L'hitra'ot Yisrael

Our last night was a highlight! On the rooftop garden of a Jerusalem family's home, we shared memories of the week, ate a delicious dinner under the stars, and danced Israeli dances. Before we headed to the hotel for our last rest, many thanks were expressed. To Marcia and Mike Nichols for their extraordinary hearts and souls which filled all of ours, to our guides and drivers without whom our trip would not have been as special and in-depth, to our friends in the congregation who made the trip possible, and to the privilege YOU gave me and Mark to lead you spiritually and in friendship. Members of the congregation also gave us a gift to commemorate this trip and it will be displayed at Temple with joy.
 
We arrive in Houston at 9:50pm, Tuesday. It will be a shame to exchange shorts and sandals for suits and ties, but we will always wear on us and in us the glorious days and nights in Israel.
 
Until next time, L'hitra'ot. - Rabbi David Lyon

On the way home

The words we use tell us a lot about ourselves. Going to Israel is called Aliyah - literally "going up" to Israel. The idea is that by visiting our Holy Land, we are ascending spiritually to a higher place. And so, when we depart, it is known as "going down" from Israel. I think I can speak for everyone on our congregational trip when I say that we really did feel as if we were on a higher plane as we traveled through Israel. It was beautiful, it was meaningful, it was emotional. And in some way, I do feel as if my heart is a bit deflated to be leaving, to be "going down" from this holy place.

And yet, last night, at a wonderful farewell dinner, we all talked about our desire to bring this experience home, to translate it for our families and friends, to spread the word about what we saw and felt, and to advocate on behalf of this Israel we got to know so well. In that sense, we are not going down at all, but returning to our homes with a sense of purpose and inspiration.

On behalf of Rabbi Lyon and the rest of our participants, I look forward to sharing more with you soon!

Rabbi Mark Miller

Monday Afternoon in Jerusalem

The group is on its own in Jerusalem. Free to shop and browse, we were let loose to go it alone. Lisa and I stopped into shops and bought some gifts. I warmed up my Hebrew and we met some very welcoming shop owners. We bumped into fellow travelers and shared stories about the streets we walked down and where to get a great falafel snack. Some espresso at a sidewalk cafe with cooler evening breezes flowing through the city made us feel a little bit more like participants than onlookers. I wish I could share more than words with you, because the sights and sounds, the smells and spirit cannot be adequately described. Next time you'll come with us and drink deeply from the place we call simply the Land.

- Rabbi David Lyon

Boker Tov (good morning) from Jerusalem

Yes, it's morning here in Jerusalem - our last full day in Israel. Last night, we had dinner in a beautiful garden restaurant, joined by four Israeli soldiers. These members of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) - two young men and two young women - talked with us about their decisions to move to Israel and their experiences in the armed forces.

From there, we went back into the Old City, where we entered the Western Wall tunnels. It is easy to forget that the Wall we envision - the site we visit, where we put our hands and pray and insert our notes - is only a small section of the massive retaining wall that held up the hillside where the Temple stood. We walked down below the surface to see excavation which revealed much more if the Wall and opened a window to see more of what this ancient site of worship and gathering and commerce actually looked like. Incredibly, we passed by a gigantic stone at the base of the Wall that weighs more than 350 tons - experts still don't know how they were able to move it or place it there. But this stone, among the rest, give us a sense of awesomeness that surely existed fir our ancestors when they visited the Temple in order to communicate with God.

Talking about our ancestors, we are now having a difficult (but important) morning at Yad Vashem, Israel's monument to the 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. It would be impossible to fully explain this experience, except to say that we are witness to the worst of humanity, even as we hear stories and retain hope in the best of humanity. At the end of our tour, Rabbi Lyon and I will lead a special service of remembrance, as we all try to grasp hold of any sense of hope that can come out if this tragic time in our recent history.

There is a Jewish concept from the Talmud that reminds us to always move from sorrow to joy ... and so we will rise up from the ashes of Holocaust remembrance and continue this afternoon by taking a group photo at the Knesset (the seat of Israel's Parliament).

Rabbi Mark Miller

An early morning found us in the City of David. In recent and on-going excavations we stood where King David entered the city of Jebus 3000 years ago and overtook the Jebusites. We looked down on the excavations and walked through ancient tunnels, known as Hezekiah's tunnel that carried water in to the city. We walked the dry route that brought us to the pool that pilgrims reached for water before making their way to the site of the great Temple. We stood on the walkway that the Israelites walked and the Romans marched on when they came and destroyed the city.
Our visit to the Old City included a brilliant video presentation that juxtaposed pictures of current sites and how they were so long ago. Suddenly, all the pieces came together.

We walked down the Via dela Rosa and entered the famous Christian sites so important to Patrick Colbert, our honored guest and dear friend. We have pictures of him listening to the guides and taking it all in.

Lunch in the Jewish Quarter and time to shop brought us to about 4:30pm. More tonight!

- Rabbi David Lyon

From Israel

It’s true. Our Shabbat morning service on Masada was a moving and inspiring experience made possible by the presence of beloved friends and family on our trip. A Torah from HUC, and the story of the spies who brought their report about the Promised Land to awaiting Israelites, reminded us of our modern obligation to report on Israel’s abundance, challenges, and blessings in order to uphold our faith in God’s promise to us. Our own reports will build up hope and love for the Land, just as did Joshua and Caleb’s report in ancient times.
Next we went for a salty dip in the Dead Sea. We were astonished when we floated so easily. Eventually we floated together for a group photo. The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth, but we were as high with joy as we could be.

Back to Jerusalem for rest, dinner out, and a light show at the Tower of David.

- Rabbi David Lyon

Shabbat in Jerusalem

Our group shared a truly remarkable Shabbat this evening in Jerusalem. We began at the Kotel (Western Wall), where we placed our prayers in the Wall's cracks and felt the enormous spiritual energy of being there with so many others. Incredibly, as we listened to the sounds and the growing energy of Shabbat, we were witness to a unique sight - in addition to all the regular revelers, several hundred Israeli soldiers began to wildly sing and dance through the plaza - waving Israeli flags and shouting with pride and joy. Truly a memorable and inspirational moment.

From there, we returned to the HUC campus (the Reform Mobement's seminary) for a rousing Shabbat service overlooking the Old City. In what can only be called a Godly moment, fireworks began to explode in front of us just as we began singing the first words of Lecha Dodi - wow!

After a delicious dinner together, we heard from two world-class scholars: Avraham Infeld, who discussed the nature of Jewish Peoplehood and our imperative for stronger connection to our community, and Rabbi Uri Regev, who talked about the Reform Movement's difficult position in Israel and the ways we are moving forward in helping Israel become a more pluralistic place. Rabbi Regev, by the way, will be our scholar-in-residence during the Yom Limmud weekend over the winter.

Sleep will be at a premium as we prepare for an early morning departure to Masada and the Dead Sea in the morning.

Wishing you a hearty Shabbat Shalom from all of us in Jerusalem!

Rabbi Mark Miller

Day 5 in Israel

After cherry picking in the orchards on the Golan Heights and riding ATVs over hills and through steep valleys, we arrived at the Syrian border. Our group saw the UN site, and learned the reason for the quieter Syrian border compared to the Lebanon border. Politics and security run deep in this region. Back to the hotel, we enjoyed time to swim, soak and soothe. Beautiful hotel on the waters of the Kinneret was a perfect place to get refreshed. Dinner at Decks in Tiberias was delicious. Sitting on a deck over the water we had a spectacular experience. No pita, just tasty meats and good company. A highlight was a surprise boat display with flares and an announcement that Beth Israel of Houston, Texas, was here in Israel. The whole restaurant applauded.
At night, we went Beit She'an, an ancient city that knew many cultures, most notably Roman. Destroyed in 749CE, by an earthquake, it was discovered and excavated over decades. The city, today, though in ruins was an amazing experience. We're returning to the hotel at midnight. Tomorrow, we're off to Jerusalem.

Good night from Israel. - Rabbi David Lyon

From the Golan Heights

When we imagine Israel, we often think of a desert landscape. But the North of Israel - and especially the Golan Heights - are a nature lover's paradise! Our morning began with a hike through the Tel Dan nature preserve. It was lush and green, with water bubbling up from the ground. In fact, we stopped at the very spring which is the source of the Jordan River - many of us took the opportunity to kneel down and drink directly from this "Source of Life." From there, we drove up to the very top of the Golan Heights, where we saw with our own eyes why it is such an important strategic location. We drove ATVs right up to the border with Syria, where we looked across at Israeli soldiers, UN peace keepers, and Syrian soldiers within a few hundred yards. Just as important, we walked through the fields and picked cherries which were, honestly, just a bit sweeter than the ones we get back home. Now, our group is laughing and talking over lunch, enjoying each other's company, and reveling in the opportunity to enjoy the fruit of our Promised Land.

More from Israel

The Dalton winery proved to be a perfect place to dine with friends and taste some fine Israeli wines. There's a whole world of wines from Israel to enjoy. From the winery we went for a security briefing with a lieutenant in the IDF. Standing 8km from the Lebanon border we saw how vulnerable the towns are and how cautious the population must be. The green hills and the beautiful kibbutzim provide a view of life that is vibrant despite obvious challenges. The lieutenant was a 22 year-old woman whose command of her duties and explanation of ours was impressive and moving. To the Hula Valley we went and rode golf carts and bicycles in the nature reserve. It was either good exercise or a smooth ride and everyone had a great time. Finally, our evening continued at Kiryat Shemona. We planted trees with Ayalim, a national service program that awed us by its passion for the Land and its citizens. They hosted us for a gorgeous dinner outdoors and helped us discover new ways to advocate for Israel. More about Ayalim later. A late check-in at a hotel on the Sea of Galilee, Yam Kinneret, is a welcome break from an awesome day.

Lailah tov, good night from Israel. – Rabbi David Lyon

A mystical city

After leaving Haifa this morning, we drove east, up into the hills, to the ancient holy city of Tzfat. We visited a synagogue named after the "Holy Ari" who was the primary figure in Jewish mysticism about 400 years ago. We walked through the incredible Artists' Colony, finding all sorts of beautiful work. And we explored the ruins of a 500-year-old mikveh (ritual bath). From there, we drove to a spot overlooking the Lebanon border and heard a briefing from a young woman in the Israeli army. Next stop - the Dalton Winery!

Day 3

Today was the first full day after a good night's sleep at a top hotel in Tel Aviv. We heard from Dr. Gadi Taub on Israeli and American politics. An insightful message over Israeli breakfast inspired us for our first stop in Caesarea. From there we had lunch in a Druze village and learned about their history, customs and devotion to Israel. At the Bahai Gardens, 600 steps led us down magnificent and sacred grounds manicured, symmetrical and symbolic. Our tour of the Naval base was canceled due to recent events but that gave us time to reach Acco, a 4000 year old port, and enjoy a full tour of an ancient and thriving town. Our dinner was complete with a drum circle demonstration and lots of participation. Your rabbis and Patrick danced and it wasn't the Hora. Oy.
Most of all, the friendships are deepening, our knowledge is growing and our affection for Israel is blossoming. Hats off to Marcia Nichols for the grand trip we've only just begun.
Pictures are coming. The messages are brief as they're written on my Blackberry. More tomorrow.
 
- Rabbi David Lyon

Day 2

Monday night we sat in a private room for dinner looking over the Mediterranean Sea near sunset. We weren't oblivious to the news. It made us feel part of the regular tension Israelis know everyday. Our good fortune was having as our guest at dinner, Miri Eisin, who is a Colonel in the IDF and an expert in communications. Her generous time with us in the midst of current events helped us know what it means for Israel to be Democratic, Jewish, western, and Middle Eastern, all at once. She also told us more about yesterday's events and gave perspective that the media will never give. For more visit houstonjewish.org to read Lee Wunsch's report on it.
We just left Caesarea, the northern Roman harbor and stronghold built up and ruled by King Herod. It was uncovered from the sands in 1964 and further revealed about 20 years ago. Ruins of his palace and hippodrome and amphitheater tell part of the story of life 2000 years ago.

We are safe and having a great time. Heading north to Haifa and the Bahai gardens.

More to come. - Rabbi David Lyon

From Israel

We landed on time in Israel. A first stop at Independence Hall brought us to the very place David Ben Gurion proclaimed a Jewish homeland on May 14, 1948. We heard the recorded voice and signed our own declaration as members of Beth Israel pledged to Israel's future and the future of our people. Followed by Israeli fare and free time along the Mediterranean Sea in Tel Aviv, we're ready for a full week ahead.

Shalom from Israel.  - Rabbi David Lyon