Hike, BBQ, Art and Zichron Yaacov

Friday morning's hike was to a small

mountain on a neighboring Kibbutz

Saturday night we invited the high school kids

 from the Kibbutz for a barbecue at our house

Sunday night Art class

Tuesday we went to Zichron Yaacov for the day. Our first stop was Ramot Ha-Nadiv (Heights of the Benefactor), located  at the southern end of Mount Carmel.  Ramot Ha-Nadiv is a living memorial dedicated to the memory of Baron Edmond de Rothschild who had a consequential role in the establishment of the state of Israel; including many towns and agricultural settlements developed under his sponsorship.

Beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea.

Apple break!!

Ramot Ha-Nadiv contains some of the most
 beautiful gardens in Israel, including the Cascade
 Garden, Rose Garden, The Palm Garden and The
 Fragrance Garden...all meticulously nurtured.

 



The Rothschild family motto appears below the
shield in Latin...Concordia, Integritas, Industrias
 (Harmony, Integrity, Industry)



The main street in Zichron Yaacov (Memorial of Jacob..

named after Baron's father) is considered by many to be the quaintest in all of Israel...with its cafes, craft shops, restaurants and beautiful homes.  Zichron Yaacov was founded in 1882 and has the distinction as being one of the first agricultural towns to be developed in Israel in modern times.

Beniamins Pool was inaugurated in
1891 when new technology was used to bring
 water through pipes to drinking fountains and
 to this beautiful pool in the center of
 Zichron Yaacov.

"You scream, I Scream, We all scream!!!!"

Tel Aviv & Jaffa

                      Our day trip to Tel Aviv started out by

the beach and we walked our way to the

beautiful Old City of Jaffa (Yafo)

Jaffa has existed as a port city for more than

4,000 years and is the only one that can boast

 uninterrupted inhabitation throughout its entire

 existence. Old Jaffa has since become one of Israel's

 more popular tourist attractions with its quaint

 picturesque paths and gardens leading to artists'

quarters, studios and art galleries.  Its narow alleys

are named after the signs of the Zodiac and are set

 against a backdrop of modern Tel Aviv.

                  
                       Mr. Wollis hugging  the "Hovering
                    Orange Tree", which is a tree completely
                       suspended by ropes that is thought to
                             symbolize Israel's prosperity.





A little fun in the sun!!!

Last stop of the day is the Design Museum

in Holon to see some cool exhibits about

craftsmenship and building.

Robots made out of vacuum cleaner parts.

Shabbaton in Jerusalem

  Thursday began our Shabbaton to Jerusalem and our first stop was directly to Yad Vashem.  Yad Vashem, established in  1953, has become the world center for documentation, research,  education. and commemoration of the Holocaust.

T

Davening Mincha at Yad Vashem

The Valley of the Communities in Yad Vashem

is a massive 2.5 acre monument literally dug out of

 natural bedrock. Over 5000 names of communities

 are engraved on the stone walls in the Valley of the Communities. Each name recalls a Jewish community

 which existed for hundreds of years.  Today, in most cases, nothing remains but the name.

Mr. Wollis finding his
 Grandfather's birth city.

Yonaton meeting his uncle, aunt and
cousin by chance at Yad Vashem.

Later on, Max K. reuniting with his half-
brother Yehuda and family after 14 years.

A truley amazing dinner with Mark
and Marlene Kurman...We thank you!!



Especially Yonaton!!





Davening Friday morning at the hotel.



Off we go exploring Jerusalem on foot

Gilad Shalit is an Israeli soldier who was
captured on June 25, 2006 by Hammas.  A  tent
has been erected by his family to keep the hope
of his safe return alive.  We sign our names and
give our prayers.

A Jewish Art exhibit

Soon after we walked up to Mahane Yehuda,

 which is the largest shuk in Jerusalem.  Not only

can you buy the best and freshest of everything

edible....it is a great place to people watch.

Jake and Zeke Dwek meeting us at the shuk.

A beautiful stroll back to
get ready for Shabbos.

Bayla being picked up for Shabbos dinner
with her family by brother Yaakov.