The weather is PERFECT, the sounds are a mixture of waves crashing, techno dance music blaring from the various clubs nearby, and the smattering of car horns typical of any city here in Israel. The breeze is cool and constant and brings the salty, humid taste of the sea with it.
The Jewish people have called this place the Promised land, particularly using such nomenclature during times we could not be here. So, now that the Jewish people can live here, what does that promise mean? This is a question we are here to explore. Is it the promise to have a place we can call home? Is it the promise that we can earn the opportunity to stand here if we promise to promote values of justice, equality, freedom and peace? Part of this journey is the chance to figure out what this promise means for each of us, now that we are here and Eretz Yisrael is not just a yearning, but the place in which we stand - a place of hope for many people.
Our wonderful tour guide, Shelley Trachtenberg, framed this question we'll be exploring with this poem from Israeli poet Amos Oz, called "Leaving a Mark":
The land of Israel is not a Museum of God. No place is a museum of God,
No person and no inanimate object is a thing of worship.
It is permissible to both touch and change these things
On condition that you yourself are prepared to be touched and be changed.
The condition is love.
I know: it is impossible to 'educate to love' --
You cannot educate someone to love the Land,
Nor can you educate someone to love the scenery.
With love, you can "infect" someone else. Sometimes love can be awakened, Sometimes, but not with a strong hand, not with an outstretched arm, and not with burning anger --
rather through an approach of mutuality.
You come to a place -- a hill, the desert, a spring, a house...
You can change it and make your mark upon it,
But it is also important to be open
And give it the opportunity to leave its mark on you.
Here's to understanding this complicated, amazing part of our world and finding the promise it holds for each of us - in our hearts and in our hopes.
Pictures below (on my phone, I just can't seem to embed the pics in the text ... yet):
First group selfie
Reunion with my parents and a lovely family friend, Dov
Incredible sunset on Tel Aviv beach
Our first group shot prior to heading to a delicious Mediterranean dinner at Maganda
The view of Tel Aviv, Old Jaffa, and the beach from where I'm writing this on a gorgeous evening!
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