Day 14 - Netzach - Jonah
Today we had another early wake up, everyone being very well rested after a beautiful Shabbat in the north.
Breakfast included a lovely range of Israeli salads and cheeses, as well as the classic chocolate and cheese pastries which everybody seems to go straight for, first thing in the morning. The group was split up as usual into two separate prayer groups, both in rooms overlooking the stunning Kinneret once again, which made us all really appreciate the significance of where we were whilst trying to connect with Hashem through prayer.
Then we hit the busses again, ready and excited for a long day ahead filled with a great balance of touring, hiking and most importantly eating.
For our first stop of the day the bus drove us up to the top of Har Bental where we had a short walk up to look out over the Israeli-Syria border. This put things into perspective as we were learning about the Syrian conflict and Israel’s position and influence on the matter over Shabbas in our family groups. It was a beautiful view and many enjoyed walking through the not long ago active Israeli bunkers and trenches which the IDF used in 1967 during the Six-Day War in order to take back the strategic land of the Golan Heights and to ensure the safety of the Jewish nation and its people. It was a very cool experience and we all learnt a lot of relevant interesting material that helped us get a better understanding of Israel’s current situation with its neighbouring countries.
Next on the bucket list was the famous chocolatier De Karina. We were split into our two bus groups and went through 3 activities in the chocolate factory. First was a chocolate workshop where we were given a few moulds and a variety of white, milk and dark chocolate as well as caramel sauce and a few delicious toppings to create our very own chocolate filled moulds and choc slabs. Next was an educational movie diving into the history of chocolate, followed by the story of Karina and her family legacy that she has been so determined to continue after making Aliyah. Lastly we were given a special private tour through the actual chocolate factory “where the magic happens”, and were privileged to a taste testing of some of the delicacies made in front of our eyes. It was an experience rated very highly by all and is recommended to any chocolate lovers!
A change of cuisine for lunch included tasty Italian pizza, pasta and salads, after which Netzach took on the Jilabun hike which consisted of beautiful views and great memories of some falling and slipping on rocks and into the water. Ethan Agosin was awarded mensch of the day for helping those cross the water streams although he did fail to ensure Petukh’s safety which turned out to be everyone’s entertainment for the day (besides Claudia). The end of the hike was a large steep climb where many had flashbacks to little brother, big brother and heartbreak hill from Duke of Ed bronze. All in all, it was an enjoyable short hike with laughter, extravagant scenery and a rewarding physical journey for some. After completing the hike at the end of the day, I realised the significance of where we were, walking through the land where Israeli spy Eli Cohen (known as Kamal Amin Thaabet in Syria) planted the strategic trees in locations of Syrian bunkers for the Israelis to be able to spot their targets easily. He is remembered for his heroic acts and his success in ascending high through the ranks of the Syrian authorities. His intelligence was extremely beneficial to the IDF and we are so grateful for his efforts, dying as a martyr for the Jewish people and for the State of Israel.
Last stop was the Katzrin Talmudic Park where we needed to put more appropriate clothes on in order to go over 1800 years back in time to experience the times of the Talmud. We dressed in special garments which covered the head and the body down below the knee and we explored some of the ancient ruins including an oil press, a synagogue and a house, learning about some of the unique ways of life in that specific era. Towards the end of our tour was a music lesson with a pro in which everybody was given the pleasure of playing the middle eastern drums and tambourines, bringing a vibrant atmosphere to the room.
In summary, it was one of the best days so far with a great combination of interesting learning, amazing food, an abundance of fun, enjoyable exercise and enriching experiences.
Jonah Lowy - 1.12.2019
