Israel with Olam Tikvah and Rabbi Kalender 2009

Day three (Thursday) photos

Days 4-5 (Friday & Havdalah) photos

Letter from Mark Weber:

Friday morning we started out visiting the Ha’aretz Museum (Museum of the Land) in Tel Aviv. The displays covered many different disciplines – philately, glass, ceramics, coinage, plus a building devoted to Baron von Rothschild and the good things he did for Israel, plus a floor devoted to Meir Dizengoff, the first mayor of Tel Aviv. It’s truly amazing the capacity of man (and women too) to come up with original discovery and invention.

Next stop was the street fair at Nachalat Benyamin for shopping and noshing. See, Rabbi Kalender does have a heart.

Then straight (well maybe not so straight) to Jerusalem and the Inbal hotel, everyone’s favorite. Of course we stopped at the Promenade or Tayelet for a “class” photo and to orient everyone to the location of Jerusalem’s sites.

After showering, some of us went to the Kotel and the rest went to Congregation Shira Hadashah for Kabbalot Shabbat services. After services, we all enjoyed the famous Inbal Shabbat dinner out in the courtyard. Also eating with us were OT’s own Taubman’s and Rabbi Kalender’s in-laws, the Hoffman’s. We were also joined later by friends of Rabbi Kalender who happened to spot him through the windows. The table we ate at was so long, when our end of the table finished bentching, the finishing words from the other end of table didn’t arrive till 2 seconds later. Seriously.

Saturday morning, people went in all directions to various synagogues, or not, their choice. At noon, Haim Aronovitz, from the Melton program, came over to the Inbal and we had an informal chit-chat session with him to catch up since the last time we saw him. After we all took advantage of the free afternoon, we all headed over to Liberty Bell Park for Havdalah.

Rabbi Kalender did a great job with the Havdalah service and added his own special touches as we sat there waiting to begin the service.

With Shabbat over, we all headed for Ben Yehuda Street for more shopping and eating. The Naot shoe store was very popular.

So far this whole trip has been to everyone’s liking.

Day 6 (Sunday) photos

Letter from Mark Weber:

Today we visited the Hatzerim Air Force museum located near Beersheva. The tour guide engaged us by asking questions about the equipment and weapons on display. She was a very good guide. We learned about flight suits, aircraft ejection procedures, survival equipment, types of munitions. Then we went out to the tarmac to see the aircraft that comprised the Israeli Air Forces through the years, starting with the Piper Cub that most recognize from the film “Cast a Giant Shadow” with Frank Sinatra. Then we went onboard a Boeing 707 jetliner that was used in the actual “Raid on Entebbe.” After being seated in coach, we saw a video on how the IAF is able to maintain remarkable kill ratios in action. Because it was only a 15-minute video, no meals or snacks were served.

After lunch at a very nice mall, we traveled to Tel Be’er Sheva, the site of Abraham’s original settlement. It is located next to barren desert fields. But yet, we spotted water gushing from the ground into a wadi or dry river bed. The main attraction there was a large water storage well that we all climbed down into. The Romans never ventured there due to the fact that they did not know how to find water in the desert.

Next up was a visit to the Joe Alon Center where we were introduced to the Bedouin culture. The Bedouins are nomadic desert people struggling to fit into modern Israeli society. After learning about their hospitality traits, we were treated to typical Bedouin tea – flavorful and sweet.

After arriving back at the Inbal, we all ventured out to Emek Refaim Street to see what restaurant caught our fancy.

The end of another satisfying day.

Lyla Tov from Yerushalayim.

Trip Day 7 (Monday) photos

Letter from Mark Weber:

After a planned late start to give us more rest time (Rabbi Kalender is always thinking of us), we traveled to the Scroll of the Fire sculpture located in the Martyrs Forest of 6 million trees. The sculpture depicts the rebirth of Israel from the holocaust up to the Six Day War. On the two pillars, there are scenes representing the concentration camps, the Warsaw Ghetto, camp survivors, the immigrants, and the renewal and reunification of Israel.

Next we drove to Beit Shemesh. We were welcomed by Amit from the Israel Partnership 2000 Program sponsored by Federation and the Jewish Agency For Israel. Beit Shemesh is Washington’s sister city. We were then given a city tour as we drove through many of the neighborhoods of Beit Shemesh. These neighborhoods encompassed all of the different demographics and history of this “suburban” expanding community located between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. One main difference between this city and Jerusalem, for instance, is that the “black hats” live side by side with the other Israelis.

Being that it was lunch time, and the fact that our group looks forward to its next meal as much as its next breath, we went to the house of one of the owners of Ethnic Aroma, a small catering company started as part Moshav Machsia, a woman’s empowerment program. It was billed as an ethnic cooking workshop and lunch of joint Moroccan and Cochin food. The “work” part was right. We all chipped in, slicing and dicing, cutting and rolling, patting and pinching under the tutorship of Smadar, Silvia, and Tova. The list of food we created is too numerous to list here – you’re going to have to look at the pictures. We did a good job too, because the food was fantastic, topped off by a dessert of freshly made sfinge or deep fried, sugar coated, doughnuts. We all got to keep our aprons too as souvenirs. Rabbi Kalender gets a kochav gadol v’zahav for this activity.

We next bussed over to the Kakadu art gallery to hear their theory behind creating the distinctive art, known the world over, that decorates practical household items, and that just happen to be available for sale. Attention Olam Tikvah – expect a big package in the mail as we combined our purchases into one shipment.

We finished the Beit Shemesh tour with a wine tasting at Kella David Winery, a boutique winery that makes 10,000 bottles of wine a year. The owner showed us her vineyard, talked about the type of grapes she used, and what was required to produce kosher wines. We then sat down and sampled two white wines that just happen to be available for sale. Attention Olam Tikvah – don’t expect a big package in the mail. We drank it all up already when we all gathered in the Inbal courtyard after our various dinners.

I’m not sure what happened after this.

Trip Day 8 (Tuesday) photos

Letter from Mark Weber:

Esther Israel, a Talmud teacher with the Conservative Yeshiva, joined us at the Inbal for our trip to Ein Sataf. Ein Sataf is a nature reserve located near Jerusalem in the Judean mountains. It has stepped terraces to control the water that emanates from underwater springs in the mountain. I’m also sure that it’s terraced because it was hard to find mountain goats that were into vegetation production. Esther taught us about the techniques that were used 3,000 years ago to irrigate the mountainside, plus she led study sessions of scripture, under the shade of trees, to learn how our devotion to G-d was necessary to ensure that we receive the water needed to support living in his land. Besides the natural vegetation that grows there now, plots of land are rented to individuals for their own vegetable and fruit production. There is a water pool near the top with an Israeli invitation posted nearby inviting all to partake of the waters. The sign reads, “No jumping or swimming in the water.”

After our 298 step (sounds like climbers anonymous) journey down the mountain to board the waiting autobus (how do you like my Hebrew?), we headed to the Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Judaism. Rabbi Daniel Goldfarb, the Conservative Yeshiva director, welcomed us and talked about the study opportunities available there.

From the Fuchsberg Center, we were given some free time if we wanted to shop on Ben Yehuda Street or explore the Old City or to just take the bus back to the Inbal in preparation for our nighttime activities in Tel Aviv.

Leaving Jerusalem at 5:00pm, we arrived at the Port of Tel Aviv and spread out in search of an eating spot. We ended up splitting into just two groups as we found the same restaurants appealing. Shows you the cohesion of this group. The food was great. After dinner, we drove to Jaffa for the Nalaga’at production of “Not by Bread Alone.” The Nalaga’at Theater Company is comprised of actors all of whom are blind and/or deaf. It’s the only Theater Company of its kind in the world. These shows, which they put on world-wide, showcase each actor in individual skits and in ensemble groups. The production’s theme is the loneliness and isolation they face in the seeing and hearing world until broken by the interactive “touch” of another human being. But why should they be any different than the rest of us. After the show, we had dessert in their special café. The waiters were deaf and we had to use sign language to communicate, and yet Rabbi Kalender was still able to communicate with them better than the rest of us. This isn’t fair!

Letter from Amit Zehavi, Partnership 2000 Beit Shemesh, to Rabbi Kalender:

It was great to spend time with your group from Olam Tikvah here on Monday & see the region again through their eyes. It seemed to me that they had a good time & learned about the region & the Partnerships' many fields of activity. Following is a link to pictures online of the day, especially of the cooking workshop – enjoy! http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/amitze67/OlamHatikva?feat=directlink (note: this link will take you away from the OT Web site).

Trip Day 9 (Wednesday) photos

Letter from Mark Weber:

It was a day of superlatives.

First thing in the morning (but not too first), we were visited by Gerald Steinberg, a professor at Bar Ilan University, the Executive Director of NGO Monitor, and a columnist for the Jerusalem Post. He talked about how non-government organizations manipulate and are manipulated to present distorted or inaccurate views as they relate to the Arab-Israeli conflict. His organization, NGO Monitor tries to counter these lies. He also talked about various ways to present your argument without weakening your position. He then took questions from the group which today included the Taubmans who joined us for a couple of activities. It was a great session with animated conversation, and it provided us with tools to aid the pro-Israel argument.

Next we took taxis to Yad LaKashish, Lifeline for the Old. This is a place where Jerusalem’s needy elderly and disabled are given an opportunity to remain active, integral members of society. These people work in cartonage, bookbindery, painting, silk, metalwork, jewelry, needlepoint, and I probably missed a few. The results are stunning. Forget Ben Yehuda Street, this is the place to buy your presents to take back home. Besides being VAT-free, the prices are unreasonable. That’s right, unreasonable. They’re too low! This is a must-go-to place every time you visit Israel. And the sales people! They are volunteers, and you could just squeeze them to death. Two minutes with them and you’re like family.

We were then on our own for lunch and beyond till the Sound and Light Show at the David Citadel museum at 10 pm. Life-like almost 3-dimensional scenes from the history of Jerusalem are projected on the massive walls of the Citadel in a spectacular display of light and images and sound. I thought the presentation should be longer but evidently, Jerusalem hasn’t been around that long. I mean, what’s 3,000 years among friends.

Last Day - Trip Day 10 (Thursday) photos

Letter from Mark Weber:

The last day – tears of joy, tears of sorrow, and lots of hugs.

We all muster in the Inbal lobby for the start of our last day. Everyone is on time again. That’s ten straight days without a single congregant being tardy. Northern Virginia’s new incoming shlicha, Michaela Cohen, is there to introduce herself after just taking her university final exams. We will see her at the end of August in Fairfax.

We then traveled to the ALYN Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, for children who have been hurt in automobile accidents and rocket attacks. The children there have prepared a huge banner to acknowledge our visit and it’s the first thing we see as we enter the building. What a welcome! We were shown an introductory video describing ALYN’s mission which featured a remarkable child who lost both legs, received prosthetics, and can now push his baby sister around in a stroller. We then went on our own stroll through the facility. We saw Aryeh’s dedication plaque and the climbing wall he sponsored with the Bar Mitzvah donations made to ALYN in his name. We saw the staff entertain the children with puppet shows and clowns engage the kids with rehabilitative exercises. It was hard to decide if our tears were for the sorrow we felt seeing these kids in their undeserved condition or for the joy of seeing the ALYN staff putting forth such a great effort in alleviating their pain. There were no tears seen among the patients which was comforting and a tribute to the work of ALYN.

We next visited Rabbanit Bracha Kapach, a woman who saw that people needed help and never stopped helping. She cooked and delivered food to the poor, started an embroidery factory for 55 women, and today feeds 1400 needy families. Her mother instilled in her that we are responsible for each other. She was awarded the Israeli Prize for lifeworks in 1999 for her acts of chesed and tzedakah. She and her husband came originally from Yemen and worked in embroidery and jewelry because that was the only employment opportunities available to Jews, even in Yemen. But her husband was persuaded by the chief Rabbi to study Torah because of his scholarship. So she supported the family with her embroidery factory till her husband was ordained. Her husband then became a judge in the religious courts and was so authoritative, his rulings were never reversed, and eventually became the Chief Rabbi of Israel. Then one day she heard a woman screaming from a building that she was hungry. The Rabbanit went to her aid, cleaned her, her apartment, gave her food, did her laundry, and continued this for 4 years, 3 meals a day. It then escalated to others and the rest is history.

After a brief lunch on Ben Yehuda Street, we visited the Menachem Begin Heritage Center. It is the life story, told in videos, and manuscript excerpts of the former Israeli Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize winner. It’s designed to be an educational center and living memorial to this courageous fighter (Irgun Commander) and leader who worked for the freedom, future, and security of the Jewish People in their own land, which included Ethiopian immigration and the Soviet Jewry struggle.

We then ended the day with dinner at La Boca on Emek Rafaim. We were joined by the Taubmans and Stahls. The table was so long…wait, I did that one already. We all described what we are personally taking away with us from Israel. For me, it was a list of the free wi-fi internet locations in the hotels we stayed at – priceless. Also, the olive oil soap from Tefen that cures hemorrhoids – iceless. It was then onto the bus for the trip to Ben Gurian airport and our voyage home.

Post-Trip Greetings from Rabbi Kalender
Jerusalem, Friday, July 31

On the evening of Tisha B'Av, together with nearly 800 people, I sat on the ground at the Tayelet (the place where OT groups begin our time in Jerusalem). We gazed upon the valley where King David built our eternal capital. As our eyes moved up the mountain, we saw the ancient walls and the Temple Mount before us and the modern bustling city to our left.

Sitting with people from nearly every point on the religious spectrum, I couldn't help but reflect upon the dynamic meaning of the 9th of Av. As we listened to the heartbreaking, yet beautiful words and music of Sefer Eicha (the Book of Lamentations), we mourned our loss. It's not the destruction of the Temple that makes us so sad, but the loss of the central place that anchored the Jewish people. No matter where a Jew lived, the Beit Mikdash in Yerushalayim drew us together so we could express, as one, God's presence. It is a huge loss. But at the same time, there was hope at that spot. I heard people speaking Hebrew, English, French, German, Spanish, Filipino and Portuguese. Some knew Eicha by heart while others were hearing it for the first time.

But everyone was there to remember and then, to dream of what could be. If we can find some way to transform all these powerful words, music and prayers for redemption into action, then perhaps we can return the sacred presence to its necessary central place in our world.

This year, may the Shechina be an even greater presence in our lives and in our world.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Kalender