December 25, Continued (Your poster, your Rabbi, that is, will try to learn better how to manipulate the photos and text in this program. Please excuse the inelegant layout!)
We traveled from the center of the country to the north via the only toll road in Israel, Route 6, named after Yitzhak Rabin. The road has no toll gates, only the electronic monitoring system like our “Smart Pass.” So our journey tonight was rather swift.
This road is routed close to and along the ‘seam line,’ the fenced security border that represents Israel’s defense against terrorism. From the lighted highway, it appeared as a long, low wall topped by barbed wire, alongside of which was a security road that patrols cover each hour of each day. Any breeches in the wall are known almost instantaneously by the electronic devices embedded in the road and the wall. More on the political implications of this barrier another day.
We arrived to the guest house of Kibbutz K’far Blum. Many years ago, a few of the local kibbutzim, to supplement their income flow, opened up hotels or guest retreat houses. The guest house here is an old institution, rustic but beautiful. We are located in the ‘finger’ of Israel that extends north and is surrounded by Lebanon on the west and Syria on the east. The proximity to these nations, one time in active conflict with Israel and now always in a tenuous state of cease fire, makes us feel as though we really are at the center of the world. At least when there is a slow news period in the States, as there typically is at this time of year, there is always news here in the Middle East.
As we arrived at the time of dusk here, we don’t have too many photos of the scenery quite yet. But above are some photos of our group going through the airport and on the plane:
Also, the group of twenty-two travelers who arrived today were divided into one group of five (who dubbed themselves “The W’s – because all their last names began with W) and one group of 17. While waiting for we 17, The W’s composed a special song to greet us when we met in Atlanta for the long flight to Tel-Aviv. Here it is:
(sung to the tune of “Dreidle, Dreidle, Dreidle”)
Travel, travel, travel,
The W’s have prevailed.
Two days we have survived.
The W Chavurah has arrived.
Travel, travel, travel,
Pilgrims to the Promised Land.
Our hopes were ever so high
To turn fog ‘n snow to sand.
Travel, travel, travel,
Patience we have not.
Flexibility we have practiced,
Punctuality sure is shot.
Travel, travel, travel.
We W’s now have a song.
We expect to hear from you
A better creative endeavor.
This road is routed close to and along the ‘seam line,’ the fenced security border that represents Israel’s defense against terrorism. From the lighted highway, it appeared as a long, low wall topped by barbed wire, alongside of which was a security road that patrols cover each hour of each day. Any breeches in the wall are known almost instantaneously by the electronic devices embedded in the road and the wall. More on the political implications of this barrier another day.
We arrived to the guest house of Kibbutz K’far Blum. Many years ago, a few of the local kibbutzim, to supplement their income flow, opened up hotels or guest retreat houses. The guest house here is an old institution, rustic but beautiful. We are located in the ‘finger’ of Israel that extends north and is surrounded by Lebanon on the west and Syria on the east. The proximity to these nations, one time in active conflict with Israel and now always in a tenuous state of cease fire, makes us feel as though we really are at the center of the world. At least when there is a slow news period in the States, as there typically is at this time of year, there is always news here in the Middle East.
As we arrived at the time of dusk here, we don’t have too many photos of the scenery quite yet. But above are some photos of our group going through the airport and on the plane:
Also, the group of twenty-two travelers who arrived today were divided into one group of five (who dubbed themselves “The W’s – because all their last names began with W) and one group of 17. While waiting for we 17, The W’s composed a special song to greet us when we met in Atlanta for the long flight to Tel-Aviv. Here it is:
(sung to the tune of “Dreidle, Dreidle, Dreidle”)
Travel, travel, travel,
The W’s have prevailed.
Two days we have survived.
The W Chavurah has arrived.
Travel, travel, travel,
Pilgrims to the Promised Land.
Our hopes were ever so high
To turn fog ‘n snow to sand.
Travel, travel, travel,
Patience we have not.
Flexibility we have practiced,
Punctuality sure is shot.
Travel, travel, travel.
We W’s now have a song.
We expect to hear from you
A better creative endeavor.
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