We spent the first full day relaxing in Tiberius on Shabbat. The following day we decided to go to Katzrin, a city in the Golan Heights, about a 30 minute drive from Tiberius. The next day we were close to the same area hiking in Yehudea. On the trail, we were greeted by every Israeli Scout in the country. We apparently picked the one day a year when hordes of Israeli scouts come in groups to do this very hike. Even so, it was an incredible hike involving a lot of climbing and beautiful views.
On one part of the hike we had to climb down a big ladder and then jump into a body of water from there to swim across with all of our belongings in order to reach land. The next day we went to Nazareth, the birthplace of Jesus, with a big group. (*Correction: The city of Bethlehem is actually the birthplace of Jesus. Nazareth is the site of the Annunciation, when the angel told Mary she was to give birth to the son of God, and where Jesus spent most of his childhood.) and where It was my first time being in an Israeli-Arab city and it was a fascinating experience. It was strange to know that we were in Israel but that Judaism wasn't the prominent religion or lifestyle of the inhabitants. We saw some beautiful churches with amazing artwork. One small church had completely frescoed walls that reminded me of Europe. Our last day in Tiberius we went on another great hike and then spent the rest of the day swimming in the Kinneret.
On one part of the hike we had to climb down a big ladder and then jump into a body of water from there to swim across with all of our belongings in order to reach land. The next day we went to Nazareth, the birthplace of Jesus, with a big group. (*Correction: The city of Bethlehem is actually the birthplace of Jesus. Nazareth is the site of the Annunciation, when the angel told Mary she was to give birth to the son of God, and where Jesus spent most of his childhood.) and where It was my first time being in an Israeli-Arab city and it was a fascinating experience. It was strange to know that we were in Israel but that Judaism wasn't the prominent religion or lifestyle of the inhabitants. We saw some beautiful churches with amazing artwork. One small church had completely frescoed walls that reminded me of Europe. Our last day in Tiberius we went on another great hike and then spent the rest of the day swimming in the Kinneret.
By Thursday we were ready to leave Tiberius and move on to the last part of our trip. We ended with our last Shabbat in Tzfat, the Jewish center of spiritual learning and experience. Thursday we spent wandering around the Old City and Artists Quarter. There was something so peaceful about being in Tzfat that it was immediately calming. The scenery in the north is beautiful anywhere you go, seeing the backdrop of the mountains behind the Kinneret, but somehow in Tzfat it seems even more breath-taking.
The next day we went to Rosh Pina for the day, apparently a favorite of Israeli celebrities. That night for Shabbat the hostel we were staying at set us up to have dinner with a local family. Our family had moved to Israel from the US five years earlier and were of course extremely welcoming. The meal was much later than the usual Shabbat dinner because it was also the eve of Simchas Torah.
Because the holiday incites so much joy and dancing, being in such a religious city and household made the experience interesting and unique. It was fascinating to hear the impression of this family who had chosen not only to move to Israel as a family but also to move to Tzfat and live a Chabadnik lifestyle. It remains amazing to me how welcoming families are here. Any person could bring you into their home and treat you immediately as family. This is something I was repeatedly told about before coming to Israel but couldn't really understand until now. In my five weeks here I have already been welcomed into three homes as if I was a member of the family.
The next day we went to Rosh Pina for the day, apparently a favorite of Israeli celebrities. That night for Shabbat the hostel we were staying at set us up to have dinner with a local family. Our family had moved to Israel from the US five years earlier and were of course extremely welcoming. The meal was much later than the usual Shabbat dinner because it was also the eve of Simchas Torah.
Because the holiday incites so much joy and dancing, being in such a religious city and household made the experience interesting and unique. It was fascinating to hear the impression of this family who had chosen not only to move to Israel as a family but also to move to Tzfat and live a Chabadnik lifestyle. It remains amazing to me how welcoming families are here. Any person could bring you into their home and treat you immediately as family. This is something I was repeatedly told about before coming to Israel but couldn't really understand until now. In my five weeks here I have already been welcomed into three homes as if I was a member of the family.
Yesterday we made our way back to Ashkelon. Every part of the trip was great but there is nothing quite like being at home so we were all relieved to make it back last night. Unfortunately, the educational seminar we were supposed to have today in Jerusalem was canceled due to growing violence at the Temple Mount. We're hoping once it calms down, they'll be able to reschedule the seminar. We were supposed to go the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Jewish Quarter, and the most exciting was getting as close to the Temple Mount as we'll apparently ever get.
Now, it's time to get ready for Ulpan tomorrow, the first since being back from break. I'm sure its going to be a difficult transition back into four and a half hours of Hebrew class tomorrow. I'm looking forward to a week of routine and normalcy back here in Ashkelon with my top priority at the moment being the ever growing pile of dirty laundry next to my bed!
Lilah Tov,
Andi
0 comments:
Post a Comment