Sadness and loss

Tonight we found out that the three Israeli teenagers were murdered in the West Bank.  We planned a sing a long with the participants on our tour tonight.  We cancelled it.  Tomorrow morning, before we leave for Acco, we'll have a short service in their memory.  Grief and loss.

Mysticism & music

I

Went to Tzvat.  We're in the Ari's synagogue.

          Sang a new l'cha dodi.

The ark is 150 yrs. old. Beautiful.

             Off to Lake Kineret, the Galilee.  Jesus walked and rowed here seeking a new spiritual path.

Went to doña gracias' house.  She was one of the richest women in the world during the 16th century.  We heard stories about her incredible fortitude.  At the end of the presentation we got to play dress-up.  My favorite.

   A couple just got married.  We sang simian un mazal tov to them.

Women of the wall

Anat Hoffman went to prison for the right for women to pray and chant Torah at the western wall.

75 women joined her.  We daven'ed the morning service singing in harmony.

Women, never having the privilege of blessing the Torah, were invited. They stood beneath a Talit, astonished.

Linda and I together, decked out in Jewish finery!

Anat Hoffman and Linda Shivers

Mosaic floor from Samarian Synagogue  100 c.e.

Circasian Muslim community--great music and wonderful hospitality

    Hula valley bird sanctuary.  45,000 cranes PER DAY fly en route to Africa fron mid October to March.

The bird route, more than 350 species 

In this sanctuary, with almost 1 billion birds flying over Israel!

Fruits of labor

Kaima

KAIMA. The farm that changes lives

In Bet Zayit--on the outskirts of Jerusalem, a group of educators--who didn't start out as farmers--wanted a solution for street kids, kids with behavior problems, who distrusted authority and  adults in general, with limited support--perhaps from home or school or their community.  So two educators figured these kids needed 3 things--develop responsibility, trust others, gain confidence and make money.  An unused agricultural plot, overgrown and covered with stones was offered to them.  Through Facebook, 1000 came over a short period of time to clear the stones.  Kibbutz Khaterim donated  the drip watering system.  In 1 1/2 years 30 kids have worked hard to change their lives and discover that they are actually worth something.  Hit he organizers have new dreams:  Start this program all over Israel and bring these kids off the streets to begin to meet their potential; have the government match their salar--so when they complete this program and the army they will have the funds to attend the college or trade school of their choice--so they can have hopes and dreams for the future.  

Beneath the walls of Jerusalem

We walked the entire length of the western wall, completely underground.  this was the original street level!  The largest stone, cut by Herod's workmen, is 12 stories up from the ground and weighs 600 tons!.  The walls are sheer massive cliffs.  Through the winding cobblestones of the old city, we made our way to the Hurva Synagogue, rebuilt three times in 300 years. The power of ancient history feels vibrant and timely.  I feel at home here.

the Market

Machane yehuda is a wonderland of fresh produce, spices, sweets, and all varieties of humanity. Between sharpening knives, this scholar takes a needed break from his studies.  One goal of creating a Jewish state was to normalize Jewish life--to include knife sharpeners, thieves, farmers--in addition to Nobel prize winners and internet start-ups.

Jerusalem Arrival

Arrived at Abraham Youth Hostel at 2 a.m. So keyed up & excited. Coming home to a new beginning.  Great fresh breakfast.  Off to Machane Yehuda. But first Linda Shivers and I stopped at kikar davidka and tearfully said shehehiyanu.  

Discovered a tiny Sephardic shul that had been moved from the old city in1948.  

This is a door with a description of the ayshet Khalil--the woman of valor...naturally, the entrance to the women's gallery.