Word of the day: Kinneret coming from the word kinor meaning violin which is the shape of the Kinmeret lake.
Israel is number one: 1. How to save water
2. Israel recycles 78 % of sewage water to make dessert bloom
Prayer of the day: Tfillat HaDerech - We ask Gid to guide us toward peace.
We head further north to Kibbutz Mizgavah on the border with Lebanon - the only place where Israel has the advantage of height over Lebanon. The kids are in disbelief at the proximity of Lebanon. Ronen takes the kids through a chronological account of Israel's wars beginning with the War of Independence. The power of his account sitting with Lebanon in front of us does not go unnoticed. I have never heard such a simple yet comprehensive Israel history lesson. The kids are smitten with his story as he peppers the history with personal stories -where he served and when, what his mission was, stories of other soldiers who he introduces. Ronen explains that Israel cannot survive without water and oil and that many of Israel's conflicts are connected to this. This kids ask intelligent questions about Russia and the United states, about the Israeli army service, about prospects for peace, about the Golam Heights. I am impressed with their knowledge and even more impressed with the open, honest dialogue. I think that the conversation was made possible in part because of the reality of where we are sitting...physically steps away from one of our surrounding enemies. Ronen spends time talking about Israeli military service but frames his talk by saying that in his view Israeli soldiers are not heroes - families, parents, wives, and kids are the heroes.
Before boarding to bus, Ronen teaches a powerful lesson relating our visit to Poland and our present week in Montreal - If you know your history you will know who you are.
Next we drive to the mystical city of Tzfat. The city reminds we of the Old City of Jerusalem - the golden stones, the numerous synagogues, the orthodox inhabitants, the narrow alleys, the stairs... We sit on the stairs and Ronen talks about the origins of Kabbalah tracing the Hassidic movement back to Poland. We remember Rav Elimelech and all the other famous rabbis of Poland who revolutionized Judaism. An orthodox man walks by and we wish him Shabbat Shalom. Ronen asks him what kind of Hassid he is. The kids are confused by the question. The man answers that he is a Breslov Hassid. Ronen explains that there are many types of Hassids - each group originates from a different rabbi and city in Poland, Ukraine... In addition each group is known for a specific quality or value. Breslov Hassids are known for their emphasis on 'happiness' We thank him for his time and sing him off with the nigun we learned in Legansk.
We head into the city winding through the alleys until we reach a beautiful courtyard. A Falafel lunch is waiting for us. Musicians are playing music and the kids are delighted. Absolutely beautiful! After lunch we tour the city and the numerous synagogues many connected to Poland. We sing and dance with pride and true joy in our hearts. We feel so much lighter than last week - physically, emotionally and spiritually.
We head back to the kibbutz after some free shopping time. Waiting for us at the kibbutz are 10 Israelis about the same age as the kids. Many are in their gap year preparing to enter elite units in the army.
The Mifgash between the kids is fabulous! We run icebreakers so that all the kids get to know each other. There are differences but so many similarities between them. They will be spending Shabbat with us. We shower and change in preparation for Shabbat. Together we all have a beautiful and meaningful
Kabbalah Shabbat service outside on the grass. Last week Shabbat was in Warsaw, this week in Israel. The significance of the moment is marked and appreciated. Last week was grey. This week is full of colour.
Monica Mendel Bensoussan
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