This seminar was all about ecology. Since it was the holiday of Tu B'Shevat, we learned what it means to be one with nature and how important trees are to life and to the state of Israel.
Tu B'Shevat literally translates to "15th of Shevat;" this is the birthday of the trees. Although it's not the most ideal time to plant most trees, Israel has a tradition that for every person who makes their way to Israel and stays for however long, they should plant a tree for the next generations. It is also a tradition at weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, or any other important Jewish celebration, a gift of a tree planted in Israel in the honoree's name. My brother and I already have a forest of trees here, but this time I was able to plant my very own tree! It was actually a jacaranda tree (for those that live in OC, you know them as the purple trees that bloom in the spring and create purple messes in the streets!). I felt honored to put a piece of my work into the land of Israel.
Here is a look at my weekend activities:
On Friday, we left for a 3 hour bus ride up north to a permaculture orchard in Moshav Ramot. There we met a family who originally lived in Jerusalem, but decided a few years ago to live a more sustainable lifestyle, and now run this permaculture farm. We ate an organic lunch filled with the farm's veggies, homemade organic bread, and lots and lots of hummus!
Then we took a hike down the side of the mountain where the orchard spreads out and got into groups to plant various trees. Although it was a bit chaotic, we got the job done and now I can say I have planted a tree in Israel!
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| The view from the orchard |
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| Listening to instructions on how to plant |
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| Doing my part |
We then departed for Kibbutz Afik, which is right above the beautiful Kinnert Lake. We had time to relax and get ready for Shabbat. After sundown, the Netanya group led us in Kabbalat Shabbat songs (Kabbalat Shabbat means the Shabbath Bride, and it's how we welcome the Sabbath) and a fellow from Beit She'an gave a D'var Torah (a talk on that week's Torah portion). There was an optional prayer service, and I decided to stay since it was led by other fellows. Then we had a huge, delicious Shabbat dinner, followed by free time. I chose that time to go to bed since I had to wake up early the next morning!
At 5:30am on Saturday I woke up for a sunrise hike. We walked through ancient Syrian ruins, scaled down the side of a mountain, and back up, and had fantastic views of the Kinnert as the sun was rising. It was cold beyond measure, but it was well worth getting up for! We then had 4 hours to rest and shower before lunch time. We then had a Beit-Midrash session where we continued our discussion of that month's theme, Jewish Peoplehood. We read a passage from the Talmud that had to do with Jewish values. Afterward we had time to rest before Havdalah services (breaking of Shabbat). We had another big dinner and then had the option to go to another Kibbutz's bar or stay on our Kitbbutz. Many of my girl friends from Be'er Sheva, and a couple from Netanya and Beit She'an decided to hang back and have a girls' night in one of my friend's room. We chatted, had some wine, and watched MTV videos.
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| Suuuuper early. And freezing. |
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| Syrian fort ruins |
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| Becca, me, and Anna |
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| Early morning smiles! |
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| Becca being goofy |
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| Even the cactus is smiling! |
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| "Here comes the sun..." |
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| Some of Be'er Sheva taking in the beauty together! |
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| Part of our Kibbutz |
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| A peacock on the roof of the entrance to the Hot Springs! |
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| There it goes! I'd never seen a peacock fly before! |
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| The Hot Springs! |
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| The sunset on the ride home to Be'er Sheva |
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