyed the Rome tour.

We all today began on a Golan Heights Jeep trip. Each got in a Jeep. Their were 6 of us and our driver Keneken in my jeep. Keneken had lived in the Golan Heights for 26 years. He moved to his Settlement after his army duty at age 18. He drove us through his settlement: very lovely, beautiful and inspiring, over looking the Sea of Galliee valley.

We all were on a mission to get to the 1600 old synagogue Kanuf where Noah Grossman would have his Bar Mitzvah. It was a very muddy, very bumpy ride. We got stuck once and had to turn around to take another way. The synagogue was made of this lava rock that was all over the Golan from many past Volcanoes. It looked like a box with a few windows on a hill overlooking the Sea of Galliee. We had the whole service inside. We sat on rocks or stood. We read from the service that Stephanie Grossman so lovely made up. Tammy Fields was our Cantor. Alex brought the small old torah. We sang and prayed just like Temple but here we were in this 1600 year old synagogue. We enliven the Kenof Synagogue! Noah read, we read, Tammy sang, we sang. Noah paraded the Torah and we prepared to read from it. Four men held the prayer shawl over while he read. I held one end and Don Noodle held the other end. We could see the back of the Torah parchment as he chanted! We could see his shadow move over the scroll. There were dove pigeons seating in the little windows watching and flying around. Noah read and chanted beautifully! We dressed the torah and finished the service. The kids threw candy. Wonderful! Mazel Tov!

We headed after this amazing morning to Gamal, lunch and the multi media presentation of the Golan Heights. Very cool. The last part was the Magat Hader Hot Springs on the Lebanese border. The waters were warm, steamy and healing! The water jets smoothed our aches. Aw So Sweet!

After a fun dinner we headed back for day 5 Hannukah candle. What a day! Sweet Dreams tomorrow Jerusalem!

Greetings from the end of day 2

Contributed by Jon Meyers

The other 30 ARE STILL IN ROME. By now you know that some pilots and flight attendants staged a wildcat strike against the Financially troubled Air Italia (Alitalia). Little consolation for our friends. As of now, 11pm local time, we are not sure, but hoping they will take off and arrive in Tel Aviv about 3am. We are in Nahariya, 2 to 3 hours north by bus. The bus is supposed to go get them and bring them to us. Of course, there is a NASTY thunderstorm going on now…hopefully they will still land (if they got on the plane).

Jon and Denise Meyers

Spent the morning in Jaffa and Tel Aviv. Very interesting history. We then went to Netanya, where we visited a childrens’ home called Bet Elazraki. Best description would be the original model of Boystown.(Way smaller)The home is for kids from very troubled families. Often, the State has stepped in and removed the children from the home.It is an amazing place where 210 kids live as a FAMILY. Their attitude and resolve are incredible. They live in this institution through their time in the Army and then through college. More info at.We then went north to Caesarea where we saw and learned much about this ancient port created by King Herrod. It was left in ruins at the time of the Crussades.For someone who is NOT a history buff, I am amazed and engrossed by the stories and the area….and this is ONLY DAY 2!!!

Shalom

Beit Elzarki Children’s Home

Contributed by Mimi Rogers-Farkas

From Beit Elzarki Children’s Home this morning. Yehuda Cohn’s amazing home of 210 children ages babies to 18. One young man gets married tonight from this home. They go to regular schools and are sent to Universities. They stay with them their whole life. They take them shopping for their own clothes. They own their clothes and own toothbrush. An incredible system of 2-3 kids to each counselor and lots of therapy to not repeat the generation of dysfunction. A very happy place! Lovely story and reality of change forever! A lesson for every boys town like home. This is NOT an institution but a Home healthy productive growth!