blogs/rabbi-joshua-hoffman

(You'll notice these reflections are not posted in sync with our trip. We're having such an amazing time, finding a moment to capture our experiences on paper is a challenge. Stay tuned! It's all coming soon!)

Our day began with a majestic view of the Sea of Galillee. Since we arrived to the kibbutz late at night, the first view of the sea was like discovering an oasis. Lush trees and rolling fields of grass are signature features of the kibbutz, and the idyllic calm of the Kinneret (sea of Galillee) inspired everyone to take on our first day of touring with energy!

First stop on our itinerary was a hike in the Golan heights in a place called Nahal Jilaboun. Our tour guide, Keren assured us that the 2 hour hike was not strenuous. A lesson learned in relative stress! The hike began with descent into the valley to approach a beautiful waterfall.   The hike crossed the stream at several points offering us challenge and an opportunity to see what our group is made of. If one of the goals of a trip like this is to bond families in our community together, this hike was a fantastic opportunity for us to bond! We helped each other hike up and down the valley, across streams and up a very steep hill to the end of the hike. And this was our first activity together for the day! We all exhaled a collective "Phew" when we finished the hike. In trying to contextualize the experience, it occurred to me that the reason we did such a hike, especially so soon in the trip, is so we could really come to know the Land.   There are layers upon layers of history that we will be unfolding in the days to come, but our experience today was to touch, smell, taste, and grasp hold of the Land of Israel, the land flowing with milk and honey, the land where God and the Jewish people dwell together.

We made our way to lunch and then on to Tsfat for a quick tour of the city. We had a scheduled opportunity to meet with Ethiopian children in a local absorption center. These children especially need structure and guidance as their parents spend time finding work to support the family while simultaneously learn Hebrew and basic skills of living in modernity. It is truly amazing how easily we take for granted the sophisticated way of life we maintain, and how steep the learning curve must be for anyone who is just being exposed to the culture. Our group's parents and children split up and while the children played soccer together, the adults were introduced to the incredibly important work the Jewish agency does for Jews all around the world and how they are working to integrate anyone and everyone into the State of Israel and the Jewish people.

We easily could have returned to the kibbutz at this point for a relaxing evening but our day was not complete without the sunset cruise on the Kinneret. This wasn't any ordinary cruise either, as we were greeted by a circle of drums and a drumming session! We banged and danced away as the brilliant glow of the sunset cast light all around us. The cruise literally brought us to the dock of our restaurant for dinner, Decks. We were treated to a fabulous feast.

At one point during the meal, someone pointed out a water show off in the distance, and while we were admiring the display, loud music came on over the speakers in the restaurant, we were asked to turn our attention to the water as small fireworks begin to light up a boat and the night sky. A woman's voice came on over the microphone to announce the restaurant was celebrating the B'not Mitzvah of two girl cousins!   Only in Israel can you find this! Nevertheless, the food was incredible, the friendship and conversation were lively, and the day was ending with complete exhaustion, but good feelings for a journey ahead