Birthright Israel Photo Display Slideshow

Birthright Photos

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Day 8

Before I begin, just wanted to say "Hi Mom & Dad! Miss you tons!

Today started once again with a hardy breakfast at the hotel, followed by a lecture from Professor Paul Liptz on the positives and negatives of Israel's current situation. After rushing to the bus to get back on schedule, we were off the Neot Kedumim, a nature reserve dedicated to Biblical plants. On the way, we had a short mifgash conclusion program where each of our soldiers took the microphone at the front of the bus and spoke about the past few days with us. Unfortunately rain prevented us from touring the actual gardens of Neot Kedumim but several activities were still planned for us. First we ground up Hyssop or Zatar (as it's known here), a spice with special healing properties against leprosy from lashon harah found in the Torah. Combined with two other spices, salt and red sumac, this spice acts as a key ingredient in Middle Eastern cuisine. We were then able to taste the Zatar combined with olive oil on pita bread, as well as with date honey (which was incredibly delicious). At the second station we talked to a sofer (a scribe) about the many facets of creating a Torah, including he different looks of parchment from various kosher animals and the natural ingredients which combine to make the thick long lasting ink of the Torah. Finally, gave a go at doing our own scribing by writing our Hebrew Names on paper using the same technique as used for the Torah (let's just say that we should leave scribing to the professionals...)

After the nature reserve, we finally headed to Tel Aviv, a city which in the words of Ari is "gross and smells but I love it anyway." We had an hour and a half of free time at the Carmel Market where we grabbed lunch and tried our luck at haggling (with pretty successful results!) Following this was a short walking tour of Tel Aviv through the Neve Shalom neighborhood where we were introduced to the Bauhaus style of architecture, the prevailing style in the Tel Aviv of the 1920's and 30's incorporating both old and new elements in a clean, practical format. Right before the bus picked us up, we said goodbye to our Israeli soldiers, quite a bittersweet experience because of the great time we had with them. Returning to Jerusalem, we got a first hand look at Tel Aviv traffic.

After a little rest time and dinner at the hotel, we set off for a night tour of the City of David. Although it was pouring rain, we trudged down to the platform and made our way to the underground city. The excavations of the original Jerusalem were incredible and the view was amazing. After climbing what seemed to be another Masada, we reached the bus and returned to the hotel -- everyone needs to get tons of sleep to be ready to conquer Ben Yehuda Street Tomorrow.

-Emily Isaacs '11

Day 7, Bus 693

Today was a very emotional, yet fascinating and exciting day in Israel as we spent our first full day in Jerusalem. We started out going to the Old City, then we went to the Western Wall, to the Jewish Quarter, the Western Wall and then Mt Herzl.

In the Old City, we began by looking at King David's Tomb, which was intimate in its small and simple setting. Learning the history of the Old City along the way, we entered the Jewish Quarter through the Zion Gate. There are four quarters in the Old City: The Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Armenian Quarters. Once in the Jewish Quarter, we saw the rebuilding of the largest synagogue in the City,called the Hurvah Synagogue which was destroyed by the Jordanians in the years following the War of Independence when Jordan controlled the Old City.

We continued to the Southern Wall Excavations and saw Robinson's Arch, which in its day was the largest arch in the world. Through our views from the Jewish Quarter, we could see the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aksa Mosque. We proceeded to the Western Wall, and on the way we could hear the Muslim's call to prayer.

We then finally reached the Western Wall. The Kotel, as it is called in Hebrew, was actually not part of the Temple at all, but rather it was part of the retaining wall which was built around the Temple Mount to make it bigger during the period of the Second Temple. The western part is the most holy because it is the only area that has always been exposed. The Wall was very emotional and moving. The women's and men's portions of the wall were separate. It was surprising how much larger the men's side was than the women's. Never the less, women or men, religious or non-religious, we were all moved by the Western Wall. Many of us put prayers and wishes on slips of paper and placed them between the cracks in the wall. We were surrounded by people, including a Bat Mitzvah family. The women watched their loved ones have a bar mitzvah over the portion which divided the men from the women, threw candy and chanted.

After our trip to the Western Wall, we were able to explore the Jewish Quarter on our own, shopping an eating schwarma and felafel for lunch. After we went through the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem, we visited the famous grave sites on Mt Herzl.

It was extremely moving, especially coming off of our visit to the Western Wall where I think everyone felt some type of emotional connection. Our guide, Koren, our tour guide, pointed out how his high school was just across the way. It made us realize how intertwined life and death is here in israel. We visited the grave of a soldier who died in the arms of one of our Mifgash Soldiers, Kobi. It was moving and difficult for him to talk about.

Then Rabbi Ed took us to visit the grave of Alex Singer, a Cornell student who felt so strongly about the State of Israel that he made Aliyah to Israel after he graduated and joined the Tzahal (the IDF). When the Rabbi pointed out how Alex trckked up Libe Slope in the snow (like all of us) and took Psych 101 (like all of us), it really hit home and drew a major distinction in the difference in our lives. After Alex made Aliyah and became an officer in the Paratroopers, he was killed in battle in the first Lebanon War in 1987. We also saw the graves of Yitzchak Rabin and Golda Meir and other famous Israeli political figures.

The end of our tour was with a visit to the grave of Theodore Hertzl, the founder of modern Zionism. The mountain was named for Hertzl and his grave is beautiful and moving. It had a hemic circular structure behind it which to me looked like the rising sun on the State of Israel -very appropriate for a man such as Hertzl.

Mt Hertzl was a beautiful experience. It was especially interesting to see how all the graves were uniform and how each were commemorated, and how through the tears it has become more personal. In the end we got to see a beautiful sunset, which seemed to be a perfect way to our first full day in JERUSALEM!

-Robin Warren '08, Jessie Schaevitz '08, and Jacie Stramberg '08

Day 7, Bus 696

Shalom from Jerusalem! After our second consecutive meal without hummos, we hit the bus (good thing it didn't hit back). En route to the Old City we passed the Gei Ben Hinom or the Valley of Hell just to the south of the Old City. It was here that the ancient pagans offered child sacrifices to their gods and it was this practice which Abraham rejected. Because of what they did to their children though, the area has been associated with Hell on earth for all these years.

Our first stop was the tomb of King David on Mt Zion.

From there we entered the Old City, making an abrupt (90 degree) turn into the Zion Gate as we made our way to the South Wall excavations around the Temple Mount. The Second Temple was built by King Herod (who also built the palace on Masada). At the excavations we walked up the steps which actually led up to the Holy Temple. The steps are stagged to remind travelers and pilgrims to reflect on the Temple's sanctity and to prevent them from just running up to the Temple in their excitement.

Only upon arriving at the Western Wall could we fully appreciate the magnitude of being able to approach the holiest site in Judaism, one that could only be viewed from afar for almost 2,000 years. There, we were struck by perceivable contrasts. This included the separation of men and women as well as the Dome of the Rock, which peaks over the Wall. At the Wall, we inserted notes and had tie for personal reflexion and prayer.

We then had free time for lunch and shopping in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. This was followed by an afternoon at Mt Hertzl, the National Military Cemetery in Jerusalem. There lies the graves of Theodore Hertzl, Israeli Prime Ministers, Kenneset leaders and military soldiers. We visited the grave of Cornell alumnus, Alex Singer who died as a 25 year old officer in the Paratroopers in the Lebanon War in 1987. His legacy of commitment to Israel lives on through his memory. Now, were off to the Birthright Mega-Event. We will have a lot to tell you about it tomorrow.

Author information not available at time of email. Will be updated tomorrow.

Day 6

Shalom, Parents, Family and Friends!

Today, we woke up bright and early in Arad and headed out to an archaeological dig at the site of the ancient city of Maresha at the Beit Guvrin National Park. We were led through a very intricate network of (some extremely narrow) caves, using candlelight as our only way to see. We took some great pictures along the way -- you'll see them when we get back.

These caves contain the remains of the ancient Edomite civilization. Then, we actually began to help excavate the site. We uncovered bones (from food, not people!), pieces of pottery, plates, bowls, oil lamps and many other interesting artifacts. After the dig, we were able to take a few souvenirs home with us. We departed BeithGuvrin for the Holy City of Jerusalem, stopping at the Mivaseret Mall for lunch along the way.

Our first stop in Jerusalem was at the Hebrew University on Mt. Scopus, which overlooks the entire City. After taking a few group photos, we recited the Shehechiyanau and received the same greeting that Abraham did when entered Jerusalem almost 4,000 years ago: bread and wine.

Next came one of the most spiritual and meaningful experiences of my life: We sang "Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu" and "Am Yisrael Chai" and danced and had the most amazing experience. The bus then took us to the Israel Museum where we saw an incredible model of the Old City of Jerusalem from the time of the Second Temple, and the Shrine of the Book which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls that were discovered in the caves of Qumran near the Dead Sea.

After we practically closed the Museum, we checked into our hotel, the Kedem Towers. After dinner, we had a reception with members of the Israel Cornell Club. They shared their stories and really showed us that there is a life in Israel for any Cornell graduate. Their stories of aliyah and life in Israel were inspiring and educational.

Tomorrow, to the Old City........

Laila Tov from the Holy City of Jerusalem.

Adam Schneider '09

Day 5

We had a restful Shabbat in Arad. The students enjoyed a nice walking tour and now they are socializing with pizza, games, and dancing. A more detailed notes from the road will be sent tomorrow.

Day 4 (from Bus 696)

After a night of luxury in an enormous Bedouin tent, complete with wild cats scurrying in and out and a heater that shut off at 2am, we headed out a bit later than normal (8:15am) to start our day. We had a nice buffet style breakfast at the ranch, followed by a brief 30 minute camel ride. After being briefed by the camel master about appropriate camel-riding behavior (for example, there is to be no drinking or smoking while on the camel) we went on a loop trail into the desert.

The camels were connected to each other with a rope, and each leading camel was guided by a Bedouin guide. After the camel ride (getting down from the camel is an experience, believe me) we left for the Kibbutz Sde Boker to see the grave of David Ben- Gurion, the first Prime Minister and father of the State of Israel. We learned about Ben- Gurion's life and enjoyed the gorgeous view of the Negev.

We then traveled to Dimona, a small Development Town in the Negev, and stopped for lunch ad some shopping at a mall. We arrived in Arad, checked into our hotel and are soon going to meet the soldiers that will be accompanying us for several days. Some students are rooming with the soldiers (who are on a short "vacation" and therefore have no weapons and will not be in uniform most of the time).

Beginning at 4:15pm we will have Shabbat Services at the hotel, along with dinner and some quality relaxation time. Everyone seems tired, but it's hard to complain too much when you just rode a camel in the middle of the Negev.

Shabbat Shalom from Bus 696

-Emma Herzog '10

Day 4 (from Bus 693)

Today began with an eighty person wakeup call in our communal tent at the Mamshit Camel Ranch. After an evening around the campfire filled with late night singing and games, we huddled in our sleeping bags and endured the cold, only to wake up and find beautiful weather congratulating us on successfully roughing it in the desert.

We had breakfast at the camel ranch of fresh pita, eggs, humus and the usual Israeli salads before setting out for the much anticipated camel rides. We were briefed on the camel's colorful personality and on proper camel etiquette. We finally make it over our training “hump” and found ourselves atop the camels. My camel, whom I affectionately called Jonsie (Hebrew name: Chutzpah) showed great courage and prevailed in the intense footrace by displaying incredible speed.

After disembarking the camels, we reentered the 21st century and boarded the bus, heading for our final activity before Shabbat: we visited Kibbutz Sde Boker, the home and gravesite of David Ben-Gurion. At his gravesite, we received a history lesson from our guide, Korin, with breathtaking views of the Negev in the background.

The tranquil setting left no doubt as to why the Prime Minister requested to be buried here. We are now preparing for our Mifgash introduction with eight Israeli soldiers who will join us for the next few days. After getting to know them, we look forward to Shabbat services and a chance to rest after four exhausting days.

-Benjamin Arfa '08

Day 3 in Detail

7am brought sleepy, but excited students to one last breakfast in Beit Shean before boarding the buses and heading South. Passing through the Jordan Valley and along the border fence between Israel and Jordan, we once again got to see the Jordan River and Mountain range from the Great Rift Valley. Moving parallel to the Judean desert with the Judean hills to the west of us, we discussed the Israeli effort to push the desert back through agricultural techniques using water as efficiently as possible.

Herds of goats slowed down crossing the street as we paused our bus for them to pass. We played trivia games on the bus, and continued on to pass Jericho on our right, the first city captured by the Jewish people under Joshua. Parallel to Jericho to the west and on top of the mountains, we passed Jerusalem. We drove through a landscape reminiscent of a combination of the old west and the moon! The sky was a clear blue for our upcoming hike and swim.

Getting a glimpse of the Dead Sea, starting where it meets the Jordan River, we learned about the harsh weather and exported cosmetic goods. The kibbutzim we passed, below the Great River Valley fracture zone, held thousands of caves overlooking some of the greatest archaeological sites in the world. We learned of the Dead Sea Scrolls, found in one of the caves.

Our climb up Masada included a view previously held by armored Romans as they camped at the side and moved up the bottom of the mountain. The climb was strenuous and difficult, including dusty rocky and sometimes narrow paths with steep drops. The views alone were enough to take your breath away.

At the top of the mountain, we saw no margarita bars, but the breeze kept us cool as we sat for a lesson on King Herod and Masada itself through 3-D models and ruins we learned of the beautiful palace he had built, and the architecture and amenities as well as the fall of Masada and the heroic last stand of the Jews before heading back down the snake path.

Then, on the bus a presentation before the Dead Sea was a warming of the crazy water and its properties. At the beach, we received bags of mud to use (what a photo opp), and the opportunity to float in this 30% salt water sea. Dinner after was at a Bedouin tent preceded by tea and coffee and a lesson about their culture and lifestyle with a family style meal followed by a ride to our camel ranch tent and a guided night walk in the ruins of the Nadeten city of Mamshit.

We reflected on the day and wound down by a camp fire singing songs before settling in for the night. Just another day with taglit, we hope you are enjoying our adventure.

-Joey Slotnick ’08 and Ronnie Shapiro ‘10

Day 3

Our students are in the desert without access to email. A more detailed Notes from the Road, from a student, will be sent tomorrow. Here is a look at what they did today:

Today, the students drove south via the Jordan Valley to hike Masada where Jewish Zealots’ had their last stand against the Romans. They climbed the Snake Path both up and down. Afterwards, they floated in the Dead Sea.

In the evening, they drove to a camel ranch where they were treated to delicious food and are sleeping in the desert getting their rest for another busy day tomorrow.

Day 2

We started today with a delicious breakfast of fresh fruit, hard boiled eggs, pancakes with chocolate spread (my personal favorite), toast, cereal, and coffee. At 8am we boarded the bus and headed to Tzfat, one of the four holy cities in Judaism. There we learned about Kabbalah (Jewish Mysticism) and visited some very old and beautiful synagogues. After this we had some time to shop in some amazing stores in the Artist's colony. I enjoyed the "Art and Soul" Gallery.

We then headed to the Golan Heights where we took a jeep tour through the many hills of the Golan. We had excellent tour guides who talked about Israel's struggle to keep the Heights and what the land means to them. We learned about the strategic importance of the Golan Heights and received insight into the Six Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973 in which the Golan played an important role.

As I write this, we are back at the Beit Shean Youth Hostel eating a big dinner before we get on the bus to take part in a 12 bus scavenger hunt/challenge that will involve over 500 college students. This is all they will tell us as of now ;-) We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.

Over and out from Israel...

Alison Draiss '09

Day 1

Today we departed from JFK airport in the afternoon for our birthright trip. The flight on El Al went smoothly and the 10 hours seemed to fly by. On the plane, we enjoyed the company of our fellow birthrighters and had the chance to meet others on our trip.

We arrived in Tel Aviv between 10am and12pm, passed through passport control, and then met up with our tour guides on Buses 693 and 696. Even though we were tired from our flight, we were very excited to begin our travels. Our tour guides are Corin and Ari.

We traveled up the new Route 6 towards the Druze village in the Carmel mountains of Usfiyah. Along the way we had a close up view of the separation barrier and were able to see many different Jewish and Arab villages, including the West bank.

In the Druze village, we passed through the Old City and met up with local guides. They treated us to a home hospitality lunch with lafa (similar to pita) and numerous toppings. Everything was delicious. We then learned about the Druze culture and were able to ask many questions about their religion. Afterwards, we returned to our hotel, a youth hostel in Beit She'an. After a chance to relax and a tasty dinner, we all participated in orientation events. We look forward to the rest of our travels.

-Steven Sachs '09