Next Update
Here is another reprint for my loyal readers--
Dear Schechter Community:
It is nearly 11:00 PM in Israel and we just returned from the longest single-day tiyul of the entire program. The kids are sufficiently tired, but the day was quite successful. Before I fill you in on the day's activities, however, I'd like to revisit the previous two days since I last wrote.
Monday was a fascinating journey through time as the kids spent the morning in Bet She'arim. We learned about Rabbi Yehuda Hanassi and toured the burial caves where he and many of his contemporaries were laid to rest. We were able to discern which coffins were used for Jews and which were used by non-Jews. After a packed lunch we headed off to Tziporri, in the northern Galilee. We learned more about the relationship between the Romans and the Jews, which had warmed somewhat by the time Rabbi Yehuda Hanassi moved from Bet She'arim to Tziporri. It was during this critical time of his life that the Mishnah redacted. Tziporri (so named because it's perched on the mountain like a bird -- tzipor) was critical to Jewish life during the third century C.E. We toured the remains of the town, including the Roman theatre -- where the kids put on a short improv show -- and the synagogue, where we davened Mincha. We returned to campus for dinner in town.
Yesterday morning was spent on campus, first davening Shacharit and then in class. Aubrey and Tuvia gave a terrific lecture on the New Testament, how Christianity was spawned, and on early relations between Christians and Jews. They made sure to cover the topic with tremendous respect for our neighbors' religion, but armed the students with plenty of knowledge so that the kids are able to discredit those who claim the Jews killed Jesus, a popularly held view they are likely to encounter at some point in their lives. Both Aubrey and Tuvia commented to me how eager our kids are to learn. In the afternoon the kids were able to choose between two community service options -- working at a therapeutic riding stable or picking radishes from the field. Both were highly successful and fun! The evening was again spent in town and then unwinding in the dorm.
Today was an early morning as we had a great deal to accomplish. We started out in Kochav Hayarden where we toured Belvoir, a castle constructed by the Christian Crusaders during the middle ages. The students learned how the Crusades started and why they ultimately failed, though they caused massive destruction. This led directly into an intense discussion of what is worth fighting for and if Israel was under attack, how would we as American Jews respond? The kids really stepped up to the plate with their honesty, thoughtfulness, and maturity. Our early afternoon was spent just outside Tiberias at Blue Beach, where everyone had an opportunity to take a dip in the Kinneret. Then it was off to the mystical town of Tzfat. We jumped ahead many hundreds of years and learned about the important post-expulsion Jewish thinkers. After singing l'cha dodi overlooking a gorgeous green valley at sunset in the very town it was created, the kids had a bit of free time to explore the narrow roads and enter the shops where some of the most beautiful Judaica is produced -- including Tzfat candles. We had dinner in Afula and returned a short time ago.
The kids are really looking forward to tomorrow as we head into Jerusalem for the day and then end the night with a concert. They're going to see Hadag Nachash -- a popular Israeli hip-hop artist -- whose tunes many of your kids already play on their IPods every day.
I continue to marvel at the incredible energy your kids have. Diana and I are exhausted (in a wonderful way) at the end of each day, but the students never complain. They really have been perfect ambassadors for Schechter.
Until next time--
B'shalom,
Heath
Dear Schechter Community:
It is nearly 11:00 PM in Israel and we just returned from the longest single-day tiyul of the entire program. The kids are sufficiently tired, but the day was quite successful. Before I fill you in on the day's activities, however, I'd like to revisit the previous two days since I last wrote.
Monday was a fascinating journey through time as the kids spent the morning in Bet She'arim. We learned about Rabbi Yehuda Hanassi and toured the burial caves where he and many of his contemporaries were laid to rest. We were able to discern which coffins were used for Jews and which were used by non-Jews. After a packed lunch we headed off to Tziporri, in the northern Galilee. We learned more about the relationship between the Romans and the Jews, which had warmed somewhat by the time Rabbi Yehuda Hanassi moved from Bet She'arim to Tziporri. It was during this critical time of his life that the Mishnah redacted. Tziporri (so named because it's perched on the mountain like a bird -- tzipor) was critical to Jewish life during the third century C.E. We toured the remains of the town, including the Roman theatre -- where the kids put on a short improv show -- and the synagogue, where we davened Mincha. We returned to campus for dinner in town.
Yesterday morning was spent on campus, first davening Shacharit and then in class. Aubrey and Tuvia gave a terrific lecture on the New Testament, how Christianity was spawned, and on early relations between Christians and Jews. They made sure to cover the topic with tremendous respect for our neighbors' religion, but armed the students with plenty of knowledge so that the kids are able to discredit those who claim the Jews killed Jesus, a popularly held view they are likely to encounter at some point in their lives. Both Aubrey and Tuvia commented to me how eager our kids are to learn. In the afternoon the kids were able to choose between two community service options -- working at a therapeutic riding stable or picking radishes from the field. Both were highly successful and fun! The evening was again spent in town and then unwinding in the dorm.
Today was an early morning as we had a great deal to accomplish. We started out in Kochav Hayarden where we toured Belvoir, a castle constructed by the Christian Crusaders during the middle ages. The students learned how the Crusades started and why they ultimately failed, though they caused massive destruction. This led directly into an intense discussion of what is worth fighting for and if Israel was under attack, how would we as American Jews respond? The kids really stepped up to the plate with their honesty, thoughtfulness, and maturity. Our early afternoon was spent just outside Tiberias at Blue Beach, where everyone had an opportunity to take a dip in the Kinneret. Then it was off to the mystical town of Tzfat. We jumped ahead many hundreds of years and learned about the important post-expulsion Jewish thinkers. After singing l'cha dodi overlooking a gorgeous green valley at sunset in the very town it was created, the kids had a bit of free time to explore the narrow roads and enter the shops where some of the most beautiful Judaica is produced -- including Tzfat candles. We had dinner in Afula and returned a short time ago.
The kids are really looking forward to tomorrow as we head into Jerusalem for the day and then end the night with a concert. They're going to see Hadag Nachash -- a popular Israeli hip-hop artist -- whose tunes many of your kids already play on their IPods every day.
I continue to marvel at the incredible energy your kids have. Diana and I are exhausted (in a wonderful way) at the end of each day, but the students never complain. They really have been perfect ambassadors for Schechter.
Until next time--
B'shalom,
Heath
Labels: Israel
posted by gwheathie | 4:38 PM
3 Comments:
That will be a great concert. Details please!!
Did the madrichim dump flour on you guys at Belvoir? And do they still call it D.O.T.S. (dinner on the streets) when they hand out money for dinner in Afula (or other towns)? And is the best falafel still be found on the streets of Afula?
My "8 week academic experience," as we so fondly called our HSI days, seem so very long ago...
Hey, Dad - you commented! GW - Say hi to Yossi Katz, if you see him. I told him to be on the look out for you.
Dad, thanks for the correction. I'll be sure to include the appropriate sign off. The madrichim dumped water on the kids, not flour -- that would have been pretty mean. But then our group ambushed the second group. Luckily since we're not students we didn't get hit! Yes they still call it D.O.T.S. and yes Afula is still known for its falafel.
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