It has certainly been a whirlwind since I posted!  We have been in Jerusalem exploring the sites and sounds and enjoyed being here for shabbat.  Today our group took off for Massada and the Qumran.  There are lots of photos being posted on the Federation Facebook page!  Feel free to check them out.

While Jerusalem has been cold and rainy, we are warm with joy to be spending time in Israel!

Tuesday, April 16

As our program opened on Monday evening we moved from a somber memorial day to a celebratory Independence Day.  Our opening evening was emotional and overwhelming as 131 of us gathered to celebrate our community's arrival in Israel.  It was an extraordinary site.  Our Rabbis began with a ceremony to honor those who have fallen defending our Jewish homeland.  We moved into a festive dinner.

Our next morning took us to Machon Ayalon on Yom Ha'atzmaut, Independence Day.  The miraculous story of this underground bullet factory http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machon_Ayalon 

is an amazing story exemplifying the significance of the efforts to create a Jewish state.  Our day took us through Tel Aviv, ending with a lively dinner with Israeli lone soldiers. These soldiers each shared their moving stories explaining why they chose to live in Israel on their own and serve in the military.

Yom Hazikaron

At 11:00 AM Israel time, the second siren rang out so that the entire country could stop to honor those who have fallen while defending Israel, our Jewish homeland.  In an instant, everything stops - cars, buses, people - and stand still while the siren wails.  It is a somber and humbling moment connecting every single person in Israel together. 

Traffic stopped in Tel Aviv when the siren goes off.

Ceremony in honor of Yom Hazikaron in Rabin Square Tel Aviv.

Today We Begin!

Today is the big day!  Everyone finally arrives and we are off and running.  Today is Yom Hazikaron, Memorial Day in Israel.  It is a solemn day as we recognize our fallen Israeli soldiers.  Tonight, Israel Independence Day begins and so do our festivities.  Feel free to follow our group as we journey around Israel for the next 10 days.  We look forward to sharing stories and pictures from our community in Israel to our community in Western Massachusetts.