We spent the morning visiting Yad VaShem, the Israeli memorial to the Holocaust. After visiting Washington last year and studying the Holocaust in Jewish History over the course of eighth grade, the students arrived with knowledge about the events and therefore impressively elevated their thoughts and questions accordingly. Notably, we talked about the architecture of the new museum (installed two years ago) and what people might think about when creating a memorial to the Holocaust. For example, what might be some of the differences between an American memorial and an Israeli memorial? And then there were the questions that historians have asked for some time — why didn't the United States bomb the camps during the course of the Holocaust?
This afternoon we headed to Tel Aviv to visit the Palmach Museum, the pre-state fighting force in Palestine. The museum takes viewers on an interactive experience through the lives of ten Palmach members from the formation of the organization in the early 1940s up until 1948. Fittingly the museum concludes with Natan Alterman's poem "The Silver Platter" — unlike what many were saying about the UN Resolution in 1947, the state was most certainly not handed over on a Silver Platter. "We are the silver platter upon which the state was built," states the poem about those that risked their lives in battle. The poem concludes: "And the rest will be told in the generations of Israel." And that is one of the tasks we are seeking to accomplish on this trip — telling the stories of heroes both ancient and modern.
The day concluded with the anticipated visted to the Malha Mall in Jerusalem. Let's just say that Michal Negrin did quite well for herself this evening.
Only one more day and then we head back to America. As many of the girls were lamenting tonight, it's also only 50 days until graduation. The students have learned, they have bonded, and taught each other as well during the entire process. This is just the beginning of their connections to Israel, one that will blossom from the questions that arose over the course of this trip.
Yo.
Mayan again. So basically, today we went to Yad Vashem. The Museum was an experience that was saddening, but at the same time a very good learning experience. I enjoyed visiting a museum that was on an interesting subject, but it was a hard concept to grasp. There was a tour guide that explained everything to us, but at times it got annoying because we couldn’t read everything.
After the museum, we ate lunch, I peed in the woods for the first time with Leora’s help (she found me a nice rock), and we headed off to The Palmach Museum. I really loved that museum, and that is really saying something, because I don’t enjoy museums. The exhibit was on audio, and we we’re in many cool rooms, one which spun. . . don’t be jealous. So, right now, I’m on the bus sitting with Davida, and we’re going to MALL. Major shopping opportunity!! Yeaaa, so that’s all for now. We’re coming home tomorrow parents!! :[
Later Dude,
Mayan.
Ps. I love you Mommy,Daddy,Eitan,Ilan,Noam,Spencer,&Kippy!!
MWAH TO ALL.
Hey it’s Sam. Today we went to Yad Vashem. It was much different from the Holocaust museum in Washington D.C. Our tour guide was very good and explained everything very clearly. It was interesting to hear about how the architecture of the museum had to do with the Holocaust. The only bad part was we didn’t have enough time to read a lot of the things or see any of the movies.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
KAYAKING! (or getting pushed out of the kayak?)
Dear Parents (and of course my parents),
Today is Yom HaAtzmaut (the day after Lani’s B-Day!!!) and we went to a kayaking place where we all went rafting. It was sooooooooo much fun and even though it was pretty calm water there was one small waterfall that went down a few feet. Everyone was so pumped so when we got into the water everyone was pushing everyone in (cough, cough Hillel) and stealing everyone’s padels (cough, cough Rachel B.). I was in a raft with Ilana, Jess, Davida, and Nicole (the only person not to ever fall or get pushed into the water). It is actually pretty hard to explain just how much fun it was, you just had to be there to really understand how much fun we actually had!!!
Love you all always and forever!!!!!!!!
-Sarah ☺
Today we went kayaking down the Jordan River. I went in a raft with Yael, Mayan, Leora, and Emily. At first everything was going smoothly and I was having so much fun with my friends. Soon, Rabbi Shawn came near our raft and started splashing us like crazy. Yael asked me to get out of the raft and go in the water with her. We went in and were swimming around. After about three minutes we wanted to get back in but we realized our raft was about fourteen yards away and was moving at a good speed. We swam for it, but could not get to it. As Yael kept trying, I gave up because I was scared the rapids were coming soon and I did not want to get caught in one. I stood holding on to a tree and waited for someone from our school to come. I saw Max’s raft and asked him for help, but him being a boy wanted to have fun and splashed me away. Finally the raft with the madrichim (counselors) and Rachel B came to my rescue. They were stealing everyone’s oars and I wanted to go back to my raft. After about fifteen minutes I saw my raft and jumped back to it. It was good to be back in the raft with my friends. The boat I had just been in stole one of our ores and we only had two to begin with. Our group and about 3 other groups decided to go get them back from them. We all attached our boats and used teamwork to paddle over to their raft. When we got there we pushed them all in the water like they were doing to us. When we got out we were shivering and numb. It was so much fun though and I enjoyed it even though my adventure does not sound so pleasant. =D
~Carly
Yom Hazikaron — evening and morning
On Sunday evening we went to a secular kibbutz, Kibbutz Kfar Heruv, to commemorate Yom HaZikaron, Israeli Memorial Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror. In Israel, every citizen has a personal connection to someone that fell defending the state, and seeing testimonials from kibbutz relatives about those that fell during each of the wars concretized what otherwise can be an abstract notion for Americans.
Last night we went to a secular Kibbutz named Kfar Cheruv for a ceremony for Yom Hazikaron. We started out outside to hear the siren that was being heard all over Israel. Even though I lived in Israel for 5 years I have never experienced that. It was very powerful and emotional. After the siren we sang the Hatikvah and heard two readings. After that we all went inside and heard real stories of people that died and that were very close to some of the people in the Kibbutz. The readings were done in chronological order from the establishment of Israel until now. We also heard songs that were very appropriate for the day. Nobody knew all of the songs, but we could all feel the atmosphere in the room while the songs were playing. This was a very different experience from what we are used to. Not only are we in Israel, but the people in this Kibbutz were less religious than most of us. Overall I think that the ceremony was very fitting and appropriate for the day.
-Matan
Today we went to Rosh HaNikra. Rosh HaNikra is at the very top of Israel right along the coastline. When we got there, we got into the cable car and rode down to the caves. Inside of them, it is very dark and cool. There are some tunnels with water from the Mediterranean Sea running through them, but there were also some that we walked through. When we got out of the caves, we went to see a movie about Kfar HaNikra. It told us all about the history of the caves and about what has happened to them over the years. After that, we got to eat ice cream! Our last stop was at the border. We could see in to Lebanon, and it was very fitting for today, Yom HaZikaron. Now we are back on the bus on the way to the place we are staying. I am having such a great time in Israel!
-Ellie
We just left Rosh Hanikra a few minutes ago. It was the most amazing place ever. It was beautiful. It was a cliff surrounded by gorgeous blue water. The water was as blue as the sky. We went through the tunnels. We saw how the water formed the rocks surrounding us. Afterwards we saw a movie about it. The movie talked about all the animals that live near the rocks. It talked about bats and sea turtles. It explained how the female turtles came to the shore to lay their eggs, and how after the little turtles come out of their shell and go to the sea. It also explained how after years and years the babies become adults, they still remember where they were born, and the females even come back to the same place to lay their own eggs. Personally for me, Rosh Hanikra was my favorite place.
-Lena Cox
Last night we went to a secular Kibbutz named Kfar Cheruv for a ceremony for Yom Hazikaron. We started out outside to hear the siren that was being heard all over Israel. Even though I lived in Israel for 5 years I have never experienced that. It was very powerful and emotional. After the siren we sang the Hatikvah and heard two readings. After that we all went inside and heard real stories of people that died and that were very close to some of the people in the Kibbutz. The readings were done in chronological order from the establishment of Israel until now. We also heard songs that were very appropriate for the day. Nobody knew all of the songs, but we could all feel the atmosphere in the room while the songs were playing. This was a very different experience from what we are used to. Not only are we in Israel, but the people in this Kibbutz were less religious than most of us. Overall I think that the ceremony was very fitting and appropriate for the day.
-Matan
Today we went to Rosh HaNikra. Rosh HaNikra is at the very top of Israel right along the coastline. When we got there, we got into the cable car and rode down to the caves. Inside of them, it is very dark and cool. There are some tunnels with water from the Mediterranean Sea running through them, but there were also some that we walked through. When we got out of the caves, we went to see a movie about Kfar HaNikra. It told us all about the history of the caves and about what has happened to them over the years. After that, we got to eat ice cream! Our last stop was at the border. We could see in to Lebanon, and it was very fitting for today, Yom HaZikaron. Now we are back on the bus on the way to the place we are staying. I am having such a great time in Israel!
-Ellie
We just left Rosh Hanikra a few minutes ago. It was the most amazing place ever. It was beautiful. It was a cliff surrounded by gorgeous blue water. The water was as blue as the sky. We went through the tunnels. We saw how the water formed the rocks surrounding us. Afterwards we saw a movie about it. The movie talked about all the animals that live near the rocks. It talked about bats and sea turtles. It explained how the female turtles came to the shore to lay their eggs, and how after the little turtles come out of their shell and go to the sea. It also explained how after years and years the babies become adults, they still remember where they were born, and the females even come back to the same place to lay their own eggs. Personally for me, Rosh Hanikra was my favorite place.
-Lena Cox
The Northern Coast
Today, we journeyed accross the Galil to the coastal city of Acco. We toured the ancient port and learned of its fascinating history and its signifigance to the economy of the region. At 11 AM sharp we stood at a busy intersection listening to the somber call of the Yom Hazikaron siren. Car after car and even an Egged bus pulled over and their respective drivers stood silently until the siren ceased its cry. Around us nothing moved and it was easy to imagine this same scene simultaneously playing out all over Israel.
From Acco we ventured farther north along the coast to Rosh HaNikra. This is the northernmost settlement on the coast. We made a brief stop at the border with Lebanon and discussed the hopes of a nation that one day this border will be secure and that peace will be forged with all of our neighbors. Rosh HaNikra itself though is famous for its caverns or grottos. Upon arrival, we saw the beautiful white cliffs and the amazing azure of the Meditarranean Sea. We descended via cable car to the ocean's surface and began to tour the caverns. We were all smitten with the beauty of the surroundings and the sounds of the water lapping gently inside the caves.
Upon our return to the Golan we enjoyed some play time and dressed for Yom Ha'atzmaut. The madrichim prepared a tekes/ceremony for us to get us in the celebratory mood for the evening. We also celebrated Ilana's birthday with candles, cake and balloons. We are on our way to Katzrin to join in the festivities there joined by two graduates of PJDS, Amishai Gottlieb and Hanan Leberman, both now living in Israel, who have come to sing, dance and increase our joyous revelling.
Tomorrow we are rafting on the Jordan and making our trek back to Jerusalem. We will include more student postings and pictures as soon as we arrive. Best wishes and Hag Sameach to all our PJDS families back home
From Acco we ventured farther north along the coast to Rosh HaNikra. This is the northernmost settlement on the coast. We made a brief stop at the border with Lebanon and discussed the hopes of a nation that one day this border will be secure and that peace will be forged with all of our neighbors. Rosh HaNikra itself though is famous for its caverns or grottos. Upon arrival, we saw the beautiful white cliffs and the amazing azure of the Meditarranean Sea. We descended via cable car to the ocean's surface and began to tour the caverns. We were all smitten with the beauty of the surroundings and the sounds of the water lapping gently inside the caves.
Upon our return to the Golan we enjoyed some play time and dressed for Yom Ha'atzmaut. The madrichim prepared a tekes/ceremony for us to get us in the celebratory mood for the evening. We also celebrated Ilana's birthday with candles, cake and balloons. We are on our way to Katzrin to join in the festivities there joined by two graduates of PJDS, Amishai Gottlieb and Hanan Leberman, both now living in Israel, who have come to sing, dance and increase our joyous revelling.
Tomorrow we are rafting on the Jordan and making our trek back to Jerusalem. We will include more student postings and pictures as soon as we arrive. Best wishes and Hag Sameach to all our PJDS families back home
Sunday, April 22, 2007
More Israel Poems
I am on my way to Eretz Yisrael,
The gate of heaven, Throne of Glory.
I am praying in the uttermost west, but
my heart is in the east. Until I reach
O Jerusalem of gold and bronze I will
have no rest. It is a port city on the
shore of eternity, a perfect dwelling place.
Sam Korus
When I get there,
I’ll leave the gate to heaven open for you,
Let the light shine through.
Everything it touches,
Hovers at the shore of eternity,
At Jerusalem.
I’ll let the violins play all your songs,
For there will be no rest
‘Till you reach that day.
I know.
G-d has sent me and I will go.
Where the ten potions of beauty were assembled
And embedded in the walls
Of the dwelling place on the port city of life.
My friend, I am on my way,
Uprooted from the normal life,
You can have the Throne of Glory, but
Eretz Y’israel is mine.
Sophia Geron-Neubauer
O Jerusalem made of gold,
I wish I was as bold.
I listen to all of your songs,
Praying that I am as strong.
Send me and I will go,
Even though I do not know.
You are so bronze and light,
It takes away all my fright.
With my right hand I will plant a tree,
Plant them for the shore of eternity.
I hope the soil holds tight,
Because it will be quite a site.
When my tree reaches the gates of heaven,
I hope it is not at seven,
Because I am on my way,
I willl be leaving in May.
When I see it I will turn pale,
Because I reached Eretz Y’israel.
Nicole Wolfson
The Throne of Glory in Eretz Y’israel
The Soil, the anchor of so many
Uprooted from their homes,
Brought to the Uttermost West,
Their hearts, in Jerusalem.
The land, it symbolizes to them,
The Bronze and the Gold,
The Light that shines, it’s the Gate to Heaven,
O Jerusalem, it’s the Gate to Heaven,
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
Their hearts, in Jerusalem.
For the people, there is No Rest,
On their way,
Always to the East,
Praying, hoping, trying, striving,
Their hearts, in Jerusalem.
All the Songs,
The Violins played,
Their hearts rejoicing,
Bu their hearts always mourning,
The Jews hearts’, in Jerusalem.
Yana List
I don’t know if you know,
but a long long time ago
evil men came to Eretz Yisroel
and destroyed the land and its holy temple fell.
Men and women alike returned to their one heat’s desire,
to rebuild and rekindle their heart’s fire.
To the uttermost west they travel
ready for her mysteries to unravel.
In the Middle East is where she will live forever
will she be destroyed again and left alone? Never.
O Jerusalem we love you so
send me G-d, and I will go.
Some say California is where to find the gold,
but that’s not true, I’m sure you were never told.
Israel is where it can be found,
along with our history, love, and the homewoard bound.
To the western wall we make sure to face
when we daven in Tefillot or just stand there in place.
Israel is where members of my family have dwelled for some time,
Masada they tell me, is very hard to climb.
When the top is reached, the sight is amazing
they say the bronze light will set my mind ablazing!
Stand at the Cotel at sunrise, and this I swear,
the light will mesmerize you until you’re unable to bear.
Hearts break when it is finally time to leave,
but I will not rest until my stolen heart I come back to retrieve.
Rooted in the soil is our home,
so beat that you enemies, again our people will never roam.
Naava Feingold
As the time goes by, I am being uprooted from the soil, with the light shining on me, as my heart settles in Eretz Yisrael. Every place I pass by, pieces of me are planted upon those places. O’ Jerusalem, I am on my way, to the gate of heaven, my uttermost west. Jerusalem, you are ten portions of beauty, a place that I pray to settle in. You are the shore of eternity, all of your songs. They fill me with comfort and joy.
Mayan Silkoff
Ten Shades of Beauty
If I never go I will be to blame
With ten shades of beauty to radiate your name
Eretz Y’israel, Send me and I will go.
Uprooted from my house and taken to my home.
Your borders are the gates to heaven and their light shines from my violin.
With bronze as my string and gold as my bow I play your ten shades of beauty.
O Jerusalem, all your songs are sung,
Coming out in praise from the angel’s lung.
There shall be no rest in this big race,
‘til I Have come to my destination… my dwelling place.
O Jerusalem, If I never go send me to shame,
With ten shades of beauty to radiate your name.
Sarah Appel
Eretz Y’srael,
The Kingdom of God.
Your throne of glory resides waiting for his majesty to return.
The people wait before the gate, singing all of your songs.
The port cities are filled to the brim, as people arrive waiting for a chance,
The smallest, and slightest chance,
To catch a glimpse of their King when he arrives.
Trees are planted in his honor, and there is no rest as people eagerly wait for his return.
O Jerusalem,
Send for me, and I will go.
Your city is the shore of eternity,
And here in you city is the dwelling place our King.
Behold trumpets sound, and his majesty walks.
A great light!
And then…
Nothing.
Where is he! Where has he gone!
O my King forsake me not!
Come back to me!
O Lord!
Come back please come back!
But alas, nothing happens.
He has gone.
And then…
Bronze turns to gold,
Death becomes life,
And the animals speak as if his presence had awakened them.
He walks,
Unforeseen.
And unnoticed,
And yet,
He walks.
Unapproachable,
He walks.
Max Mandelbaum
I will get no rest until I am on my way to Eretz Yisrael,
I can visit all of the places like Jerusalem and Carmiel.
If I forget you O Jerusalem, let my right hand whither,
I hear that it is made of Gold, Bronza, and Silver.
O Yisrael, I am in the east, and you are in the uttermost west.
Send me and I will go there, but do not make this a test.
O Yisrael, hopefully I am with you soon.
And when I am there I can sing your many toons.
Matan Ayash
I am on my way to Eretz Yisrael
Hoping, Praying that there will be peace.
All I want to do is kiss the soil of this dwelling place,
I will not rest until I do this,
I love Israel more than I love gold,
Israel is the throne of glory, the gate to heaven and so much more
The actual shore of eternity is Jerusalem,
O Jerusalem you are like my right hand,
The port city the light,
The light of earth
Maor Assouline
Eretz Y’israel, I am on my way.
Send me and I will go to you
From where I am in the utter most west
All the way to the uttermost east
And I will endure no rest
Until I wash up on your shore of eternity.
The songs of the gate of heaven will play on violins
While its golden light
Points me to G-d’s Throne of Glory.
The flowers in your soil
Never wither
and the love for G-d
never dies.
Eretz Yisrael, I am on my way.
Rachel Lindy
I am on my way
To a magical place.
Its sky of silk,
Its clouds of lace.
O Jerusalem,
You are my only city.
Eretz Y’israel,
You are so pretty
Ten portions of beauty
Are in you.
Gold and silver and bronza
Shine brightly through.
I always know where you are,
Even in the uttermost west,
Your light shines so brightly,
There is not test.
All of your songs,
Carry me through.
Until the day
I can be with you.
On the shores of eternity,
You are the port city.
Everything inside of you,
Is oh so pretty.
When I reach you and enter
The gate of heaven,
I will want to be with you,
Until I am seventy-seven.
Everything about you,
Is glorious and grand.
I cannot wait to meet you,
Then I will finall (sic) understand.
Ellie Glanzberg-Krainin
Eretz Israel is the place.
The place of Gold, the place of light, and the place of dreams
Once you are there, there is no rest for anything. There is so much to see.
So many Jews.
So many views.
There is just too much to choose.
Jerusalem, o’ Jerusalem, what a cutie.
Only 10 portions of beauty, but never ending hope and community.
The old city is the gate to heaven, the throne of glory. Wow, this is a long story.
The old city has oh so much space.
Some for praying, but is also a dwelling place.
Israel, oh so sweet, its hope cannot be beat.
Israel is the share of eternity.
Lena Cox
Eretz Y’israel is the land of the Jews
In the country we pray for only good news
In the east and the uttermost west
During the day they get no rest
O Jerusalem is made of gold
There is one new city and one old
Play the violin and sing all your songs
When your (sic) in Israel you can never go wrong.
Israel is the gate to heaven and the throne of glory
The Jews are great once you hear their story
Israel, I am on my way
I love the land of milk and honey every day
Leora Rychik
Eretz Yisrael I am on my way,
There will be no rest until I get there
O Jerusalem we pray to the east,
All your songs bring us hope,
We plant them in the soil,
And hope that the tree will never boil.
The light that the violin brings to us,
Is uprooted and gives us hope to show ust he way,
To the Gate of Heaven
Akiva Goldstein
O, Jerusalem you’re like a light,
Brightening an empty night.
Showing the way to the city of gold.
With all your songs, so very bold.
Eretz Yisrael you’re my home.
I’ll always come, no matter where I roam.
Your violin calls to me,
Uprooting and setting me free.
Send me and I will go.
I know no rest,
Till I see your glow.
With inspiration for praying,
And a dwelling place for staying,
Your soil brings community
To our people for eternity.
Ilana Silber
The gate of heaven, Throne of Glory.
I am praying in the uttermost west, but
my heart is in the east. Until I reach
O Jerusalem of gold and bronze I will
have no rest. It is a port city on the
shore of eternity, a perfect dwelling place.
Sam Korus
When I get there,
I’ll leave the gate to heaven open for you,
Let the light shine through.
Everything it touches,
Hovers at the shore of eternity,
At Jerusalem.
I’ll let the violins play all your songs,
For there will be no rest
‘Till you reach that day.
I know.
G-d has sent me and I will go.
Where the ten potions of beauty were assembled
And embedded in the walls
Of the dwelling place on the port city of life.
My friend, I am on my way,
Uprooted from the normal life,
You can have the Throne of Glory, but
Eretz Y’israel is mine.
Sophia Geron-Neubauer
O Jerusalem made of gold,
I wish I was as bold.
I listen to all of your songs,
Praying that I am as strong.
Send me and I will go,
Even though I do not know.
You are so bronze and light,
It takes away all my fright.
With my right hand I will plant a tree,
Plant them for the shore of eternity.
I hope the soil holds tight,
Because it will be quite a site.
When my tree reaches the gates of heaven,
I hope it is not at seven,
Because I am on my way,
I willl be leaving in May.
When I see it I will turn pale,
Because I reached Eretz Y’israel.
Nicole Wolfson
The Throne of Glory in Eretz Y’israel
The Soil, the anchor of so many
Uprooted from their homes,
Brought to the Uttermost West,
Their hearts, in Jerusalem.
The land, it symbolizes to them,
The Bronze and the Gold,
The Light that shines, it’s the Gate to Heaven,
O Jerusalem, it’s the Gate to Heaven,
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
Their hearts, in Jerusalem.
For the people, there is No Rest,
On their way,
Always to the East,
Praying, hoping, trying, striving,
Their hearts, in Jerusalem.
All the Songs,
The Violins played,
Their hearts rejoicing,
Bu their hearts always mourning,
The Jews hearts’, in Jerusalem.
Yana List
I don’t know if you know,
but a long long time ago
evil men came to Eretz Yisroel
and destroyed the land and its holy temple fell.
Men and women alike returned to their one heat’s desire,
to rebuild and rekindle their heart’s fire.
To the uttermost west they travel
ready for her mysteries to unravel.
In the Middle East is where she will live forever
will she be destroyed again and left alone? Never.
O Jerusalem we love you so
send me G-d, and I will go.
Some say California is where to find the gold,
but that’s not true, I’m sure you were never told.
Israel is where it can be found,
along with our history, love, and the homewoard bound.
To the western wall we make sure to face
when we daven in Tefillot or just stand there in place.
Israel is where members of my family have dwelled for some time,
Masada they tell me, is very hard to climb.
When the top is reached, the sight is amazing
they say the bronze light will set my mind ablazing!
Stand at the Cotel at sunrise, and this I swear,
the light will mesmerize you until you’re unable to bear.
Hearts break when it is finally time to leave,
but I will not rest until my stolen heart I come back to retrieve.
Rooted in the soil is our home,
so beat that you enemies, again our people will never roam.
Naava Feingold
As the time goes by, I am being uprooted from the soil, with the light shining on me, as my heart settles in Eretz Yisrael. Every place I pass by, pieces of me are planted upon those places. O’ Jerusalem, I am on my way, to the gate of heaven, my uttermost west. Jerusalem, you are ten portions of beauty, a place that I pray to settle in. You are the shore of eternity, all of your songs. They fill me with comfort and joy.
Mayan Silkoff
Ten Shades of Beauty
If I never go I will be to blame
With ten shades of beauty to radiate your name
Eretz Y’israel, Send me and I will go.
Uprooted from my house and taken to my home.
Your borders are the gates to heaven and their light shines from my violin.
With bronze as my string and gold as my bow I play your ten shades of beauty.
O Jerusalem, all your songs are sung,
Coming out in praise from the angel’s lung.
There shall be no rest in this big race,
‘til I Have come to my destination… my dwelling place.
O Jerusalem, If I never go send me to shame,
With ten shades of beauty to radiate your name.
Sarah Appel
Eretz Y’srael,
The Kingdom of God.
Your throne of glory resides waiting for his majesty to return.
The people wait before the gate, singing all of your songs.
The port cities are filled to the brim, as people arrive waiting for a chance,
The smallest, and slightest chance,
To catch a glimpse of their King when he arrives.
Trees are planted in his honor, and there is no rest as people eagerly wait for his return.
O Jerusalem,
Send for me, and I will go.
Your city is the shore of eternity,
And here in you city is the dwelling place our King.
Behold trumpets sound, and his majesty walks.
A great light!
And then…
Nothing.
Where is he! Where has he gone!
O my King forsake me not!
Come back to me!
O Lord!
Come back please come back!
But alas, nothing happens.
He has gone.
And then…
Bronze turns to gold,
Death becomes life,
And the animals speak as if his presence had awakened them.
He walks,
Unforeseen.
And unnoticed,
And yet,
He walks.
Unapproachable,
He walks.
Max Mandelbaum
I will get no rest until I am on my way to Eretz Yisrael,
I can visit all of the places like Jerusalem and Carmiel.
If I forget you O Jerusalem, let my right hand whither,
I hear that it is made of Gold, Bronza, and Silver.
O Yisrael, I am in the east, and you are in the uttermost west.
Send me and I will go there, but do not make this a test.
O Yisrael, hopefully I am with you soon.
And when I am there I can sing your many toons.
Matan Ayash
I am on my way to Eretz Yisrael
Hoping, Praying that there will be peace.
All I want to do is kiss the soil of this dwelling place,
I will not rest until I do this,
I love Israel more than I love gold,
Israel is the throne of glory, the gate to heaven and so much more
The actual shore of eternity is Jerusalem,
O Jerusalem you are like my right hand,
The port city the light,
The light of earth
Maor Assouline
Eretz Y’israel, I am on my way.
Send me and I will go to you
From where I am in the utter most west
All the way to the uttermost east
And I will endure no rest
Until I wash up on your shore of eternity.
The songs of the gate of heaven will play on violins
While its golden light
Points me to G-d’s Throne of Glory.
The flowers in your soil
Never wither
and the love for G-d
never dies.
Eretz Yisrael, I am on my way.
Rachel Lindy
I am on my way
To a magical place.
Its sky of silk,
Its clouds of lace.
O Jerusalem,
You are my only city.
Eretz Y’israel,
You are so pretty
Ten portions of beauty
Are in you.
Gold and silver and bronza
Shine brightly through.
I always know where you are,
Even in the uttermost west,
Your light shines so brightly,
There is not test.
All of your songs,
Carry me through.
Until the day
I can be with you.
On the shores of eternity,
You are the port city.
Everything inside of you,
Is oh so pretty.
When I reach you and enter
The gate of heaven,
I will want to be with you,
Until I am seventy-seven.
Everything about you,
Is glorious and grand.
I cannot wait to meet you,
Then I will finall (sic) understand.
Ellie Glanzberg-Krainin
Eretz Israel is the place.
The place of Gold, the place of light, and the place of dreams
Once you are there, there is no rest for anything. There is so much to see.
So many Jews.
So many views.
There is just too much to choose.
Jerusalem, o’ Jerusalem, what a cutie.
Only 10 portions of beauty, but never ending hope and community.
The old city is the gate to heaven, the throne of glory. Wow, this is a long story.
The old city has oh so much space.
Some for praying, but is also a dwelling place.
Israel, oh so sweet, its hope cannot be beat.
Israel is the share of eternity.
Lena Cox
Eretz Y’israel is the land of the Jews
In the country we pray for only good news
In the east and the uttermost west
During the day they get no rest
O Jerusalem is made of gold
There is one new city and one old
Play the violin and sing all your songs
When your (sic) in Israel you can never go wrong.
Israel is the gate to heaven and the throne of glory
The Jews are great once you hear their story
Israel, I am on my way
I love the land of milk and honey every day
Leora Rychik
Eretz Yisrael I am on my way,
There will be no rest until I get there
O Jerusalem we pray to the east,
All your songs bring us hope,
We plant them in the soil,
And hope that the tree will never boil.
The light that the violin brings to us,
Is uprooted and gives us hope to show ust he way,
To the Gate of Heaven
Akiva Goldstein
O, Jerusalem you’re like a light,
Brightening an empty night.
Showing the way to the city of gold.
With all your songs, so very bold.
Eretz Yisrael you’re my home.
I’ll always come, no matter where I roam.
Your violin calls to me,
Uprooting and setting me free.
Send me and I will go.
I know no rest,
Till I see your glow.
With inspiration for praying,
And a dwelling place for staying,
Your soil brings community
To our people for eternity.
Ilana Silber
Look at how we match!
On Friday we all "got the memo" to wear our boistrous blue trip t-shirts during our trip to Caesaria.
After learning about Herrod's grand coastal city, we davened individually in the same place where Rabbi Akiva was tortured by the Romans until his death. Rabbi Shawn discussed that only at that point was he able to understand the mitzvah of "U'vchol nafshecha," the statement in the V'ahavta that mandates humans to love God with their "entire soul."
More thoughts on Yemin Orde
Hey its Max, and I wanted to talk about my amazing visit to Yemin Orde. It was amazing! I became friends with a lot of Ethiopian Jews and had an amazing time spending Shabbat with them. One of the kids in particular that I became great friends with was named Techilo. He was from Ethiopia and he showed me Yemin Orde and told me about himself and about how he got to Israel. While staying at Yemin Orde, it’s difficult to learn about how many of the kids arrived in Israel because many of them do not like to speak about life in Ethiopia. I was very lucky to be able to talk to Techilo about it. He felt uncomfortable talking about the small village that he was born in and talked more about the city he moved to as he waited to be able to move to Israel. By the end of our stay at Yemin Orde, Techilo and I had swapped email addresses and he is coming to America this summer, so I may even have a chance to meet up with him while he is staying in New York.
At first it was hard to talk to the kids at Yemin Orde because most of the kids are still learning Hebrew and know very little English. The key to making a relationship with any of them was that you had to speak a lot of Hebrew! I didn’t even know that I knew that much Hebrew! Anyway I made a lot of knew friends with the kids and had a lot of fun. In all, Yemin Orde reminded me a lot of camp and I had an awesome time experiencing a Shabbat with a Ethiopian twist (about 50% of the kids living in Yemin Orde are Ethiopian). Their tunes were awesome and they prayed with a great amount of enthusiasm that made the praying worth it.
Sincerely,
Max Mandelbaum
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