Following is a Synopsis of my September trip to Israel...It's in the form of a letter to my professor, to be presented to the reporter who has arranged to do a full spread in our local Villages Daily Sun,.
Dear Eli:
”Next year, in the Land of Canaan”..those words of my grandfather, that he spoke, while reading the Haggada, at the Passover table, many years ago.
Those words came alive twenty years ago when I was fortunate enough to lead a group of Christians to “Christmas in Bethlehem”. It was while standing at the Western Wall that I realized that I am REALLY a Jew….it was a feeling from DEEP INSIDE.
Never did I realize that I was going to be fortunate enough to embark on a second trip to THE HOLY LAND…..this time with you…and a group of my fellow students from The Lifelong Learning College. As a veteran of your several courses…”ths and Facts About The Arab-Israeli Conflict”, “The Ten Lost Tribes of Israel” (who were never really lost at all);”The Jews In The Time of Jesus” and, its Sequel, , I was entranced by your wealth of knowledge and the thoroughness of materials you gave us with which to enhance our education on the subjects. I enjoyed every moment of the classes. And, when your “Class Field Trip to Israel” was offered, I knew I would be among those present.
I must begin by saying that the experience was beyond description. Overwhelming….possibly, but, in a good way. As a result of your teaching, from the point of view of one who was there, along with some recent Bible Studies, I have learned soooo much more about this tiny little land, the size of New Jersey. I expected to remember many things from the previous trip, but I was awestruck at the wonderful changes…..The highlight of my trip? There was no highlight…the whole trip was one of the highlights of my life….and, as you know, I’ve had 40 years experience traveling all over the world as an International Tour Director.
This trip was different…Only in my later years have I become interested in History….This trip was the epitome of HISTORY….There isn’t much of anything older. If I were to speak of highlights, perhaps it would be the “coming alive” of the Bible…the Old Testament AND the New Testament…It brought to life so many passages that I had read in the past few years….The archeology that has taken place since I was there is amazing….They have been digging since I left. Their discoveries assisted me to see and to combine “proof” with my “faith” so much so that I could “feel” the presence of those whose words that I read in Bible Study.
I recall trying to envision “the loaves and fishes”…the gladiators and chariots, Lot’s wife being turned to a pillar of salt….the burning of the temples, the desperation AND the bravery of those atop the Masada….imagine the strength to say they did not want to live unless it was in freedom.
The Garden Tomb, the baptism in the River Jordan, our boat ride on the Sea of Gallilee, floating on the Dead Sea…..and, our ride to the top of the Golan Heights, where I remember the insecure feeling of seeing that enemy was only a few miles away and, realizing how vulnerable these people were. On this trip the Crown of Thorns tree was pointed out to me…and, I knew it had been a wreath on the head of Jesus. Hearing the word “Oasis” all my life, I had never seen one…although I had seen a mirage. We visited an Oasis…and we plucked soft, sweet dates from the date palm trees…The dried dates from the supermarket have never tasted that good.
The stark arid Judean Desert was in direct contrast to the lush oasis….This was not an easy land to traverse in those days….I had to chuckle because I had thought I’d gotten away from the heat of a Florida summer…at least we did not have the humidity….
The New Yad Vashem was a major undertaking….It should be visited by every person who visits Israel….we can NEVER forget….It should NEVER happen again…On my last trip I visited Nazareth…it was Christmas time…We visited the place of Jesus’ birth.
On this trip we were treated to a painstakingly recreated Nazareth Village….I felt like a Villager as I climbed the hills, watching the Shepherd tend his flock, the woman carding and spinning the wool, the tool making shed. And, I even envisioned the grape stomping in the grape pit….Always wondered why it was done barefoot. I finally learned that it was so the seeds were not crushed by hard sandals…because they would make the wine bitter.
Our Tour Company, Pilgrim Tours, did a fantastic job of putting together our program…there was something for everyone…including tals (hills) and lots of walking. Our Tour Guide and our driver also were top notch quality….
Our hotels were beautiful, well kept and well run….we had all the comforts of home. I must mention the food….much of which was not strange to me as it was the Sunday Morning fare of my youth… But, in Israel, it was every day….fruit, cereal, breads, cakes, herring, salmon, and, even salad fixings…imagine…salad for breakfast. The array of cheeses was unbelievable….I may have tasted every one of them.
The hotels appeared full…many tourists…not as many Americans, but, we were not alone. The streets and the markets were crowded and bustling…. I never had a moment of apprehension as far as my safety was concerned. Even our drive through the Arab territories was “business as usual”….
Your trip to the ………Museum, which explained the underground movement to us…and, your poignant memories of your time spent defending your country, including your injury, again stressed the need for some way to have people get along . Sadly, that may never happen, but I have faith
Sum up my thoughts of our trip, in a FEW words….IMPOSSIBLE…..but, I can tell you that this is one trip I will ALWAYS remember.. Thanks, Eli…for the opportunity you gave us to share something so very important.
One last thought is that I now have a much better understanding of how deeply this country is imbedded in the minds and the hearts of all its people…I saw Christians, Muslims and Jews, speaking each others language, living their lives, conduction their business and their religious ceremonies (it was Ramadan), and they all appeared peaceful. What can the rest of us do to help it truly BE that way. The Holy Land belongs to all of us…it’s where we all got our beginnings…Surely there must be a way.
Sincerely,
Judy.
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| SYNOPSIS Of My Trip To Israel |
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kywonder
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Oct 8 @ 1:36AM
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beautifully written knittinkitten. My one desire before I leave this land is to visit that beautiful land where my Lord and Savior walked. Thanks for sharing your memories and the beautiful landscape you so aptly described.
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snidegrass
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Oct 8 @ 3:01AM
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i know of a judy in history. judith in the apocypha to the catholics its
part of their bible, but not the protestant bible. she was a whore.
she heroically went down to the enemy armies camp and seduced
the general of the army, and got him sotted drunk, and removed
his head with her scarab. she withdrew back to her city.
it had been under siege. in the morning, their leader dead, the army
withdrew forever. i wonder what happened to that army in the end?
i hordoba am tackling the prime minister of persia. well, he's
just trying to defend his own nations interests. its not the millenium
of eternal happiness and peace is it? everyone had great hopes
this one would be the 'millenium'. didn't start off to good did it?
world militaries unite? defend earth? might be better than
squabbling like little punks amongst ourselves. there is a higher cause
above us. the milky way galaxy is under attack. we must 'rise' to the
occasion. yay nasa. and israeli space scientists. more to know.
for we know only a little. beyond beyond. let us go forth. remote
hypnosis and mental ventriloquism are black arts to use. no time to wrangle
over teleology.
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