Trees, Digs and Reform Judaism in Israel!

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows
climbing down to our planting site at JNF Kennedy Forrest

Another glorious day in the Holy Land.  We started out at 8:30 for the John F. Kennedy memorial in one of the JNF forrest and planted saplings.  Our saplings will grow there for a few years and then be transferred to another site.  Most of the trees planted in JNF forrest are of the pine variety, but they need to plant additional types in order to stop diseases from spreading amongst the trees–we planted a type of oak.  

A prayer before planting

planting a tree to Honor Marion Mito! Go Team Marion!
After trees were planted we drove to an archeological site for a tour and learned how to dig for ancient relics.  On our ancient site, treasures from the Maccabean time had been found! Perhaps amongst the pottery pieces, animal bones, part of a wine jug and more that we found, one of us will have discovered a treasure!   As an aside, the owner of the Archeological Seminars, who hosted us, is the father of a school mate of mine from my Solomon Schechter days (see pictures below).  He stayed with us on the tour and helped us with the dig!  After the dig, some of us crawled through tunnels, others went on a tour of the caves and we all met up–dirty, covered in ancient dust and dried mud- and smiling. 
Learning how to use the digging tools.  oy. 

Gabi and Mr. Alpert of Archeological Seminars.  Look what they found!

Coming out of the Dig.  AKA Batman cave. 


Lunch was another falafel and schwarma place (like every other lunch!) and then we drove to the town of Mod’iin.  A newer community, Modiin was established in 1998 and it is half-way between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.  In Modiin, a town where the Maccabeas once lived, there is a reform synagogue, Yozma, and I am friendly with their pioneering and inspiring senior rabbi, Kinneret Shiryon.  Rabbi Shiryon spoke to us about Yozma–how they recently made history in Israel by becoming the first non-Orthodox community to receive a pre-fab building funded by the State.  This is a HUGE deal and the Yozma case about receiving funding  went all the way to the Supreme Court.  Before Yozma, only the orthodox religious institutions were given funding.  Today, because of Yozma’s successful court case, other liberal communities have been given funding and a small measure of equality has taken place.  Yozma began with a few pre-school classrooms 11 years ago in dilapidated temporary rooms and today, they have 6 classrooms, an elementary school and a great many caring partners activities, tikkun olam projects as well as worship services etc.  It was an inspiration to meet with Kinneret and we hope to forge a new, strong relationship between our two congregations.  
Rabbi Kinneret showing us the monumental plaque that notes funds were provided by the State to build the institution, 

Listening to R’ Kinneret share the YOZMA story.  

Friends.
We arrived back at the hotel around 4:30 and said good-bye to our wonderful driver, Shaul.  Lucy and Nathan each hugged him and Nathan said loudly “I will never forget you, Shaul” We all agree.  
Lila Tov from Jerusalem! 

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Monday at Masada!

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows
Today We packed suits and a towel, sunscreen, hats and water and at 8:00 we headed for the hour or so drive to Masada, the ancient fortress where the Jewish Zealots chose death instead of slavery to the Romans.  After destroying the second Temple in the year 70 CE, it took the Roman army three years to finally reach the top of Masada to crush their rebellion only to find that the Jews had committed suicide, rather then surrender.   Before we left Jerusalem however, we stopped for a group picture and an amazing view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.  See below: 

A camel at Mount of Olives!

All but three of us took the cable car to the top of the mountain, the three brave souls climbed Masada in the blazing mid-morning heat.  Their “we did it” picture is below: 
In this picture, Gadi our guide, is showing us an ancient cistern. The zealots could store nearly 60,000 gallons of water atop the mountain.  Incredible.  


We stopped for a moment of silence and reflection when we sat together in the ancient synagogue.  We noted that Rabbi Heschel teaches that Awe often comes before faith.  Indeed, there is so much to be in AWE of here in our ancient homeland.  We took a moment to connect with ourselves and our past and then we said together, the Shema–a statement of our faith.  

After lunch and a shopping visit to the AHAVA store, we headed for a quick drive down to a beach at the Dead Sea.  We floated in the dense salt water, a few opted to coat themselves with the rich mineral mud!  


An hour and a half later we enjoyed ice cream and water and headed off for the hotel.  Another beautiful, amazing day.  
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Sunday in Jerusalem!

Posted on June 19, 2011 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

WOW. From 7:45 am until 5:00pm we were on the go.  Today was packed with more information about Ancient Israel than possible to absorb in one day… But we made a valiant effort!!  We began with a short visit to the wall where we could offer a “Modeh Ani” morning prayer–the prayer we say upon waking up saying “thank You” to God for allowing us this new day.  We then spent hours exploring the Old City–the ancient walls found underground that were part of the Temple.  In these tunnels, is the closest Wall we have to the Holy of Holies inside the Temple. See pic. below:  



After the tunnels we went for a tour of the Christian Quarter and the 14 Stations of Jesus/saw the Church where Jesus is said to be buried, heard beautiful gregorian chanting in the church which added depth to our experience of seeing a most holy and significant place in the Christian world.  There were people kissing the place where Jesus is said to be entombed, monks in robes–some hooded, some not walked around, and some lit candles.  The importance of this sight was palpable.  


After the Church we went through the busy corridors of the Arab/Christian market and made our way into the Jewish Quarter stoping to shop and sightsee at the Cardo-an ancient thoroughfare and shopping area that has been updated by thousands of years and is home to some of the most expensive stores in Jerusalem.  The cardo today:

The Cardo a few thousand years ago: we are still shopping….


We then sat for about 35 min. For lunch and then off to tour again!  We spent the remainder of the afternoon exploring the City of David, walked through an ancient waterworks system, walked through tunnels, did some climbing and walking, saw a 3800 year old spring and then stood for a “we did it!!” picture at the end of the day!!!

 a 3800 water spring:


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Shabbat in Jerusalem

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

Hi Friends,

Today we had a relaxing/time on our own/shabbat kind of day.  Most of us (those who don’t have kids on the trip at least) slept in a bit and had a late breakfast (!!) and some of us discussed this week’s Torah portion–shelach lecha (which is actually now considered, last week’s portion).  it is the portion where Moses sends out 10 spies to scout out the land of Canaan.  all but Caleb and Joshua come back saying it is too much for the Israelites, that they could not enter the land.  Caleb and Joshua believed that anything is possible if you have determination and faith.  it reminded me of Herzl’s–if you will it, it is no dream and also of all the early pioneers building the State of Israel… It is really, a miracle that this State exists.  Problems, conflicts and all… we are Here.  I am pleased that Joshua and Caleb spoke up… 🙂
in the late morning, some of us went to the Shuk in the Muslim/Christian quarter, some stayed at the hotel, by the pool etc.  we all met at 7:30 for Havdalah, on one of the veranda’s at the hotel, walls of the Old City in the background.  It was interesting to offer the Havdalah prayers noting the separation from the holy and the ordinary.  when in Jerusalem, I/we feel nothing is quite “ordinary”.   lots to think about.
well, once again i am writing this at a late hour… tomorrow promises to be a very another very busy, enlightening, awesome day.  we begin at 7:30 am.  Til Soon, Lila Tov from Jerusalem.

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Pictures from Safed, Rosh Hanikrah, Acco etc.

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

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Jerusalem Day 1

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows
There really is nothing like spending Shabbat in Jerusalem.  (next best thing is of course, Beth Am….) 
We began our day spending a few hours at Yad Vashem.  We said Kaddish together just before we went to the Children’s memorial that honored the memory of over a million children.  The entire museum is of course powerful and yet we were all quite moved by one of the last rooms–a circular room from floor to ceiling of big black binders containing the names of people who died during the Holocaust.  We paid tribute to Righteous Gentiles who helped save Jews and we remembered the Jews of Koiyten and Rodnitze whose Torahs we hold dear in our Ark.    Pic below: Yad Vashem.

After Yad Vashem we went to visit Theodore Herzl’s (founder of modern Zionism) tomb and the Herzl Museum.  In an excellent presentation, we learned about Herzl, his fight to find a Jewish Homeland.  What was quite moving, in addition to the very history of the Zionist Congress etc was one of the last things our museum guide shared with us.  She said that Theodore Herzl, who died at age 44,  had no heirs of his own, thus, WE are heirs to his legacy, it is up to US to carry on his dream and his message. Pic: outside at Theodore Herzl’s tomb.

After Herzl Museum, we went to Machane Yehuda-the Jewish market where it seemed like all of Jerusalem was busy buying and bartering for fruits, nuts, falafel, meats,  challah and desserts etc! 

We then drove through a few of the more traditional neighborhoods, like Mea Sharim and then headed back to the hotel.  After a short break we met and walked (trekked?) to the Kotel, the Western Wall.  We entered through the Zion Gate.  The first glimpse of the Kotel is often inspirational and we took a moment to recognize the importance of where we were, and how important this trip to Israel is to us.  We stood on holy ground and took a moment to “just be”.  Then of course we took a picture!!  Then we each took time to be at the wall alone with our own thoughts are prayers. afterwards we met for Kabbalat Shabbat brief service on one of the balconies over looking the wall.  We then returned to the hotel, had a Shabbat meal and headed off to relax a bit!
One does not travel to Jerusalem,
One returns,
One ascends
The road taken by generations,
The path of longing
On the way to redemption. 
One brings rucksacks 
Stuffed with memories
To each mountain
And each hill.
In the cobbled white alleyways
One offers a blessing
For memories of the past
Which have been renewed. 
One does not travel to Jerusalem.
One returns. 
~Mishkan Tifilah, Traveler’s Edition p. 157.

Shabbat Shalom!

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Day Four: Safed, Rosh HaNikra, Acco, Jerusalem!

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

Hi Friends!

Pictures of today’s awesome day will be in tomorrow’s post and for now, I write to you after a long, fulfilling day of connection, wonder and amazement.  We started our day in the mystical city of Safad.  We stood in the ancient synagogue and added our own prayers to the countless other stirrings of the hearts that came before us, in that very site.  We then went to Rosh Hanikra–the Grottos. Ah,  a site to behold.  we were all in awe of its beauty.  Acco came next and finally, after much anticipation and traffic jams (!) we arrived in Jerusalem.  We said our first Shecheianu and we paused to take note …. we have arrived!!!  we had a L’Chaim together and checked into our rooms about 8:30pm.  A short post after an exhausting day!
To be continued….. Lila Tov from Jerusalem!

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Day Three: The Golan

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

We began the day with yet another amazing Israeli Breakfast…. and then off for a jeep tour of the Golan Heights.  In two jeeps, we made our way across the rugged terrain of the Golan Heights…. the Jeep adventure reminded me of why I do not like Great America.  The hour tour took us on a winding road in the Golan that was recaptured from the Syrians in 1967.  We stopped along the way to learn some military history, read a poem about the 1967 war and capture of the Golan Heights.  We then toured the Golan winery where we learned the fine art of wine tasting and toured the plant.  We learned that in order for Kosher wine to be Kosher, it must be produced from start to finish by Orthodox Jews…. At the time of our tour there were 8000 barrels of wine, each barrel producing 300 bottles.  After a quick lunch, we returned to history and stopped to look out onto Syria as our Guide, Gadi, shared more about the boarders, the patrols, the capture and the complicated history that is ours.  

The weather was hot today, not very cloudy and we postponed our trip to Safed–the city of Kabbalah and Jewish Mysticism until tomorrow.  Instead, most of us went to kayak/raft down the Jordan River.  Others went to swim in the Olympic swimming pool at the Kibbutz, and still others, went to rest!  

Today I have been thinking about recent news and the Obama suggestion of returning to the 1967 borders as starting point for Peace negotiations.  I am aware of how much easier it is to have a conversation about the ’67 boarders when not standing on them….. Ad Machar–until tomorrow… erev tov from the Golan. 
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Congregation Beth Am Israel Trip 2011

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Rabbi Lisa Sari Bellows

Hi Friends, 
We are doing well! Tired, but well! After some travel glitches that had the Bellows family on a flight to LaGuardia at 6am with a shuttle to Newark only to wait 7 hours in the Newark airport (!!)… we all met and finally boarded the plane! Once in Tel Aviv, we met our guide, Gadi and began our tour! We went to a sculpture park in Tel Aviv where we saw not only a spectacular view of the Ocean and Tel Aviv, but relished in the fact that public art here often has a Jewish Theme! we quickly stopped at an upscale mall for a snack at Michigan Ave. prices and then set out again. We learned about the Palmach–one of the predecessor groups of the Israeli Defense Force–with an amazing interactive tour at the Palmach Museum. We ate an Israeli dinner in Tel Aviv and then said Lila Tov. Yesterday was a full day! We toured a british detention camp near Haifa which, because of the British quota on immigration to Palestine, held thousands of Jewish Holocaust survivors who tried to enter the country. We had an amazing meal at home hospitality in a Druze village and then  toured Leo Baeck school– an K-12 grade reform/liberal school with about 2500 kids. We met with the rabbi of the school and learned about what it means to be a liberal religious Jew in a country that sees Jews as either secular or Orthodox–more on that another time. We are staying at a beautiful Kibbutz and are enjoying the beautiful gardens, food and weather!!! Today promises to be a terrific day–will check in later!

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