Week 1
How do we Chavayah?
A poem by Jono Schach & Sarah Armstrong
Some of us are tourists; some of us are locals, but as we stand here together in Israel concluding shabbat and starting the new week there is something we all have in common. Whether we can see it or feel it, understand it or believe in it, we are entering a country that is undeniably a place for all of us. Over the next few weeks, this is the opportunity for you to see what type of connection you have to Israel and really open your mind to a perspective you've never encountered before.
Israel a country of war, strength and peace
A home of love and acceptance in which many seek
We've come afar with heaps to explore
Lets make this a trip about learning and building a rapport
The memories we make we will always treasure
So lets keep them alive so that they're with us forever
The holy land is a part of us all
So lets rise together and never fall
We sit here together united as one
So let's make Israel a lot of fun
Day 2- Friday 22 November- Tel Gezer & Jerusalem
Post by Jayda Abrahams & Tara Israel
Chavayah has just begun and already we have seen and done so many amazing things in Israel. We began our journey by exploring the biblical and archeological history of Israel and the Jews at Tel Gezer.
We then had our first LOTS (lunch on the streets), at the markets Mahane Yehuda. This was an incredible experience where many of us who have never been to Israel before, could immerse ourselves in the hectic, yet fun and exciting atmosphere of a traditional Israeli market.
To finish off an already amazing day we went to the Kotel for Shabbat. This was an emotional experience for many and a great way to see the Jewish community come together. Chavayah has only just commenced, yet we have all already done so many activities which have created truly special memories we will all share forever.
Day 3- Saturday 23 November- Shabbat in Jerusalem
Post by Ruby Hurwitz & Gidon Grunseit
Shul experiences:
IMG_0863.MOVReform
Interview with Romi Lapidge
IMG_0879.MOVConservative
Interview with Gidon Grunseit
IMG_0878.MOVOrthodox
Interview with Eitan Vaknin and Yoni Amsalem
The Park:
In the afternoon most of the group went to the park. We played on the playground equipment, ran around and tried not to frighten the small children. It was great to run around with our friends. Playing 'Cat and Mouse' with Mr Bell was definitely a highlight. Some of the group played football with some Israeli kids.
Dinner on the Streets- Ben Yehuda Street, Jerusalem:
We were given money to wonder Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem and find a place to eat. Many of us enjoyed shawarma and other iconic Israeli meals. It was strange to see all of the shops open at such a late time after shabbat as it never happens in Australia.
Day 4- Sunday 24 November- Mount Gilboa & Sachne
Post by Sarah Armstrong & Kai Biton
On the 24th of November, the year ten cohort took part in the first hike of Chavayah in Gilboa. The hike began with an educational experience, learning about Saul’s rise to kingship and his eventual downfall. We followed his journey through the mountain and experienced life through his footsteps some 3,000 years ago. The hike itself was a stunning representation of the serene Israeli landscape and was truly unforgettable. After the hike, we drove to the Sachne, a mountainous hot spring, in which we ate a wonderful lunch and swam in crystal clear water. The hot springs were also home to copious amounts of fish which nibbled at our feet. This was our first real experience together as a year group and it was undoubtably a highlight so far. While on the bus back to Hod Hasharon, we sang along to early 2000’s music and really bonded as a year group. Per Mr Bells request, we also sang along to party in the the USA. When we got back to Hod Hasharon, we got the option of having dinner on the streets or on campus and it was incredible. The food in Israel is simply delectable and is a treat to eat on a daily basis. The day was amazing as a whole and we wish the next year 10’s the same experience.
Day 5- Monday 25 November- Hike in Sataf & the City of David
Post by Idan Aruch & Liat Granot
Hello parents!
We write this blog on the bus back from Tel Aviv. Today was an exceptionally fun and educational day. We began the day’s adventures on a nature walk through an ancient Canaanite agricultural village on a picturesque mountain side.
Throughout the hike, we discussed what life would be like for those people and touching on the concept of Tzedaka and community within these villages. In those discussions we were taught that the Torah tells us that when harvesting one’s crops they must always leave the corners of their field to give to the poor, widowed and orphaned. A question was posed, ‘why should I put in all this work if I have to leave the corners of my field?’. Liat brought up an interesting point which was that perhaps the work the farmers did was not just for themselves but also for their community as a whole.
We feel that we can learn a valuable lesson from this. Namely, our next stop - the Jerusalem water tunnels. We spoke about how the people building the tunnels must have felt. Perhaps a little annoyed - to be putting in all this work for what seemed like a difficult to reach goal. However, even today, their work helped ensure the survival of the Jewish people and now, Idan and I can sit here, in Israel, the home of the Jewish people and write about it!
After a short (but no less meaningful) trip to the Kotel, in which we had a chance to place a prayer in the wall and spend some time praying and bonding with our year. We then finished the day with a dinner on the streets of Jerusalem.
Hope Sydney is well,
Liat and Idan
Day 6- Tuesday 26 November- Save A Child's Heart/ Dialogue in the Dark
Post by Joey Fonteyn & Yoni Amsalem
Today, we were woken up (too early), and attended a 3 hour lesson, taught by our class teachers. The lessons differed between classes, however each with the same goal- to learn about Jewish history and its conflict with Hellenism. Activities were held in the classes, and focussed on the journey of Jews, a detailed timeline of battles the Jews have fought in, modern Israeli politics, and students also dressed up in Toga's, to re-enact the first Olympic game. Students were provided a healthy variety of food, in the Alexander Muss cafeteria. After which, students were given 2 hours of free time, within the boundaries of the facility.
Students were then afforded the option of either visiting the Save a Child's Heart centre in Tel-Aviv (A rehabilitation centre for children with congenital or other heart defects) or Dialogue In the Dark (The Blind Museum). Note- detail on the Dialogue in the Dark experience will be shared in a later blog post.
Students who attended the Save A Child's Heart Centre, spent one-on-one time with the children and felt lucky to be given the opportunity. We were presented with an introductory video and speech from the founding director about the generous work, aims, achievements and missions set-out by the organisation. Students were introduced to a group of children with an amazing array of survival stories and heart warming experiences. These children have been brought to Israel to receive life saving treatment for their congenital heart conditions. Students helped the children with different puzzles, games, and different activities. We loved it! It was a day full of overwhelming joy, gratitude, and compassion.
After the experience, students were led to a nearby mall in Tel-Aviv, to have DOTS (Dinner On The Streets). The day concluded with a mind-full and reflective discussion among the student cohort, reflecting on our experiences and thoughts on the day.
20191127_115010.mp4During our lunch break in the Old City, Akiva's group was joined by a Jerusalemite guitarist.
Discussing the second temple outside the South-West corner of the Kotel.
20191127_161847.mp4The view from Havrei Metzada.
Day 7- Wednesday 27 November- Archeology in Jerusalem
Post by Eleanor Labi & Kyah Laishevsky
Today, we journeyed through time, to the period after the destruction of the first temple up until just after the destruction of the second. Wow, nobody likes our temples, do they?
At the Israel Museum, we discussed the different groups of Jews living in Jerusalem during the Roman rule while overlooking an amazing model of the Old City at the time. We then explored the Herodian House, which provided an interesting insight into the mixture of Jewish and Roman culture that was happening in some areas of the Old City. Our next stop of the day was the Southern Wall, where we took a stroll through the beautiful Jerusalem Archaeological Park and learned more about the destruction of the second temple.
What some would say was the highlight of the day was our meditation at sunset at the top of Havrei Metzada, a mountain in the Judaean desert. Being surrounded by the incredible view of the vast mountains on one side and the Dead Sea and Jordanian mountains on the other, as well as the almost complete silence, was a much needed break from the business chaos of Chavayah so far. Overall, it was a really special opportunity for reflection and thought.
