Day Eight - Thursday, November 1, 2012

After an early breakfast, we attended a presentation from World ORT and learned more about the various education and training programs in over 100 countries, supported through the Annual Campaign and our overseas dollars.

Intel, Kyriat Gat

We then drove to Kyriat Gat to visit and tour Intel, the largest private employer in Israel today - with 6,600 employees in its development and production facilities in Haifa, Jerusalem, Kiryat Gat, Petach Tikva, Yakum and Yokneam. 

Upon returning to the hotel in Tel Aviv, we spent our final afternoon walking along Ben Yehuda Street purchasing gifts for our families and enjoying an Israeli meal at a cafe. We checked out of the hotel and headed to a festive farewell dinner at Liliyot for a delicious meal. Our group shared thoughts and observations and departed to the airport for our departure.

Our group of 27 representing several Federations left Israel with a sense of pride and satisfaction knowing that our dollars and our volunteerism is making positive change. The journey to our spiritual homeland provided a personal connection and lasting impression on us all.

We are already discussing plans for our next visit in November 2013 for the General Assembly in Jerusalem. Stay tuned...

Day Seven - Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Our group had the opportunity to utilize the morning hours visiting the Dead Sea where a number of attendees either bathed or lounged. We checked out of the hotel and stopped for lunch at Cafe Cafe at Almog junction for a delicious meal. We then traveled to Tel Aviv and walked through the new Rabin Center, dedicated to the history of society and democracy in Israel, with the life of Yitzhak Rabin serving as a connecting thread between the various sections of the exhibition - both chronologically and substantively.

After checking into the hotel we had a free evening to enjoy Tel Aviv - the "other" city that never sleeps. Our delegation was invited to a traditional Israeli dinner at the home of Idith and Hanan Schaham, friends of the Delaware Federation, who provided a delicious meal and warm hospitality. After dinner, Idith gave us a personal tour of the city.