May 1, 2013 - Old Jaffa

Wednesday 1st May Today we drove into the centre of the old town of Jaffa. First we got an audio tour tape from the information centre which directed us around the historic site with accompanying explanations. A quick meal and ice cream for lunch and then a continuation of the tour into an underground museum. This was where considerable excavation had taken place to show the historic background to Jaffa and its original importance as a port. Excellent tour and a couple of explanatory films as well.

Apr 30, 2013 - Jerusalem and Raanana

Sunday 28th April In the afternoon we went in to Jerusalem to the Machane Yehuda street market in one of the older parts of the town. Machane Yehuda was one of the first Jewish settlements outside the old walled city. There we bought some fruit and vegetables and also had excellent light dinner in one of the cafes. Monday 29th April Went to visit my nephew Daniel, his wife and four children in Raanana. Had a very pleasant time with them all.

Apr 27, 2013 - Our first few days in Israel

Wednesday 24th April. Got up early so as to drive to Heathrow and hopefully miss the traffic. Fat chance, the M25 lived up to its reputation as the largest parking lot in the world! Anyway, we got to Heathrow to find out our plane was late! Had a nice flight to Ben-Gurion airport in Tel Aviv where we were met by my brother Gordon. Picked up our rental car from Hertz and drove to Gordon’s apartment. Thursday 25th April Basically did nothing during the day other than a short walk. In the evening I went to what I thought was a local amateur...

Apr 15, 2013 - The West at Haas Promenade

Chag Atzmaut Sameach! Shalom from Haas Promenade in Jerusalem. We are getting ready for the March (from Safra Square to the Kotel), which will be the exact opposite of the March we experienced on Yom Hashoah in Poland. Look forward to hearing the teens' reflections about their experiences! Love from Israel, The West

Apr 12, 2013 - Day 10

Camels are the philosophers of the Desert. They sit in dignified silence, staring blankly out into the reaches of the west bank, undisturbed by the loud buses that pollute their air with obnoxious teenagers. I imagine one of them would be considering the implications of utilitarianism in the context of a new-age dilemma, or perhaps taking a deontological perspective on the religious teachings of Israel. Or, they could just be thinking, “Camel, Camel, Camel, Camel, poop” over and over again, seeing as they poop every few seconds. We use...

Apr 11, 2013 - Day 8/9 - Welcome to Israel!

Israeli flags blowing in the wind every where. We have finally arrived in Israel and it is already incredible. The first two hours went by so quickly because we landed at 3am and did not sleep for one second on the plane. We then went to the beach to thank God for the land we have and watch the sun rise together. We then went to an amazing, fresh restaurant for breakfast that was 100 times better than any meal in Poland. Every little thing we do makes me grateful for the land and the people here, which makes me enjoy it all so much more...

Mar 6, 2013 - The"Wailing" wall

The Wailing Wall is a very busy location. All different people come to pray, wail or whatever they decide to do. Including leaving pieces of paper with prayer on it. Once per year they are all collected and burned. Women and men can't approach the wall together. Each have their own area. All men must cover their heads.

Mar 6, 2013 - A "Time line" of Jerusalem -3300 to 1948

The old city of Jerusalem has been around for a long while. Over 5,000 years old. It has has been under domain or control by over 13 entities. It has been destroyed and re-build many times. -3,300 The Canaanites -1,006 Israelites -586 Babylonians Exile -538 Persian -332 Hellenistic -63 Romans 324 Byzantine 638 Early Muslims 1,099 Crusaders 1,260 Mamluk 1,517 Ottoman 1,917 British 1,948 State of Israel There is a prayer that Jerusalem the city of peace that has never known peace, but that one day may it encounter such peace among its...

Mar 6, 2013 - Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus agonizes over his coming death.

The Garden of Gethsemane is very beautiful location. The olive trees are great looking, one has been identified to be over 2,000 years old, before the time of Jesus. See picture. The spot were it is claimed to be the spot or close to it were Jesus agonized over was going to happen to him.. The church of Gethsemane has four statues at its top noted to reference the four epistles, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Jan 14, 2013 - 3rd world or Green?

When you think of the middle-east, what are the things that come into your mind? Desert? Hot? Sand? Small stone houses? Those were some of my thoughts before coming here. It’s amazing how we come to conclusions from what we hear on the news or in stories. However, Israel is different than I had imagined. Ever since the Jewish people got their land back they have turned this land into something it has not been for a long time. It truly is a developed and growing country, not only in sense of urban life, but even nature has developed and...

Jan 13, 2013 - Parte 10 - Jerusalem

Saimos de Petra e partimos para nosso ultimo destino: Jerusalem. Nao foi facil atravessar a fronteira, mas isso o Le ja relatou muito bem no relato anterior. Infelizmente, chegamos na cidade sagrada por debaixo de uma forte tempestade, os dias aqui em Jerusalem nao seriam os mais bonitos da nossa viagem, apenas em termos de clima, pois para mim foram, sem duvida, os dias mais magicos da viagem! Jerusalem eh bem diferente do que eu imaginava. Apesar de ser uma cidade antiga, ela possui um ar de moderno e cosmopolita. Uma cidade cheia de...

Dec 20, 2012 - Eating too many Strawberries turns me into a Strawberry

“Tis the season to eat Strawberries, fa la la la la laaa, lalala la.” Living near the shook has been quite the experience! Its way cheaper and closer than going to the grocery store, so I do most of my shopping there. Israel produces most of it own fruits and veggies, so the shook is like their giant farmers market. However, many are selling the same in-season fruit or veggies and it is very competitive; you have one guy yelling “ARBA SHEKEL ARBA SHEKEL!” and the guys across from him yelling, “OOOOYAAA, SHALOSH SHEKEL SHALOSH SHEKEL!!!”...