more to follow
here are some pics - more to follow once I figure out what I'm doing!
enjoy!
L'via
enjoy!
L'via
Tefillin at the kotel (indoors in the cave - it was pouring outside)
at the Kotel after the breakfast
In Kever Rachel with Miriam Adani
in the Avraham Avinu Shul
dancing in Chevron
camel ride in the desert
One more thing about our Israel trip - Neshikot Me'America
Did I tell you about the Hershey's kisses? We shlepped 20 lbs of Hershey's kisses with us to Israel, and everywhere we went - North, South, East, West - we gave Kisses to every Israel soldier we met along the way - at checkpoints, in malls, in stores, on the street, everywhere. We told them they were "neshikot me'ha'yehudim b'america" and we got lots of smiles in return. Tali was especially vigilant in making sure she gave one to every chayelet - or "army girl" - as she calls them. It was so much fun and and the kids got so much out of it, too.
Ok - thtthththhtthhhthats all folks!
L'via and the gang
Now, we brace for the Bar Mitzvah - less than seven weeks away!!!!! Oy!!!!!
Ok - thtthththhtthhhthats all folks!
L'via and the gang
Now, we brace for the Bar Mitzvah - less than seven weeks away!!!!! Oy!!!!!
OK - here's the rest I promised you
So, on Monday morning we got a late start because our tour guide had a last minute family emergency and was unable to take us and had to get a replacement. We arrived at our first stop, Kochav Hashachar, at around 12 noon. There we visited with Charlie's sister Judy and her kids, had homemade pizza, a tour of the yishuv and a drive to the top of a mountain to see yet another spactacular view of the hills, this time of the Shomron. From there, we began our drive up north, arriving in the Golan just before dark. We tried to get into seeing the ruins at Gamla, a hilltop community that went through a similar battle and defeat as Masada, but it was so cold and windy that we couldn't even get out of the car without blowing off the top of the hill. We opted for the indoor, movie/museum version in the museum of the golan in Katzrin, which was quite interesting. Dinner followed in a lovely cafe in the mall at Katzrin, during a local community-wide Chanuka celebration and candlelighting ceremony, with a band, mime, clown and other fun stuff. We then headed out to our accomodations, a lovely cottage in Mitzpeh L'Shalom, overlooking the Kinneret from the Golan side. After settling in, we donned our bathing suits (yes, it was still freezing and windy) and headed for Chamat Gader - an oasis in the valley on the border with Syria? Jordan? - with outdoor hotspring mineral baths. Yes, it's cold outside, but the water is hot, hard to describe, but it was a very cool experience. I mean hot. After a couple of hours there, we finally headed back to the hotel, exhausted and invigorated, and went to sleep.
Breakfast arrived at the door in a huge picnic basket at 9AM, and after a meal fit for kings that yielded us enough for packed lunches, we headed for the Galil. We took the drive around the top of the Kinneret and luckily, happened upon an IDF tank battalion doing maneuvers in a muddy field. Out tour guide Yossie, who served as a commander in the Sinai in the Yom Kippur war, cozied up to the soldiers and convnced them to let the kids climb aboard one of the tanks for an incredible experience and photo op. Yoni, our little chayal, was in heaven on earth, and the other kids were wowed as well. After shmoozing, trying on the gunner's helmet, lots of pics, and collecting empty bullet casings/shells, we waved goodbye as the tanks rolled out and we continued on to Tsfat. Stopping along the way at a memorial to soldiers who lost their lives fighting the Syrians for the Golan, Yossie regaled us with tales of his wartime heroism, but as a typical Israeli soldier, he does not see himself as a hero - just doing his job.
Finally in Tsfat, we started at the famous, holy cemetary of Tsfat and then off to the shuls, one more beautiful and moving than the previous, finally ending in the famous shul of the Arizal. Nobody had the guts to go to the mikvah of the Arizal, however - remember the cold weather? - but we saw it from the outside! A shopping trip among the artists and candlemakers was a nice end to our visit there, and Akiva has decided that he's moving to Tsfat one day. It's right up his alley.
A visit to the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai for mincha was quite a moving experience, as we celebrated Chanuka with some Breslov chasidim and Yoni converted to the Na Nach Nachma Nachman Me'uman fashion trend with his new big white knitted, black lettered yarmulka. Some more shopping in the little shuk there yielded some really great priced souveniers, and an exhausted family climbed into the van for the final trip back to Beit Shemesh. Dinner in a mall on the way down was a short stop, where I also took the opportunity to buy another suitcase for all our "little shopping sprees" loot....
Upon arriving in Beit Shemesh, we collapsed into bed, the children proclaiming - "that was great, but no more touring!!!!!" We canceled our plans for Wed. to go see Mini Israel in Latrun or perhaps the Biblical Zoo and the mall at Malcha - the kids said we had to leave something for next time, they were on strike (like half of Israel:)). So, on Wed morning, Charlie stayed with the kids (except for one brave one) and vegged out in Beit Shemesh, while I and brave little Yoni, headed out to Jerusalem for one last day of shopping and picking up all the personalized stuff we ordered. Thanks to Aunt/Sis Aviva for all her help picking up and shelpping, we three had a wonderful runaround like crazy day in Geula/Mea Shearim before an exhausted ride back to Beit Shemesh. Before we knew it, after tearful good-byes and last minute packing, we were off to the airport for our flight back to the USA. Culture shock set in when we landed at Newark and saw xmas trees and wreaths - the entire time we were in Israel, we did not see one sign of the holidays other than Chanuka. What a country. We long to return.
So, with that, we bid you a belated Happy Chanuka and hope we all get a chance to spend all of our Chanukas in Israel, sans xmas trees, IY"H.
Breakfast arrived at the door in a huge picnic basket at 9AM, and after a meal fit for kings that yielded us enough for packed lunches, we headed for the Galil. We took the drive around the top of the Kinneret and luckily, happened upon an IDF tank battalion doing maneuvers in a muddy field. Out tour guide Yossie, who served as a commander in the Sinai in the Yom Kippur war, cozied up to the soldiers and convnced them to let the kids climb aboard one of the tanks for an incredible experience and photo op. Yoni, our little chayal, was in heaven on earth, and the other kids were wowed as well. After shmoozing, trying on the gunner's helmet, lots of pics, and collecting empty bullet casings/shells, we waved goodbye as the tanks rolled out and we continued on to Tsfat. Stopping along the way at a memorial to soldiers who lost their lives fighting the Syrians for the Golan, Yossie regaled us with tales of his wartime heroism, but as a typical Israeli soldier, he does not see himself as a hero - just doing his job.
Finally in Tsfat, we started at the famous, holy cemetary of Tsfat and then off to the shuls, one more beautiful and moving than the previous, finally ending in the famous shul of the Arizal. Nobody had the guts to go to the mikvah of the Arizal, however - remember the cold weather? - but we saw it from the outside! A shopping trip among the artists and candlemakers was a nice end to our visit there, and Akiva has decided that he's moving to Tsfat one day. It's right up his alley.
A visit to the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai for mincha was quite a moving experience, as we celebrated Chanuka with some Breslov chasidim and Yoni converted to the Na Nach Nachma Nachman Me'uman fashion trend with his new big white knitted, black lettered yarmulka. Some more shopping in the little shuk there yielded some really great priced souveniers, and an exhausted family climbed into the van for the final trip back to Beit Shemesh. Dinner in a mall on the way down was a short stop, where I also took the opportunity to buy another suitcase for all our "little shopping sprees" loot....
Upon arriving in Beit Shemesh, we collapsed into bed, the children proclaiming - "that was great, but no more touring!!!!!" We canceled our plans for Wed. to go see Mini Israel in Latrun or perhaps the Biblical Zoo and the mall at Malcha - the kids said we had to leave something for next time, they were on strike (like half of Israel:)). So, on Wed morning, Charlie stayed with the kids (except for one brave one) and vegged out in Beit Shemesh, while I and brave little Yoni, headed out to Jerusalem for one last day of shopping and picking up all the personalized stuff we ordered. Thanks to Aunt/Sis Aviva for all her help picking up and shelpping, we three had a wonderful runaround like crazy day in Geula/Mea Shearim before an exhausted ride back to Beit Shemesh. Before we knew it, after tearful good-byes and last minute packing, we were off to the airport for our flight back to the USA. Culture shock set in when we landed at Newark and saw xmas trees and wreaths - the entire time we were in Israel, we did not see one sign of the holidays other than Chanuka. What a country. We long to return.
So, with that, we bid you a belated Happy Chanuka and hope we all get a chance to spend all of our Chanukas in Israel, sans xmas trees, IY"H.
we're back - oh so sad....
hey y'all - we're back but our server is down so I'm borrowing my mom's for a sec. Everything was wonderful - after the trip to the north, shopped till we dropped. details of our last three days to follow when we're officially back online at home.
For those who joined us in Israel, thank you so much - you made our trip awesome and the experience of a lifetime. For those of you who haven't gone in a while, Israel misses you - it's time.
Stay tuned!
L'via and the gang
For those who joined us in Israel, thank you so much - you made our trip awesome and the experience of a lifetime. For those of you who haven't gone in a while, Israel misses you - it's time.
Stay tuned!
L'via and the gang
Exhausted but high...
Just came back from two days in the golan/galil and we're pooped. Went from freezing weather to hot springs to holy Tzfat and more - we'll fill you in when we return at the end of the week. It's been exhilirating and we're sorry to see it end - we did so much, yet left so much undone and can't wait to return. all of you out there - make reservations, get tickets, and come to Israel - it's amazing. As a matter of fact, sell your house and move here!
L'hitraot - Shalom from Beit Shemesh -
L'via and the gang
L'hitraot - Shalom from Beit Shemesh -
L'via and the gang
We don't want to come back!!!!
We are all having the most unbelievably amazing time!!!!!! We arrived on sunday night and went straight to Ben Yehuda to look for a bite to eat and window shop. We ended up with the best falafel the kids ever tasted - they ate every crumb!
Off to bed for an early start on Monday, joined by my sister Aviva and driven by Ophir Cohen's brother Boaz - our most amazing chauffer - Beit Orot on top of Har Zofim/Har Hazeitim with Shlomo Zwickler, then to my grandfather's kever on Har Hazetim, then to the Old City. Tour with Rabanit Kahana, wonderful, interesting and fun, then mincha at the Kotel. The boys tore kriah since it was their first time and they are almost Bar Mitzvah. then, on to the Tunnel Tour - fascinating and meaningful - special tehillim at the 'even hashetiyah' and then out on the Via Delorosa through the Moslem Quarter. On to the hotel to change and then off to Shaarei Zedek Medical Center to deliver the toys Tali collected at her birthday party - what a hit!!! the kids delivered the toys to every sick child, bed by bed, room by room - smiling, grateful children and parents - and our kids were having the time of their lives - it was awesome!!!!We had so many toys that we were able to provide one for every inpatient, as well as the daily dialysis kids. Then we ran to Har Nof for cousin Elisheva's Bat Mitzvah party, with lots of family to meet and greet from Savta's side, and the only other Weisingers we know - from Rechovot. Afterward, collapse in exhaustion and sleep.
Tuesday - meet Era Rapaport - Israel's most awesome tour guide - for a tour like none other. Tanach in hand, he lead us the way through the footsteps of the nevi'im and the Macabees and more, all over central Israel. We stopped at an olive press and made oil like in the days of the Beit Hamikdash, we explored an underground secret bullet factory from the war of 1948, we flung stones from David's vantage point toward and imaginary Goliath, we climbed and crawled through the caves of Bar Kochba, saw vistas for miles around, and had an awesome experience. Exhaustion and exhiliration accompanied us back to the hotel.
Wednesday after an early moring shopping trip to the Machaneh Yehuda shuk just as they were opening, Meir J. joined us we climbed a mountain in harei Yehuda and stood on a cliff high above Vadi Kelt, following the path of Eliyahu and Yirmiyahu Drove towards Yericho while learning Yehoshua's conquering strategy. Drove away from Yericho, along the border with Jordan, stopping at an abandoned army base and sitting in a tank from the war of 1967, and learning of the various wars fought from this vantage point. continued on down along the Dead Sea to Metzada and had an incredible tour of the partially rebulit and very revamped archeological finds there. Discussed the ethics of the rebellion and suicide of the last fighters there and walked away with much insight into our souls as Jews and humans. Finally, off to the Dead Sea, Yam Hamelach for a swim/float that elicited roars and giggles from the brave boys who dared to enter the water, booboos not withstanding.
The day ended with our dear expatriate friends in Beit Shemesh for dinner.
Back to Jerusalem, and then Thursday morning, joined by Savta, board a bus to Kever Rachel to daven for klal yisrael and meet with Miriam Adani and accept beautiful gifts for the boys and for us in apprecaition of our efforts on behalf of Yesh Sachar L'Pheulatech. On to an incredible experience in Chevron with Simcha Hochbaum. Despite the freezing, pouring rain, a wonderful tour, punctuated by a special presentation to the boys from the community of Chevron, dancing in the cafeteria, and mincha led by Charlie in Maarat Hamachpela by the graves of Avraham Avinu and Sarah Imeinu, while Tali slept peacefully leaning against the entrance to the grave of Avraham Avinu.
A slippery, slow, dangerous drive through sleet and snow and rain back to Jerusalem, a thawing out in the hotel, dinner on Ben Yeudah and shopping for flowers, topped off the day.
Early bedtime, for the big event on Friday!
Words can't describe how amazing, proud and honored we were to have our simcha in Yerushalayim. It went beautifully, despite everything I forgot to pack, bring, think of, anticipate. Despite the pouring, freezing rain, we managed to have the brightest moment of our lives, so far. After tefillah in the part of the kotel that is underground, and Charlie davening shacharit for the minyan as our boys wore tefillin for the first time, we greeted almost 100 guests at our seudat mitzvah up the steps in Yeshivat Hakotel. Holy Bagel did an AMAZING job and thought of everything, and the boys spoke beautifully and I had to hold back my tears during my speech. We were overwhelmed by the love and caring of all the friends and family who took time on a busy, short, very cold and rainy Friday to come to our simcha - it was incredible to introduce the kids to relatives they had been hearing about for years, and for the older generation to meet the up and comers. It was just wonderful.
Defrosting before Shabbos in the hotel, and candlelighting all together in the lobby - chanukah and shabbos - with Charlie's sister and her family, Aviva, Savta and all of us, with dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Collapse in bed, and wake up really early for shacharis in Meah Shearim - the big boys and Charlie davened in Munkatch, with many of the items there donated in honor or memory of Zevi's namesake, my Zaidy. I met them later at cousin Ricky's house in Beit Yisrael with the little ones, and we enjoyed a lovely lunch there, before walking back to our hotel thorugh Geula and Mea Shearim, an incredible experience on shabbos.
Motzaei shabbat, after packing a bit, off to cousin Brenda's house in Har Nof for a chanuka party and lots of laughs.
Sunday finish packing and run to the absolutely mobbed streets of Geula/Meah Shearim to SHOP SHOP SHOP till we dropped, along with every Jew in the middle East!!! Run back, pick up a pizaa at Sbarros and meet cousin Yossie for a ride to the Gush to see the memorial for the fighters of Gush Etzion and a very moving multimedia presentation. We met more of our cousins - among them another set of 12 year old twin boys, and hit it off immediately! Dinner and candlelighting at their home in Efrat - almost didn't end because no one wanted to leave!!! alas, we needed to get to our next destination, here in Bet Shemesh at the Joffe's who graciously invited us to stay for our last three nights while we continue our touring, and let us use their computer to do this entry.
So, next is the north - Tsfat, Teveria, Kinneret, Golan, and then sadly, we return to the US late Wed night.
I doubt I'll be updating this till we get back, so stay tuned!!!! Hope I haven't bored y'all!
Shalom and Dash Cham from Eretz Yisrael!
L'via and the gang
Off to bed for an early start on Monday, joined by my sister Aviva and driven by Ophir Cohen's brother Boaz - our most amazing chauffer - Beit Orot on top of Har Zofim/Har Hazeitim with Shlomo Zwickler, then to my grandfather's kever on Har Hazetim, then to the Old City. Tour with Rabanit Kahana, wonderful, interesting and fun, then mincha at the Kotel. The boys tore kriah since it was their first time and they are almost Bar Mitzvah. then, on to the Tunnel Tour - fascinating and meaningful - special tehillim at the 'even hashetiyah' and then out on the Via Delorosa through the Moslem Quarter. On to the hotel to change and then off to Shaarei Zedek Medical Center to deliver the toys Tali collected at her birthday party - what a hit!!! the kids delivered the toys to every sick child, bed by bed, room by room - smiling, grateful children and parents - and our kids were having the time of their lives - it was awesome!!!!We had so many toys that we were able to provide one for every inpatient, as well as the daily dialysis kids. Then we ran to Har Nof for cousin Elisheva's Bat Mitzvah party, with lots of family to meet and greet from Savta's side, and the only other Weisingers we know - from Rechovot. Afterward, collapse in exhaustion and sleep.
Tuesday - meet Era Rapaport - Israel's most awesome tour guide - for a tour like none other. Tanach in hand, he lead us the way through the footsteps of the nevi'im and the Macabees and more, all over central Israel. We stopped at an olive press and made oil like in the days of the Beit Hamikdash, we explored an underground secret bullet factory from the war of 1948, we flung stones from David's vantage point toward and imaginary Goliath, we climbed and crawled through the caves of Bar Kochba, saw vistas for miles around, and had an awesome experience. Exhaustion and exhiliration accompanied us back to the hotel.
Wednesday after an early moring shopping trip to the Machaneh Yehuda shuk just as they were opening, Meir J. joined us we climbed a mountain in harei Yehuda and stood on a cliff high above Vadi Kelt, following the path of Eliyahu and Yirmiyahu Drove towards Yericho while learning Yehoshua's conquering strategy. Drove away from Yericho, along the border with Jordan, stopping at an abandoned army base and sitting in a tank from the war of 1967, and learning of the various wars fought from this vantage point. continued on down along the Dead Sea to Metzada and had an incredible tour of the partially rebulit and very revamped archeological finds there. Discussed the ethics of the rebellion and suicide of the last fighters there and walked away with much insight into our souls as Jews and humans. Finally, off to the Dead Sea, Yam Hamelach for a swim/float that elicited roars and giggles from the brave boys who dared to enter the water, booboos not withstanding.
The day ended with our dear expatriate friends in Beit Shemesh for dinner.
Back to Jerusalem, and then Thursday morning, joined by Savta, board a bus to Kever Rachel to daven for klal yisrael and meet with Miriam Adani and accept beautiful gifts for the boys and for us in apprecaition of our efforts on behalf of Yesh Sachar L'Pheulatech. On to an incredible experience in Chevron with Simcha Hochbaum. Despite the freezing, pouring rain, a wonderful tour, punctuated by a special presentation to the boys from the community of Chevron, dancing in the cafeteria, and mincha led by Charlie in Maarat Hamachpela by the graves of Avraham Avinu and Sarah Imeinu, while Tali slept peacefully leaning against the entrance to the grave of Avraham Avinu.
A slippery, slow, dangerous drive through sleet and snow and rain back to Jerusalem, a thawing out in the hotel, dinner on Ben Yeudah and shopping for flowers, topped off the day.
Early bedtime, for the big event on Friday!
Words can't describe how amazing, proud and honored we were to have our simcha in Yerushalayim. It went beautifully, despite everything I forgot to pack, bring, think of, anticipate. Despite the pouring, freezing rain, we managed to have the brightest moment of our lives, so far. After tefillah in the part of the kotel that is underground, and Charlie davening shacharit for the minyan as our boys wore tefillin for the first time, we greeted almost 100 guests at our seudat mitzvah up the steps in Yeshivat Hakotel. Holy Bagel did an AMAZING job and thought of everything, and the boys spoke beautifully and I had to hold back my tears during my speech. We were overwhelmed by the love and caring of all the friends and family who took time on a busy, short, very cold and rainy Friday to come to our simcha - it was incredible to introduce the kids to relatives they had been hearing about for years, and for the older generation to meet the up and comers. It was just wonderful.
Defrosting before Shabbos in the hotel, and candlelighting all together in the lobby - chanukah and shabbos - with Charlie's sister and her family, Aviva, Savta and all of us, with dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Collapse in bed, and wake up really early for shacharis in Meah Shearim - the big boys and Charlie davened in Munkatch, with many of the items there donated in honor or memory of Zevi's namesake, my Zaidy. I met them later at cousin Ricky's house in Beit Yisrael with the little ones, and we enjoyed a lovely lunch there, before walking back to our hotel thorugh Geula and Mea Shearim, an incredible experience on shabbos.
Motzaei shabbat, after packing a bit, off to cousin Brenda's house in Har Nof for a chanuka party and lots of laughs.
Sunday finish packing and run to the absolutely mobbed streets of Geula/Meah Shearim to SHOP SHOP SHOP till we dropped, along with every Jew in the middle East!!! Run back, pick up a pizaa at Sbarros and meet cousin Yossie for a ride to the Gush to see the memorial for the fighters of Gush Etzion and a very moving multimedia presentation. We met more of our cousins - among them another set of 12 year old twin boys, and hit it off immediately! Dinner and candlelighting at their home in Efrat - almost didn't end because no one wanted to leave!!! alas, we needed to get to our next destination, here in Bet Shemesh at the Joffe's who graciously invited us to stay for our last three nights while we continue our touring, and let us use their computer to do this entry.
So, next is the north - Tsfat, Teveria, Kinneret, Golan, and then sadly, we return to the US late Wed night.
I doubt I'll be updating this till we get back, so stay tuned!!!! Hope I haven't bored y'all!
Shalom and Dash Cham from Eretz Yisrael!
L'via and the gang
We're off!
We are leaving in a few minutes, I'm still not finished packing, I'm a nervous wreck, having a breakdown, and thrilled beyond belief that we're actually going! Here are our cell numbers in Israel, effective 12/14-12/24 and we'll be staying in Lev Yerushalayim in Jerusalem. See you in Israel!!!! Mazal Tov!
011-92-53-908-738 or 53-373-286
Remember, there is a seven hour time difference!
Love, L'via and the gang
011-92-53-908-738 or 53-373-286
Remember, there is a seven hour time difference!
Love, L'via and the gang
whats up!
So, we're getting down to the wire with our plans for Israel - we are so incredibly excited and there is so much to do! The boys are getting their speeches ready, their divrei torah and their sleeve-rolling skills. Mommy is preparing her speech and shopping and trying to figure out how to fit everything into 9 suitcases. (2 each times 6 is 12, but three are already filled with toys and teddy bears for sick kids and victims of terror). Tati is trying to keep Mommy sane - it's barely working. Any suggestions?
Gotta go pack!
See ya!
Gotta go pack!
See ya!
