the Last Day

The truth is that what we most wanted to do on the last day in Israel was to play and do last minute touring and shopping and noshing in Tel Aviv. The weather was absolutely gorgeous:warm, bright, sea breeze. The great outdoors don't get much nicer than this. Some of the group went to Independence Hall, where the Israeli Declaration was signed and the Palmach Museum, the Diaspora Museum, and the Jaffa Artists' Colony.

It was also time to shut suitcases, filled with tchatchkes, jewels, beach bags, books, and dirty clothes: lots of dirty clothes. We all felt sad as we zipped up the bags, because this was such a successful trip. The group of wonderfully disparate men, women and children just naturallly cohered. We connected and communicated. There was never a forced march mentality. Everyone felt that they were considered as important participants in this long and amazing exploration. None of us will be the same after this trip. Our Jewish repertoires are broadened, and so enriched. We have all been touched in ways we never imagined. We've seen the ancient past and we've seen the future, a dynamic, brilliant future.

We saw lots of problems: ameliorating the needs of Eithiopian Jews and Russian Jews. Making peace with the Palestinians. Building bridges between the ultra-Orthodox and militantly secular Jews. Growing the Reform movement in hostile places. Making ethical decisions in trying and extreme circumstances.

We saw lots of valiant efforts at changing the status quo: Rabbis for Human Rights, the Leo Baeck School, Kol Hanishamah... and so much more.

Our final dinner was a testimony to the things we've seen and the fellowship we've experienced.

So to all the participants on this most recent TBA trip to Israel: kol hakavod! We did it! Welcome home!

To all thosewho have read this blog: thanks for keeping up with us. It's your turn next.

Tel Aviv Touring: the last days

No one really wants to complain about the pace and the activities of our trip: it’s difficult to say with a straight face that touring Israel in a big bus, going to great sites and staying in 5 star hotels (except for the Dead Sea Golden Tulip…), is hard work. But I got to say: I am really tired. We’re all a bit road weary and I think pretty resigned to our imminent return. We are in Tel Aviv today in the David Intercontinental Hotel, the best of the hotels we have stayed in. Big, immaculately clean, close to everything, and a striking view of the Mediterranean Sea. In fact, the view out my window is truly breathtaking. The city’s tall white hotels and office buildings shine brightly and reflect the light coming off the sea.

When we arrived in the big T-A, we strolled over to the Carmel Market, a very big, open air marketplace, to find some lunch. The area was memorable. The stink and the filth was by far in a league of its own, surpassing Mahane Yehudah in Jerusalem exponentially. So much garbage lying around, so many beggars panhandling, so… dirty. I know Americans are way over the top obsessed with cleanliness and germs. But even given that: feh!

After checking in and unpacking – again! – we made our way to the old city of Jaffa, which is becoming an increasingly impressive artists’ colony. We wandered about this very picturesque place at a very slow pace as traveller’s fatigue set in. Stumbling back to the bus, we toppled out at the hotel and ‘forced’ ourselves to clean up for a great dinner on our own.