Our final Shabbat was spent in Jerusalem, and Shabbat in Jerusalem is not like any other Shabbat experience. And THIS Shabbat in Jerusalem was like no other. Even for those of us who have traveled to Israel frequently, this was new and incredible.  We began the day by spending time at Massada and the Dead Sea, in the warmth of the sun (despite the fact that it is still winter in Israel).  We walked around the top of Massada, hearing the story of those who fought the Romans until the very end, and then some of our group even decided to walk down the mountain. We made our way to Ein Gedi, where we floated in the Dead Sea and had a beautiful afternoon.
 
We quickly returned to Jerusalem, ran to our rooms to get “appropriate attire”, and made our way to the Kotel, the Western Wall, just in time for Kabbalat Shabbat, the Welcoming of Shabbat. We made a plan that the men could spend some time on the traditional men’s side, and the women could do the same on the women’s side. (We had already spent time together in a location where we could all pray in an egalitarian manner.)  The men had a lovely but typical experience on their side of the Kotel, and made their way back to our “meeting place”. But the women – what an utter and incredible surprise.
 
Many of us made our way to the Kotel to offer prayers and place the notes that we had written and those we had brought for hundreds of others not able to journey with us.  As we were walking backwards away from the Kotel (it is customary not to turn your back on the Kotel), we paused toward the back of the women’s section. There was a large group of young women soldiers (we might call them girls if they weren’t wearing uniforms) who began to break out in song, and then in dance. We learned later that they had recently been inducted into the army, and were there with a guide in celebration. 
 
Their energy and excitement was contagious. It felt as if they were sensing the energy from the men’s side of the Kotel, and they wanted to create their own sense of welcoming Shabbat on this most joyous of days. Typically, if a group of women broke out into song and dance on the women’s side, they would be quieted or asked to leave that side. But no one was asking a group of dozens and dozens of soldiers to be quiet or to leave. Instead, they invited us and others around us to join them, and with great joy and pride, we danced and sang with these soldiers.  The sense of Shabbat, Israel, joy and celebration was like no other.
 
We made our way to our “gathering place”, where we shared with the others from our group what we had just experienced. We then found a quiet place in the plaza, looking at the kotel, where we welcomed Shabbat “Makom Style”, and we all knew how unique and special it is to celebrate Shabbat in Jerusalem.  That moment will stay with us forever!

In Reflection of a Great Journey,
Rabbi Bravo and the Makom NY Israel Participants, 2016

​What an incredible week this has been. Our group has come to know one another well, and we have experienced Israel, history and Judaism at the same time.  Our visit in the North concluded with a day that began on the border of Lebanon and Israel, on a kibbutz called Misgav Am.  We met soldiers who guard that border, and learned about the history of that kibbutz, that region and the now rather peaceful circumstance that we pray will remain.
 
We then visited the city of Tzfat, the ancient mystical city, where we saw some of the mystical synagogues, walked the narrow, winding roads of Tzfat, and concluded our day with a trip to the STAM Center, the place where we learned about writing a Sefer Torah (a Torah scroll), Tefillin and Mezuzah.  It is an interactive place, and everyone met the Sofer (the scribe) and had a chance to write their name in Hebrew calligraphy as well.
 
The next day was the day we had all been waiting for – the day we would drive to Jerusalem. We said goodbye to the Kibbutz and the North, made our way to Tzippori, the ancient city from the times of the Mishnah, with the beautiful mosaic floors, and then traveled to Jerusalem.  We arrived in Jerusalem just as the sun was setting, and had the most spectacular view from Mount Scopus of the whole Jerusalem of Gold. 
 
Our first day in Jerusalem was spent in the New City.  We visited the wonderful Herzl Museum, where we learned about the Zionist Congress and Herzl’s dream to create a modern Israel state.  We then walked around Mount Herzl, where we paid our respects to the greater leaders and founders of the State of Israel, including Herzl, Rabin, Golda Meir and so many others.
 
We then transitioned just down the road to Yad VaShem, the Holocaust Memorial Museum. We were so thrilled that our favorite docent, Malki, was able to be with us.  As an intergenerational group spanning 6 decades, Malki carefully guided us through the Museum, beginning with the life that once existed in Eastern Europe before the war, and taking us through the various stages of the war, but all by telling story and sharing through individuals eyes, since it is impossible to comprehend the vastness of the war unless we hear the story. The visit concluded with a meaningful ceremony where our two B’nai Mitvah were presented with certificates for twinning with a child who perished in the Holocaust. It was incredibly moving and emotional. 
 
We then went from the “holy” to the “mundane”, by making our way to Machaneh Yehudah, where we visited the largest shuk in Israel. The colors, tastes, sounds and smells of a wonderful market. And the following day we spent in the Old City of Jerusalem. But that will require another blog for another day.
 
Hoping this is giving you a taste of Israel so that you might participate in our next Journey of a Lifetime to Israel!

Greetings from Jerusalem,
Rabbi Bravo and the Makom NY Israel Participants, 2016

Our first few days in Israel have been packed with many important accomplishments: getting to know one another in our group, getting a taste of Jewish and Israel history, ancient and modern, celebrating Shabbat, digging for archeological finds, experiencing a taste of the “other religions” within Israel, a tour of the Golan Heights, an introduction to the wine industry, an introduction to Kibbutz life then and now, and so much more. 
 
We landed and immediately felt at home (see my last blog). After pulling together 20 people from varying geographic, demographic, religious backgrounds, as well as varying levels of connection to Israel, over our first dinner (Middle-Eastern food, our course), we quickly came together as one group.  Our shehecheyanu was not just for being together in Israel for the first time this year, but also for coming together as a new and incredible community.
 
Our first full day began with most of us experiencing the Palmach Museum, where we learned the history of the Palmach, and truly gained a sense of understanding of determined the early Zionists were to help create and defend the State of Israel.  Afterward, we experienced an afternoon of digging and spelunking as we visited Beit Guvrin, where we learned the detail by which archeologists search to learn our ancient history.  Those who had been to Israel numerous times visited the Diaspora Museum and walked the streets of Tel Aviv, learning about the different neighborhoods.
 
Then we celebrated Shabbat, and like every Shabbat in Israel, it was extremely special. We changed into nicer, clean clothes and made our way to Beit Tfila Yisraeli, a pluralistic community that meets on the beach in the warmer months and in a school during the cooler months.  It was a warm, musical, participatory experience in a community that reaches out to secular Israelis and brings them in to a religious environment.  The perfect place for Makom NY to celebrate Shabbat!
 
On Saturday, we left the Tel Aviv area and drove to Caesarea, where we walked around the ancient ruins, learned the many layers of story of the city of Caesarea and simply enjoyed the beauty of the Mediterranean.  We then made our way to Haifa, the city that strives to bring Arabs and Jews together in dialogue, activity and friendship. We also viewed the beautiful Bahai Gardens, as we embraced the many aspects of religion in Israel.  We perused the mixed city of Acco and made our way north to Kibbutz Kfar Blum, where we are staying for several days as we peruse the North of Israel. We concluded the day with a sweet havdalah ceremony, where people shared a taste of what they did this past week that was impactful or important to them.
 
We began the day today by touring the Kibbutz and hearing about the differences between kibbutz life then and now. We learned how kibbutzim have completely transformed themselves in order to remain alive and current. We then took jeep rides through the Golan Heights, learned a great deal about security in Israel, and concluded with a little Israeli culture: wine tasting and cow milking. Both brought to life the essence of living in Israel. 
 
As we travel throughout Israel, from North to South, we are not only learning about our history and culture, we are learning about decisions Jews have needed to make throughout time, outside influences on Jewish history and people who made a difference for the Jews. We are also learning how to question, how to discover and how to listen. Every day helps bring Israel to life, and by doing so, makes us a part of the Jewish experience. We can’t wait for the next day to come!

Greetings from Northern Israel,
Rabbi Bravo and the Makom NY Israel Participants, 2016

​As I reflect on this week's Torah portion, Terumah, which talks not only about the building of the Tabernacle and precisely how to build it, but also about the importance of gifts, I am reminded first and foremost what a privilege it is to bring a group to Israel as the leader of our community.

It is a gift to travel the land of Israel with people who are vising for the first time, who immediately sense the awe in the holiness and uniqueness in the mundane.  It is a gift to travel throughout the land of Israel with people who have been here many times, who always find something new, something so fulfilling and exciting.

It is a gift to be with the youngest members of our group (we have seven children ages 7-15) who are having fun and being silly, as kids should on a trip, but then, in the most surprising of moments, they ask a deep, meaningful question, that almost brings tears to one's eyes.  It is a gift as well to be with the more senior members of our group (we have 3 grandparents on our trip), who are so proud to know that Israel exists, and thrive, to see how Israel has changed throughout the years, and to see her being embraced by the next generations. 

It is a gift to have a talented guide, travel agent and driver who navigate so intentionally our journey through Israel, so that we notice every flower, every sunset, every story and each moment of Shabbat. They engage every individual on our trip with a unique viewpoint and focus.  

It is a gift that we brought in our first Shabbat in Israel by attending services at a beautiful progressive, pluralistic service with incredible music, spirit and intention.  Like Makom NY, this community began with the purpose of reaching the completely secular Israelis in the greater Tel Aviv area, and it is now a thriving community for thousands of Israelis throughout Israel. 

In this week's Torah portion we learn:  "And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them."  We are seeing God's sanctuary throughout Israel during this ten day visit. Just like Makom NY, we need not be focused on any one place, but we are finding God's sanctuary in so many places. We will continue to share these holy experiences with you as we journey through Eretz Yisrael.
 
Shabbat Shalom from Tel Aviv,
Rabbi Bravo