Monthly Archives: May 2012

Mayanot 280′s Last Day in Israel

admin May 30, 2012
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After saying good bye to the camels at the Bedouin tents, we traveled to southern Israel to visit Masada.

At first glance this mountain looked as if we were going to be hiking for an hour or two, but after 10 mins we made it to the top and explored the old Roman fortress. 

The view was breathtaking. After about 2 hours of exploring we took a cable car down the mountain to eat lunch and souvenir shop.

We then drove to the dead sea. In my opinion,  I would say that it was one of the most unique places on earth. We floated around until our skin couldn’t take the burning of the salty water.

Afterwards we went to our final activity, a religious settlement in the West Bank.

As we make it back to the hotel, we can’t help but to be sad because we know our final day in Israel is coming to a close. 

We hung out in the hotel for the last time as Mayanot 280.  

-Morgan Markman

 

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Mayanot 591 in pictures

admin May 30, 2012
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Around Israel

admin May 28, 2012
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Masadah – Using the Roman ramp, we climbed up to masadah, a fortress built by king herod, that became the showplace of a tragedy where a small number of Jews faced off against a large Roman army. After learning all about the history of the place, we finished off by connecting with the ancient fighters using the mitzvah of tefillin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ein Gedi - Ein Gedi is a beatiful nature reserve in the middle of the desert. After all the heat of the desert, the pool of water in the midst of the oasis, was a true lifesaver and much appreciated. We also learned about the historical confrontation between King David and Shaul that took place here.

 

Yam hamelach - Many participants purchased mud packs which they applied liberally to their faces, bodies and each other before entering the salty waters of the dead sea. Overall a real blast.

Ana Beit  Shean - The night was spent in Beit Shean up in the north, a solid 2 hour drive from the dead sea. We love our bus driver, david and our security guard tehilla!

Mifgashim - We are joined by 6 soldiers: Nir, Dekel, Guy (1), Guy (2), Jisrael and Karmit. They look cute and we look forward to getting to know them.

 

Outlook - We visit a place from which we can see the Chulda valley and understand the need for capturing the Golan heights from the Syrian after non stop bombardment.

 

River Rafting on the River Dan - The River Dan is one of three rivers that feeds the land of Israel. Rafting on this river may not be the most dangerous activity ever, but it certainly is a lot of fun, especially if you get to push each other into the water! We also met a number of Israeli Arabs and they seemed to have even more fun than we did!

Misgav Am - After a hurried lunch in kiryat shemonah, we visit the beautfiul kibbutz Misgav Am which borders Lebanon and provides views intoSyria. A funny and extremely provocative lecture awaits us.

Dinner at cherry –  After rushing everyone back home, just so we can get ready for our night out, we find out that the night out is cancelled due to logistical problems. We still have a fun dinner in Tiberias and instead receive two nights out next week. Not too bad a deal..

Arbel - The Arbel hike definitely should count as one of the highlights of the trip. The views are stunning and the climb down using stepladders and rocks is an adrenaline spiked adventure. Happy birthday Taryn!

Zefat arizal - We visit the holy city of tzefat and after lunch hear about the history of the city including the story of the great mystic known as the arizal, Rabbi Yitzchak Lurya.

Avraham leventahl - We then visit an amazing kabbalistic artist, avraham leventhal, born and bred in Michigan and get to hear the most awwwweeesssoommmee lesson ever!

The lesson is less than half an hour, but the impression is lasting.

 

Mikveh arizal /shopping - Some of the boys join Charlie and the Rabbi in a visit to the mikveh of the arizal, an ice cold spring water fed pool, that has mystical powers attributed to it. One time is fine, Adam! – David Rappoport

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Yad VaShem and Mount Herzl

admin May 28, 2012
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Today we went to Yad Vashem.

After the tour of the museum we heard a Holocaust survivor. She was a friend of Anne Frank and was in the Bergen Belsen camp. She and her sister survived but her mother and father died.

Then we went to Mount Herzl. We walked up the path from Yad Vashem to the cemetery which was really meaningful and symbolic.

At Mount Herzl we saw the grave of Michael Levin and friends of Nadav and Moki. Mor also told us a personal story.

Now we are heading to Tel Aviv, the city that never stops!  - Isabel

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Yom Yerushalayim in Yerushalayim!

admin May 28, 2012
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On Sunday we walked through the Old City to the Kotel.

It was crowded and happy because the streets were filled with people singing and dancing for yom yerushalaym.

Mor and Blake joined a drum circle!

Then we went to  the City of David and walked through a water cave which had the purpose of supplying water to the city back then.

Then Eden splashed everyone and we learned the “shavten maim besaaon” song and dance. We ended the day with an inspiring talk with Zohar.  - Mor

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Shabbat in Jerusalem

admin May 28, 2012
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Today we arrived in Jerusalem.

 Tonight we took the bus to the Kotel and participated in the Shabbat observance along with hundreds of passionate Jews from all over the world.

 We walked through the streets of Jerusalem while discussing our Western Wall experiences with each other, and learning how to say, “I’m starving,” in Hebrew from our new Israeli friends.  Rabbi Eli led the group in Shabbat blessings before we ate dinner.  

The next morning we all ventured off to our respective homes for an intimate view of Israeli family life through Shabbat lunch.  After some time resting and spending time together at the hotel, we regrouped for Havdallah with other Taglit groups staying at the Jerusalem Ramada.  

Saturday night we hit the streets of Jerusalem to experience its unique melting pot of cultures at a first-hand level.  - Brian



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Mayanot 72 in Israel video

admin May 23, 2012
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Check out this video of Mayanot 72′s awesome time in Israel. All set to the sweet sounds of ‘Balkan Beat Box’.  Enjoy!

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Mayanot Journey with Elli Rosenthal – Last Few Days With Mayanot 69

admin May 21, 2012
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Monday began with going to a yeshiva in Jerusalem where we dissected the shema and talked about the commandments in it. Following the lesson at the yeshiva we hopped back on to the bus and went to the old city and explored it. We learned about the history of the land and significance of different parts. We then went to the Kotel where we put notes into the cracks of the wall and three girls from our group had their Bat Mitzvahs at the wall.
That night we went to Chan HaShayarot where we stayed in Bedouin tents. For dinner we sat in groups of 5 or so and ate on the ground, which was a cool experience. Sleeping in the tents was an experience. I am happy to say I have done it, but I do not plan on repeating. That night was cold and quite loud so the hour and a half sleep was not pleasant the next day.
On Tuesday we got up in the early morning to go riding on camels. One thing that is cool about camels is when weight is put on to them they will stand up. They stand up in an interesting way first get up in front, getting up from laying down and then push up on their hind legs. While raising themselves on their rear legs they balance themselves in the front on what I think is their elbows. Once on their elbows they raise themselves fully by standing on each front leg at a time.
We then hopped on the bus where it sounds like everyone slept on our way to Mesada, according to our tour guide there was one or two people not sleeping. To get to the top of Mesada you walk up a series of stairs. Mesada is tall but doesn’t take to long to get to the top of. When we were on the top of Mesada we learned about the history of the archeological site and the different ways the land was used. When it came to going down there was a heat wave and so instead of walking down we used the ski lift car or what ever it is called.
We went on an Ein Gedi “hike” where we walked up a hill for a little bit and saw some interesting animals one was a type of mountain goat and another I do not know how to describe. At the end of the hike was a waterfall, which felt especially nice on this hot day.
We then went to the Dead Sea where we floated along enjoying the wonderful weather. A normal ocean has about 3% salt where the Dead Sea has about 33% salt, which is quite a significant difference. When you enter the Dead Sea you instantly float, if swallowed it tastes like acid, and if it enters your eyes it burns a lot and for a long time. Lining the edge of the water is sharp salt crystals that from far away looks like snow or ice.
Quite a few of us walked down the beach and found some mud which we covered our body with as it is supposed to make your skin smoother, I found it did.
We then ended our day with hearing Neil Lazarus speak as he talked about the political side of what is going on in Israel and its neighboring countries. 
Courtesy of Elli Rosenthal, http://www.israeladventure2012.blogspot.com/2012/05/last-few-days-with-mayanot-69.html
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Mayanot Journey with Elli Rosenthal – Roller coaster of Emotion

admin May 21, 2012
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Today we went to Yad Vashem which is a museum commemorating the Holocaust. It was a large museum; which was very detailed and personal, especially because the Holocaust impacted my family and life.
Going to Yad Vashem with birthright had a different feeling then going with my school in eighth grade where no one was Jewish. This time the people I went with were also impacted by the Holocaust and so they could relate a little bit more to the museum.
Following the museum we grabbed lunch and then watched a movie on Michael Levin. Michael Levin made aliya to Israel and joined the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). The movie was very moving to a lot of the people in the room not only did he have a similar background to us but also it was a very well done documentary.
We then walked to Mt. Herzl and saw Levin’s grave and a few killed soldiers who were close to our tour guide. When we were at their grave she would tell us their moving story. After the cemetery our eight amazing Israeli soldiers left us to go back to the army. In a sad and emotional goodbye they all left us at once.
Tonight was Rabbi’s birthday and so we had celebrated it in talking, singing and dancing. 
Courtesy of Elli Rosenthal  http://www.israeladventure2012.blogspot.com/2012/05/roller-coaster-of-emotion-title-created.html
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Mayanot Journey with Elli Rosenthal – Shabbat in Jerusalem

admin May 21, 2012
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Saturday was Shabbat and so it was a relaxed day.
On Friday morning I decided I would keep Shabbat, which meant I did not use electricity (turning on lights, cellphone, camera, etc), did not use money and I relaxed.
We were able to sleep in till noon, which was quite needed for a lot of people seeing as how people are getting sick and we run around all day with little sleep.
In the morning we exchanged gifts with a buddy that we bought at the market the day before. We then discussed our trip so far and how it has impacted us and what has been meaningful to us.
For rest time I caught some rays and read outside attempting to work on my tan. Our Israeli soldiers also planned an activity where they created situations that they may be faced with and we discussed what we thought should be done. This activity gave each of us a little more insight to their daily lives and how theirs can be very different in some ways but also the same.
For a Jewish identity program in groups we were given a list of different things that has to do with Judaism. We had to narrow down what we thought was the top ten, then seven, then five. It made us think about what in our lives, religion, and culture is important to us and why.
Following dinner we did Havdala where we end Shabbat and then went shopping on Ben Yehuda. 
Courtesy of Elli Rosenthal  http://www.israeladventure2012.blogspot.com/2012/05/shabbat.html
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