July 21, 2013
Blog Author: Ilana Golzman
After an extremely interesting Shabbat in Safed and an outstanding Havdalla, our group woke up the next day, enjoyed our last breakfast in the beautiful city of Safed, and continued on our bus through the streets filled with the rich history of our people. We headed towards Tel-Aviv and the few hours spent on the bus was more than worth it. As soon as we arrived, we participated in an activity called "In Our Streets" (be'rehovot shelanu) that began on the ground where Itzhak Rabin was assassinated and learning about the symbolism of his memorial figure, the history of his political positions, the peace agreements he helped Israel create, and the controversy created by his work. Following this, we learned about key places in Tel-Aviv (like Rabin square) and the history of our nation through this exciting scavenger hunt through the city. Our group was divided into two teams, and by solving hints, interacting with the people of Tel-Aviv, and learning about each unique location, we made our way to our next destination. Not only did the scavenger hunt fill us with knowledge and understanding, but it created circumstances that required us to work together as a team, organize our time, and take on different roles of leadership in order to work efficiently, solve hints, and maximize our points by multitasking additional challenges! Once we completed our abridged version of The Amazing Race, we had time to go through some of the bazaar in Tel-Aviv and experience a completely different side of the city.
Before we made our way to the desert, we walked through Neve Tzedek and learned that this "Oasis of Justice" - the first area in which infrastructure outside of Jaffa began. This act initiated by three Jewish families started the expansion and great infrastructure of what we know today as Tel-Aviv.
Afterward another couple of hours on the bus, we arrived in Kfar Hanokdim. There we got to experience an exciting camel ride and overlook the beautiful hills of the desert illuminated by the warm Israeli sunset. Before our group bonfire beside our accommodating Bedouin tent, we visited with a real Bedouin and learned about this unique culture which so greatly differs from ours. After arriving in the desert of Kvar Hanokdim, I understood that whoever said the desert is vacant and empty was completely wrong; the desert is full in an abundance of opportunity to reflect and create new thoughts while being outside of the busy fast-paced city. After a heart-felt evening program (ma'agal lailah) we drifted off to sleep in our Bedouin tents for a short few hours before embarking on the hike up Massada...
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