The problem with not writing for a couple of days is that it’s virtually impossible to catch up. But, I’ll make every effort to do so!! Our guide, Inon, picked us up bright and early on Friday morning and took us to the Beit HaT’futsot, the Diaspora Museum, on the lovely campus of Tel Aviv University. The museum tells the history of the expulsion of the Jews following the Second Temple period up to the Chalutzim, the pioneers of the early settlement of the Land of Israel. The history is quite fascinating, particularly the hundreds of lands to which the Jews were strewn and the customs, both religious and secular which Jews developed in order to adapt to life in their new places of residence. It never ceases to amaze me how Jews were able to survive despite the never-ending attempts to destroy us.
Our next stop was Rabin Square, the site of the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin on November 4, 1995. Inon was able to give us a first-hand account as he had been there on that fateful night with members of his kibbutz. The mood of the country was extremely positive as the Oslo Accord had been signed and Israelis believed that peace was at hand. Hundreds of thousands were packed into the square that day, celebrating joyously, when a murmur began to move through the crowd that Rabin had been shot. It wasn’t until several hours later, while Inon and members of his kibbutz were riding the buses home, that they heard the news that Rabin had died. How devastating for the entire country.
From Rabin Square we drove to Jaffa, a 6,000 year old port city. Jaffa was the port into which travelers from all over the world entered and was considered the Gateway to Jerusalem. One can only imagine the amount of commerce and industry that took place in that city on the Mediterranean Sea. The weather was spectacular and the view across the water to the modern city of Tel Aviv was almost surreal. The disparity between the ancient and the modern was truly remarkable. The Jaffa flea market had bargains galore but we controlled ourselves! We did sample some mini handmade pizzas from the Abulaffia Bakery as well as indulging in fresh-squeezed pomegranate juice, pressed right in front of our eyes. The heck with anti-oxidants, it was just plain delicious!!
Our next stop was the area known as Neve Tzedek, one of the first neighborhoods of modern Tel Aviv. Our of guide dropped us off at the corner of Nachalat Benyamin, Allenby and the Carmel Market and from that point we meandered through the market for a couple of hours, admiring the work of the artisans, people-watching and enjoying the glorious weather. As we exited the market, we found ourselves in the midst of what seemed like thousands of young people, blaring disco music and outdoor bars. This was a Shabbat/Tu B’shevat celebration, Tel Aviv style! It took at least 30 minutes to finally see daylight and we ducked into the nearest restaurant for a late lunch/early dinner. To say that this had been a tiring day would be a gross understatement! Between the sun, the touring and the jet lag, we hit the sack at the un-Godly hour of 6:30 pm!!
…It is now Shabbat and there is not much one can do except…GO TO MASADA!! We hired an amazing guide named Michal, who picked us up at 6 am. There is no way to describe this day except to say Masada, Dead Sea float, Mud Packs at the Dead Sea Spa, Hiking the Trails and enjoying the waterfalls at Ein Gedi, and discovering the ruins at Quran. You have to experience all of this for yourself!!
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