May 14: Update from the North

Our kids had a terrific host Shabbat. All of them came back seemingly very happy and certainly well rested and I hope that whatever bugs they were carrying they left behind. We have one or two with leftovers but I think they are feeling better today as well.

Sunday, that means today although it is now one o’clock in the morning for them, was a full and busy day for them. They started early in the morning after davening and breakfast in Tel Aviv, and headed north towards the Carmel Mountains.

They arrived to Nachal Yagur, and started making their way down a dry creek, climbing over rocks and down stone ledges. It was beautiful to see our children really helping each other and learning team building activities. Some said it was harder than the desert hikes, but all agreed it was really fun!

From Kibbutz Yagur, at the end of the hike, they traveled to Dalyat El Carmel, a Druze town, where they had home hospitality and an amazing home made traditional Druze lunch (Kosher certified of course... quite astounding that in Israel you can do that). After the meal we heard from one of the elder Druze about their special and unusual religion, and their relationship to Israel. The Druze do fight in combat units in Israel and are not Jewish but they are Israeli.

From there our kids went to Dir-Al-Asad, a Arab-Israeli village, where they heard a short introduction about Arab Israeli citizens and then met with Arab-Israeli teens, only to discover how much they resemble each other in all of their activities.

They finally arrived in the evening at Nofei Gonen, a beautiful hotel in the Galilee, with the rooms spread around grass gardens, and peacocks roaming the paths... this will be their home base for the next four days.

After dinner, they had a bonfire, in honor of Lag B’Omer, where we sang some songs and roasted marshmallows... nice ending to the day.

They were exhausted, thank goodness, and went to bed at a decent hour so they could gather their strength for another day (Monday) of excitement and bonding. A few pictures were sent to us from Haggai Lavie who is with the group now.

Lila tov, from Eretz Yisrael. Stay connected and stay well.

Zipora Schorr