Day Two - Friday, October 26, 2012

Our driver, Yakov, pointing to our Arad@50 display

After collecting our luggage and going through customs, we met our tour guide, Korin, and our bus driver Yakov, who drove us to Neot Kedumin, a large interactive nature reserve dedicated to the flora and fauna of the Bible. We were joined by additional mission attendees including Mission Chair, Connie Sugarman (who arrived the day before) and treated to a delicious breakfast. After our meal we had an opportunity to plant a tree, reminding us that when we plant a tree we are not subjects in this world, but partners in it.

Federation President, Robin Kauffman Saran, and Mission Chair, Connie Sugarman

"Just as I found the world full of trees that my grandparents planted for me, I am planting for future generations." (Babylonian Talmud, Ta'anit 23a)

We boarded the bus and headed into Jerusalem, walking through the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. We saw King David's Tomb and then then walked to the Hurva Synagogue, newly renovated at the central square of the Jewish Quarter. It was truly magnificent and beautiful. We walked up 4 flights of stairs to get a panoramic view of the Old City where the group recited the traditional "shehechiyanu" blessing. We traveled to our hotel where we checked in and had some time to freshen up before dinner.

Our festive Shabbat dinner featured several "Lone Soldiers" who were invited as our guests. Our table guest was Noam who had made aliyah more than two years ago via Boca Raton, Florida. Some of the other soldiers came from Denver and even Dublin, Ireland. It was a meaningful way to end our first full day in Israel.