1-15-01 Dan Maas writes:
RAMBLINGS FROM THE ROAD.
Another day has passed us by as our time in Israel grows short. Today's adventure took us on a jeep trip of the Golan Heights. Traveling from the Hula Valley we drove up onto the slopes of the Golan. From there we had an amazing view of the valley with Mount Tabor in the distance. We stopped at the location of the Syrian border prior to 1967. There we discussed the strategic importance of the Golan Heights. We could see the ease with which the Syrians could shell the settlers in the Kibbutzim in the valley. After bouncing around in the Jeeps (Land Rovers really) we took a bike ride along some dirt roads in the valley. It was wonderful to get out and ride after spending so much time on the bus.
After our bike ride we returned to the bus for our trip to Kfar Haruv, a kibbutz in the Southern Golan. At the Kibbutz we had an amazing view of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) and the surrounding mountains. After lunch, we listened to two members of the Kibbutz debate on whether or not Israel should withdraw from the Golan. It was clear that there is no easy answer to this questions and many of the students expressed their opinions on the subject.
After the lecture we drove to the Kinneret Cemetery. The drive took us down a steep mountainside on a winding road with fabulous views of the area around the Israel-Jordan border. At the cemetery we took some time to discuss the origins of the Kibbutz in that area, the cemetery and some of the people buried there. Afterwards we took time to visit the grave of Rachel, a Kibbutz member and poetess from early in the last century. On the way back to the Kibbutz guesthouse we stopped in Tiberius for about 45 minutes so everyone could walk around a little. Tonight after dinner we plan to have another of the planned conversations and them some folks may play a game of Capture the Flag.
Tomorrow's activities will keep us busy all day and end very late with an end of trip party. I hope to find time to write again before we leave on Wednesday. Best wishes to everyone at home. We'll see you soon.
-- Dan Maas
Rebecca Tunick writes:
Before I came here I never really felt a connection to Israel. None of my family has ever lived here, so I didn't feel as if I could come to Israel and always have a welcoming place to stay.
Our second day here we were introduced to 8 soldiers who ended up spending 3 of what could quite possibly be called the most exciting and enlightening days of my life. These days could not have possibly been so amazing without the soldiers. Not only were we able to share stories and past experiences with each other, but we were able to create memories that I'll never forget - be it hiking up Masada together, floating with each other in the Dead Sea, dancing together in Israel's night clubs, or just sitting on the bus and learning about each other's cultures.
These newly established friendships will last for longer than the days
on this trip, and I know that whenever I come back to Israel I'll have
a welcoming place to stay - I now have family in Israel.