The journey comes to an end

After 10 days of amazing adventures, beautiful bonding, and crazy carousing, it is hard to believe that such an incredible trip is coming to an end. The friendships built during this momentous journey are nearly indescribable. The sights, sounds, and smells are forever engraved as memories in our minds.

The weather was a major hinderance on the original plans today. We were supposed to go on a hike in the morning, but due to heavy rain, this was impossible. Instead went to a unique winery where they do not make wine from grapes, but rather liqueurs from different fruits and candies. Then we went to the beautiful and bountiful Baha'i gardens in Haifa. After a sudden bout of heavy rainfall, we decided to get back on the bus and go to a market area called Mircaz HaCarmel for lunch. We left at 12:30 for a presentation at the premier Israeli technical school, called The Technion Institute. After a short discussion of the undergraduate offerings, we were shown a presentation about graduate schools and transfer students. Many members in the group are interested in taking advantage of this exciting opportunity and returning to Israel to further their education.

This concluded our day in Haifa (Amanda's favorite city!). We got back on the bus to return to Tiberias for our final night in Israel. Once at the hotel, we had some free time before dinner to pack, then followed immediately by a concluding discussion. For this, we were each given "awards" written on paper plates. Examples included "Most Jewish Cheerleader," "Biggest Flirt," and "Cutest Couple." Next, we got into groups reenacting each day of the voyage. It was nice to be reminded of what activities we did during the trip!

We leave for the airport at 04:00 local time tomorrow morning and the official birthright trip ends with a 12 hour flight leaving Tel-Aviv at 09:00 and arriving at JFK in New York at approximately 15:00 eastern time.

It is sad to say good-bye to the holy land, but as Ivan said during our discussion today, "Do not think of this as the end, but as the beginning." We have taken with us close friends, sore faces from excessive laughter, and the comfort of knowing we all have a second home in Israel.

~Alexis Read and Alan Morrison

Triumphant Tiberias: The Taglit Special

Today provided an opportunity for a much needed day of rest. We were able to sleep in for the first time in a long time and spend the early afternoon enjoying the company of our fellow group members. Unsurprisingly, not everyone made it to breakfast. They missed out on some soggy pancakes and leftover stuffed peppers from the prior night, but they also missed out on the shining presences of their companions.

The afternoon consisted of various discussion groups. One of them was "Love Stories in the Torah," led by one of our group leaders Ivan. It was an interesting topic that shed light on an often neglected part of the Torah; the small stories that make it seem more like literature and less like a religious text. We learned about love between man and woman, man and man, father and son, and love of a man for horses (and women). 

After a short break, we all gathered to witness two B'nai Mitzvot of two absolutely wonderful girls. We threw candy and lifted both in their chairs. It was a truly magical experience when they gave inspiring promises of commitment to the Jewish faith. Following this, all the birthright groups came together to share an enchanting Havdalla service. Being in the company of our fellow travelers was a surreal bonding experience that transcended the bounds of common human emotion.

At night we took over the city. We all went out for a warm family dinner celebrating our strengthened ties and the end of our second Shabbat. Fully recharged, with fresh falafel in our bellies and new resolve in our hearts, we set out for a night on the town to celebrate the B'nai Mitzvot. Because it was only about 9:30 at night, there was not a single Israeli in sight- the American birthright groups were forced to unite to make the bar feel right.


Blog by:
Daniel Drew
Nathaniel Weiner

Don't forget to check out our website. www.hillel.org.vt.edu

The Golan Heights

On Friday morning, we drove to Capernaum Vista Olive Farms in the Golan Heights, where we were treated to a special sampling of a multitude of olive oil products, ranging from flavored olive oils to skin care products that made our hands and faces feel like a baby’s bottom.  After our olive excursion, we got back on the bus with our skin a bit softer and our wallets a bit lighter and headed north.

Soon we arrived at the pickup point for our Jeep ride through one of the most high-tech kibbutzes in the Golan Heights, if not the world.  According to our tour guides, so many cows had been stolen from the farmers that they had found it necessary to install infrared cameras that detect suspicious motion even in the dark of night.  A quick picture message to their smartphones ensures that no cow is left for dead.  Or stolen.  It was a beautiful day, and the bumpy ride was a scenic high point.

After a quick ice cream break, we headed to a movie theater to view a movie about the Yom Kippur War and the Valley of Tears, “Oz 77”. It was nice to learn more about the history of the Golan Heights.

After lunch, we headed to the day’s final touring destination, the mountain of Tel Dan.  On top of one of the highest points in the Golan Heights, we could see for miles.  The sky was bright blue, and we could clearly see Mt. Hermon and the Syrian city of Kunetra.  We explored a bunker on the mountain, took some scenic pictures, and then headed back to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat.

Services, a wonderful dinner, workshops, and some fun games provided a relaxing way to welcome Shabbat.  It’s hard to believe that we’ve only been here for one week!  So much has happened since we touched down at Tel Aviv-Jaffa last Friday morning.  After reflecting on our amazing week, we relaxed and prepared to make the most of our remaining and now fleeting time here in Eretz Yisrael.  Shabbat Shalom!

Marty Strauss and Jenna Whisler

A day in Tzvat

1/3/13

6:30

Wake up call and rearrange rooms for the the following night after the soldiers depart the company.

7:00

Commence breakfast in the hotel restaurant.  Breakfast included eggs, omelets, pancakes with chocolate syrup and fresh fruits and veggies.

7:10

Surprise singing of "Happy Birthday" for Morgan!!!

9:00

We arrive at Tzvat and visit pay bathroom (2 NIS).  The view of the Galilee region is beautiful and we enter the ancient Synagogue of the town. We learn about the history associated with it and about Kabbala.

10:00

The group goes shopping in the ancient streets.  The shops were filled with wonderful works of art and jewelry.  The group shopped for about an hour and some people even tried fresh squeezed juice (mixtures of pomegranate, orange and grapefruit).

11:15

We climb up a lot of stairs to the park at the top of the town and get to work. Using pick axes and shovels we clear rocks and clean the terraces.  We discussed Tikkun Olam, the healing of the World, and the idea of leaving a better world for the generations of tomorrow.

12:00

Lunch in the City. We eat falafel, pizza, and shwarma from the various street vendors and continue to shop.

3:00

We walked up a trail to the view at the top.  There was a great sprawling tree and the sun was slowing falling in the sky.  This is where we parted ways with our friends, the Israeli soldiers, and we all piled on the bus together for the last time.  We stopped at a bus station on our return journey to the hotel and parted ways with our friends.

7:00

Dinner at the hotel.  Included a variety of beef, fish, amazing smoked turkey, and various other side items (mainly hummus).

8:00

We meet up with the group from the University of Vermont and discussed  Israeli polities and current events. 

Robin Roston and Jason Schwartz

Don't forget to check out our website. www.hillel.org.vt.edu

Hiking and Floating!

                     We woke up to a Bedouin breakfast and to a beautiful sunrise in the desert.  Afterwards we boarded to buses to go scale Mount Masada and see the ancient ruins that awaited us.  After a long trek to the peak of the mountain we were fortunate enough to see the rabbi on top of Masada who hand writes Torahs that are given to the military.  After wandering the top of the mountain we climbed down the snake route seeing a beautiful landscape as well as the Dead Sea we would soon swim in.

                       After climbing down the snake route we boarded the buses and drove to the Ein Geti Oasis.  Before entering the trail we had a packed lunch.  We were informed of the animals that lived in the area and were fortunate to see them such as Ibex and Hyrax.  We then went to a little waterfall to cool off and relax. After some splashing around we decided to make our way to the Dead Sea.

                        Arriving at the Dead Sea we all applied a mud to our skin that provided minerals and served as a natural moisturizer. We then proceeded to enter the Dead Sea and experience the unique feeling of floating effortlessly in the water.  At first the water seemed very cold but eventually felt warm after floating around even though it is the Israeli winter!  From our spot in the water we could see huge blocks of pure salt that was in the water that enabled us to float.  We were happily surprised to see the IDF fighter jets such as the F-16 and F-15's fly overhead as we ended our day in the desert.  

                       As we concluded the day we took a long bus ride to Tiberius where we will spend the remainder of the trip. Arriving at the hotel we ate a delightful dinner and all took much-needed showers.   Before we went to bed, our Israeli soldiers showed us how to celebrate a birthday in Israel, and taught us many entertaining games.

Grant Ribler and Sam Marcus       

A Day in Haiku Form

Daniel Goldeen and Ian Marcus

01/01/13

Early rise at dawn

First breakfast of the New Year

Packed and left hotel

Weitzman Institute

Modern Israeli research

We learned a lot there

Drove to the Negev

From the city to desert

Windy roads and sand

Camel and donkey

Rides at the Bedouin camp

Bumpy, stinky fun

Bedouin dinner

Tea, coffee, rice, and pita

Yummy in tummy

Nighttime starlit walk

Found the voice in the desert

We walked with caution

Bonfire yet to come

We have marshmallows to roast

Soon sleeping in tent

Don't forget to check out our website. www.hillel.org.vt.edu