Maccabi Challenge Tour Updates
Please read below daily updates for the Maccabi GB Challenge Tour:
Thursday 30th April 2009
Dear parents,
After an exciting night in the tent we woke up early!! After eating breakfast we set out for our last day of touring Israel!!
Our first destination was masada, we started with a film about the history of the mountain, we then boarded the cable cars ans headed up to the top. We toured the sites learning about the revolt of the jews and the romans!
Once we had lunch we went to the dead sea where we floated on our backs and covered ourselves with the mud!!
Once back at the hotel we had supper and all shared our favourite moments and memories.
We then headed to bed for an early night as we have an early start tomorrow.
Just to remind you we fly home and depart Israel at 10.15am! We look forward to seeing you at Heathrow tomorrow.
Kind regards
Elizabeth
Tuesday and Wednesday 28th/29th April 2009
Dear parents,
Sorry for not sending an email yesterday but we were out late partying on the streets of Jerusalem for Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israels independance day!
We started the day listening to the siren for Yom Ha'zikaron and then planting trees in Modiin in the Neot Kadumim forest. We then went for a bedouin lunch in a tent where we sat on low chairs and ate cigarim, pitta, chumous etc...
We then headed back to the hotel to rest for the afternoon as we were all gearing up for partying on Ben Yehuda street with the disco stage and all the shops. We headed off at 8PM and didn't get back till after 11!! Everyone had a great time spending their money and dancing to the music!
This morning we had an early start as we left Jerusalem to head south. We stopped in Bear Sheva at the airforce museum to look at the history of the Israli airforce and their planes!
After this we continued south to the dessert where we are now, and went camel riding! Everyone is now in bed getting ready to spend the night under the stars in a Bedouin tent!
If you need to contact us please call 054 665 7129
Kind regards
Elizabeth
Monday 27th April 2009
This morning headed off to the Haas Prominade which is one of the most beautiful views of Jerusalem. After spending some time here and hearing about what we about to explore we headed off to discover the Old City of Jerusalem.
Here walked the mothers and fathers of the Jewish People: Sarah and Abraham, Rebecca and Isaac, Leah, Rachel and Jacob. On this mountainside, King David, Solomon and Hezekiah watched the shimmering of the early dawn, musing over their decisions as monarchs of an independent Jewish nation. Foreign conquerors, as well have tread these paths, their armies fighting bloody battles to win control of coveted Jerusalem. The Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans fought for and conquered this city: so did the Byzantines, Moslems, Crusaders, Mammelukes, Turks and British.
We then went down to the Western Wall where everyone wrote notes and then had a chance to go to the wall and put their notes in the wall.
We then ate lunch in the old city talking about what we had just seen and heard.
We headed back to the hotel after lunch for a rest as we had a very busy morning. After we had all rested and were refreshed we went swimming and then had supper.
Tonight is the eve of Yom Hazikaron. Yom Hazikaron is the day preceding Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day. Yom Hazikaron honours all the IDF soldiers who have unfortunately lost their lives fighting for the state of Israel and what they believe in. Tonight the siren will sound and we will all stand for a minutes silence to honour and respect these men and women. It is especially meaningful for us as we met the soldiers yesterday and learnt so much about them.
As you know, you can call us on 00972 54 665 7129.
Kind regards
Elizabeth
Sunday 26th April 2009
If you missed our email yesterday it's because we were enjoying shabbos. We spent the day at the kibbutz, and after enjoying a traditional Israeli Shabbat breakfast we had a Maccabi style service, shared our highlights of the week, and learned some more about Israel.
We did some more singing and dancing and then spent the afternoon playing football and table tennis in the sun. Some of us relaxed in the beautiful warm midday sun, whilst others slept off lunch. The food here is absolutely amazing, we're all loving it!
After Shabbat went out and we made Havdallah, we then had an Israeli style disco with singing, dancing rattles and drums, which we all got to play. Bradley and Stuart turned up in their wigs expecting to do Saturday night fever. That was really funny and gave us all a good laugh. After we were thoroughly exhausted it was time to head off to bed and to pack up our things as we are on the move again tomorrow.
In the morning we woke up and were excited to be heading to the Golan Heights, and to a nearby army base. When we arrived at the base we were greeted by the operational commander of the brigade. We learnt all about life on an army base and got to explore the tanks, and had all our questions answered.
We boarded the bus, waved goodbye to the soldiers, and settled in for a long drive to Jerusalem, stopping at Jericho along the way, and getting our first glimpse of the dead sea. We arrived in Jerusalem, tired after a long day and and headed down to eat and then off to bed.
As you know, you can call us on 00972 54 665 7129.
Kind regards
Elizabeth
Friday 24th April 2009
This morning we woke up and had breakfast in our wonderful Kibbutz.
We started the day walking around Tiberias and down to the Kinneret. We did some shopping in the souviner shops and took in the beauty of the Kinneret.
We then headed off the Hula Valley. Our Israeli leaders explained to us that the whole of the Hula area used to be swamp land and that over the years it has been drained and that today there is only now a small area that has a lake and this is where the nicest birds are found in Israel.
We drove around the valley in golf carts and stopped at various points to take in the beautiful view.
We then headed back to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat. There will be no email tomorrow because it is Shabbat and we will be back in touch with you on Sunday. We wish you a Shabbat Shalom!
Once again I would like to remind you that we have a visiting time on Sunday night in Jerusalem from 8-9PM at the Ganei Moriah Hotel. Please let me know on 00972 54 665 7129 or Elizabeth@maccabigb.org.
I have attached some pictures from today.
As you know, you can call us on 00972 54 665 7129.
Kind regards
Elizabeth
Thursday 23rd April 2009
Dear Parents,
Today was a busy day.
We started with checking out of the Ruth and Daniel hotel and travelled to the Bahai Gardens in Haifa. The terraces and gardens are unique in style, with meticulous attention to detail. The natural elements of light and water form the main decoration of the terraces. The temple is made up of 3 rooms of which one is for silent prayer, the middle one is where the remains of the Bahai leader rest and third is for mediation.
We then headed to Usafiyah to meet the Druze and have lunch with them. They explained to us the origin of the religion and that they live as arabs (although they do not associate to Palestinians) and have voting rites in Israel. They serve in the army but exemptions are available for the religious.
For lunch we were served a mix of traditional Druze food, which included rice, home made chumous, pitta, and a mixture of soups. For dessert we had sweet tea and date biscuits.
The afternoon was spent in Kishurit, a kibbutz comprised of 150 adults with a range of learning difficulties and special needs. Here our guide Danny showed us a film about kishurit and then we were able to visit the kennels where they breed dogs as a form of income and to visit their toy factory where they produce wooden toys of which 250,000 are distributed throughout the world. Hannah presented Danny with a thank you medal from Maccabi.
After a long a tiring day we headed back to kibbutz Chakuk Balev where we will be staying for the next few days.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that your family and friends are invited to visit the participants on Shabbat afternoon between 3 and 5PM. If they would like to visit please contact Elizabeth on 00972 54 665 7129 or email Elizabeth@maccabigb.org.
I have attached pictures from today and yesterday.
Kind regards
Elizabeth
Wednesday 22nd April
Dear Parents,
Today was an amazing day!
After our traditional Israeli breakfast we left to Hod Hasharon near Ranana. Here we were able to volunteer for a very special and influential organisation in Israel called Shulchan L'Shulchan (Table to Table).
Here we had the fantastic opportunity to help needy families who cannot afford to buy food. The organisation organises for fruit and vegetables to be picked by volunteers and then packed and sent out and we spent the morning outside in the sun picking Strawberries. We had a great time and when we finished, everyone felt proud of their effort and the impact that this will make to the needy families in Israel. Ww we presented Shulchan L'shulchan with a thank you plaque on behalf of Maccabi Challenge and they presented us all with T-shirts.
After a filling lunch we visited Rabin Square where we saw the memorial which commemorates Yitchak Rabin'sassassination and we learnt about the Israeli Peace process and the events that led to the assassination.
We then headed off to the Ramat Gan Nataional Safari Zoo. The Zoological Center Tel Aviv - Ramat Gan opened to the general public in 1974 as an African animal park. In 1981, a modern zoo was established in the middle of the park, populated with animals brought from the former Tel Aviv Zoo,which had closed.
The combined African Park and zoo are popularly known as the "Safari".
The African Park and the zoo within occupy 250 acres and include 1,600 animals of different species: 68 species of mammals, 130 species of fowl, and 25 species of reptiles.
The Safari is the largest animal collection in the Middle East and is unique in the world, because of the large herds of mixed species of African animals that roam the spacious African Park. The zoo contains a variety of animals from around the world.
Outstanding are its breeding herds of both African and Asian elephants, the gorilla and orangutan families, the hippo herd and the pride of lions.
The Safari's educational purpose is to promote the conservation of nature- from the belief that we love what we know, and we preserve what we love.
The Safari participates in 25 international programs for endangered species. It is partner in both breeding and reintroduction programs and in research projects for such animals. The Safari is a member of international zoological organizations and cooperates with research and knowledge transfer with zoos and nature preservation organizations worldwide.
As you know you can contact the group on 054 665 7129.
Kind regards
Elizabeth
Tuesday 21st April - Yom Hashoa
This morning we woke up really excited for the day, We had another traditional and tasty Israeli breakfast and were fully prepared for the day ahead.
We headed off to Mini Israel a must see for every visitor to Israel, Mini Israel miniature city is Israel's newest and most exciting tourist attraction. Featuring over 350 beautifully crafted exact-replica models, of historical, religious, archeological and modern sites, Mini Israel presents you with a one of a kind Introduction to Israel, all in one magical site. Through the tour of the park our Tour Guide Yosi gave us a real insight into the history of Israel and what we will be learning about over the coming two weeks!
Once we had rested and finished our lunch we headed off to Rothschild Street and the Independence Museum. When we arrived at the museum we were taken by our tour guide into a room to explain to us about the history of Tel Aviv. We saw pictures of what Tel Aviv looked like in 1905 and how a group of 61 families bought a piece of land which was just desert and how they drew lots to decide where each family would build their house. We also learnt that Mayor Dizengof who was the first Mayor of Tel Aviv gave his house as an art museum and then how the museum was used for the meeting to declare the state of Israel. We were then shown a small film of the history of Israel.
After that we went to the room were the State was Declared and heard David Ben Gurion's speech when he announced that Israel was now a state which was followed with all of us singing Hatikvah.
We were all sad to leave but we were om our way to swim at the Kfar Maccabiah outdoor pool! Marc, Michael Eliott Cohen, Adam, Eliot Rosen , Amanda, Debra & Chaim all swam and everyone else had a relaxing time in the sun by the pool!
After dinner we are going to the cinema to see 17 again.
As you know, you can call us on 00972 54 665 7129.
Kind regards
Elizabeth
Monday 20th April 2009
Dear Parents,
This morning we had a big traditional Israeli breakfast. There was such a choice of different kinds of bread, cheese, eggs, fruits and vegetables, no one went hungry!
We went to Kfar Maccabiah and took part in an opening ceremony welcoming us to Israel. We met Rabbi Carlos, the Rabbi of the Maccabi World Union who brought along his guitar and we had great fun singing and dancing!
We then had the first of our many traditional and tasty Israeli meals! A choice of Falafel or Shawarma with a variety of salads and side dishes!
After lunch we headed off to the beach. took of our shoes and socks and enjoyed the feeling of the warm sand under our feet! We then went to the Dizengoff centre where we did some shopping and had some ice cream!!
After a fun filled day we returned to the Ruth and Daniel Hostel for a delicious supper and some well earned sleep!
As you know, you can call us on 00972 54 665 7129.
Kind regards
Elizabeth