The unexpected early morning wake up call jarred me from my deep yet short slumber this morning. As I got out of bed, I immediately walked to the window to see the view - the beautiful Mediterranean also emerging from its slumber. The pre dawn light was magical and took my breath away. There was a longing there - a desire to stroll, take in the ocean air, touch my toes to warmth of the Mediterranean waters.
I imagined it and as such felt as if I had lived it.
The first part of the day started with a talk by Rochi Koval from Cleveland, Ohio who wrote the book "Conversations With God". She gave us a quick summary of her background and as fascinating and diverse as it was, the thing that I connected with the most was the notion that Jewish kids with disabilities and learning differences deserve a Jewish education. Because her son has autism, she pulled together a group of parents who were dealing with some of the same circumstances that she and her family were dealing with. At that time she felt that god whispered in her ear and she was compelled to pull something together. So she founded a Jewish day school for kids who had differences. At my last job, where I worked for 10 years before transitioning to my current job, I worked in an administrative capacity for a Jewish day school. I often worked with parents who were in her same predicament and did not have any Jewish educational options for their children. With out the correct supports in place those kids would not have been successful in that neuro typical environment. I was always pained by the idea that Jewish children didn't have an option in our part of the city for a day school.
Rochi then went on to say that:
History has been changed by determined Jewish women.
She made a few very impactful points:
1. If we are on this trip we had a plan and a vision and we made it happen. We should go home and ask ourselves what is our contribution to Jewish life.
2. What's the best way to get Jewish values back into the lives of Jews? #itstartswithwomen
3. Women raising their kids have the biggest influence on their families and their communities.
4. Jewish founders changed the world with their dream for the state of israel.
She then gave us guides for our dreams:
1 Look for the signs
2. Listen to the positive - NOT the toxicity
3. God will send us influencers - seek them out and have them guide us to our best place
4. Modern or secular concept of one door closes another one opens is didferent In Judaism so when one door closes another one is already open!
5. Get your ego out of the way - we're working for the same boss- God!
6. Sometimes we get stuck - in Judaism there's a concept of one mitzvah leads to another aka just make the right choice.
From our thought provoking talk with Rochi, we departed for Independence Hall, houses in one of Tel Aviv's first buildings This was the place on May 14, 1948 the day before the British mandate WS to expire, the members of the provisional Council declared the establishment of the state of Israel. We got to see where Ben Gurion and Golda Meir sat and learned about what the disputed territories really looked like and how the provisions being made would have caused major risk to What was to become Israel. After the presentation all the women in the room rose and we sand HaTikvah - the national anthem together. It was very moving and emotional. Little did I know that was just the start of the emotions that were to flow or actually over flow later in the day.
From there we had the option to go on a walking tour of the oldest part of Tel Aviv - Névé Tzedekah with Ken Spero, who possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of history, Israel and Judaism. I figured that It was a special treat to be able to learn with Ken so a group of us explored the regentrified community, Bauhaus architecture, the conversion of an old train station and then a lovely Mediterranean view.
We were then in for a treat - we were able to explore the Birthright Innovation Center and learn about some of the newer technologies and older technologies developed thanks to Israeli ingenuity, like the machines that produces water out of thin air! Israel is always at the forefront of innovation and design. Seeing a summary of it all in one place made me feel proud to be in Israel.
After a packed morning and lots of walking we lunched at L'Entrecote. Yum! Appetizers were late and carpaccio followed by salads and delicious meats. I would definitely recommend this place.
After lunch we boarded the bus for Jerusalem and Ken Spero provided us with great amounts of knowledge. He said a lot of amazing things but only some of those really stood out to me:
One has to look at biblical Abraham to get an idea of radical transformation. 1.7 percent of US is Jewish but make up 10 percent of professions. Jews have always been
1. Radically transformative
2. This can cause Genetic transformation
3. Incredibly Driven
4. Have Chutzpah!
5. Everyone is welcome -Chesed
When Jews leave Judaism behind they disappear and loose the drive.
We are a stubborn and opinionated people but we are brothers and sisters. As a people we should start focusing on what unites us not what divides us. Need to feed our souls as Jews for Judaism to truly makes the world a better place.
He also shared a few pieces of advisement when it came to learning Hebrew:
Me is who
Who is he
He is she
And a fish is a dog
Now it was time for our ascent our Aliyah To Jerusalem. The geographic differences between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem were tremendouanbthe hills and valleys remarkable. First stop was a walking tour through the Jewish quarter of the old city, the Cardo and then to the Aish international headquarters for some room top views and pictures, our group picture, and then the opportunity to write our thoughts for a note to be placed in the Kotel and to grab a snack.
So now the emotion was really building up. So duh anticipation to get to the mall. So much aould sesrching to achieve. What do I ask? How much don I ask for? Is it really worth asking? I was compelled to write a note and as i sat there in a chair in the corridor at the Aish building the years started to well up and then flow. Of course with Adrienne Gold speaking to us about being in the right mind space, the emotions continued.
Our group then made its ways over to the Kotel. After I found my spot, I looked up and stared at the wall and thought how the hell am i going to pray. Really what is prayer? Should I ask for something? How does it have meaning? Then I thought why don't I just say the shma? So I started reciting it - eyes closed forehead to the wall. As I sang the shma in the tune used when my kids were in preschool all i could do was think about them and ask for their protection. The more I asked for what I was needing and asking for the sake of myself and of my family, the more intensely emotional the whole thing became. The floodgates were open and there was no stopping the flow of tears. The kindness of a stranger helped - the woman standing besides me put her hand on my shoulder and eased me out of the sobs and towards the light of possibility. I had so much on my mind and for the first time in my life took advantage of really asking and feeling the power of the universe.
Shma. Listen israel. God is watching us. Shma Israel Adonei Eloheyunu Adonai Ahad
