|
April 3, 2009
A journey full of treasures
Israel is nothing like it is portrayed on CNN and other media.
LIANNE COHEN
Last summer, I had the journey of my lifetime. I was part of the Beth Israel (BI) Family Tour to Israel.
There were 50 of us who took this tour and we blended well. My friend Joni White and I were the only singles on the trip, but I had the best time with everyone, especially all the children.
I had always wanted to go to Israel ... in my teens, 20s and 30s. In embracing my 40s, I rejoined Beth Israel Synagogue and started attending services. In 2007, I read a flyer on Rosh Hashanah that said, "Next year in Israel." Here was my chance.
The only view I had on Israel to that point was the CNN aspect, which is so different from what I experienced on my trip. From the second I landed, I was in awe (even though our luggage took a few days to catch up to us).
Every minute was packed, as our tour guides, Yehuda and Neal, plus BI Rabbi Jonathan Infeld, had us going at full speed. It was an adventure and a pace I welcomed.
I felt safe and never worried – I hoped Hashem was watching. In Israel, there are many soldiers on the streets with guns at their sides, so you know you are protected in many ways. Unlike Vancouver these days, with the constant gang violence, I never worried at all.
From the first days in Tel Aviv, we were hit with history, as we toured Independence Hall, where, 61 years ago now, Israel became a nation (again).
We marked the place where Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated. We marvelled at the Ayalon Bullet factory underground at a kibbutz. We celebrated at the top of Masada for Jordan Moss' bar mitzvah. We floated at the Dead Sea in 40-degree weather. We rode camels and shared a meal with Bedouins at sunset. We kayaked on the Jordan River and rode jeeps in the Golan Heights.
Tzedakah (charity) was also part of our journey. We prepared boxes in Vancouver filled with items for Israeli soldiers, which we presented to the Fuchsberg Centre in Jerusalem. We also visited Beit Vancouver, a wonderful youth-guided facility in the north with which our community helps.
When we reached Jerusalem, we had former BI spiritual leader Rabbi Wilfred Solomon greet us with a big smile. He and his wife, Phyllis, made aliyah many years ago and they spent the weekend with us. As my late mother, Jean Cohen, sang in the BI choir and was the rabbi's secretary in the 1970s and 1980s, I was so touched to share stories with him and listen to his wisdom.
Emotions ran even higher for me when we visited a seniors home similar to Louis Brier Home and Hospital. Our group was there to sing and hand out a few Canadian trinkets. I stood off to the side and wept, remembering my father, Morris. He always enjoyed the entertainment at Louis Brier, when he was there in his final year. There were many smiling faces at the seniors home and it seemed that a smile had no language barrier.
The most significant time was visiting the Western Wall (Kotel). We were part of a tour through the underground tunnels and they were breathtaking. I wrote both my parents a note and placed it at the Kotel. I also placed one for my uncle, Jack Singer, from his family.
I had the chance to go back on Shabbat with the Zetler family and it was truly stunning at night. The masses of people praying, singing and celebrating was overwhelming – they were from United Synagogue Youth, Lubavitch, birthright and other groups. It was magic. If only I could have taken a picture.
In my memory, it is vivid as it was yesterday. Being home now for eight months, I often see people from the tour and it's such a great connection. Many of the kids and I are on Facebook but the best is to share a hug in person. I made a beautiful PhotoBook and condensed my 1,400 photos to a wonderful memory.
I hope that everyone can get to experience the treasure with which Israel leaves you.
^TOP
|
