All right folks, let's do this:
So, we LA Diller teens have been enjoying our past 9 days in Israel and seeing that an update is well over-due, we thought we'd provide you all with one.
Our days have been packed with sight-seeing, Jewish knowledge and introspection, and super productivity. Finishing a trip to Masada, Ain Getti, and the Dead Sea before lunch kind of inspired me to stamp out my laziness. I emphasize the "kind of."
My favorite part of the trip so far has been our trip to Jerusalem. As an official Jerusalem expert (sarcasm), I highly recommend visiting the Kotel on Shabbat eve (not sarcasm). It's like a salad bowl of religious denominations. And there's nothing more special than putting your note in the wall and just feeling the history run like electricity through your fingertips. Yad Vashem was also an emotional experience. The graphic images and videos, the hate-charged documents, and the remnants of inanimate objects was like pouring emotional Drain-o through our systems.
During our first Shabbat in Israel, we prayed at an Italian Jewish synagogue. It was my first time in a synagogue with a mehitzah, and honestly, I wasn't a fan of the division. I also was one of many who had trouble distinguishing between the Italian and the Hebrew, and I didn't recognize any of the melodies (I've never experienced a Sephardic service before). That being said, I was open to the experience. We also found time to explore Old Jerusalem. We got to see the Last Supper Room and King David's tomb, but the part that had the biggest impact on me was seeing the bullet holes in the Old City's gates. I've never seen that kind of scar on a structure.
The next day, we traveled through the King David tunnels, which were used to transport water thousands of years ago. We also saw the world's very first toilet, a rock fashioned into a seat with a deep hole in it. Our next destination was Har Herzl, the cemetery where Herzl and other Israeli political figures are buried. It is also the IDF's cemetery, and the vast number of graves spread out over the peaceful expanse of land was a striking reminder of the passion and dedication Israelis have for their country.
That night, we stayed at a kibbutz called Asdot Ya'akov. The food was delicious and I loved the authenticity of the residences. I was also reminded of Israel's heavy cat population. I am now a firm believer that if cats had a choice, they would be Jewish.
Last Monday, we were happily reunited with our sister city, Tel Aviv. We traveled to Kinneret Cemetery, the resting place of Naomi Shemer, and Arielle Liany, part of the Tel Aviv cohort, played a beautiful rendition of "Jerusalem of Gold." We practiced team building at a camp site and traveled on the bus to one of the four Holy Cities, Tzfat. The girls had to don skirts (I pulled out my sarong) and as we proceeded into the city, I felt like I was stepping back 100 years. The history of the place emanates off the buildings, and a variety of synagogues are spread through the streets. We went into one synagogue and all the girls were given shawls to cover their shoulders. We visited a candle shop and a kabbalah center, and after our time in Tzfat, left for a camp site. At the camp site, we made our own dinner (I helped with the potatoes, which were delicious due to my assistance) and bonded with each other. During our night circles, we were actually interrupted by a giant boar the size of a smart car heading in our direction. Thankfully, it wandered away on its own and we were free to enjoy our campfire at the end of the night.
On Tuesday, we enjoyed a water hike and rafting on the Jordan River. One of the Israeli fellows injured her leg on the hike, but her bravery and strength has made for a quick recovery. For lunch, Liat, the head of Diller in Israel, graciously hosted us and provided us with a much-appreciated home-cooked meal. She even made cake for Erin, the birthday girl that day. Her home is in Metulla, the most northern city of Israel, and she talked to us about life on the border with Lebanon. After we left her house, we drove by the border and the barbed wire was only a few feet from our fingertips.
The rafting was more like a battle. Rafter camouflaged themselves in the trees on the river's bank, waiting to attack approaching rafts. We engaged in oar stealing, boat-hopping, and throwing each other into the water. By the end of our journey down the river, my boat was left oar-less despite my valiant attempts to reclaim our stolen property. We were thoroughly soaked and happy to continue to a youth hostel for the night.
The next day, we visited an army bomb shelter on the border with Syria. In Golan, we learned about Israel's history and occupation of Golan. We then traveled to Givat Haviva, the location of the North American Kenes and Congress. We said goodbye to the Israelis and were quickly thrown into Kenes.
At Kenes, the first two days at Givat Haviva, we were separated into 10 color groups, each with two members from every city. These cities included Montreal, Metrowest (New Jersey), Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Baltimore, and Los Angeles. Our time at Kenes was filled with many interesting programs, including a speech by Avraham Infeld, a Jewish educator who taught us about the five legs of Judaism. The Israelis arrived on Friday and joined our color groups. We've discussed many relevant issues within the color groups, including the importance of language and feelings toward Israel. We've heard alumni speakers and Jewish leaders speak, and we've formed close bonds with people from all over North America.
One of my favorite parts of Congress so far has been Shabbat. I joined the Diller Choir, a group of musicians and singers who put on a short show for all of the Diller teens. We then got to pick a service to attend, and I went to the Reconstructionist service, which was very enlightening. Samantha Page (who we now call Spage) put on an incredible alternative service (as I've been told by every person who attended).
So, I can now proudly proclaim my love for Israel. Nothing can match actually seeing it through the plane window for the first time. It really is the most beautiful country, and the history is everywhere. However, I am getting tired of Israeli salad for breakfast…
Looking forward to what comes next!
Chelsea
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