Israel Pilgrimage,
Group #6

*The pictures below are links; clicking on them will take you to a larger version of that picture.

Sunday, July 24th:
Group 6 returned from free weekend this morning and was excited to begin their next week together. They spent the day in Tel Aviv. They first visited Kikar Rabin, the place where Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin gave his last speech and was assassinated in 1995. The group did a ceremony in the square and discussed the impact that this first assassination in Israel had on her people. After lunch, the group went to the Hall of Independence where they learned about the settling of Tel Aviv as a city, and sat in the very room in which David Ben Gurion declared Israel an independent state. This evening they had a chance to walk around Old Yaffo, and then checked into the Tal Hotel where they will spend the night.

Monday, July 25th:
Group 6 left Tel Aviv this morning and headed north. They began in the Usfia Druze Village, where they enjoyed a delicious Kosher Druze lunch. The pilgrims loved it so much they will probably not want to eat again the whole summer. A member of the Druze community spoke to the group about their religion and culture and how Druish life fits into Israel. The group then went to the neighboring Dalia Druze market and spent time shopping outside. The girls were very excited when they saw the Middle Eastern style clothing, and had fun trying things on. The next stop was an overlook, where they could see and get an explanation of the hills of the Carmel. This is the beginning of their touring the northern part of the country, and it is important for them to understand the geography and history behind the land. After mincha, they went hiking at Nachal Kelach. From there, they will drive to the Poriyah Youth Hostel where they will spend the rest of the week.

Tuesday, July 26th:
Group 6 spent the day in the Golan Heights. They hiked in Ein Tina, and even though it was an extremely hot day, the group enjoyed seeing the spring. They then went to Oz 77 to hear about military operations that took place in Golan during various wars. They overlooked the area and watched a sound and light show explaining the geography and resources of this crucial area in Israel. Tonight the group will have dinner and some free time in Tiberias.

    

Wednesday, July 27th:
Group 6 spent the day in the Upper Galilee. They started at the Manara Cable Car where they went to the top of a cliff that overlooks the Golan and Hula Valley. They had an explanation of the area and time to look around and take pictures. Afterwards, they went to Kibbutz Neot Mordechai, home of the Neot shoe factory. They group had a great time trying on and buying beautiful shoes. After lunch, they went on a water hike at Nahal Snir, which they enjoyed very much. There is nothing like cool water on a hot day in the North. This evening, they will head back to Hanaton for a BBQ and swim party.

    

Thursday, July 28th:
Group 6 spent the day in the Western Galilee. They began their day touring the fortress in Acco, used as a prison in the 1940s by the British who looked to punish those Jewish groups who had opposed them in armed struggles. From there they went to Rosh Hanikra and enjoyed the beautiful grottos created from the constant contact between the rock and the sea for thousands of years. After lunch, they hiked at Nachal Bezet, and tonight they will have a BBQ and swim party at Kibbutz Hanaton.

    

    

Friday, July 29th:
Group 6 spent today in Tzfat, the home of Kabbalah. They had a tour of the synagogues and learned about this mystical city where Lecha Dodi was written. They then had time to shop in the famous candle factory and in the artists’ colony. They will drive back to Poriyah this afternoon, to prepare for Shabbat. The group is excited to be in this beautiful and relaxing location where they will rest for the upcoming week.