“When we fight against the monopoly, we are actually liberating Judaism for all Israelis and since this is the fastest growing Jewish community on the Planet, it is a worthwhile fight.”  Anat Hoffman speaking to our Beth Am Tour this evening.

After a beautiful morning looking at hundreds of thousands of cranes and over 400 bird species at the Hula Nature Reserve–a most important wet habitat in the Middle East. Our Docent taught us that birds fly south – not for the weather, but when the days get shorter… they are seeking light, which means food for them.  This amazing bird sanctuary and habitat is the only rest stop for them until they finish migration in Africa.  The birds are searching for the Light!  

Light–in Psalm 26 we read, “For with you is the source of light, in your light do we see light.”  We search for the light too–a symbol holiness, warmth, goodness, even happiness.  Yet we don’t have to go very far, for there are sparks of holiness within us.  God’s light is contained within.

After the Hula Valley, we stopped for lunch, spent some time at Capernaum, a Christian Holy site.  On the way to Jerusalem, we learned a bit about the history of the city post-1948 and began a discussion on geo-politics which I know will continue for the next several days and beyond!

As we entered Jerusalem, Lana played a recording of the song Yerushaliem Shel Zahav–Jerusalem of Gold by Naomi Shemer and I was so very moved.  No matter how many times I have been here, no matter how complex a city this is, when I enter Jerusalem, there is an instantaneous feeling of connection–to the ancestors, to the history, and to the Holy One.

The lecture by Anat Hoffman was important and very moving.  I will be speaking and be writing more about what we learned in the days and weeks to come.

This was another very good day.

Blessings from Jerusalem.