From Israel - Friday, February 5

Friday

February 5, 2010

22 Shevat 5770

Time to leave Kibbutz haGoshrim.  I forgot to mention in yesterday’s itinerary a very important stop along the way.  The women especially had a great time picking out shoes at the Naot factory.  My wife swears an oath that the shoes from this kibbutz factory are the most comfortable that she has ever worn.  Given how many pairs that were purchased by the other members of our tour, I think that they might agree…  Looking northward from the dining room window, it is quite evident that the low clouds have lifted to reveal a wonderful sight, a clear view of snow on Mount Hermon. What a spectacular view we had! 

Unfortunately, the clarity of the weather up north did not hold up as we traveled southwest, back down to the Mediterranean Seacoast and the city of Haifa.  The major attraction of this modern port city is the Bahai Shrine and its magnificently manicured gardens.  However, the shrine itself is covered in a tarp as it undergoes renovations.  What remains is more like a “cookie jar” than anything itself, according to our guide.  Enough!  We move on to Ceasarea, the ancient port built up by King Herod to honor Augustus.  The remains of both an amphitheatre and a hippodrome are interesting archaeological finds as we fathom the depth of Herod’s genius as a master builder and manipulator of commerce, but also witness his paranoia.  Took lots of pictures of the ancient aquaduct and another view of the rolling waves in a sea that is still stormy.

On to lunch and a visit to INTRA – Israel National Therapeutic Riding Association.  For several years I have been sending donations to this organization whenever I have a bar or bat mitzvah child that is interested in horses.  I learned about INTRA many years ago when Danny Siegel mentioned this place in Israel near the ocean outside of Tel Aviv where horses were performing mitzvoth on a daily basis.  I knew almost immediately that this is a place I would need to visit in person.  Today, I did.  On two separate occasions I have been a sponsor of a horse in honor of two bat mitzvoth.  Pokie is her name and she is a beautiful and gentle creature.  I finally lived out my personal dream of meeting her.  I also met her mare, Siegel.  Anita and her husband, who care for this stable of twenty horses, explained all that they do to help the handicapped, those who suffer from war injuries, those who are mentally and physically challenged, and even those soldiers who suffer from PTSD through therapeutic riding.  As much as they do, the people whom they serve are unable to pay for all of the services they receive.  They rely on outside donations to support the work that they and the mitzvah horses do to bring life to bodies that are broken.  It is here that I deposited the tzedakah money that I collected from various people to insure our safety throughout the trip and for our return.  They are indeed grateful for our visit!  And we enjoyed out time with them and the horses.

Finally, on to Tel Aviv and our hotel for Shabbat and one last day in the sun before flying home!