CAJE - Israel Study Tour 2015

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Shabbat in Kibbutz Ketura

Friday night we had the chance to celebrate Shabbat with the Ketura community. We joined them for a Shabbat service and many students recognized the same melodies as they sing back home and I'm sure the community appreciate an additional 80 voices singing together as one community.

Today was a wonderfully relaxing day in the southern Negev! Most of us took advantage of the late wakeup to catch up on some much needed rest & relaxation. Many of us spent time at the pool, played ultimate frisbee or simply took a Shabbat nap.

We had a tour of the kibbutz learning all about what they have to offer with their red algae (Algatechologies is a rapidly growing biotechnology company, specializing in the commercial cultivation of microalgae) as well as the Arava Institute - http://arava.org/. There we also learned about Methuselah which is a tree grown on the kibbutz from the seed of a date palm tree from 2,000 years ago that was found on the top of Massada - http://arava.org/arava-research-centers/arava-center-for-sustainable-agriculture/methuselah/

We spent the night walking around Eilat and doing a little shopping and such since tomorrow is another busy day with an ecological tour of the area, a nature reserve and then up to the bedouin tent to ride camels & donkeys and have a hafla feast since we will be waking up early Monday morning to climb Massada.

Kabbalat Shabbat at Kibbutz Ketura

IST 2015 American Staff

Friday, June 26, 2015

Shabbat Shalom from Kibbutz Ketura

Well, we have officially been in Israel for a week now!! It's been an exhausting and exciting time and we are looking forward to a very restful & relaxing Shabbat at Kibbutz Ketura. Today we spent the day in Eilat doing water sports such as a type of banana boating, kayaking, paddling and then snorkeling. It was much needed after the couple days in the Negev desert!

This year we also have a number of students who are going to try their best to observe Shabbat without using electronics, phones, turning on/off lights, etc. They wanted to challenge themselves for the 25 hours and experience what it entails to try and keep Shabbat. Tonight we are joining the Ketura community for services & dinner and I know that it'll be another special one.

Below are some random pictures throughout the week so enjoy and Shabbat Shalom!!

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Cave exploring, archaeological dig & desert experience in the Negev

Shalom from Israel! We have finished our amazing desert experience in Ramat HaNegev and now resting comfortably at Kibbutz Ketura in the Arava Valley. We hiked in the Negev Desert and to Ein HaKev. Click here to check out our hike

On Tuesday morning we had the chance to explore some caves in Hirbet Midras and then onto an archaeological dig where many students found bits of pots, plate and even teeth from over 2,200 years ago.

We then headed down to S'de Boker to visit Paula & David Ben-Gurion's grave and learn all about the vision that he had many years ago in the Negev. We then spent the next few days hiking and camping in the Negev desert by climbing up steep hills, cliffs, relaxing at an oasis, bedouin tent and finally at our last camp site. We all enjoyed the morning at the Neve Midbar spa showering, enjoying the jacuzzi & mineral pool and then had the chance to tour the Ramat HaNegev Regional Council building and see their new emergency room.

Tomorrow we are heading down to Eilat for some Banana Boating, snorkeling and returning to Kibbutz Ketura to join the community for a Shabbat service & dinner.

Blog Entry from Josh Goldin:

I would just like to start off by thanking Josh Samet and the entire staff for organizing this amazing trip. My personal first week in Poland was a little rough with somber days full of tours followed by mediocre meals at kosher delight; however, I could feel a sense of family starting to materialize. Everyone came together during our first week in Poland and helped each other through the tough times. During this time, I couldn't help but feel it building to Israel. The transition from Poland to Israel was especially meaningful for me. Our first day in the homeland was marked by a sunrise at the sea and a visit to the Kotel. For me personally that was an experience that is hard to put into words. I guess I have to try, it was overwhelming knowing the amount of Jewish history I was standing before, emotionally it was the first time I cried on our trip which surprised me due to our time in Poland. I cried because I felt free, for the first time in a week I felt like I was supposed to be there. Poland was uncomfortable, overbearing. Israel was (still is) liberating, as well as exciting. I couldn't be happier to be in my home and I am excited for new memories to come.