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Temple Sinai's Women's Trip to Israel 2018

06/11/2018 12:00:57 PM

Jun11

Temple Sinai women are in Israel with Rabbi Sam Shabman and Beth Schafer.  Follow their experience on this blog and our Facebook Page here.

Click Here to see pictures from the trip.  

Monday, June 11 & Tuesday, June 12

The final part of our journey in Israel began with our arrival in Tel Aviv as the sun was beginning to set over the Mediterranean. After our hotel check-in, we walked through Jaffa for a fun dinner at Old Man & The Sea, a Jaffa institution. 

On Tuesday morning, we met Sarah Smolley, an officer with the Israeli tech startup Voiceitt, a company that makes voice recognition software, making it possible for people with speech disabilities to achieve human-to-human communication. She explained to us that over 100 million people in the world cannot communicate naturally using their own voices, and this is a technology that is much needed around the world. The Israeli government provides grants for social impact technology such as Voiceitt, and actively encourages tech innovation and businesses throughout Israel.

Next, we visited Independence Hall, where David Ben-Gurion proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel on May 15, 1948. Independence Hall originally served as the home of Mayor Dizengoff from 1920 to 1930. It then became the Museum of Art , and in 1936, upon Dizengoff’s death, the house was left “to all the children of Tel Aviv”.  We learned that this particular room was chosen for the declaration of the State of Israel for security reasons: it has high, small windows that do not face the street, and it has concrete walls; it was the biggest safe room available. Our visit ended with the singing of Hatikvah, the Israeli national anthem. What an incredible feeling it was to be singing in unison in such a historic place!

After our visit to Independence Hall, the group visited the Palmach Museum, an experiential museum detailing the history of the Palmach. The Palmach was an underground and elite fighting force that served as the backbone for the current Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The Palmach was comprised of over 2,000 men and women. Women played a huge role in the strategizing and implementation of this unit. The museum tells the personal stories of some of the leading Palmach members. Many people died fighting in the Palmach, and the museum reminds us that the state of Israel was built on the sacrifices of many who came before. Throughout the museum are the words of Natan Alterman’s famous poem:

 “…Dressed in battle gear, dirty, Shoes heavy with grime, they ascend the path quietly

To change garb, to wipe their brow 
They have not yet found time. Still bone weary from days and from nights in the field 

Full of endless fatigue and unrested, 
Yet the dew of their youth. Is still seen on their head
Thus they stand at attention, giving no sign of life or death  

Then a nation in tears and amazement 
will ask: "Who are you?"
And they will answer quietly, "We are the silver platter on which the Jewish state was given."

Once our formal tours were over, we were free for the rest of the afternoon to shop at the Nachalat Binyamin craft fair, experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the Carmel Market, and spend some time on the beach before our farewell dinner at Maganda Yemenite Restaurant and crazy, hectic only-in-Israel check-in at Ben-Gurion airport for our overnight flight home.

Ahh, Tel Aviv! What a wonderful place to end our fantastic journey. I will be forever grateful for the 23 smart, curious, and wonderful women who together created lifelong memories in just 9 short days.  L’hitraot, Israel – ‘til we see you again!

Blog post by Nora Taylor

Monday, June 11

We’re in the Galilee. This morning we travel to Kfar Cana from Kibutz Lavi. Our theme was an encounter with Arab women of the Sindyanna organization in the Galilee where we participated in a basket weaving workshop. This cottage industry is part of the fair trade organization of Kfar Cana. In addition the fair trade organization, Sidynanna runs a strong and successful industry of olive oil with the combined efforts of Israelis and Arabs. They’ve created a wonderful synergy between them that has allowed a peaceful solid working relationship providing jobs and satisfaction in a coherent environment. The layers are clear. Irrespective of their religions and cultures, these human beings accept each through a common bond. A dynamic that ‘says’ we can overcome the artificiality that divides us and live productive lives. That our children and hopefully their children’s children will follow this example. It’s this magic land, and soil that has placed Israelis and Arabs in the same equation. A little piece of earth that gives land and support to these folks.

So my question is if it’s happening here can it happen elsewhere? Did I really see this or was I dreaming?

In the afternoon, we had a Druze lunch, by again a cottage industry family. They’re another example of adaptation.
Our tour guide Aliza Avshalom, truly not only a historian, she combines her expertise with heart and soul. She posts questions and answers our questions. This tour gave us a first-hand flavor of the multiple ethnicities in Israel. This land, these people are the link to our ancestors. The walks and journeys of our patriarchs and matriarchs. But the tour also focused on the role of women. Those who were willing to pick up a shovel and dig into rocks and produce olives and dates. A legacy for the future generations of women. The partnership between them is what we as the Women of Sinai have achieved. The fabric of this country has woven itself into our spirits, never to leave us again.

This blog post was written by Haydee Cornfeld.


Saturday, June 9 & Sunday, June 10

Yesterday was a very special day as we celebrated Shabbat in Jerusalem. For the first time, we got to sleep a little later. Cantor Beth led an optional meditation session in the park before the beautiful Shabbat service led by Rabbi Sam and Cantor Beth. It was such a peaceful setting and we all felt so relaxed and calm. After that, we had a few hours of free time. I planned on relaxing but instead, many of us went to the Israel Museum and I am so glad we did. A highlight for me was the rooms that were set up as synagogues from different countries. Everything in the synagogues was authentic.

After a delicious lunch at the hotel, we spent time as a group discussing our experience in Jerusalem. Then Aliza led us on a tour of the Arab and Christian parts of the Old City. Highlights for me were seeing the Church of the Sepulchre where we saw where Christ was crucified and buried, and the spartan area on the roof of the church where the Ethiopian monks lived. Dinner was on our own so I joined two friends for a delicious fish dinner. We ate outside and soaked up the atmosphere. As we walked back to the hotel, we loved seeing Jerusalem come alive after Shabbat. Unfortunately, we missed the optional 11 pm Havdalah service led by Cantor Beth and Rabbi Sam.

After five wonderful, jam-packed days in Jerusalem, we began our journey north through the Jordon Valley to Beit Shean. We passed apartments that were very close to what was the Jordanian border until the 1968 war. There were very small windows on side of the building facing the border and on the roof there were small openings from which snipers could fire.

We arrived at the Germachin Center in Beit Shean and met Chava Almo, the director. This dynamic woman told us about the Ethiopian customs and traditions. We tasted something similar to bread made of flour and black cumin, drank coffee, and watched her roast coffee beans. Then we heard Chava's inspiring story of her 2,500-kilometer journey to Sudan when she was nine years old. They marched ever night for about three months with little or no clean water. Many people died along the way. At one point she was separated from her brother, and he got off the airplane to go back for her. He was captured by the police and held for five days. They released him because he spoke English and they thought he was important. They missed Operation Moses that airlifted 8,000 people out of war-torn Sudan. They had to spend over a year in a refugee camp before being airlifted to Israel. We then ate a delicious Ethiopian lunch. Chava's parents came later and now this remarkable 43-year-old woman has eight children and she is a grandmother.

Our next stop was a family owned date farm where we got to taste delicious dates, olive oil and date spread, and of course we bought some treats to take home. We then went to the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) Courtyard and learned about the young idealistic Zionist pioneers who came to Palestine to build a Jewish state. We heard about Dr. Hana Meisel-Shohat who started a school of agriculture where women learned to milk cows and grow vegetables. We saw a short film about the Poetess Rachel who was a pioneer until she developed tuberculosis. We were going to visit her grave but since it was 100 degrees, we skipped it. We took a quick look at the Sea of Galilee and saw the Golan Heights and Jordan in the distance.

We were too fortunate to truly experience life in the Galilee. Aliza, our incredible guide, graciously invited us to her home in Hoshaya. We learned about life in her community as we sipped refreshing drinks and enjoyed fruit, dates, and brownies baked by her daughter. Then we saw the garden and marveled at the lemon, lime and pomegranate trees. Looking at the majestic view, we could easily understand why Aliza chose to live there and commute to work in Jerusalem.

A little while later we arrived at the Kibbutz Lavi Hotel on Kibbutz Lavi in the Galilee. After dinner, we heard from a remarkable, articulate woman in her 80s with a wonderful sense of humor. She was born and educated in London. Sixty-nine years ago she heard about some of the older children who came to London on the Kindertransport and wanted to go to Palestine, and she decided to go. She described the extremely primitive, unsanitary conditions they had to deal with. They had to move stones before they could do anything else. She told us about daily life on the kibbutz. She ended her story by telling us that her great-grandson will soon have his Bar Mitzvah. He will use the Sefer Torah that her husband (who came to London on the Kindertransport) rescued by mailing it to relatives in Switzerland.

This blog post was written by Gail Horlick.


Thursday, June 7 & Friday, June 8

Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem! Wow. We have had jam-packed days... and nights. Most of us are totally over-hummused ( is that a word?) but enjoying lots of Israeli food indulgences from shawarma to falafel to the famous waffles.

Aliza our fabulous tour guide is providing incredible history, modern perspectives, and insights, and of course, Rabbi Sam and Beth (AKA Sam and Beth) are leading the way with spirit, moving moments of prayer, song, learning and just a lot of fun.

The past two days have included beyond moving moments at Yad Vashem, where we were guided with details regarding the global shifts in power and politics that occurred at the turn of the century and through the early 1900’s. And, of course, the documentation of the Shoah. We experienced a remarkable conversation with Berta, a woman who survived the Holocaust by living with a family of righteous gentiles in France. Now in her eighties, Berta is Israeli, still keeps in touch with members of the family in France who saved her. Perhaps most moving, was the story she shared about the recent loss of her beloved grandson to sniper fire while he was serving in the IDF. Hers continues to be a true tale of hope and resilience.

From Yad Vashem we traveled to Hadassah Hospital to hear about and see first hand the lives being saved and changed — no matter one’s religion or nationality. Lots of amazing research is going on there, not to mention the beautiful Chagall windows.

Think that was enough for day two? There’s more! We had a fascinating discussion with Hanna Klebansky, who is the only female Israeli sefer, writer of Torah and mezuzah scrolls. She described and demonstrated with her quill and other tools her beautiful and artistic technique, and the “rules,” like each letter must be written with intention, almost an intense state of mindfulness.

After a full day, we were off to restaurants all over Jerusalem, with most meals including ample servings of hummus!

Today was our journey to Masada and the Dead Sea. True confession: For me, it seems that most of my history lessons come from reading historical fiction. It was truly awesome to stand at Masada, see the dove-coats, cisterns and mosaic flooring, and think of the fictional characters of Alice Hoffman’s novel The Dovekeepers, along with the real characters of our history who chose death over slavery. Looking out at the harsh desert terrain, I could not quite imagine how any of our biblical characters survived.

The Dead Sea (and a little mud scrub) was fun and refreshing. Nice to feel weightless, despite all of the hummus and pita!

Back in Jerusalem, we had a quick turnaround for Shabbat services, where we experienced amazing spirituality and joy at services in the round with incredible music. Wow... Shabbat in Jerusalem. Enough said.

Back at the hotel, we enjoyed Shabbat dinner together... have I mentioned what a truly fabulous group of women are sharing this experience? Each and every moment brings knowledge, friendship, laughter and lots and lots of talking. Sam and Beth add Torah, blessings, poetry and song at all of the perfect moments, making this journey even more meaningful.

For those who tuned into Beth’s Shabbat Schmooze, many of us were honored to be her background singers, totally decked out in our Herbert Samuel Hotel white bathrobes (it was 11 pm here!) Through the magic of Facebook, I hope you could feel our joy and energy.

Shabbat shalom to all in Atlanta!! See you soon.

This blog post was written by Linda Bachmann.


Tuesday, June 5 & Wednesday, June 6

Tuesday was arrival day, orientation day, getting to know each other day. After ascending to Jerusalem, a quick lunch and blessings at the Haas Promenade, we had time for a quick check-in at the hotel and were off to an amazing dinner at Olive and Fish.

Wednesday began with a typical Israeli breakfast, everything from fruits, yogurt, fish, eggs, pastry and whatever else you can imagine. We were scheduled to hear from Anat Hoffman, who has spoken at Sinai, however, she has just returned from a month of speaking in the US and suffers from jet lag. Our speaker was Yochi (Yocheved) Rappeport, who does Education and Community Outreach for Women of the Wall. She is a young, Orthodox feminist who lives in Safed. She told us that Women of the Wall wants four things: to pray out loud, lay tefilin, chant Torah and wear talitot. She explained the history of WOW and how the Rabbi of the Wall is appointed for life and operates as a separate entity. Rabbi Schmuel Rabinovitch has “ushers” who are his private security force and Israeli police, while present, have no authority at the Kotel (the Western Wall).

Yochi explained the process, begun in 2013, to secure an egalitarian prayer space at the Kotel. In June 2016, a committee chaired by Natan Sharansky, recommended and the Knesset passed a law granting such space. The Rabbi of the Wall, in effect, vetoed this by enlisting the Orthodox parties to threaten withdrawal from the coalition which forms the government. In order to avoid new elections, the result of a collapsed coalition, in June 2017 the law/ agreement was rescinded. Therefore Reform and Conservative groups still cannot pray with women and men in the same spot.

A short bus ride took us to the Davidson Center, where our tour guide Aliza, gave us a history of Jerusalem beginning in 1948 BCE when Abraham was told lech lecha and made his way to Jerusalem. She explained about the building of the Temples as well as their destructions, pointed out the site of the City of David, as well as how the walls around Jerusalem were rebuilt by Suleman during the Ottoman reign. Fun fact: the Latin name for Jerusalem is Umbilicus Mundi. We saw the small present egalitarian section which is not visible from the main section of the Kotel. We then ascended (read climbed MANY steps) to the plaza where we were able to approach the wall from the women’s section, touch the ancient stones and insert our own prayers/notes in the wall.

After a quick lunch, some of us came back to the hotel while others walked through the old city’s Jewish quarter, hearing stories of the women who lived in that place over the centuries. We then had free time, some going to dinner together while others met friends and/or relatives.

This blog post was written by Shirley Michalove. 

Thu, March 28 2024 18 Adar II 5784