Jewish Pioneers

On Tuesday, we ventured out on our last tiyul with Naama. Thank you Naama for teaching us all about the places in Eretz Yisrael. First stop was the historic city of Zichron Ya'akov, which was founded in December 1882 when 100 Jewish pioneers from Romania, members of the Hovevei Zion movement, acquired land in this area. In 1883, Baron Edmond James de Rothschild, a strong supporter of Zionism, became the patron of the settlement and drew up plans for its residential layout and agricultural economy.

The First Aliyah Museum was our starting point. This museum is dedicated to the immigrants who came to Israel with the First Alliya. While touring the museum, we joined the journey of the courageous men, women and children who laid the foundation of Zionist settlement in the land of Israel.

In the main street of Zichron Ya'akov is Bet Aaronsohn, the house of Aharon Aaronsohn (1876-1917), a distinguished botanist who during the First World War founded an underground organization to fight the Turkish rulers of Palestine. The Aaronsohns were a family of pioneers who immigrated to Eretz Yisrael from Romania in 1882. Their father, Ephraim Fischel, belonged to the founders of Zichron Yaakov and was a talented farmer.

After an amazing lunch, we had a chance to stroll around.

Next we visited Atlit detainee camp. Atlit was a camp for Jewish illegal immigrants seeking refuge in Palestine during the period of the British Mandate for Palestine. The camp, which operated in the 1930's and 40's, was a detention center run like a concentration camp, surrounded by barbed wire and watchtowers. Many of the detainees were Jews who escaped Nazi Europe. The British authorities, succumbing to Arab demands to limit Jewish immigration, refused to allow these Jews to enter the country.

Last stop of the day was Caesarea National Park. Caesarea was named in honor of the Roman patron, Emperor Augustus Caesar. Because of its coastline location, it was a strategic spot for Herod the Great to make a great harbor and seaport for his kingdom, and became the administrative capital of Roman Palestine. Caesarea boasts a 5,000 seat theater built over two thousand years ago that is still used today for concerts. While touring the ruins, we visited a virtual presentation designed to bring the area to life and introduce us to some historical figures.

Jack and Yoni taking a closer look at the Mediterranean Sea before we gathered around to watch a beautiful sunset.

Back toYerushalayim

We just returned from an action packed fun-filled week in Yerushalayim.

On Monday we packed our luggage on to the bus and were on our way. First thing when we arrived was a walk on the walls surrounding the Old City. Few tourists get the opportunity to view the city from this historic view.

We then went to the Davidson Center Archeological park and viewed a virtual model of the Bais Hamikdash as it would have looked 2,000 years ago. Afterwards Naama guided us through the recently excavated ruins of the Bais Hamikdash and serenaded us with Shir Hamalos while we sat on the Broad Stairs that lead to the Temple building itself. We walked on the Herodian market street that ran along the western side of the Har Habais (temple mount) and davend Mincha there.

Eating pizza overlooking the Kotel, what better place for lunch?

We took the tunnel tours underneath the Kotel. We stopped at the spot closest to the actual Bais Hamikdash and asked Hashem for our wishes to come true.

We watched the menorah lighting at the Kotel.

Later that night we had a chanuka party. Ruchi's brother Shaya came to our hotel with a bunch of his friends. We sang, danced, ate popcorn and drank soda. Thank you Shaya, we all had an unforgetable time!!

On Tuesday we davened in the hotel and were off.

While wandering through Mini Israel (minature recreations of Israeli landmarks) we played a game where we had to find the places we have been to so far. The team that finished first with the most correct answers won. It was a tie game.

Next was the Latrun Museum, a tank museum commemorating the soldiers that have fallen in the line of duty fighting to protect Israel.

We walked through the trenches at Ammunition Hill. Ammunition Hill is the sight of one of the fiercest battles during the Six Day War.

That night we ate supper at Center One mall

Yoni met up with his aunt and uncle and cousins and joined them for dinner.

Wednesday morning we davened ate breakfast and were off, joined by Kenny.

First stop Bar Kochba caves- where the Jews hid during the time of their revolt against the Romans. We wiggled and squeezed our way through the tiny holes.

After the tough crawl through the caves we recharged with a nice hot lunch.

Next stop Tel Azeka. We hiked up Tel Azeka overlooking the Elah Valley, where David fought Galias (Goliath). King Shaul(Jack) giving David(Yoni) a bracha before he went to fight Galias.

We went to Modi'in, stopped at Kivrot Hamakabim, and retold the chanuka story. Right next to Kivrot Hamakabim is a monument commenerating the soldiers who fell in the battles of the Modi'in region during Israel's War of Independence.

We then visited the Time Elevator exhibit which is an interactice movie spanning 3,000 years of Jewish history.It was an amazing experience!!

That night we went to the Malcha Mall and enjoyed delicious Chinese food for dinner and then had time to explore this beautiful mall.

WOW..... what a dessert!!

On Thursday morning we were off to the Knesset (Israel's Parliament) where we learned all about the workings of the Israeli government and what goes on behind the scenes. After, we went to Yad Vashem (Holocaust Memorial Museum).

YAD VASHEM

Next was the Herzl museum. Theodor (Binyami Ze’ev) Herzl was the father of the Zionist movement who had visions of "The Jewish State" ( his most famous book) and died before a Jewish state was ever established. This museum is dedicated to his dream.

After lunch we explored the Bloomfield Science Museum.

Friday morning we davened and drove out of Yerushalayim to Gush Etzion where we saw a movie about how the kibbutzniks of Kfar Etzion fought to defend their settlement. Unfortunately after sending all the wives and children to Yerushalayim the remaining men were all slaughtered. Years later the children of Kfar Etzion came back to the same spot and built another beautiful Yishuv.

Then we travelled to Maarat Hamachpela in Chevron (Hebron). We learned that Avraham bought a cave to bury Sarah from Efron Hachiti. Today there is a big building on top of it and it is hard to know exactly where the cave is. We heard alot of spooky stories....Ilan writing a note to Avraham Avinu at Maarat Hamachpela with a special request.

Ruchi said tehillim at the Maarah. Jack with a kamea from North Africa.

Yoni in front of a tefilla in the Maara

From there we went to the Avraham Avinu Bet Knesset where we actually got to touch sifrei torah hundreds of years old.

We visited Ephraim's cousins who live in the same neighborhood and we ate delicious sufganiot(jelly donuts).

Shabbos was beautiful. On Friday night we davend at the Kotel and ate a delicious meal at our hotel. On Shabbos morning we davened at the great synagogue and once again enjoyed a yummy meal at the hotel. Ilan met his cousins and joined them for their meal and afternoon. After Shabbos we returned to the Kibbutz. Boy what an exciting week!

Wishing you all a HAPPY CHANUKA!