Today was a very different day from all the rest! Unfortunately, it was the first day we faced the elements and whipped out our rain slickers, for it was coming down like cats and dogs! We were scheduled to go to a nature preserve in the Golan Heights and have a short hike, but we were foiled. Instead, we took a long driving tour of the Heights and watched a movie about the Valley of Tears battle that took place there. It was a battle against Syria where the Israeli army was vastly outnumbered and still came out victorious.
Then we had a short activity to start the goodbyes to our Israeli Soldiers. Everybody wrote a short little note about how our new friends affected us in their short time on our trip. The word awesome was thrown around almost excessively.
We then went to Mount Bental where there was an old bunker and lots of interesting artwork created by a local artist to represent the events that took place there and also the lives of the Israeli civilians that live in the area. We got stuck in the bunker behind a loud group of cheering Italians and ended up yelling “Lets Go/Hokies” out of restlessness.
After Mount Bental, we had lunch at a mall in the Golan Heights where the primary customers in the food court were Birthrighters. There was a falafel stand claiming it was “The Best Falafel in the World/Welcome Taglit”. The proprietor was a loud man wearing a Taglit Birthright t-shirt; he is doing great business.
We were headed to an overlook where you can see the border of Lebanon from Israel but the rain was continuing to pour down. Yoav, Amanda and Lauren made a game time decision to take us on a tour of a local Winery! This was a great surprise and went over well with the group. The winery was fun and we tasted three wines and took a stroll around the store. Many people bought gifts to take home to their parents so cross your fingers! You may be getting something tasty and very Israeli, Parents!
Finally, we headed to the bus station in Tiberius to bid our soldiers farewell. Everyone hugged and kissed and made promises to see each other in the future. We are all bummed that they’re gone – we had an absolutely amazing time getting to know our Israeli peers. Personally, I felt they were one of the most beneficial aspects of the entire Birthright trip. Meeting people our own age who are being forced to grow up much quicker for the sake of their country was extremely moving. It put my life in perspective and is giving me a much greater appreciation of all the blessings in my life.
Tonight we’re going to write postcards and enjoy some tea and cookies. The trip is beginning to wind down but I don’t want it to be over any time soon.
L’Hitra’ot,
Nikki Kosnett
Monday, January 2, 2012
Sunday, 01/01/12
"Yes Hamefachedet!" So began a traumatizing 5 minute introduction of what it's like on the first day of IDF bootcamp. Led by our supposed soldier friends who seemed to derive a little too much fun from making us stand attention in rows of three (and do pushups when we failed), we were incredibly relieved when they broke character from their "Full Metal Jacket" routine and we segued into a discussion of the powerful challenges presented to soldiers every day in the Israeli military. Tackling questions like "how do you disarm a terrorist holding a child?" revealed how impossible many of the decisions these soldiers--some of them younger than us--have to address with lightning fast reflexes on a regular basis. To me personally it was the culmination of an emotional day that highlighted how critical it is to be aware of the fact that the status quo simply isn't acceptable; nothing upsets me more than to think of how the burden of this fight rests upon the shoulders of young adults.
To backtrack, we began our day at the Supreme Court. While perhaps not the most exciting stop of our trip, we did get to sit in on a hearing that involved five Supreme Court justices, and while I understood approximately nothing said during the trial, the entire event (as well as the very architecture of the building) suggested an approachability and transparency that is admirable. After the courtroom, we learned about the differing judicial systems within the Israeli government (including criminal, civil, and religious court systems).
From the Supreme Court, we left for our central activity of the day, visiting Mount Herzl. We began by a discussion of Theodor Herzl and his dream of an Israeli state, and from there went to visit Herzl's tombstone. Though Herzl was unable to see his idea become a reality, it is pretty incredible to conceive that a mere half century transpired between conception and reality.
We moved on to the graves of former Prime Ministers, and paused specifically at the headstone of Yitzhak Rabin, where Yoav spoke to us about his own memory of Rabin and the assassination by right-wing extremists. I have always admired his passionate pursuit for peace throughout his life, and he ultimately died for what I believe was a faith in a common goodness.
Finally we visited multiple sections dedicated to the fallen of various wars, from old battles to an American citizen, Michael Levin, who lost his life during the Second Lebanon War. Two incidents stuck out monumentally in my mind. First was the children's story we read at the gravestone of Guni Harnik, a war hero who is buried at the 'brothers grave.' Written by his mother, it opens with the line, "Once upon a time, I had a son." No mother should ever have to author such a thought, and those simple and almost innocent words echoed long-after in my mind. Secondly were the numbers; on every gravestone, conspicuous amongst a field of (for me) unreadable Hebrew characters, were numbers: 21, 20, 21, 18, 18, 19, 22, 39, 24, 20, 31, 27, 18. These were, of course, the ages of each fallen member, and was the most sober and profound reminder of the true cost of war. These ages matched my age, and more importantly, they matched the ages of our Israeli friends who were the peers of those who now were passed. We closed our time at Mount Herzl with the singing of Hatikvah, and then left for the marketplace.
As somber and beautiful as Mount Herzl was, the shuk was in every way the opposite: loud, exciting, colorful, and loud. Fishmongers, spice sellers, and every kitschy shop imaginable lined the narrow, covered streets. For about two hours we split up, tasting and taking in the sights and sounds of a Jerusalem marketplace. Returning to the bus, we drove two hours north to the hostel (and partied a bit on the bus) and then enjoyed a nice dinner before the soldiers took over the evening show!
To backtrack, we began our day at the Supreme Court. While perhaps not the most exciting stop of our trip, we did get to sit in on a hearing that involved five Supreme Court justices, and while I understood approximately nothing said during the trial, the entire event (as well as the very architecture of the building) suggested an approachability and transparency that is admirable. After the courtroom, we learned about the differing judicial systems within the Israeli government (including criminal, civil, and religious court systems).
From the Supreme Court, we left for our central activity of the day, visiting Mount Herzl. We began by a discussion of Theodor Herzl and his dream of an Israeli state, and from there went to visit Herzl's tombstone. Though Herzl was unable to see his idea become a reality, it is pretty incredible to conceive that a mere half century transpired between conception and reality.
We moved on to the graves of former Prime Ministers, and paused specifically at the headstone of Yitzhak Rabin, where Yoav spoke to us about his own memory of Rabin and the assassination by right-wing extremists. I have always admired his passionate pursuit for peace throughout his life, and he ultimately died for what I believe was a faith in a common goodness.
Finally we visited multiple sections dedicated to the fallen of various wars, from old battles to an American citizen, Michael Levin, who lost his life during the Second Lebanon War. Two incidents stuck out monumentally in my mind. First was the children's story we read at the gravestone of Guni Harnik, a war hero who is buried at the 'brothers grave.' Written by his mother, it opens with the line, "Once upon a time, I had a son." No mother should ever have to author such a thought, and those simple and almost innocent words echoed long-after in my mind. Secondly were the numbers; on every gravestone, conspicuous amongst a field of (for me) unreadable Hebrew characters, were numbers: 21, 20, 21, 18, 18, 19, 22, 39, 24, 20, 31, 27, 18. These were, of course, the ages of each fallen member, and was the most sober and profound reminder of the true cost of war. These ages matched my age, and more importantly, they matched the ages of our Israeli friends who were the peers of those who now were passed. We closed our time at Mount Herzl with the singing of Hatikvah, and then left for the marketplace.
As somber and beautiful as Mount Herzl was, the shuk was in every way the opposite: loud, exciting, colorful, and loud. Fishmongers, spice sellers, and every kitschy shop imaginable lined the narrow, covered streets. For about two hours we split up, tasting and taking in the sights and sounds of a Jerusalem marketplace. Returning to the bus, we drove two hours north to the hostel (and partied a bit on the bus) and then enjoyed a nice dinner before the soldiers took over the evening show!
Shabbat/New Years Eve - the three Rs (Rest, Relaxation, Rage)
Saturday (shabbat) morning was a slow start for most of Group 121. With a late rise and late breakfast everyone was able to recover from the night before. Our day started at 11:30am with an activity where we picked from a list about what we thought best described our perceptions of judaism. There was some obvious discrepancies between the Israelis and Americans for example marrying a Jew in Israel is a lot like shooting fish in a barrel, you're bound to hit one. Yet in the states the dating game is not so simple. After some interesting discussion we had ourselves a nice Shabbat lunch at the hotel.
The next activity for the day was the Bat Mitzvah of our own Sarah Montgomery. Rabbi Rich lead a beautiful ceremony and emphasized the importance of love between siblings which Sarah's Torah portion touched on. Candy was thrown, songs were sung, and Sarah came away giddy with self content. It's not every day you get to be Bat mitzvahed in Jerusalem.
As the day progressed so did the excitement of New Years. We met for a havdallah service where the soldiers pumped us up by teaching us the cheer of "A'him", or brotherhood, and setting the tone for the night. With everyone looking sharp we loaded up the bus at 7 o'clock and headed to Jerusalem's main strip, Ben Yehudah, to bring in the new year. Everyone dispersed to end their year to enjoy a night of great food, music, and fun by ringing in 2012 in one of the oldest cities on earth.
L'shana tovah from group 121,
Stacey Weinstock
The next activity for the day was the Bat Mitzvah of our own Sarah Montgomery. Rabbi Rich lead a beautiful ceremony and emphasized the importance of love between siblings which Sarah's Torah portion touched on. Candy was thrown, songs were sung, and Sarah came away giddy with self content. It's not every day you get to be Bat mitzvahed in Jerusalem.
As the day progressed so did the excitement of New Years. We met for a havdallah service where the soldiers pumped us up by teaching us the cheer of "A'him", or brotherhood, and setting the tone for the night. With everyone looking sharp we loaded up the bus at 7 o'clock and headed to Jerusalem's main strip, Ben Yehudah, to bring in the new year. Everyone dispersed to end their year to enjoy a night of great food, music, and fun by ringing in 2012 in one of the oldest cities on earth.
L'shana tovah from group 121,
Stacey Weinstock
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