Temple B’nai Abraham

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!

Wednesday

February 3, 2010

19 Shevat  5770

Lynn and I rejoined the group after a long evening in the emergency room in a hospital in Tel Aviv.  By the time that we had joined them they had already had their history lesson of the region and why this area is so vital to Israel’s existence, not just strategically since it sits along both the Lebanese and Syrian borders, as well as Jordan, but  more so for its agricultural reasons after our pioneers built it up from swamp land as well as it being the source of water in the region that feeds all the way down to the Dead Sea. 

The first stop of the day was to an Olive Oil factory not too far from the Kibbutz where people learned how olives were pressed into olive oil, a major industry in the northern part of Israel.  Another important industry was located across the road at the Golan Wine factory.  Lynn and I arrived just in time to sample the first wine of the day, a most exquisite dry white wine which is good to make any steak taste all that much better.  I promise you, that it was past twelve in the afternoon before we started to drink.

After proving we could walk a straight line between the rain drops we were allowed back onto the bus for lunch and another ascending to even greater heights, both mystical and physical in the kabbalist city of Tzfat.  More shopping from the local artists after visiting two significant synagogues, one attended by the ARI, otherwise known as Rabbi Isaac Luriah, who is known for his mystical theory of tzimtzum and the redemption of the sparks each time we do a mitzvah.  The second synagogue was the home to Jacob Caro, the author of the Shulchan Arukh, which is the Jewish playbook when it comes to knowing what to do and what not to do according to Jewish law in a concise manner.

After another full day, we returned to the kibbutz for a sumptuous meal and a good night’s sleep for the next day’s activities.

Thursday

February 4, 2010

20 Shevat  5770

As predicted, weather conditions at Misgav Am and at Metullah prevented us from going further north from our kibbutz, due to snow on the road.  According to Itzie, the driver, he doesn’t mind dancing on the road, but not with a full bus!  We also were informed that the natural grottos at Rosh Hanikra, the only place where the border is open to Lebanon, was closed due to high winds.  Our guide had heard of Rosh Hanikra closing when the seas were rough, but he had to check it out with us, and that is what we did.  What a glorious sight to see the Mediterranean Sea so wild! We were lucky not to lose some of our hardiest of photographers who were intent on leaning over the railing to get as close as we could to the action, even if it was at the top of a cliff.   What a view of the coastline it was!!!

Since we got a late start and rain had slowed the driving tremendously, our altered plans took us to lunch at in Nahariya at a restaurant known as The Penguin.  Everyone enjoyed the unusually large portions.  Reinforced by a heavy meal, we then set out for Akko, which was where Napoleon met his match in his campaign to take over Judea.  The citadel and ancient walls is indeed impressive given how much was protected by debris of various occupiers of the property over the centuries when it was first built by the Crusaders.  Our day ended by visiting a local artist who does pieces in copper.  He does magnificent work.  I have a Shalom sign hanging in my office from my trip this past summer.

Supper, and then a surprise visit to the kibbutz synagogue which can be used as a shelter in case of attack.  We noticed that the door was more than six inches thick with a dead bolt that seals the door so that it is air tight.  One could say that it is used to keep people in the room until services are completed.  I used a Sefardi siddur with mystical annotations embedded in the evening prayer service.  The words are not completely the same as the siddurim that we use.  What an interesting way to daven, being surrounded by both new and old friends as our trip begins to wind down.  Several people mentioned that they looked forward to my introduction to a new blessing for each day.  This morning I shared with everyone the blessing for a rainbow which we saw from our bus as we headed towards Tzefat.  I also introduced everyone to the blessing for seeing lightning and hearing thunder, both of which occurred as we went to breakfast, and the blessing that we recite each weekday morning for the continual creation of the wonders of the world that surprise us each day – Mah rabu ma’asekha Adonai, kulam b’chochmah asita,mal’ah ha’aretz kinyanekha… (Consult your siddur at home for a translation.  It is part of the first blessing that is recited right after the Barekhu!)  And lastly, we recited a blessing for the wisdom and insight shared to us by our guide, Mike, who has truly been a blessing to each one of us with his knowledge, and his patience, and his guidance.  We will indeed miss him and the many lessons that he taught us in his passion for us to know more about what lures us to this place that is so unlike other “vacation” spots around the globe.  We all felt “at home” in Israel this past week. 

Tomorrow we leave for Tel Aviv, Shabbat and then the long journey to our other home in the States.

Tuesday Morning February 2, 2010 18 Shevat 5770 Today we leave Jerusalem for our new home in the far northern region of Israel, Kibbutz Hagoshrim, with its picturesque view of Mount Hermon. Mike warned us that the fine weather that we were enjoying in Jerusalem is not expected t o be with us in the Galilee. However, we will do our best to see as much as we can as long as the rains and the low lying clouds will allow. When we left Jerusalem, we headed straight into the morning commuting traffic to Tel Aviv. We arrived at our first destination, however, earlier than expected due to Itzie’s driving skills. Our first stop of the day was Independence Hall, the place where the first Jewish home was built in Tel Aviv, by its first Jewish mayor. Dizengoff asked that his house become an art museum following his death. It was here that David ben Gurion announced that the Jewish state would be known as the State of Israel. The guide that we had for the tour of the facility was most thorough in painting for each of us a picture of the tension that existed on May 14, 1948 when the leaders of the developing Jewish state struggled with their decision to declare Israel’s independence, knowing that as soon as she did that, all of their Arab neighbors would wage war against them, and they had no weapons to speak of to defend themselves. Courage and faith and ingenuity went a long way to achieving their ultimate goal. As we sang Hatilkvah along with the recording of who was in that room on that momentous day, made things that much more momentous for all of us. On to the Palmach Museum which highlights the history of the Jewish Underground movement during the British period prior to the declaration of Israel as independent nation. Shortly thereafter, the group departed for the two and half hour ride to our new home in the Golan at Kibbutz Hagoshrim which lies not too far from Mount Hermon and the highest elevations in Israel. If the weather cooperates and it doesn’t rain (or snow) we should see some very picturesque sights. It is at this point in the journey that Lynn and I departed company for an overnight visit to the local hospital emergency room. It took the medical staff approximately fifteen hours to determine that the pains in my side were not an indication that I was experiencing a gallstone attack as once thought. I am quite fortunate that nothing serious was discovered. Although, I do not recommend that this experience be included in future itineraries.

Sunday Evening

January 31, 2010

16 Shevat 5770

“Tu b’Shevat heegee’a, chag ha’ilanot…” These are the opening words to a song that celebrates Jewish Arbor Day, which was officially yesterday.  It is customary in the Jewish tradition to go into the fields and to plant, as well as to eat many different types of fruits in celebration of the many blessings that trees offer us.  Since it was Shabbat on the 15^th, the planting would have to wait.   As for the fruits, Lynn and I visited a friend in Jerusalem on Shabbat afternoon who treated us to candied etrog, which is only available in the stores in limited quantities at this time of the year.  What a true delight to celebrate the holiday! I will have more to say about the trees shortly!

Our day began early, as usual.  Our first destination was the Western Wall and the Rabbinic Tunnels.  We are familiar with the sight of the Wall as being the closest point at which a person can come in regard to the Holy of Holies that once stood on the Temple Mount above.  The Wall itself has no intrinsic holy value, other than its proximity to the Temple.   Excavations under the old city, the Muslim Quarter, which is to the left of the Western Wall, has revealed many marvels that have been hidden by the buildings above.  Archaeologists have been able to dig below the surface and follow the Western wall of the Temple to the point where it turns south.  As a consequence, as one moves south along the wall, there is a point where one is even closer to the place where the High Priest entered God’s sanctuary once a year on Yom Kippur.  It is a place where primarily woman gather to pray.  Even pictures cannot capture the sheer wonder and awe of the architectural feat and what it must have taken to build the Temple and its retaining walls.  It will probably remain as another mystery to the history and the spirituality that surrounds this place. 

Next on our tour of the Jewish Quarter was the Davidson Center and Robinson’s arch.  It is here that we stood on stones that were two thousand years old, the same stones that paved the way for our ancient ancestors to make their final steps up to the Temple mount with their half-shekel and their offerings for the Priests.  We saw a movie that helped us visualize what this place once looked like and the feelings of awe that accompanied the pilgrims in the final stage of their journey to Jerusalem.  All that remains are the road, some stones knocked to the ground by the Romans when they destroyed the Temple Mount and an ancient inscription near the remnants of what was considered the biggest arch of their time.

Next, we did some shopping in the Cardo, the area that was once Roman and Jewish shops outside of the walled city, which is now a part of the ancient shuk that continues today.  For many of us who were interested in buying our religious items in Jerusalem, this was the place to do so, stopping long enough to chow down a falafel before going back to the serious business of personal souvenirs. 

Then, we returned to the bus for our drive to the outskirts of Jerusalem and the Jewish National Fund Forest, to the JFK Memorial Park.  It was here that I planted trees with my parents, my cousins, my sisters, and my grandparents thirty seven years ago.  My grandparents were strong supporters of JNF.  We each planted several trees in honor and in memory of loved ones from back home.  Now that we have planted them, we have learned that this is a communal effort and it is your turn to water the trees next Thursday.  If you can’t make it, it is up to you to call the JNF office and switch with somebody else, other wise they don’t get watered for the week.  Saplings need lots of attention.  We each had a choice of several types to choose from making it that much more difficult which trees to plant for whom.  However, we did make our selections and had a memorable time planting.

However, the day was not complete until we visited Har Herzl and Israel’s national military cemetery.  We visited the graves of several important people, both politicians and soldies, including Theodore Hertzl, Yitzchak Rabin, Golda Meir, Chana Senesh, and Yonatan Natanyahu.  What a fitting end to a moving day filled with many emotional spiritual highs and lows as we reflect back on the significance of this city and our new-found ties to the land and the people who inhabit it, and who offer their lives to protect its security.

Thursday Evening,

January 28, 2010

13 Shevat 5770

“Shalom Yerushalayim…” is one of many songs that have been written over the ages that try to describe the significance of this place to the Jewish people and their experience with God and nature.  It is on the Temple Mount that Abraham nearly sacrificed Isaac.  It is in this same place that the Holy of Holies once stood.  It is here that our ancestors once gathered to celebrate the three pilgrimage festivals.  Today, it is the seat of Israel’s government, the place where Israel buries her fallen soldiers, and the place where we remember the victims of the Holocaust and the stories of its survivors, as well as honoring the righteous gentiles who risked their lives for the souls of a Jewish person.

The first comment that our guide, Michael, made was that Jerusalem is a city of contrasts.  There is the heavenly Jerusalem and then there is the earthly one, the one of of our hopes and dreams and the one that is a reality.  It brings together the holy and the secular.  It is both ancient and vibrantly new.  Yet, throughout it all, it brings the Jewish people together in its diversity, standing tall despite the hardships that it has witnessed.  And it slowly reveals some of its secrets to us each time that we uncover new remains from the past, enabling us to learn more about what it is that attracts us to this special place.

Our first glimpse of the city occurred on a side street of Jerusalem, around the corner from our hotel where we could gaze upon the golden walls of the old city, near the Jaffa Gate and the Tower of David.  It is here that we read a psalm and recited the Shehechiyanu prayer, expressing our gratitude at waiting a lifetime to witness the glory and the beauty of this city, and experience the charm and the wonder that it is about to reveal to us.  

After supper a few of us went for a walk around the neighborhood.  Just around the corner from us is the King David Hotel.  What surprised us as we walked through the lobby were the number of young Orthodox couples talking to one another with an intent gaze in the girls’ eyes.  It took a few minutes for us to realize that these young couples were on a date, all be it an arranged one.  Dressed in their “Shabbat” finery, this was their opportunity to find a mate for life!  Old meets new in the most luxurious, but most public, of places.  When we returned to our own hotel, we saw more of the same in the lobby as we made our way to our rooms.  Only in Israel does the contrasts from one world stand out so starkly with another.

Wednesday Evening,

January 27, 2010

11 Shevat 5770

We are waiting to board our flight to Israel, leaving from Atlanta, Georgia.  The President of the United States is currently giving his State of the Union address which is viewable at one of the other terminals.  I have just finished reading an article written by Rabbi Daniel Gordis who made aliyah with his family a number of years ago, and reports on Israeli culture on a blog every month or so.  At the end of November he wrote an article entitled “A Requiem for Peoplehood.”  He reports a comment that was made to him following a presentation that he gave at a synagogue in Long Island.  The woman, who was a member of a liberal congregation, commented that “it never occurred to me that the Jews were a people.”  It never occurred to this American born rabbi that Judaism could exist without our believing that we are a people, as first stated by the Pharaoh of Egypt at the beginning of Exodus when he considered the Israelites to be a threat to his nation’s authority. 

If our enemies consider us a people, why do we have such a difficult time declaring ourselves as such?  What is our fear of being a unified nation that is diverse in its character, that we feel it necessary to limit ourselves to being called a faith tradition?  For those congregations which have a large interfaith population, the fear is that labeling ourselves as a people will alienate a major portion of the population that supports our religious institutions.  “Christianity is not about peoplehood,” declares Rabbi Gordis.  “The Christian People is a meaningless phrase.”  In contrast, the Jewish People is filled with meaning and purpose to its appellation.  Without declaring my Judaism as a peoplehood, I lose the core of who I am in this world.  My devotion to Israel, as a peoplehood as well as a modern state, is more than just a choice that I have made for myself when becoming a bar mitzvah, and becoming responsible for my behavior as an adult in the Jewish community.  It is an instinct that cannot be ignored, but can be cultivated.  It is tribal, and I am proud of my heritage and am equally proud of the spirituality that guides me in my association with other Jews.

While waiting to board the airplane, I was approached by an orthodox man who was hoping to create a minyan for evening prayers.  Where else in an airport except a terminal where people are leaving for Israel, is there a gathering of people to create a community for prayer!?!  Seeing Israel for the first time is what has brought us together, those of us who are traveling along this particular journey.  Given that we are part of a peoplehood with a shared history and who seek to learn more about our historical past and what embraces us in the present is what brings us together at terminal E18 in
Atlanta.  Time to board for the next leg of our 11 hour journey!