It is very difficult for me to articulate how lucky I feel to have this opportunity to see Israel through the eyes of two brilliant teachers . . . Rabbi Laura Geller and Richard Siegel. They have put a lot of thoughtful planning into our trip and have opened several different pathways for us to dig deep into our souls, challenge ourselves, stretch and learn. We truly are "Living Judaism" (Temple Emanuel's slogan/logo) here in Israel. This trip has been incredibly inspirational and has stirred my feelings of why it is so important to choose to be proud to be Jewish . . . and for that I am grateful.
More Later,
Sue
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
Beginnings
The most remarkable thing about the start of the trip is how unremarkable its been.
No one missed their connections. Almost all the luggage arrived. There was no chaos at the airports.
We gave ourselves 2 1/2 hours to check in and get through security, given that this was an international flight. We were at the gate with 2 hours to spare.
Even the Continental Airlines security check in Newark before we boarded the plane for the Israel leg was routine -- even casual, one might even say sloppy. I almost missed the interrogation we used to get from the agents when we flew El Al.
The flight was uneventful... I even managed to sleep for 5 or 6 hours, although in 1/2 hour chunks.
Even the experience at Ben Gurion was uneventful, almost pleasant. With the new terminal, it seems that most of the challenging elements of arriving in Israel were eliminated. No more walking down the steps from the plane onto the tarmac and being hit in the face with the rush of desert heat and blinding light. No more shlepping from the place to customs packed like sardines into a shuttle bus. No more bedlam at the baggage claim.
Everything went smoothly. Walking from the plane through the attractive, new terminal was actually pleasant -- a chance to stretch the legs after the long trip. Going through Israeli customs was quick and efficient. We were met by the tour rep, gathered up our bags, got on the bus to the hotel.... and there we were. At which point, one of the veteran Israel travelers in the group asked: "When does the unpleasant part of arriving in Israel begin?"
An uneventful trip.
An unremarkable arrival.
And yet it is still Israel. Another member of the group, a first time visitor remarked in astonishment: "Everything's in Hebrew!"
And now the first full day is about to begin. More later...
Richard (writing on Sander's computer)
No one missed their connections. Almost all the luggage arrived. There was no chaos at the airports.
We gave ourselves 2 1/2 hours to check in and get through security, given that this was an international flight. We were at the gate with 2 hours to spare.
Even the Continental Airlines security check in Newark before we boarded the plane for the Israel leg was routine -- even casual, one might even say sloppy. I almost missed the interrogation we used to get from the agents when we flew El Al.
The flight was uneventful... I even managed to sleep for 5 or 6 hours, although in 1/2 hour chunks.
Even the experience at Ben Gurion was uneventful, almost pleasant. With the new terminal, it seems that most of the challenging elements of arriving in Israel were eliminated. No more walking down the steps from the plane onto the tarmac and being hit in the face with the rush of desert heat and blinding light. No more shlepping from the place to customs packed like sardines into a shuttle bus. No more bedlam at the baggage claim.
Everything went smoothly. Walking from the plane through the attractive, new terminal was actually pleasant -- a chance to stretch the legs after the long trip. Going through Israeli customs was quick and efficient. We were met by the tour rep, gathered up our bags, got on the bus to the hotel.... and there we were. At which point, one of the veteran Israel travelers in the group asked: "When does the unpleasant part of arriving in Israel begin?"
An uneventful trip.
An unremarkable arrival.
And yet it is still Israel. Another member of the group, a first time visitor remarked in astonishment: "Everything's in Hebrew!"
And now the first full day is about to begin. More later...
Richard (writing on Sander's computer)
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Leaving on a jet plane
The night before we take off... a day in the air before the trip "begins"... all packed... all notes written... all errands run...
Feeling what?
Great anticipation for who knows what. Imagining a program in the mind is very different than seeing it on the ground... because there is always the unanticipated...
My first trip to Israel was in the summer of '65... 42 years ago... I arrived to start my second trip on June 14, 1967... two days after the Six Day War ended. Israel today is compelling for other reasons... not for the foundation myth of Ari Ben Canaan... but as the latest chapter in the millennial saga of competing historical narratives (see this past Shabbat's haftorah reading about Jeptha). Today there is guarded optimism as Egypt, Jordan and Israel are about to meet together later this week. But we are old enough to know that more than guarded optimism is not warranted.
I am looking forward to this trip... because of the interesting mix of people who are joining us, because of the curious juxtapositions which we will be encountering, and because of the serious issues which we will be grappling with.... about Israel and about ourselves.
More later...
Richard
Feeling what?
Great anticipation for who knows what. Imagining a program in the mind is very different than seeing it on the ground... because there is always the unanticipated...
My first trip to Israel was in the summer of '65... 42 years ago... I arrived to start my second trip on June 14, 1967... two days after the Six Day War ended. Israel today is compelling for other reasons... not for the foundation myth of Ari Ben Canaan... but as the latest chapter in the millennial saga of competing historical narratives (see this past Shabbat's haftorah reading about Jeptha). Today there is guarded optimism as Egypt, Jordan and Israel are about to meet together later this week. But we are old enough to know that more than guarded optimism is not warranted.
I am looking forward to this trip... because of the interesting mix of people who are joining us, because of the curious juxtapositions which we will be encountering, and because of the serious issues which we will be grappling with.... about Israel and about ourselves.
More later...
Richard
Thursday, June 21, 2007
My passport has arrived
Just to let you all know that my passport finally arrived this morning... so I will be going on the trip after all... I never doubted it, but there were some tense moments...
Laura and I are really excited to be traveling with you all on this remarkable journey. We are still tweaking the program, even as I write... and it keeps getting better and better.
Travel well... get lots of rest in advance...
Richard
Laura and I are really excited to be traveling with you all on this remarkable journey. We are still tweaking the program, even as I write... and it keeps getting better and better.
Travel well... get lots of rest in advance...
Richard
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)