Our second day in Israel proved to be full of learning, seeing, and enjoying!
We began the morning with a delicious breakfast at the hotel to gear us up for an exciting day.
After breakfast, we met to hear Colonel Retired Miri Eisen, former Prime Minister's advisor on the foreign media with 20 years' experience in military intelligence. Dynamic and engaging, she kept adults and children captivated. She described Israel's "complex neighborhood," surrounded closely by countries whose relationship has only been a relationship of war. She talked about the social and educational changes that have occured in the last 61 years, describing today's Israel as a Modern, Western, Middle Eastern, Jewish democracy. She discussed how Israel is overcoming the lack of natural resources by maximizing the extraordinary human resources that makes Israel a technology leader of the world.
Following this incredible talk, we travelled up the coast towards Haifa. On the way, our guide, Michael Hollander, identified the five modern tribes of Israel: WASP (white, ashkenazi, secular with protekzia), Sephardic (Jews expelled from Muslim Countries), Soviet Union Emigres, scientists and musicians, Israeli Duze and arabs, and the orthodox. He also talked about how their interactions and frictions continue to shape modern israel.
Before approaching our place of destination in Haifa, we passed MAXIMs, an Israeli/palestinian family restaurant, where a female suicide bomber detonated herself after eating lunch among the arab and israeli families eating peacefully together.
We then went to the Leo Baeck School, a Reform Jewish school that opens its doors to both Arab, Druze and Jewish students. It's campus is filled with light and hope for the future. The principal of the school described the philosophy of the school, which is based on Torah (intellectual), Avodah (rituals and worship) and Ruach (spirit, behavior and social relationships). He went on to explain that the school strives to emphasize Tikkun Olam, working for the improvement of society through personal and community responsibility. Later on, he spoke of creating a community based on peace, justice and loving your friend as yourself as a way to create a dialogue between God and Man. We heard from one student named Natan, which is the Hebrew word for "gift." Our young participants had the opportunity to learn with students in the classroom and in the playground - many exchanged email addresses and phone numbers to continue this relationship! This school embraces students, family and community and this is reflected in the construction of the campus. Besides the main campus, which had a library containing steps modeled after "jacob's ladder," the school also has three pools, a memorial hall, three synagogue, gymnasium and ballet facility, and community center which is open to the neighborhood community. This school demonstrated that it will clearly develop leadership for the nation. What an inspiring day! It is hard to express the emotion we felt when observing the community, students, and building.
Before stopping for a quick lunch, we admired the scenic overlook of the Haifa Bay and the Bajai Gardens and shrines, the overlook of the nineteen level landscaped gardens. It was such a beautiful and clear day that we could also see Lebanon from this view.
We then continued North East up the winding roads to Safed, a city known as the capital of mysticism, Kabbalah. Our busdriver, Yarom, easily navigated through 300 year old alley ways that were clearly NOT designed for our bus. We wandered through the old city to the Sephardic "Ari synagogue," the rabbi who stressed the importance of welcoming Shabbat and created a six verse poem called "L'cha Dodi," welcoming the sabbath bride. This poem has been incorporated into the Kabbalat Shabbat service on Friday nights. This synagogue boasts a very ornate 19th century ark. The bimah centered in the room has a hole in it caused when a mortar shell exploded outside and a piece of debris narrowly missed a davening prayer and hit the bimah. The entire town bears scars of many battles throughout its history, which changed Safed to a totally Jewish town. We wandered through the shops and galleries admiring the artwork housed in 300 year old building. Many bought candles, artwork, tallitot, jewelry, mezuzot and more!
Finally, we concluded our day by traveling to Kibbutz K'far Blum for a relaxing evening of dinner.
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