Jerusalem

The group is doing well. On Wednesday we stayed at the Ein Gedi kibbutz and toured their incredible gardens, creating a beautiful oasis in the desert.  We cooled off with a float in the Dead Sea.  Then, we made our way to Jerusalem.  Our visit to Jerusalem began in the city of David with a tour through the Hezekiah tunnel and a tour of the old city with sites that most of us have never seen including a visit to the church of the holy sepulcher.  Then, we closed our afternoon with a visit to the Jerusalem campus of HUC and met two students who will be coming to Cincinnati next year to complete their rabbinic studies.  Our day closed with the phenomenal Tower of David laser light show, which presents the history of Jerusalem.   This morning we began the day with a "seamline" tour of Jerusalem with Prof. Elliot Chodof of Haifa University.  While looking out at some of the most complicated locations in Israel, he went in depth about the many challenging issues that Israel faces.  After our three hour tour we experienced the busy Machne Yehuda market.  Then we prepared for shabbat and had a wonderful Kabbalat shabbat at the very crowded wall.  We shared a delicious shabbat dinner with seven families who are very active in the cincinnati Jewish community. Tomorrow, we will be visiting one of Israel's primary wine making regions before digging our way through the underground caves in Emek Haela. Please look at Yair Cohen's Facebook page for photos. More reflections from participants soon!