It has been an AMAZING visit to Israel. This week flew by so fast. It was jam packed with touring, visiting friends and family, seeing new places and revisiting some of my favorites!
I had a wonderful Shabbat with our group of rabbis (which, if I didn't mention was 26 fantastic rabbis mostly all ordained in the last 10 years). Shabbat and the entire trip was invigorating, fun, refreshing (and exhausting!). We learned how to lead a great trip to Israel, so the next step is getting you to come with me! I had a chance to spend time with fellow rabbis I've known for almost 10 years and others I just met last week. All in all, I was truly blessed.
So, now it is time for me to finish packing and prepare myself to leave one home and go to another. I've found that everytime I leave Israel, I always want to know when I'll be back, before I even leave Eretz Yisrael.
I'll end this post with prayers for Peace in the Land-Shalom B'Aretz; and Peace in our Homes-Shalom b'bayit; and Peace in our hearts-Shalom b'Lev!
Once I return to the States, I'll do my best to upload some pictures of my trip and share a few more thoughts on this fantastic experience!
Shalom v'Lehitraot Yisrael...Peace and See you Soon O' Israel!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Shabbat Shalom from Israel!
Shabbat Shalom! Again, we had an amzing day which included a visit to Kever Rachel- Rachel's Tomb...Rachel as in our Matriarch-Jacob's wife. It was powerful for many reasons- the history of the site and the connection to the bible and also the realistic complexities of where it is located. After a "security tour" we went to the Shuk- Machane Yehuda, and then I had a chance to do some shopping (finally)!!!
After a little shopping (not enough), we went to the Old City to prepare for Shabbat and our prayers were amazing. I am so full of emotion and so truly grateful for all the many gifts I've received from God.
After leaving our group, I had the chance to be alone and to go to the Kotel-The Western Wall and place in the cracks of the wall the notes people gave me (including one written in Korean!). I sang with women the songs of L'cha Dodi and Hinei Mah Tov- How great it is that we are all dwelling together. When I told this group of religious American women how wonderful it was for me to sing with them, they told me they had chills! (Also, interestingly enough, I saw someone "cross" herself at the wall, which meant to me that this is a holy place for so many!
From there, as I exited the Kotel I had a chance to meet with some Jewish, Israeli 11th graders who were in Jerusalem from Ashdod. I gave them a pack of our "Meshuga Bands" (www.meshugabands.com) and they LOVED them (they were even fighting over them b/c they all wanted the "Chai", so luckily I had an extra pack to give them!). I went into a store to buy a souvenir and the Israeli Arab owner, Asam and I had a great conversation about Peace. After he gave me a cup of coffee (and a great discount), together he and I prayed to God that there would be Shalom-Salam-Peace !!! As I left the area of the old city to return to my hotel to get ready for Shabbat dinner, I had a cab driver who is a Druze (which is a "secret religion" there are 100,000 Druze in Israel and 250,000 in Lebanon and 250,000 in Syria). We, too, had a great conversation.
Ok, WOW...what a day and what a trip! Hopefully I will get a chance to post at least one more time from Israel.
For now, Shabbat Shalom...
After a little shopping (not enough), we went to the Old City to prepare for Shabbat and our prayers were amazing. I am so full of emotion and so truly grateful for all the many gifts I've received from God.
After leaving our group, I had the chance to be alone and to go to the Kotel-The Western Wall and place in the cracks of the wall the notes people gave me (including one written in Korean!). I sang with women the songs of L'cha Dodi and Hinei Mah Tov- How great it is that we are all dwelling together. When I told this group of religious American women how wonderful it was for me to sing with them, they told me they had chills! (Also, interestingly enough, I saw someone "cross" herself at the wall, which meant to me that this is a holy place for so many!
From there, as I exited the Kotel I had a chance to meet with some Jewish, Israeli 11th graders who were in Jerusalem from Ashdod. I gave them a pack of our "Meshuga Bands" (www.meshugabands.com) and they LOVED them (they were even fighting over them b/c they all wanted the "Chai", so luckily I had an extra pack to give them!). I went into a store to buy a souvenir and the Israeli Arab owner, Asam and I had a great conversation about Peace. After he gave me a cup of coffee (and a great discount), together he and I prayed to God that there would be Shalom-Salam-Peace !!! As I left the area of the old city to return to my hotel to get ready for Shabbat dinner, I had a cab driver who is a Druze (which is a "secret religion" there are 100,000 Druze in Israel and 250,000 in Lebanon and 250,000 in Syria). We, too, had a great conversation.
Ok, WOW...what a day and what a trip! Hopefully I will get a chance to post at least one more time from Israel.
For now, Shabbat Shalom...
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Ani B'Yerushalayim! I am in Jerusalem!
Shalom, Shalom!
Wow, we have been so busy! Our group of 26 rabbis left Tel Aviv yesterday (Wednesday) and made our way up North. We went to Ceasaria (Kesaryia in Hebrew), which was my first time visiting this ancient city, which is one of the oldest cities in Israel. In recent years it has become a very nice resort area, yet it holds a great deal of historical importance, especially for Christians. After touring the ancient Theater, we watched a brief historical movie and then had Morning services on the beach. To say it was amazing is an understatement!
From there we stopped for lunch and then went to Tsfat and had a "mystical" time. Actually, we didn't really have a lot of time in Tsfat, but it was beautiful and of course there is something almost magical about being in the city where Jewish Mysticism and Kabbalah were born. We then went to an Israeli "Dude Ranch," where I got to drive a "TomCar" (which is like a doonbuggy). Don't worry, no one got hurt!
After some fun at the rance, we went to Kibbutz Kfar Blum and had an opportunity to learn about that kibbutz and the entire kibbutz movement. This is very meaningful to me, as I spent one of the best summers of my life on Kibbutz Kfar Hanasi (which is in the Galilee, near the town of Rosh Pina). Being back on a kibbutz (communal community) was very powerful, and the hotel at Kfar Blum was great. After dinner and our evening program I took a walk with 6 other rabbis on my trip to the Jordan River. After we got lost for a while (and I wasn't even trying to lead), we finally found our way (in the dark) to the river. Being with friends and getting some fresh air was truly a wonderful to end the night!
This morning we left the Kibbutz and went on a tour of the area around the Northof Israel (which is one of the most beautiful parts of the country). This led us to a wonderful discussion about the issues of security as we looked out and saw the Golan Heights and saw Israel's neighbors. We stopped at the Kinneret Cemetery to see the graves of some of Israel's pioneers which sits above Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) and which I think is one of the most beautiful spots in the entire world. We continued on to Jerusalem and after stopping to say a few prayers upon entering the Holy City, we continued on our tour.
Our formal programming for today ended with a tour to Yad Vashem- Israel's Holocaust Memorial/Museum. While I've been there a number of times before, today was incredibly powerful. I was so emotional and yet so grateful for this opportunity to pay tribute to rigtheous who made a difference and pay respects to those who were murdered.
I finished the night by going to one of my favorite restaurants, "Cafe B'gina" (Cafe in the Garden) for dinner with my friend Dr. Melissa Ser. It was wonderful to catch up with her and hear all about her sons and her husband and the very exciting life she leads as an educator in Israel. And the food was, of course, "tayim ma'od" (very delicious)! I had a few of my favorite dishes and we truly had a great time!
Ok, well, I'm so thoroughly exhausted that I know I'll really appreciate Shabbat. However, we have a pretty full day planned for tomorrow before Shabbat begins, so for now I'm off to bed.
Again, Lila Tov-Good night!
Wow, we have been so busy! Our group of 26 rabbis left Tel Aviv yesterday (Wednesday) and made our way up North. We went to Ceasaria (Kesaryia in Hebrew), which was my first time visiting this ancient city, which is one of the oldest cities in Israel. In recent years it has become a very nice resort area, yet it holds a great deal of historical importance, especially for Christians. After touring the ancient Theater, we watched a brief historical movie and then had Morning services on the beach. To say it was amazing is an understatement!
From there we stopped for lunch and then went to Tsfat and had a "mystical" time. Actually, we didn't really have a lot of time in Tsfat, but it was beautiful and of course there is something almost magical about being in the city where Jewish Mysticism and Kabbalah were born. We then went to an Israeli "Dude Ranch," where I got to drive a "TomCar" (which is like a doonbuggy). Don't worry, no one got hurt!
After some fun at the rance, we went to Kibbutz Kfar Blum and had an opportunity to learn about that kibbutz and the entire kibbutz movement. This is very meaningful to me, as I spent one of the best summers of my life on Kibbutz Kfar Hanasi (which is in the Galilee, near the town of Rosh Pina). Being back on a kibbutz (communal community) was very powerful, and the hotel at Kfar Blum was great. After dinner and our evening program I took a walk with 6 other rabbis on my trip to the Jordan River. After we got lost for a while (and I wasn't even trying to lead), we finally found our way (in the dark) to the river. Being with friends and getting some fresh air was truly a wonderful to end the night!
This morning we left the Kibbutz and went on a tour of the area around the Northof Israel (which is one of the most beautiful parts of the country). This led us to a wonderful discussion about the issues of security as we looked out and saw the Golan Heights and saw Israel's neighbors. We stopped at the Kinneret Cemetery to see the graves of some of Israel's pioneers which sits above Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) and which I think is one of the most beautiful spots in the entire world. We continued on to Jerusalem and after stopping to say a few prayers upon entering the Holy City, we continued on our tour.
Our formal programming for today ended with a tour to Yad Vashem- Israel's Holocaust Memorial/Museum. While I've been there a number of times before, today was incredibly powerful. I was so emotional and yet so grateful for this opportunity to pay tribute to rigtheous who made a difference and pay respects to those who were murdered.
I finished the night by going to one of my favorite restaurants, "Cafe B'gina" (Cafe in the Garden) for dinner with my friend Dr. Melissa Ser. It was wonderful to catch up with her and hear all about her sons and her husband and the very exciting life she leads as an educator in Israel. And the food was, of course, "tayim ma'od" (very delicious)! I had a few of my favorite dishes and we truly had a great time!
Ok, well, I'm so thoroughly exhausted that I know I'll really appreciate Shabbat. However, we have a pretty full day planned for tomorrow before Shabbat begins, so for now I'm off to bed.
Again, Lila Tov-Good night!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Shalom M'Tel Aviv! Hi from Tel Aviv!
Wow, I've been in Israel for 3 days and I've already done so much! After spending quality time with Daniela, Roy and Naomi Bar on Sunday, I checked into the Carlton Hotel in Tel Aviv. It is right on the beach...I mean, I can see the Mediterean Sea from my balcony. A truly amazing view! (I'll try to post pictures later). On Monday, I woke up in time to have a great Israeli breakfast at the hotel. I sat outside and gazed out at the Sea as I ate...a wonderfully beautiful site!
I then relaxed a little before meeting up with some of the other rabbis on my trip. I had the chance to take a nice walk along the tyelet(like a boardwalk) with my friend Rabbi Geri Neuberg. As we were walking, I heard someone call my name... Emily, Emily Losben, EMILY LOSBEN! At first I thought, "oh my gosh, I must have dropped a credit card or my id or something..." Instead this couple comes running towards me and said, we knew it had to be you because you look just like your Dad." Here in Israel, on my second day, I ran into one of my dad's high school friends who has known me since I was born! That is a typical Israeli story...you never know who you will meet or where.
I left Geri and took a cab to the "shuk," a real "Israeli Market" where you can bargain for just about anything from fruit to souvenirs to socks! I met up with Lauren Joseph, who is the daughter of my former Rabbi. My family has known Lauren since she was a little girl and it was very exciting for me to spend some time with her. Like my brother-in-law, Levy, Lauren made Aliyah (meaning, she moved to Israel). I'm so proud of her and the work she's doing! More on that later...
Lilah Tov (Good Night)...
I then relaxed a little before meeting up with some of the other rabbis on my trip. I had the chance to take a nice walk along the tyelet(like a boardwalk) with my friend Rabbi Geri Neuberg. As we were walking, I heard someone call my name... Emily, Emily Losben, EMILY LOSBEN! At first I thought, "oh my gosh, I must have dropped a credit card or my id or something..." Instead this couple comes running towards me and said, we knew it had to be you because you look just like your Dad." Here in Israel, on my second day, I ran into one of my dad's high school friends who has known me since I was born! That is a typical Israeli story...you never know who you will meet or where.
I left Geri and took a cab to the "shuk," a real "Israeli Market" where you can bargain for just about anything from fruit to souvenirs to socks! I met up with Lauren Joseph, who is the daughter of my former Rabbi. My family has known Lauren since she was a little girl and it was very exciting for me to spend some time with her. Like my brother-in-law, Levy, Lauren made Aliyah (meaning, she moved to Israel). I'm so proud of her and the work she's doing! More on that later...
Today was an amazing and jam-packed day and I'd love to tell you about it, but I'm off for a quick walk with another dear friend, Rabbi Riqi Kosovske, of Northampton, Massachusettes (she and I have been friends for over 10 years and not only is her synagogue selling our "Meshuga Bands, but I even just spoke about her in my Confirmation Class because she was quoted in the book we are reading...).
I hope to tell you more about what we did today from going to a famous cemetary, seeing a "Better Place" (where we learned the future for Electric Cars and I even got to drive one), visiting the new Rabin Museum, touring Jaffa and once again seeing "Not By Bread Alone."
Ok, off for that walk before bed...Lilah Tov (Good Night)...
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