Natanzon/Taylor Senior Trip: Israel Week 1
Thursday, May 9 — ARRIVE IN ISRAEL
Monday, May 13
Our kids had an extraordinary two days. These days were an eye opener for our kids as they learned about so many different sides of life in Israel. They met six (real) Israelis each of whom represented a different person, a different personality reflecting a different part of the Israeli population.
They visited Abu Gush where they met a Muslim woman who had grown up in England. She married an Israeli Arab. They moved to Israel, she converted to Islam and she talked about the difference between Muslims and radical Islam. Her house is actually in a community where on one hill Israelis live and on the other hill Arabs live. And, they co-exist – quite a feat in today’s Israel.
They learned about so many different sides of life in Israel, one of whom was a Druze, a person in the Druze community, in a Druze village in Israel, who served in the IDF. His grandfather was killed protecting Israel. They are originally from Syria and he said that he fights for Israel and if he were in a fight between Syria and Israel, he would protect Israel. In fact, he said that he would prefer to be a second-class citizen of Israel rather than to be a first class citizen in an Arab country.
Our kids were also able to hear from a speaker who, as an 18 year old, felt like he had a gift and wanted to take the opportunity to be motivational and to make a difference. It seems the kids just applauded his inspirational talk because his message was that every person can do something for another. He challenged our kids with: What are you going to do? Who are you going to be? How are you going to make a difference?
They have had two truly inspirational and transformational jam-packed days. In fact, in their family groups, they discussed how they had an opportunity to disagree but still be agreeable.
Tuesday, May 14
Our kids had just an incredible day yesterday. They started with a marvelous hike, which even the non-hikers enjoyed. Then they had lunch in Tzfat, did some touring and of course some shopping. Then they were divided in to two groups. One group did an art project. Another baked challah in a 500-year-old challah oven.
The next stop was a tour of Tiberius where they stopped and said prayers at the kever, the grave, of the Rambam, Maimonides. Next was the boat ride, the famous Kineret disco boat ride in Tiberius. They had dinner and were back at the hotel by about 9:30, but they really felt like they had a 2-day long day. They had a tish with Rabbi Soskil just before he left the group.
Wednesday, May 15
Back
Rabbi Soskil was waiting for the group's arrival with video camera rolling as the students entered Israel, some for the first time. They boarded the busses, heading straight for the Kotel. Many couldn’t contain their excitement, especially Brady G., who had been asking when would we blindfold the “first timers”? Rikki M., who has traveled to Israel many times, answered questions about the scenery and Israeli facts and trivia.
The tour guide and Mrs. Sullivan choked back tears as the girls “revealed the wall” to those who had never been there before. The students lovingly placed notes in the wall. Shacharit and then off to hotel in Ye’arim. Sunshine, Israeli breakfast filled with vegetables, cheeses and shakshuka - yummy!
Monday, May 13
Our kids had an extraordinary two days. These days were an eye opener for our kids as they learned about so many different sides of life in Israel. They met six (real) Israelis each of whom represented a different person, a different personality reflecting a different part of the Israeli population.
They visited Abu Gush where they met a Muslim woman who had grown up in England. She married an Israeli Arab. They moved to Israel, she converted to Islam and she talked about the difference between Muslims and radical Islam. Her house is actually in a community where on one hill Israelis live and on the other hill Arabs live. And, they co-exist – quite a feat in today’s Israel.
They learned about so many different sides of life in Israel, one of whom was a Druze, a person in the Druze community, in a Druze village in Israel, who served in the IDF. His grandfather was killed protecting Israel. They are originally from Syria and he said that he fights for Israel and if he were in a fight between Syria and Israel, he would protect Israel. In fact, he said that he would prefer to be a second-class citizen of Israel rather than to be a first class citizen in an Arab country.
Our kids were also able to hear from a speaker who, as an 18 year old, felt like he had a gift and wanted to take the opportunity to be motivational and to make a difference. It seems the kids just applauded his inspirational talk because his message was that every person can do something for another. He challenged our kids with: What are you going to do? Who are you going to be? How are you going to make a difference?
They have had two truly inspirational and transformational jam-packed days. In fact, in their family groups, they discussed how they had an opportunity to disagree but still be agreeable.
Tuesday, May 14
Our kids had just an incredible day yesterday. They started with a marvelous hike, which even the non-hikers enjoyed. Then they had lunch in Tzfat, did some touring and of course some shopping. Then they were divided in to two groups. One group did an art project. Another baked challah in a 500-year-old challah oven.
The next stop was a tour of Tiberius where they stopped and said prayers at the kever, the grave, of the Rambam, Maimonides. Next was the boat ride, the famous Kineret disco boat ride in Tiberius. They had dinner and were back at the hotel by about 9:30, but they really felt like they had a 2-day long day. They had a tish with Rabbi Soskil just before he left the group.
Wednesday, May 15
Our kids are actually coming back from some very interesting activities in which they have been involved. Prior to this and after their visit to Tzfat, in the morning they heard from a charismatic speaker that they had had before in a base on the Syrian border. He gave them a tour of the base and a description of how the conflict unfolded, gave them the history of the border and, basically, a lesson in geo-politics of the area. They were supposed to go on a long hike after this but they were experiencing a heat wave and they could not do that.
They went back to the hotel and saw a film, “Hasimot,” that was filmed at the Maaleh Film School in Israel. Then they went to the De Karina chocolate factory. That was a very big hit. They were exhausted and went straight to bed. This was followed by the army experience which is always a great experience.
They are on their way to their host Shabbat. Each one of our kids will have a great Shabbat with the people they have chosen.
They went back to the hotel and saw a film, “Hasimot,” that was filmed at the Maaleh Film School in Israel. Then they went to the De Karina chocolate factory. That was a very big hit. They were exhausted and went straight to bed. This was followed by the army experience which is always a great experience.
They are on their way to their host Shabbat. Each one of our kids will have a great Shabbat with the people they have chosen.
Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School
Roz & Marvin H. Weiner Family Campus
3300 Old Court Road | Baltimore, MD 21208
410-486-1905 | mail@bethtfiloh.com
3300 Old Court Road | Baltimore, MD 21208
410-486-1905 | mail@bethtfiloh.com
Learning together. For life.
Baltimore’s only Jewish independent preparatory school serving PreSchool through Grade 12.
Baltimore’s only Jewish independent preparatory school serving PreSchool through Grade 12.
© Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School