Our day started off with a long drive from Alon Tavor all the way up to Rosh Hanikra which is on the northwest coast of Israel with beautiful views and amazing grottoes created by the water by the Mediterranean Sea.
We then went down to Akko where we walked around the Old City and spend time in the Shuk (market) where some of us tried some of the best hummus in all of Israel, if not the world.
We concluded our week going to services at the Tunisian Synagogue in Akko. We were unable to take pictures on Shabbat, but you can check out the link with the incredible mosaics in the building (http://www.akko.org.il/en/Old-Acree-Or-Torah-Synagogue) It was an incredible experience and many of the participants were experiencing the first time being in a synagogue where the men & women were separated. It brought up some amazing dialogue about what they do back home, their comfort levels, thoughts on equality with men/women, etc. We spent Shabbat dinner all together and had an oneg Shabbat with singing and enjoying each other's company. Our Shabbat was very relaxing and some people went to the local beach and some took advantage of the free time for a rejuvenating nap. We spent the evening in Haifa walking around the German Colony.
On Sunday, we will be separating into 3 groups (Community Service, Gadna (Israeli military) and the Sea-to-Sea hike. We will be away from one another for 3 days before getting back together on Wednesday afternoon. Will try and post from Community Service as will be a few days before we get pics from Gadna & Sea-to-Sea!
Rosh Hanikra
Some students had the honor of randomly being a part of someone's marriage proposal in the grottoes in Rosh Hanikra!! She said YES!
A Series of Haikus by Caroline Reisch & Isabel Morris
This trip is the best
We floated in the Dead Sea
Stings more than you think.
There is no ice here
No more chicken, rice and peas
More falafel please.
Rode on a camel
Great experience it was
The donkeys were cute.
Shabbat in Akko
Lots of us are feeling a bit homesick, however, the only things I'm missing from Colorado are my bed and Chipotle. The reason I am not missing Colorado is because I am home. This quote is from one of my favorite quotes called "12 steps to life": Leaving home will hurt, but soon you will learn that home isn't a place but a feeling, and that there is a compass on your heart that points directly to that feeling. Follow that compass. Don’t get sidetracked by people who don’t care or alcohol that doesn’t forgive. If you follow that compass, no matter how lost you get, you will always have a home. Live for the fire that burns in your soul, that tells you: keep going, you’re almost there, just a little farther. Because when Rome burned down the emperor didn't run away, he stayed and he sang for his people. Stay. Sing for your people. Sing for us. Are you listening? Because this is your life, singing a siren song to capture your attention and steer away from the rocks, to guide you back home.”And with the 75 other faces sitting around me, I know that no matter how near or far we may be from one another, I will have always have a home.
-Olivia Bohrer
