January 2

It is hard to know where to even begin to describe our incredibly action packed day!  It is also hard to believe the participants are packing for the final time—they will soon come to a 9:30 pm Talent Show, before getting a good night’s rest in preparation for our last full day in Israel.

On our bus ride to Renana this morning, we spoke about various groups of Jews who have immigrated to Israel from such places as Ethiopia, Morocco, Afghanistan, Tunisia and Yemen.  We pointed out that Renana has a large Anglo community, but also Jews from France and many other countries.  In Renana, we passed industrial parks and fields and orchards.  We spent two hours at Leket, a food rescue program.  This organization has 48,000 volunteers who pick surplus crops which are then packaged for Israel’s needy.  The name comes from the biblical law of leaving the corners of fields for poor people. 

Our group had an amazing time participating in this mitzvah.   We spent our time inspecting then packing THREE TONS of purple eggplants in to red containers which were then taken by forklift to another part of the warehouse where they will be packed for some of Israel’s needy citizens. Other Israel groups were in the same building with us, packing potatoes and oranges.  It was loud and very exciting!  We then spent some time processing the experience.  Some used words like “tikun olam” to describe what we did; others described the great feeling they had helping others. 

From Renana, we drove to Tel Aviv, the city we explored earlier in the week. We even drove by the restaurant we had lunch in in what seems like weeks ago!  This time, we ate lunch at the famous Shuk HaCarmel—some choose sandwiches at a dairy restaurant while others at falafel and shwarma around the corner.  The participants are really getting the Israel ordering and eating experience!

Everyone was quite brave to enter the bustling, loud, overstimulating outdoor market.  We walked only a short distance, but it was possible to buy everything from shirts and hats, to candy, pomegranates, and slippers!  We returned to our bus and drove along the Mediterranean Sea on this fairly sunny, warmish day—some were surfing with wet suits, while a few brave souls were swimming with bathing suits! 

Our next stop was really unique—a graffiti tour of the famous Florentine neighborhood of Tel Aviv.  An actress who works for Grafititiyul (graffiti trips) took us through the streets of this charming neighborhood and told us the story of various artists and their works.  The staff felt this was a true highlight for many, who took so many pictures to show family and friends!

Had we given the group the chance to end the packed day here, we suspect no one would have protested or felt they had missed out on something.  Yet, all were enthusiastic as we drove to Holon for Invitation to Silence at the Children’s Museum.  Our participants have demonstrated uncanny flexible and willingness to try new things, even ones which seemed out of their comfort zones.  We divided into three groups, locked up all jackets and phones, and put on big noise cancelling headphones.  Each group had staff and a deaf guide.  The entire hour and 20-minute tour/experience was conducted through hand signs, gestures and facial expressions.  We played a trivia game nonverbally, ordered drinks and snacks without words, and learned a number of signs.  We then had a chance to speak with our guides through an interpreter—we learned about deaf culture and life in Israel including some of the challenges.  One guide, Dorit, told her group that Israelis prefer not to spell their names letter by letter; rather, they like to choose a gesture or a story which characterizes them—in her case, it was tugging at her long curly hair!

While the group is tired, they continue to look forward to our talent show, which promises to show case some of the amazing talent we have on Bus 222!

We have a full day tomorrow, and we are not sure if we will manage to get a final blog off—if we get to the airport and have time to spare, we will do our best!

Thanks for entrusting us with you children.  Our staff has had a pleasure getting to know them and experience Israel together. 

Shabbat Shalom in advance.  Hope you get to hear a lot of amazing stories!