Israel - June, 2017 @tedallasisrael2017 - Tumblr Blog

A lovely Havdallah ceremony brought us to a poignant time of transition - from Shabbat to the new week and from being a community together in Israel to departing on our paths back to Dallas. We've made friends, shared incredible experiences and learned so much. Rabbi Stern's reminded us that like the braids of a Havdallah candle, we are now entwined and linked with together from this experience. We are returning with stories to share, memories to hold onto, and a community within hour Temple community. For those who followed our blog vicariously, consider joining us for our 2018 Israel journey opportunities. Watch The Window for more information later this summer. Or contact Karen Hoffman at Temple for information. L'hitraot! We don't say "Goodbye;" we say "until we meet again," here in this land we love.

Closing dinner as we not only bid farewell to Shabbat, but also to each other. We shared reflections throughout our final evening together, talking about this incredible experience and the friendships made over two weeks. We concluded with appreciation to our fabulous guides, Muki and Ron, as well as our patient and adaptive bus drivers.

Tel Aviv Street Art Tour

Today we learned that there are a lot more walls in Israel than the Western Wall. Today we had the opportunity to walk the quiet streets of Tel Aviv on a Shabbat afternoon, where closed buildings allow us to see a lot of interesting street art. Having a guided tour was fascinating and then culminated in stopping in an art gallery featuring the art of many street artists.

Tel Aviv street art tour

At Shabbat services on Saturday morning in Tel Aviv, we concluded with the upbeat and beautiful Naomi Shemer song, Bashanah Habaah - looking forward to our next return to Eretz Yisrael!

I literally fell in love during my time in Israel. I fell in love with a place and a people with whom I always had a connection, but not a deep relationship. Having Bus 1 and Bus 2 as my bridesmaids and groomsmen, as I committed myself to Israel, made the whole experience even better than I could have imagined.

Participant who shared during our last Shabbat in Israel

Shimon Smith, soloist from Kehillat Beit Daniel, wrote this beautiful song to the Prayer for Israel -

“My Redeemer, I ask you, We hope and pray that when you see her, protect her, love her as I do...”

Haleluyah by Leonard Cohen is beautiful in any language, but especially so on this lovely Shabbat evening, on the Yarkon River, with the community of Beit Daniel. Under the leadership of a wonderful songwriter-musician, Shimon Smith, we shared and sang together. Passersby throughout the evening would stop and join with us. Truly unlike any other Shabbat experience most of us have ever had. Shabbat Shalom

Our second Friday in Israel means we get ready to bring in Shabbat a second time, this time in Tel Aviv. With a free afternoon, some relaxed by our pool, some went to the Carmel open air market place, Nachalat Binyamin, to see Israeli artisans selling their handmade products, watching Israelis get ready for Shabbat with fresh produce, spices and beautiful flowers. Another shopping option (and delicious ice cream!) was found in Neve Tzedek. Others went to the beach, playing in the sand or walking along the rocky shoreline. The huge jellyfish swarm started last week and there are warnings everywhere about not swimming in the ocean. The remnants on the sand look like big dirty plastic bags- but stepping on one can still sting pretty badly. Someone from another group learned that today, we discovered when she told some of us in the hotel elevator. Ouch! (The top right photo captures a shoreline jellyfish, if you zoom in)

More from Caesaria

Ayalon

We visited a clandestine ammunition factory that was a fascinating experience. Day after day we are impressed by the stories of human courage, ingenuity and perseverance that went into the building and preserving of Israel and still exists today, thankfully.

Beautiful Ceaserea, the amazing port built by King Herod, with incredible architect. We got to see the ancient ruins of the Theater, Roman columns, hippodrome for horse races, all on a sun-kissed seaside day.

As the sun went down in Tel Aviv, the partying began for the annual Laila Lavan (White Night) a celebration of Tel Aviv as a UNESCO World Heritage site, a White City. Since 2003, this annual event runs from Thursday night to early Friday morning with culture, arts, food and shopping. While "Laila Lavan" means "white night" literally, it is also IDF slang for a night of continuous fun and activity. UNESCO awarded Tel Aviv with this status due to the internationally renowned collection of over 4,000 Bauhaus or international-style buildings constructed in the 1930's. As an annual event in Tel Aviv, businesses remain open all night and throughout the night across the city, you can enjoy beach concerts, special exhibitions, tours, the Opera, and all the delicious Israeli food and drinks that can be found in Tel Aviv! Unfortunately, most of the people in our group weren't able to stay out ALL night for the festivities, due to our packed itinerary but those who walked around and experienced it say it was a real treat.

The sun setting against the building in Tel Aviv are a stark contrast from the Jerusalem stone buildings a few days ago. Tel Aviv is having a heatwave, causing a little haziness over the Mediterranean sunset. Laila Tov! Good Night from Tel Aviv

At Independence Hall, we had a wonderful, warm, Texas-sized welcome by a very special friend- our very own Temple Emanu-El president, Mike Sims! Here on a business trip, mike extended his stay to see his fellow congregants this afternoon. Great having you with us, Mike!

Welcome to Tel Aviv

Welcome to Tel Aviv!

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

Israel - June, 2017