With our fall holidays now over, we turn to one that all Americans celebrate regardless of religion or ethnicity - Thanksgiving.
There will be many of us travelling to be with family and friends. With families spread all over the country it is nice when everyone has the time off to come together and celebrate as one.
Airports will be busy, the roads will be packed and we will wonder why are we enduring this ordeal, only to be reminded what is on the other side. There have been many movies made about the trials and tribulations of family reunions at Thanksgiving. In spite of the angst, hurt feelings, unsaid sentiments, hidden emotions and family tensions, most of those movies end happily with an understanding that we all do the best that we can and that we need to do our best to tolerate one another and work out unresolved issues.
Even if we have to wait until next Thanksgiving.
Safe travels, feast on that big juicy turkey (or facsimile), and enjoy your friends and family...
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Visiting Israel
What a trip!
I have just recently returned from a Federation trip to Israel. What a joy to spend a week with fellow community members exploring and rediscovering the new and modern Israel while visiting newly uncovered archaelogical sites throughout the country.
With all of Israel's many security and social challenges, it is still remarkable to learn about the tremendous strides being made by this small country in the arts, culture, technology, and medicine.
We ate at amazing restaurants where the food was plentiful and delicious. Breakfasts are always a treat. Fresh fruit, vegetables served with a variety of breads and cheeses.
One of the most important elements of a successful mission is the guide.And we had an outstanding guide. Yona Lefetsh moved from the world of High Tech to the world of showing visitors all that Israel has to offer.
We were briefed on security issues, the social challenges that Israel faces and had a very enlightening explanation of the differences between our political system and Israel's. Prior to our visit to Israel's Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem, we were priveleged to hear some personal recollections of a child of survivors who now works at Yad Vashem.
We spent the better part of a day in our sister communities of Afula/Gilboa and visited several programs that our Federation funds, and were hosted for dinner by friends from Afula/Gilboa.
We returned home excited and inspired with a much better understanding of Israel and the important role it plays in our Jewish identity and well being.
Join us in 2 years when we will going once again as a community to Israel...and ask our mission returnees to better understand how meaningful and important this trip was.
I have just recently returned from a Federation trip to Israel. What a joy to spend a week with fellow community members exploring and rediscovering the new and modern Israel while visiting newly uncovered archaelogical sites throughout the country.
With all of Israel's many security and social challenges, it is still remarkable to learn about the tremendous strides being made by this small country in the arts, culture, technology, and medicine.
We ate at amazing restaurants where the food was plentiful and delicious. Breakfasts are always a treat. Fresh fruit, vegetables served with a variety of breads and cheeses.
One of the most important elements of a successful mission is the guide.And we had an outstanding guide. Yona Lefetsh moved from the world of High Tech to the world of showing visitors all that Israel has to offer.
We were briefed on security issues, the social challenges that Israel faces and had a very enlightening explanation of the differences between our political system and Israel's. Prior to our visit to Israel's Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem, we were priveleged to hear some personal recollections of a child of survivors who now works at Yad Vashem.
We spent the better part of a day in our sister communities of Afula/Gilboa and visited several programs that our Federation funds, and were hosted for dinner by friends from Afula/Gilboa.
We returned home excited and inspired with a much better understanding of Israel and the important role it plays in our Jewish identity and well being.
Join us in 2 years when we will going once again as a community to Israel...and ask our mission returnees to better understand how meaningful and important this trip was.
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