Puppet photos

I am still having trouble uploading photos of the puppet adventures.  Hopefully I will figure this out soon... keep checking!


I have it worked out!  Pictures are added to the previous post/

Puppets Adventures in Israel

 I have been home for a little more than 2 weeks and I can not think about my Israel adventures without a BIG smile on my face!  Here is a post about our puppet friends who joined us on the journey

Puppets Adventures in Israel…

Not only did our group of 15 travelers have an amazing 10 (ok 11) day journey in Israel but we had some puppet friends join us and they had a great time as well!

While we were waiting for our departure, at SFO, Rabbi Eve gave us each a puppet to bring on our journey.  These adorable puppets were made by the kids in the after school program at JCCSF.  The puppet I chose (or maybe she chose me) was decorated in a purple dress with colorful jewelry and long blond hair.  I named her “Keshet” which means rainbow.

Keshet and her puppet friends experienced many of the same things that their human friends did.   They even started to act like their human friends.  Some becoming more playful and some were quieter.  The human friends took a lot of photos with, and of, the puppets.  Puppet travelers went on the big hike in the Negev, climbed Masada, helped pick oranges, went to a Tu B’Shevat Seder, climbed trees at Neot Kedumim. 

David’s puppet made alyiah after deciding to stay in Holon, Israel (near Tel Aviv).  I wonder what stories that puppet would be able to tell.  I bet he’s learning a lot of Hebrew.

Several puppets tried the delicious cuisine.  They enjoyed it so much that they ate (and ate and ate), just like we did!   One puppet actually “fell” in love with the hummus and pita. 

Keshet learned about sheckles and bought a present for the Dragonflies class, at the PJCC.  She was so brave she even tried to drive our large bus, with Itzik’s help.    Keshet had a fantastic time in Israel and is looking forward to coming home to the JCCSF to see her young friends.

I am sure Keshet will tell you all kinds of stories about her adventures in Israel, but when I asked about her favorite thing to do in Israel she said “Shopping”!  She did love to shop J   

"Falling" in love with the hummus

Keshet shopping for tea, at the shuk

Harvesting oranges on Tu B'Shevat

Buying balloons with shekles

Climbing trees at Neot Kedumim

Planting a grape vine at Neot Kedumim

Tastes and Aromas of Israel

Wednesday

January 26

I realized that I hadn’t written much about the aromas & tastes of Israel, yet.  I am getting used to the bountiful Israeli breakfast buffets.  I know… at home I barely even eat breakfast.  I may need to change this habit!  A typical breakfast, for me, has consisted of cucumber-tomato-feta salad, yogurt with granola, a variety of cheeses, green salad, sliced oranges and/or kiwi, potato burakas (a filled puff pastry with sesame seeds on top) and today there was a vegetable mix (spinach/tomato/onion… with lots of garlic) that was especially delicious!!!  Almost every day I have made a cheese sandwich, to go.  It has become a routine J

There have been several visits to a variety of markets (shuks).  It is incredible to walk down the crowded aisles past stands of fruits, vegetables, nuts, spices, teas, fresh fish and pastries.  The market vendors are calling out to get you to come to their stand and the bargaining begins.  

Entering the Arab Market

Dried fruit and nuts

So many spices...

I don't know what this was, besides delicious!!!

Fluffiest pita ever!

An assortment of sweet treats

All of these food vendors are in between stalls filled with all kinds of souvenirs and scarves… oh the scarves.  My roommate is coming home with 17 scarves more than she arrived with.  Many as gifts but several for herself!  Don’t get me wrong; I helped the Israeli economy as well!  You will just have to wait and see what I come home with.

Another interesting day in Israel!  Today was filled with meetings & lectures.  We met with a variety of people who discussed contemporary life, in Israel with us.  They covered journalism, t.v./film and the LGBT community.  Another fabulous lunch, this time  at "Grill Bar", which had the fluffiest pita I've ever seen.  There has been an increase in food documentation so I'll post a few photos of our lunch!

After lunch we had a free afternoon for more sight seeing and shopping!  Back at the hotel and although I will be happy to get home I am sad to be packing!!!

L' hitra'ot

Yad VaShem

Tuesday

January 25

Today was another emotional day!  We started the morning with an extremely interesting session with a wonderful educator, Rachel Korazim.  She was preparing us for our day at Yad VaShem. 

The museum, which tells the story of the Shoah (Holocaust) from an Israeli perspective, was moving.  About half way through the museum Mimi (another seminar participant) saw a photo of her father on the wall in one of the galleries.  Muki, our guide, gave her the microphone and had her tell her father's story.  That made the day even more real!

It is hard to put the emotions of today into words!

Laila Tov

Masada and the Dead Sea

Monday January 24
Today was one of the days I was looking forward to, the most (after Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel).  I was looking forward to doing the hike up Masada but after last weeks hike I wasn't so sure!  When we arrived at Masada I looked up and wondered if I was making a mistake in trying the hike.  I decided to "Go For It"!!!  What the heck... this trip has been all about me breaking out of my comfort zone and trying new things!  New foods and new physical challenges have been a recurring theme of this journey!  


It was a very long hike with a steep incline and a lot of switchbacks!  For those of you who were on the famous Glacier Point hike, when I fell, I managed to stay upright the entire time.   This hike was so physically challenging for me that not only could I feel my heart racing but I could HEAR it!   Our group quickly divided into smaller groups heading up the trail and different speeds.  I was taking up the rear (again) but was actually keeping pace with, and sometimes out hiking, the group of 15 year olds also climbing Masada!  One young man was overheard telling his friend "Look, even the adults are faster than you..."  I felt a great sense of accomplishment at reaching the top.  As I neared the top I heard Muki saying "Go Peri, you're almost there!"  I looked up and saw Sheila's big smile encouraging me towards the top (Thanks Sheila)!!!


We spent a little over an hour (a guess) on top of Masada, learning all about the fortress, how it was built,  why it was built and touring many of the rooms.  It was crowded at the top of Masada with many tour groups which was frustrating for some of the tour guides.  Muki was fantastic, as usual!  


After we finished touring Masada we took the gondola to the bottom and headed for Mineral Beach at the Dead Sea.  While we were on the bus Muki told us about all of the protocol for the Dead Sea.  Most of us decided to eat lunch, cover ourselves with the mineral mud and float in the sea.  I even tried the sulfur pool at the end but it was too hot and stung, after being in the salty sea!  The mud is gooey when you rub it all over your body!  It was nice to have friends helping each other "paint" our bodies with the mineral rich mud.  You are supposed to let the mud dry before going into the Dead Sea.  It really does hurt when you get water in your eyes!  Do not try this at home!  When you walk into the water, you are supposed to walk in up to your thighs the turn around and "sit down" this is when you begin to float.  It is a funny feeling.  When you visit Israel, you should try this.  It is so much fun!  

Getting ready to hike up to Masada

Sheila & I at the top of Masada

Yes... I covered myself with mud!

Floating in the Dead Sea!

For dinner, a few of us walked to Ben Yehuda Street, a pedestrian street, for another delicious dinner of falafel & schwarma, this time at Moshiko.


Tomorrow we will be visiting Yad VaShem.
I might not post again, until I get home.   
We'll see if I get internet.
Laila Tov.

Archaeology

Sunday January 23

Today was a busy day looking at and learning about so much history.  We had an early wake-up call (6:30- ok, most days we have an early wake up call).  After another plentiful Israeli breakfast buffet we headed to the Old City.  We spent the morning having tours of the tunnels below the Western Wall and the Jerusalem Archaeological Park.  On our way to the  Jerusalem Archaeological Park many of us were wondering when lunch was.  It seemed like we had been walking and learning for hours.  Our guide laughed and told us that our next tour was in a few minutes, at 10:00.  We walked all around the Old City for a few more hours looking at many different historical sites.   It is amazing to stand above the Kotel (Western Wall) and see important religious landmarks for Judiasm, Christianity and Islam, at the same time.

Our afternoon was spent having a delicious lunch at the Israel Museum and a very quick visit to the Museum.   I wish we could have had a few more hours (or days) to spend in the museum.  I guess I'll have to come back!  Sunday evening we visited the home of Sara, from the JCCA office in Jerusalem. Sara lives in the Tsur Hadassah community, in the Judean Hills outside of Jerusalem.  It was a wonderful visit to her home.

Waiting for our tour of the tunnels

Inside the tunnels

The Women's section of the Kotel (Western Wall)

Touching the Kotel

JCCSF Israel Seminar Group 2011

Davidson Center- Jerusalem Archaeological Park

Sheila & I at an overlook near the Kotel

Lunch at the Israel Museum... so much food!!!

Outside the entrance to the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit

We came back to the hotel for dinner.  Since nobody was hungry we ate leftovers, from lunch, in our room.

Shabbat

Shabbat-

January 21 & 22 2011

Friday was an emotional day for me with lots of wonderful information and experiences!

Our day began checking out of the hotel and preparing to leave Tel Aviv L.  The only thing I did not get to do, that was high on my list, was to put my feet into the Mediterranean Sea.  I guess I’ll have to come back! 

We began with a walking tour of the early Tel Aviv neighborhood of Neve Zedek.    Muki (our tour educator) had so much information to share with us.  I wish I had thought to video record everything he said because I’ve already forgotten so much and he was very interesting!  We learned about the history of this neighborhood and saw many of the old buildings.  I was struck at the sight of an old abandoned synagogue with a high rise in the background.  Everywhere you look, in Tel Aviv, there are cranes and construction going on. 

We went to Independence Hall.  We sat down in the very room where the Declaration of Independence was signed.  Muki set the stage before playing a recording of the actual day.  We listened to David Ben-Gurion welcome the gathering and make the proclamation for independence.

 

We had a few hours of free time to have lunch and explore Nachalat Binyamin (a wonderful arts and crafts market (similar to the art & wine festival in Palo Alto) that is only open on Tuesday & Friday.  I found several ways to spend my shekels…

Back on the bus and off to Jerusalem!  The drive was a little over an hour.  We drove past the checkpoints in and out of the West Bank. And were able to see settlements on both sides of the highway.  When we arrived in Jerusalem we checked into the hotel and got ready for Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel (Western Wall).   Since being selected to attend this seminar, I have been excited about going to the Kotel for Kabbalat Shabbat.  It was more than I ever anticipated!   Our group split into the men and women to go through security. Once inside we regrouped to discuss protocol and headed off to our separate sides of the wall. The atmosphere was electric.  Groups of people singing, dancing, praying and crying.   When I finally reached the wall and reached out to touch it, I felt a tingling up my spine.  As Jodi Foster said, in the movie Contact, “They should have sent a poet”.  It is difficult to put the emotions and electricity of the moment into words! 

Shabbat morning we had a relaxing breakfast and some of us headed to shop in the Shuk, in the Arab quarter.  Sheila and I had a great day bargaining with the shopkeepers and spending our shekels.  Tonight, after Havdalah, we are going back to Jaffa for a performance of the “Momentum of the Mayumana” which is supposedly like the Israeli version of “Stomp”.  I heard them rehearsing the other day, when I was in Jaffa with Giora & Nili.  

Day #3

On my walk from Tel Aviv to Jaffa, with Yoav's grandparents

Jaffa harbor

On the road to Ramat Ha Sharon

Giora & Nili Ben-Porat- Yoav's grandparents

Giving the staff in Ramat Ha Sharon the quilt made by PJCC children

Imagination trees made by the children in Ramat Ha Sharon

Nitza, Sheila & I in Ramat Ha Sharon

Thursday January 20

Thursday I had a wonderful day.  After a leisurely breakfast I connected with Giora & Nili Ben-Porat (Yoav’s grandparents).  They took me on a lovely walk along the Tel Aviv waterfront from the Dan Panorama Hotel to Jaffa (Yafo).  We saw the Jaffa harbor, a park and a few art galleries.  The art galleries were in buildings that used to be fishing warehouses.  Nili & I walsked around the Jaffa flea market and met Giora at a restaurant for lunch.  They generously drove Sheila & I to Ramat Ha Sharon for our afternoon adventures.  Thank you Giora & Nili, I had a great time and will see you soon!

In Ramat Ha Sharon Sheila & I met with Nitza, Ruty, & Karen at the Matnas Levi.  They showed us around and we talked about ways to communicate with each other when we get home.  Dragonflies, I can’t wait to tell you about the children that I met and how we will share stories and pictures with them.  Ruty is the Manager of all of the Preschools affiliated with the Matnas (community center).  There are several preschools around the community, which serves 1,000 children.  Each center has between 2-5 classes and each class has around 30 children.    Ruty took us to 2 of the centers where we met many children and teachers.

At the end of the day we went to another center for their Tu B’Shevat celebration.  They had a wonderful community garden that was the vision of 4 women.  Wait until you see the pictures of the gardens.  Since it was Tu B’Shevat the community had gathered for a party and tree planting.  There was a band playing (3-4 children and 2 adults).  It seemed strange to hear American music being played (House of the Rising Sun, Beatles…).  They were extremely talented! 

We headed back to the hotel to join the group for a quiet evening.  I went out to dinner with 7 new friends, for the best dinner I’ve had so far, in Israel! 

Day #2

Our room at Mashabee Sade

We have our crates and are ready to pick oranges

Everybody working hard!

Yes... I was hard at work, picking oranges!

Taking time out, from picking oranges, to hide in the trees... I needed shade

Our group, after a productive afternoon in the orange grove!

Tu B'Shevat seder in Holon

January # 19

On Wednesday our day began with the sounds of roosters crowing and peacocks screeching on Kibbutz Mashabee Sadee.  We enjoyed simple and charming accommodations and another amazing Israeli breakfast buffet. The sun was shining and it was another beautiful day in the desert. After boarding the bus we headed north for our next adventure.  Along the way we saw beautiful scenery (yes, we even saw camels) and how the Bedouin live in proximity to the larger city of Be’er Sheva.

Our next stop was at an agricultural field near Rehevot where we participated in a leket- gleening, a program where volunteers pick fruit or vegetables which are donated to the needy (www.leket.org).  This particular farm owned by a lawyer, from Ohio, who made Alyiah 30 years ago; volunteers harvest all that is grown for Tzedakah.  Today’s assignment- oranges!  We were led into an orange grove where the trees were heavy with ripe fruit.  Eagerly we grabbed our baskets and dove in!  Reaching, plucking, laughing, lugging… we worked hard for almost an hour and a half, after which we were told we had harvested, get ready:  2 TONS OF ORANGES (and there were only 17 of us working)!!  These oranges will be distributed to 1,000 families within the next 48 hours.  We were sweaty, dirty and very happy and were rewarded with the sweetest oranges ever!  It was a wonderful feeling harvesting on Erev Tu B’ Shevat.

We headed off to Holon where the children (and teens) were waiting for us to celebrate Tu B’Shevat!!  When we arrived for the Seder, the tables were beautifully set and we were welcomed with joy!  The children hosted and led us in the Seder with prayers and song.  Were were entertained with a play, more music and dancing… a fabulous evening! 

All in all our day was Sababa- Awesome!

I am finally posting! Day 1

Ready to board the plane for our long journey to Israel!

The Negev, part of the way up our hike.

Near the end of the hike, relaxing.

Miriam- our wonderful lunch host!

Grave sites of David & Paula Ben-Gurion

The view Emily & I had, from our hotel in Tel Aviv

January 17-18

We’re here! 

Teacher Sheila and I have safely arrived in Israel.  After 2 long flights we arrived at Ben-Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.  After going through customs, we met our tour educator and headed off to our hotel.  We went out to a fantastic Israeli dinner at Maganda.  We had two rounds of appetizers before they brought our entrée.  The owner came by to welcome us.  After dinner we all collapsed, ready for a good night sleep!

Tuesday was a busy day.  We headed out to the Negev Desert.  I was challenged in ways I’ve never been challenged before, physically, emotionally and spiritually.  We completed an intense rock clime/hike.  I don’t know if I’ve ever been as proud of myself, for completing anything!  When I have a chance to post photos, you’ll see what I mean J

Near the end of the hike, we saw sand that was yellow, orange and (of course) purple!  The views of the desert, from the summit, were some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen.  It is powerful to think about ancient history and what it might have been like having to take this hike (or something similar) for 40 years.  The best part of the hike was the bonding between everyone in our group.   There were experienced hikers and rock climbers all the way to novices, like me.  Everyone was physically and emotionally supportive and I know we became closer because of it.

After our hike we were hosted in the home of a lovely woman, Miriam.    She lives in the community of Yeruham.  Miriam is part of a program called “Women Chefs in Yeruham”.  These women host groups of travelers as their job.  It was a delicious home cooked lunch of her local specialties and family recipes.

Our evening ended with dinner at Kibbutz Mashabee Sadee, where we also spent the night.  Laila Tov… It’s time for me to get some sleep.