Next Stop Tel-Aviv

Having had a lovely time getting adjusted to Israel and the program at Nes Harim, the MBIers departed early this morning for a new adventure and a day in Tel-Aviv. All the buses took part in various aspects of the day I will describe below, though they did it in their own order.

First the MBIers headed to Old Yafo(Jaffa) and Neve Tzedek to see the early foundations of Jaffa and Tel-Aviv. Jaffa is an ancient port city that has had historically a large Arab population and is just south of Tel-Aviv. Walking around the old city there, the MBIers learned about the history of the city and Tel-Aviv as they headed over to Neve Tzedek. Neve Tzedek was the first Jewish neighborhood built outside Jaffa, over twenty years before Tel-Aviv was founded. Learning the history of Israel's modern and biggest city helps put perspective on the growth of Israel into the state it is today.

While in Yafo(Jaffa) the MBIers had a chance to stop at the Shuk HaPishpishim(Flea market) to try to find some deals and souveneirs to take back home. They soon learned that to get a good deal in the shuk(market) you have to haggle and negotiate. Hopefully by the end of the trip they will be pros at shopping at the shuk(market).

After walking and seeing some Tel-Aviv/Jaffa's history, the MBIers headed to Kikar Rabin(Rabin Square) where they found themselves more in the heart of the city and in another place of great importance of recent history. There they had a tekes(ceremony) to learn about and commemorate the memory of Rabin and his importance to Israel and the peace process. It was a moving ceremony that concluded with singing Shir La Shalom(The Song for Peace, which was the song folded up in his pocket at his last speech at this square now in his name.) and Hatikvah.

Later the group went to Independence Hall where they got to see and learn first-hand about the creation of Israel. It was in this hall that David Ben-Gurion presented the Declaration of Independence of the state of Israel 60 years ago and marked the official beginning of the modern state of Israel. It was another part of an incredible day where significant aspects of Israel's history was explored and seen first-hand. Part of seeing the hall is to actually go in the room where the Declaration was signed and to attempt to take in the incredible moment that it must have been over 60 years ago.

They headed to the next place the MBIers will rest their heads at night, Nordiya, which is between Tel-Aviv and Netanya. There they had dinner and a more relaxed evening involving group processing of the day as well as check-ins to see how the MBIers were doing. With so much to take in on one day, the MBIers were glad to have some time to slow down and talk more about their experiences.

Tomorrow will be another busy day with the MBIers headed to Zichron Yaakov and preparing for their first Shabbat in Israel. Part of their time in the next couple days will also be time to update them about the Prisoner Exchange with Lebanon that took place and what it means for Israel in addition to their regular updates about the news in Israel. What a day!