Neal Biskar, Israel Trip Chaperone 

The chaperones and our charges awakened in different places for the first time on this trip: the chaperones at our lovely hotel on Kibbutz Gonen, and our students with their host families on kibbutzim and small towns in the Upper Galilee.

 

After breakfast we all reunited at our twin school, Eynot Yarden. Off we went, Brandeis students and chaperones and Eynot Yarden students and teachers to learn some of the early history and enjoy the beauty of the Upper Galilee and then to have some social time and fun.

 

Our first stop was at Tel Hai, in the town of Kiryat Shmona. We toured the restored kibbutz that was first established in the 1890’s and is now a museum of the history of the kibbutz and the Upper Galilee.  In March 1920, Tel Hai was attacked by a band of local Arabs. The kibbutz fighters were led by legendary Commander Trumpeldore. Trumpeldore was killed in the battle and his dying words were said to be, “It is worthwhile to die for Israel.” He very well may have said that but his actual dying words were a Russian curse. As one of the first acts of Israeli resistance to Arab attacks, this battle and Trumpledore himself were mythologized by the political leaders in Israel at that time in order to motivate the Israelis to fight and lead directly to the formation of the Haganah. 

 

Then it was time to enjoy the natural beauty of the Upper Galilee. We drove to Hazbani, officially the Senir Stream Nature Preserve. Once our water bottles were filled and we made sure that everyone had a hat, we headed off. You first come to a small pool with a small waterfall under which you can stand. Many of us took advantage of the cool water on another hot day. Then, down to the stream. The trail goes right along the stream, sometimes through the stream. It is a lovely, shaded hike where the students and adults got to get wet and enjoy each other’s company. The hike ended as we returned to the picnic area and to our lunch. We picnicked together on burgers and chips and then back to the buses, as we were in for some fun.

 

We drove north to the town of Metulla, the northern most town in Israel and home to the Mercaz Canada (the Canada Center). This is a large recreation center, with swimming, ice skating, and bowling. Students and adults were able to swim or ice skate, and many did both. Some just chilled.

 

After a couple of hours of recreation and socializing, our students bordered buses and were driven to the kibbutzim and small towns of the Upper Galilee to spend their last night with their host families. The chaperones retuned to our hotel. Wherever we returned to tonight, we all have a better understanding and appreciation for the history and beauty of the Upper Galilee and the knowledge that we have much in common with our Israeli friends, both students and adults. We are all thankful for the adventures we had with our new friends.

 

Today we went as far north as one can go in Israel. Tomorrow we go far south into the desert.

 

Laila tov,

 

Israel Trip Chaperone  

 

Click here for photo gallery.