TL-46-551 Update 2

#Bus551 has had a busy few days! We’ve spent the last 3 days in the North of Israel exploring new places and heights. On our first full day, we traveled to a water river hike in Hatzbani where we walked through the river and a small waterfall. Afterward, we went to a lookout point where we discussed and learned about the 1967 and Yom Kippur wars. We concluded our day with a river rafting experience on the Jordan river and a well-deserved dinner. 

Day 3 started off with a tour of Tzfat, the home to Jewish Kabbalah. We toured an Ashkenazi and Sephardi synagogue, had lunch in the city, and met with a Kabbalah artist. Following Tzfat, we went to another lookout point to learn more about Israel’s history. To wrap up the day, we did an ATV tour featuring an incredible view. 

On our fourth day, we left the North and headed to Atlanta’s partnership region in Israel, Yoqneam- Megiddo. There we learned about the Ethiopian Jews living there and conversed with local Israelis over lunch. We then spent the afternoon in Zichron Yaacov and traveled to Jerusalem. We concluded our night with a night out at the shuk in Jerusalem. 

The next day, we met the six Israelis that will be joining us for the few days of our trip. We all spent the entire day exploring Jerusalem and holy sites, including the Western Wall. After a brief archeological tour, we returned to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat. 

Shabbat was a more relaxed day featuring a walk around the Israeli parliament (Knesset) and political discussion. We also celebrated 3 bar mitzvahs in our group as they read the blessings for the Torah. 

Everything is going by so quickly, but we can’t wait for the next few days for our trip! 

– Amanda Budd