Our first delegation to Tzahala is over, but the memories will stay with all of those who were fortunate to make the journey, for a long time. Best way to capture the excitement and the spirit of the trip is to share with you excerpts form daily newsletters send to the parents of the delegates by accompanying TIOH staff – Eileen Horowitz, Head of School, Hadar Dohn, Head of Judaic Studies and the two Partnership coordinators – Rina Etkes for Day School and Libby Clearfield for Religious School.
GETTING THERE - April 21, 2009
The kids started journaling their feeling on board of the El Al flight while it was making its way to Israel.
“This morning I felt my insides jumping out of my body. I was so excited to finally go on the trip that I had been waiting for a year… Now that I have been in this huge flying machine, being at the airport seems like ages ago. I am not nervous about anything except making sure that I get enough sleep. When I get to Israel I don’t want to be too tired to enjoy my surroundings. Everything else is extremely exciting! I can’t wait to get there.” -Izze
“This morning I felt a combination of excitement and butterflies in my stomach. Those butterflies were not nervous. They were fluttering their wings of joy. It seems like a while ago when my grandma was giving me wisdom over the phone as my mom and I pulled into the airport. “I want you to enjoy the heck out of it!” said my grandmother. I promised her and myself that I would. What’s not to enjoy?” -Zoë
ARRIVAL - April 22, 2009
Eighteen hours later our arrival in Tel Aviv was met with great joy. The children lay down and kissed the ground spontaneously. Tzahala staff met us with individual Israeli flags, which the children waved excitedly as our bus was braving Tel Avivian rush hour. When we drove into the neighborhood of Tzahala we saw children running in the street. They were, of course, our hosting delegation children, thrilled to welcome us. We were thrilled to watch old friends reunite. Both delegations commingled instantly and it was hard to distinguish “their” children from “ours”…at that wondrous moment, they were all “ours.”
GETTING TO KNOW THE TZAHALA SCHOOL AND THE REST OF THE 6TH GRADERS – ALL 104 OF THEM – April 23, 2009
We met at the school on the morning of the 23rd, which at home is still the 22nd…
Our first session of Yoman Masa (Travel Journal) was humming with excitement. The children shared their impressions of the homes and families and were beaming with smiles - no signs of jet lag or homesickness.
The entire sixth grade congregated in the gym for a beautiful ceremony to welcome us. There was time to dance and hang out with each other and an opportunity to mingle with children who are not in the delegation. The children LOVED this part! The Israeli tradition of a larger 10:00 am snack was expanded to be a cultural treat of Jewish foods from different places.
Since we read The Path of Orange Peels by Nachum Guttman we had representatives from the Nachum Guttman museum do a presentation about his life and art. Some children were selected to be in a play as a part of our program - our stars were Elan and Daniel W. We followed the presentation with an art project with the art teacher Amalia, where we sculpted in clay in the style of Guttman. Quite a day!
EXAMINING THE ROOTS OF TEL-AVIV – April 24, 2009
The staff awoke today to the sight of hundreds of joggers making their way down the beach boardwalk in Tel Aviv. The joggers were all part of the one hundred year celebration marathon for this historic city. The student awoke in their host homes where snacks and lunches were packed as they made their way to catch the bus at school to take them on their next adventure. Due to the marathon, the staff was unable to get to the school because of all the closed roads. Sound familiar?? So the staff took a brisk walk along the beach to meet the students under the clock tower in Jaffa. The kids looked rested and all claimed to have had a good night’s sleep. Our tour guide Yuval spent a good part of the morning talking about the way Jaffa’s port served as a gateway to the Middle East from Europe. We had a chance to play on a grass area overlooking the Mediterranean Sea as they competed in a rousing game of “Grab Yuval’s Shoe.” Next it was on to the old Jaffa train station, which is part of a restoration project. The children did their best to stay focused to the points of information as we wandered down the narrow streets of town observing the eclectic architecture, the sights and sounds of this bustling city, and rested at the city’s cultural center where once again we were treated to the guitar strokes of Gabe and everyone’s singing current American music tunes.
The highlight of the day for the delegation was shopping on Rechov Nachalat Benjamin. We were very proud to see and hear our children buying gifts for their families as they practiced their Hebrew skills and their money conversions. They were proud of themselves too and they shared their accomplishments with their friends with smiling faces.
The final stop for the day was Independence Hall, the famous location of the formal declaration of the new State of Israel, the Jewish State on May 14, 1948. As we stood together singing Hatikvah, the song that was sung by the distinguished group in the hall that day, we couldn’t help but believe that the founding fathers of Eretz Yisrael would be so delighted to know that their dream has become a reality and that the next generation of Jewish children are continuing on their mission.
That night we celebrated Kabbalt Shabbat at Beit Daniel, a Reform congregation in Tel Aviv with a special lesson about Parashat Tazria-Metzora conducted by one of the Temple’s teachers. It was wonderful to spend part of Shabbat attending services in Israel, sharing it with local congregants as well as people from all over the world. We know that the delegation was moved when together with their new friends they reflected on the first few days of this incredible trip, chanted the Shema together and of course tasted their first bite of Israeli challah.
NEGEV, HOT SPRINGS, BEDOUIN TENT AND MASADA! April 26 & 27, 2009
Wow! What an incredible couple of days! We started our adventure in the Negev with an expedition through the ancient caves of Beit Guvrin. We saw hundreds of alcoves where pigeons would rest underground; and in another cave, an olive press. Then some of the children crawled through a very narrow and dark cave to witness the remains of a once used hiding spot by Bar Kochba soldiers.
We then continued on to a day spa for a couple of hours of relaxation after a very “trying” day. The kids enjoyed swimming and just having time to all hang out together.
Next we arrived at the Bedouin camp and went riding on camels and donkeys; an activity which elicited a lot of giggles and silliness. After we settled into our tents, we had tea and coffee with a Bedouin man who explained hospitality and customs of the Bedouins. We feasted on a traditional meal of kabobs, hummus, rice and salads – the meal was later topped off by a campfire with fresh pita, chocolate, and the roasting of marshmallows. The kids commenced a spontaneous talent show, exhibiting their skills as rapper/singer/dancer/etc.
We awoke bright and early to the sounds of the camels and donkeys braying. After a typical Israeli breakfast, the kids each made their own sandwiches to take for lunch. We then began our *short journey to Masada - it was supposed to be a 10-minute drive, but along the way we intercepted a group of infantry soldiers who were finishing an all-night hike (25 miles) from their base to Masada, where they would culminate their basic training in a ceremony at the top of the mountain. Our timing was extremely fortuitous and we were inspired by the strength and spirit of the Israeli soldiers as they hiked the mountain. After hiking to the top of the mountain, our guide, Raz, told us the story of Masada’s resistance and we had a very deep conversation about the Jews’ decision to commit suicide rather than surrender to the Romans. Eileen Horowitz led us in the chanting of the Shema in the oldest synagogue in Israel, and then spent time in Herod’s palace, enjoying the panoramic views of the Judean desert and Dead Sea.
A spacious gondola took us down and we boarded the bus for the Dead Sea, where the children enjoying floating in the salty water and covering themselves with the mineral mud.
We arrived back in Tel Aviv with just enough time to shower and change clothes before meeting at the Tzahala community center for their hour-long ceremony for Yom HaZikaron. It was extremely powerful to be part of this tradition, surrounded by our new Israeli friends and their families. The blasting of the siren at precisely 8pm signaled the beginning of a collective commemoration, which would continue the following day as our delegation prepared to experience Memorial Day in Eretz Israel.
YOM HAZIKARON- DAY OF REMEMBRANCE April 28, 2009
We met at Tzahala for an assembly for Yom HaZikaron. It was an extremely powerful and meaningful day, and the students seemed to grasp the importance of this day in every aspect. They participated in the ceremony by placing flowers on the memorial for those students of Tzahala who have died in defense of Israel or as a result of terrorism; they also concluded the assembly by leading the entire school in Hatikvah.
In the afternoon we met at Tel Nof, an Israeli Air Force base, where Avihu Ben Nun, former commander of the Air Force, led all of the students and parents on a tour of the base. Quite impressive!
YOM HA’ATZMAUT - April 29, 2009
This was a free day so we didn’t have the good fortune of spending any time with the students, though we heard all kinds of tales of the fabulous activities they did with their families to celebrate Israeli Independence Day – barbecuing, swimming, bicycling and of course, playing with spray foam!
JERUSALEM OF GOLD - April 30
We left school in the morning with the entire sixth grade class of 120 students to drive to Jerusalem for the day. We enjoyed entering the Old City by walking along the walls, then we split up from the Tzahala students for a short walk through the Cardo, where the kids got to do some shopping. We met back up with our group at the Kotel, where we got to spend some time with Hedva and Joel (two former TIOH teachers now living in Jerusalem), then had an insprational ceremony at the Wall as the students were each given their own Tanach (The Bible). They then had some time to walk up to the wall and pray, put their notes in the cracks, and just generally be, at this holiest site in the world for Jews.
Upon leaving the Kotel, we walked to Nikbat Hashiloach to experience walking through the underground water tunnels in the City of David. They were very narrow and not for the claustrophobic, so some people opted not to go. However, others like Elan and Izze not only went through, but decided to immerse themselves in the water, and then regretted it a bit when they got out and were cold…. but still smiling!
After that, we left Jerusalem and headed to the airport where we bid farewell to Gabriel and Eileen. It was quite sad to see them go, but we’re so grateful that they came on this trip.
IT IS ALMOST OVER - May 1, 2009
We met at Tzahala in the morning and had two exceptional lessons – one was with the incredible art teacher, Chaya, who had the students in groups of about five make their own version of what Tel Aviv is to them, incorporating the Bauhaus architecture, on a large poster board. Later the children outlined their work in the recycled materials in English and Hebrew. BEAUTIFUL work!
Then the class had a lesson with the drama teacher, Amir, who worked with the kids to relate their experience on both the LA and TA delegations using their bodies as the art pieces. They loved this and it was a fantastic culmination of these experiences.
Everyone was dismissed at 2pm to spend the rest of the day with their host families.
LEHITRA’OT - May 2, 2009
Last Shabbat in Eretz Israel! In the evening the kids met for one last hurrah of a dance party before boarding the bus to the airport. Hugs, tears, and the throng of Israeli children chasing the bus followed us as we drove out of the quiet neighborhood on our way to the airport. We are now left with wonderful memories, tons of photos, videos and precious quotes from our delegates. Here are some we’d like to share with you:
At the Kotel, I read a bit from the Tanach I received because it’s the holiest book. I read some of the beginning, as well as from Pinchas because that’s my name and it was my grandfather’s name. So I was reading it for him.
- Luc
When I was at the Wall and looking at the papers in the cracks, I couldn’t help but think of how old those papers were.
- Danny
There was this Hasidic guy at the Kotel who came over to me and Daniel, Danny, Gabe and Luc. He saw that I was wearing a Chelsea shirt and said “You like Chelsea?” I said “Not really”. He said “You know I’m from England. Where are you from?” “LA” “Let’s go say the Shema together”…
- Elan
Saying the Shema, leaning against the wall with my eyes covered, makes it more special. It’s more holy [than at Temple Israel].
- Daniel
It was really, really great. [The Kotel] Maybe the best thing from the whole trip. It was very special.
- Danny
It was way different than at Temple Israel… because instead of facing east, you were already there.
- Zoe
It’s so soft and so smooth when you touch it, you think that millions and millions of people must have touched this one spot.
- Elan
I’m having so much more fun here than I would be at school!
- Zoe
We’re ready to go home just to say hi to our parents and then we want to come back.
- Ella & Talia
It’s so exciting to be the first delegation, the first ones to make friends here.
- Zoe
It’s kind of terrible that we have to leave and it might be a while before we get to see each other. But in a few years I want to have a TIOH and Tzahala reunion.
- Danny
I don’t think we’re saying goodbye – it won’t be so long before we see each other. Even though they’re going to LA, technically we’re not really separating because we have so many ways to stay in touch.
- Danielle
Our souls are here.. but my soul is in LA too. It’s like it’s split down the middle.
- Elan
I think this delegation was a huge success because I had a lot of fun. The only bad thing about it is that I wish we could’ve stayed longer.
- Luc
I think that the connection to something that is going to be ongoing is really great, and there’s a chance I’ll be able to join Elan at the summer camp he’s going to go to in LA.
- Roee
We became great friends and it feels like we’ve been friends for years.
- Ella
When we came, everyone was really nice and I remember the first recess at Tzahala and all the girls were circling around us and I was like ‘that’s a lot of girls’.
- Talia
Before the delegation my parents were asking where we wanted to have our summer vacation and now it looks like we might come to LA…
- Keren
I think we could stay longer even though I don’t think they [the parents/teachers] want us to stay longer.
- Elan
I had a lot of experiences I don’t think I otherwise would’ve had. I had a water fight in a Bedouin tent. I got tackled at one in the morning in a Bedouin tent… The Bedouin tent had many good times.
- Elan
I think when we were in LA that the grade is very small and they all joined us in a lot of the activities and it was very nice because we had a chance to meet everybody.
- Roee
I remember on the first day when the delegation arrived in LA, I was the first one to arrive with my mom… I didn’t really know what to talk about at first… I expected to only meet Netta that day but Roee came too… I learned what Netta did during lunch and Roee fell asleep during lunch… Then Gabriel came over with Tal. We were taking off from that point… we didn’t stop talking.
- Zoe
I want to thank you for being yourselves. You’re so nice, so considerate, so cool! I hope that all the experiences you shared with us during your stay here will stay in your hearts forever.
- Irit (Tzahala Head of School)
I thought when we were going to Israel that it would just be a great time getting to see my friends again. I didn’t realize I’d really get to see Israel.
- Danny
"Why are all Israelis so lovable?"
- Elan
“Nothing is too much in Israel”
- Gabriel
