OHDS Israel Trip 2010

Day 11 (May 12) - Yom Yerushalayim

2010-05-12T12:14:00.000-07:00

The Dig

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The Old City

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The City of David

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Post for Day 10 (May 11) - by Emma Dorfman-Su

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We woke up by hearing Miss Blakemore knocking on the door. After breakfast, we loaded up the bus and drove to the old city of David. We watched a short 3D movie about David’s city, and then we walked in Hezkiyahu’s water tunnel. The water was flowing and it…was…Awesome!!! After the cool water hike, we were starving, so we drove to get some food in the Old City of Jerusalem. Phillip gave us some questions for our scavenger hunt and we walked around the place looking for answers. Then the people who have never seen the Kotel were blind folded and led to see the Kotel for the first time. I was one of them. The Kotel was amazing!!! Next, we went to an archeological dig for ancient pottery and other cool stuff. We were all tired and we drove back to the hostel and we played football. And now I am sitting and finishing my writing. Thank you everybody for reading.
Emma Dorfman-Su

Post for Day 9 (May 10) - From the Golan to Yerushalayim

2010-05-11T13:19:00.000-07:00

Wake up, as usual, was way too early, at around 6:30. As usual, we ate breakfast, then loaded up the bus, and then left for the Syrian border. As is quite common in the Middle East, it was very hot. We visited an old battlefield with trenches and bunkers and various implements of weaponry scattered about. We got to see the inside of a tank, and the bunkers and a military truck. Meanwhile, the bus had a flat tire, which delayed proceedings a bit, but not irreparably. Back on the bus, and our next stop was an electric dam on the Jordanian border, which was right next to a site dedicated to seven girls that had been shot by a Jordanian soldier. The temperature was 109 degrees, and the wind was extremely blustery. Then we went to Bet Alfa, an ancient synagogue with a beautiful floor designed as an exquisite mosaic, and it was still really really windy, and then we slept on the bus on the way to JERUSALEM!!! Our first stop was at an Ethiopian Jew’s house, where she told us her story, how she traveled from her home town in Ethiopia, through Sudan and London, and finally to Israel. After that, we briefly got settled in our hostel in Jerusalem, and finished the day off by shopping on Ben Yehudah Street.

- Sam Clark

Post for May 9 - by Talia

2010-05-10T13:56:00.000-07:00

In the morning we went to a kibbutz next to the Lebanese border. There we met and talked with IDF soldiers and handed them food we had previously bought that day. At the kibbutz Eitan, the kibbutz manager, gave us a tour and we had the best cherries ever!!!! We walked through fields and bee hives to get to the Lebanon border. We stopped for lunch at a place overlooking Syria and Lebanon. After lunch we went to De Karina, a chocolate factory, in the Golan where we saw how the chocolate is made and we were able to make our own chocolate and overflowed our boxes. Towards the end of the day we went on a hike and it was a thousand degrees. Bugs were swarming around us and all of us ended up with millions of bites. We finally reached nachal devora which is a waterfall which was infested with bees. Luckily, they weren’t in the part where we were swimming so we were still able to cool down in the water. Some of the class was brave enough to swim over to the waterfall, which was below freezing, (no joke). Sophia lost her shoe, unfortunately and it went down the fall into the bees infested area. Phillip, our tour guide was brave enough to go get it and then we went on our way to kibbutz Gonen where we stayed in cottages with full size Jacuzzis in every cottage. Leaving my mark! Talia

Nahal Devorah

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De Karina Chocolate Factory

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Post for Day 8 - The Galil and the Golan

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Post for Day 7 - Our Shabbat in Zefat by Shoshana and Eli

2010-05-09T11:24:00.000-07:00

We woke up and went to a lovely breakfast in the hotel. We then hustled to a small shul, Beit Knesset Noam, for Shacharite. After Shacharite, we went back to the hotel for an early lunch and singing. We then gathered ourselves together to take walks in groups enjoying the scenery, sounds, and smells of Shabbat in Zefat. Enjoying a few hours of down time in the hotel, we played cards and ate lots of Israeli snacks. Later in the day, we went on a walk through the ancient city of Zefat and explored a crusader fortress. We walked in pitch darkness into a large cistern that echoed with every sound. We closed Shabbat with more food, singing, and havdalah. After Shabbat we went to Teveria for a second dinner and shopping. We took a night time boat ride on the Kineret, played darbokas (bongo drums), and danced the night away.

Post for Friday, May 7 by Sophia

2010-05-08T23:22:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, its Sophia. The Eighth grade is having an amazing time in Israel! On Friday we had a water filled day. We started with getting an early start at Ein Gedi. We hiked up to the best swimming waterfall there, and had a lot of fun swimming, jumping, and splashing around. We all enjoyed it so much, and were sad when we had to leave. Next stop was the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea was a much different experience, not the fresh water, but salty water that stings every part of your body. It’s so salty you can even float in it. A couple people went into the Dead Sea and a couple of us took a hike down the shore until we found some of the Dead Sea mud which we smeared all over ourselves. After the salty experience, we hopped onto the bus and headed north to Tzfat for Shabbos. Friday night we had dinner and davened at a small Tzfat shul. It was a packed shul, the congregation poured out of the building davening, singing, and dancing on the street outside. Well, that’s what happened on Friday, I have to go, we are experiencing some turbulence. Bye.

The Dead Sea

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Ein Gedi

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Post for Day 6 of Our Journey

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Shavua Tov! Enjoy the photos. The writeup will follow shortly.

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All in all, it was a turbulent and succulent day. Signing out this is Jake, Gali, Sophia, Isaiah, and Eli

2010-05-07T05:52:00.000-07:00

2010-05-07T05:51:00.000-07:00

After that was more food. DINNNER!!! We had a scrumptious meal of all the Bedouin delicacies. Lamb balls, chicken, rice, pita, and the best tea in the world. Later, we had a little shopping time in the Bedouin shop. Last we had a warm bonfire right before bed.

2010-05-07T05:49:00.000-07:00

After the ride we learned about Bedouin history and experiencing a hands on demonstration of their daily life.

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We then went to a lookout over the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea. After the lookout we ventured to the Bedouin tent campsite where we promptly began our tortuous camel ride. The ride was fun, but short, bumpy, and painful.

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Next we went to Tal Be’er Sheva the actual place of Avraham’s seven wells.

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We then continued on to Be’er Sheva where we were given money for lunch, we had Burger King, Pizza and Panda Express.

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Thursday, May 6, 2010 - Blog by Jake, Gali, Sophia, Isaiah, and Eli

2010-05-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

We started our day with breakfast with “Shoko Chavitz Chalav Chazak (a chocolate milk) and pancakes. Then we headed off to Kibbutz Revivim where we learned how to survive through the 1948 Independence War. We got to try on actual garments of the time and ran around in a bunch of military trenches. We saw the national bird of Israel, the Hoopoe, standing on a statue of a soldier by the Kibbutz.

Jeeping

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Shoshana's Shoe

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Post by Joseph Gershony

2010-05-06T01:48:00.000-07:00

Hello beasty folks down at OHDS. This is your president beast Joseph. Today (Wednesday) we all woke up at five in the morning to go on a three hour hike. There were many crazy beast things that we did on the hike but the beasties thing we all did was climb up this colossal slanted cliff that was like a chazillion feet high and then run down the whole thing like a bunch of silly children folk. After that three hour hike we had an early breakfast. Then we all went on this crazy trip to this semi lake were we were all so excited to get there that we all tripped each other and fell into a pile of nasty mud. It was pretty beasty. Later in the day we went beasty jeep riding like a couple of monster beasts that we all are. After that we all pretty much died. We finished off the day with star gazing under the expansive Negev night sky. See you beasts later.

Day 4 - Starts with a Dawn Hike

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We had the most tasteful dinner by far that I have ever not eaten. From there we had a party in one of the rooms we were staying in. When that was over I took Rabbi Potok’s computer and began to write to OHDS. Which brings me to here… Tomorrow we will wake at 5:10am ( I wanted it to be 4 but rabbi insisted) to take an ever so life threatening hike through the wild cat infested desert of Israel. Bye.

2010-05-05T08:37:00.001-07:00

So far the sea has been my favorite part of this trip because of the familiar smells and weather. Then we drove south to the Negev to stay at the Sdeh Boker Field Center where we also saw the grave of David Ben Gurion.

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We then skedaddled to the Mediterranean beach in Jaffa and enjoyed the delightful view.

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Then we took a ride in our delightful first class one of a kind bus, to the Jaffa market place. We saw and were hassled by many crazy shop keepers who would shove their items into our pockets and demand pay.

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Then we scurried over to the Jaffa institute to pack food for the needy. I had a lot of fun making boxes and filling them with delectable items that will help sustain a family for a month.

2010-05-05T08:08:00.001-07:00

Hey friends. Benjy here. Today we walked through the attractive city of tel-aviv/ jaffa. We spent some time learning about the declaration of the country in the Independence Hall.

Internet Problem

2010-05-05T08:07:00.001-07:00

Sorry about the delay in yesterday's post we had some technical difficulties with our modem. Anyway, back to our adventures...

2010-05-03T12:54:00.001-07:00

After a day (but yet two days) worth of activity on our journey, the 8th grade went to Bnei Dan hostel in Tel Aviv where we relaxed and all went to sleep. Thank you for reading about our travels In Israel.

- From the 8th grade, by Ben Lehman with assistance from Sophia Gluck.

2010-05-03T12:39:00.000-07:00

When we arrived at Ben Gurion International Airport, we davened mincha with two men who needed a minyan to say kaddish, and then met with our Keshet tour guide, Phillip. Phillip took us over to Yarkon park in Tel Aviv, where we ate dinner, ran around the play structure, and pretended to be playing “Parkour” a very popular sport within the 8th grade.

2010-05-03T12:33:00.000-07:00

We landed in Newark safely and embarked on our 10 hour flight to Israel. The second flight, to put it in teenager terms, was “beast”. We could watch movies and tv shows on demand, as well as play games, look out over New York, Spain, and Italy, or just crash.

2010-05-03T12:25:00.000-07:00

On our way...

2010-05-03T12:21:00.000-07:00

Hello OHDS! I am pleased to tell all of you that the 8th grade had a wonderful first 24 hours of our trip! We all found our way to the airport and glided through security. After a few overpriced snacks in the terminal, we headed to our 6 hour flight.

Israel Trip Itinerary

2010-04-29T02:22:00.000-07:00

Sunday May 2
Departure from Oakland

Monday May 3
Arrival at Ben Gurion airport.
Welcome BBQ in the Yarkon Park and check-in.

Tuesday May 4
Begin the day at Independence Hall to reenact the moving moment when the State of Israel was declared by David Ben Gurion.
Volunteer hands-on with the Jaffa Institute, preparing food packages for the city’s less fortunate.
Stroll through the Jaffa Flea Market.
Travel south to the Negev. Visit David Ben Gurion’s Grave.
Check-in and Dinner.

Wednesday May 5
Dawn hike at Nahal Havarin.
Breakfast
Crawl through the Loz Cisterns.
Explore the Ramon Crater, a geological wonder, on foot and by jeep.
Eve: Star Gazing

Thursday May 6
Visit Kibbutz Revivim, one of the first pioneering settlements in the Negev.
Visit the Biblical city of Tel Arad, built as an outpost by King Solomon.
Sunset camel ride at Kfar Hanokdim followed by Bedouin “hafla” dinner. Sleep in a Bedouin tent (bathrooms and showers available).

Friday May 7
Hike to the Nahal David waterfall in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve.
Float in the Dead Sea.
To the North
Check-in and prepare for Shabbat.
Kabbalat Shabbat at Beirav Carlebach minyan.
Festive Shabbat dinner.

Shabbat May 8
Shabbat morning tefilot at local synagogue followed by walking tour on the Jewish Quarter.
Shabbat lunch and rest time.
Seudah Shlishit picnic followed by meeting with Kabbalistic artist, David Friedman.
Havdalah
Eve: Kinneret boat ride and dinner in Tiberias.

Sunday May 9
Meet IDF soldiers serving on the northern border.
Ascend the Golan Heights to Mt. Bental, to the bunkers overlooking Syria.
Hands-on chocolate workshop at the De Karina Boutique Chocolate factory on Kibbutz Ein Zivan.
Hike to the Jilaboun waterfall at Nahal Devorah.
Continue to Gonen for check-in and dinner.

Monday May 10
Visit the impressive Roman city of Bet Shean. Explore the site in teams as you fill in a special questionnaire.
Travel to Jerusalem via the Jordan River Valley.
Meet Ethiopian families who crossed the desert to Sudan to wait for months in refugee camps before being airlifted to Israel by the Mossad.
End the day with a spectacular outlook over Jerusalem from Mt. Scopus.
Check-in and dinner.

Tuesday May 11
Erev Yom Yerushalayim Descend to the City of David. Walk through Hezekiah’s water tunnel.
Jewish Quarter Scavenger Hunt and cash lunch.
Participate hands-on in a unique rescue dig, sifting through remains from the Temple Mount.
Yom Yerushalayim tekes with local community and dinner.

Wednesday May 12
Yom Yerushalayim
Learn and remember at the Yad Vashem Memorial Complex, including visits to the historical museum and Childrens’ Memorial.
Visit Ammunition Hill, site of a fierce battle for the reunification of Jerusalem during the Six Day War.
Evening: TBA (Degel March?)

Thursday May 13 Visit Yad L’Kashish-Lifeline of the Elderly, where shopping is a true mitzvah!
Volunteer with Hazon Yeshayahu.
Last minute shopping time.
Final visit to the Kotel.
Visit the Neot Kedumim Biblical Nature Reserve. Enjoy tree planting, sheep herding, and other activities. Summary discussion and farewell dinner.
Transfer to airport for departing flight.

Friday May 14 Arrival in Oakland.

8th Grade Heads to Israel

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Dear OHDS Families,

At Oakland Hebrew Day School, we are committed to creating an environment where students will deepen their love and commitment to our rich heritage of learning. Our students continuously develop their relationship with God, opening themselves to the mystery and wonder of the world. They are devoted to exploring the language, practice, and outlook of the two cultures within which we live and they learn to shape Jewish life and contribute to the broader society.

Throughout the years at OHDS, the students are taught that the creation of the State of Israel is one of the seminal events in Jewish history. Recognizing the significance of Israel and its national institutions, we seek to instill in our students an attachment to the State of Israel and its people as well as a sense of responsibility for their welfare. We are proud and excited that this year’s eighth grade will be traveling in Israel from May 2nd – May 14th, marking our seventh annual tradition of culminating the OHDS K-8 Jewish educational experience. This trip is a meaningful testament to what we truly hold valuable and what we teach our students to understand and cherish.

Through this trip, we are certain that we will solidify within our students a culture of caring and a compassionate disposition. The powerful impact that a trip of this kind can have on our school community and the greater Jewish community as a whole is certain.

We look forward to relaying all of the wonderful stories of our travels upon our return!

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yehudah Potok, Head of School