Jerusalem kehilla goes on tiyyul

Thirty adults and eight kids from the Jerusalem Kehila participated in a two-day trip last Friday and Saturday, June 7 and 8, 2013.

The trip started with a visit to the Soreq Cave. This worldwide known wonder of nature was recently equipped with new LED lights. The colorful effects on the stalactites and stalagmites produce incredible sensations for the visitors.

The next stop was the biblical botanical garden of Neot Kedumim. This Biblical landscape reserve in Israel is located halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The unique recreation of the physical setting of the Bible in all its depth and detail allows visitors to see life as it was lived by our ancestors 3000 years ago. More than a "garden" showing various plants, Neot Kedumim embodies the panorama and power of the landscapes which shaped the values of the Bible and provided the rich vocabulary for expressing those values. Our guide, Iris showed us some plants that appear in the Old Testament but also some from the Gospels.

Another item on the program was Caesarea. Part of the group spent some time at the beach, next to the ancient aqueduct, meanwhile others visited the Archeological Park with the ruins of the ancient city. On the way Eitan shared with us an interesting interpretation from Origen of

the parasha of the week.

When the bus arrived at the foot of Mount Tabor, a group of the strongest decided to climb the mountain. After one hour climb they joined the others, who were already at the top. During the

Eucharist celebrated in this significant place, we celebrated the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The Italian-style dinner was prepared by the members of the Community Mondo-X that runs the pilgrims' house on Mount Tabor. During the dinner, a huge cake was brought to celebrate the 5th birthday of our two sweet twins.

Saturday started with morning prayers in the ruins of the Benedictine Chapel. After breakfast we moved to Nimrod where Cecile explained to us the history of this tremendous fortress. Next, we went to Banias where two groups were formed. The first one visited the place with the regular route. The strongest walkers went all the way to the waterfalls and the ruins of the temple of the Greek god Pan.

Lunch was had in a newly opened restaurant, K-Bab, near Kiryat Shemonah, the last part of the trip. On the way back Father Piotr interviewed the young people who participated in the trip in order to let everybody know them better. This way the private life and work of Wenzel, Jagoda, Leila, Sophia and Eva Maria were introduced to the others.

We would like to express our gratitude to all the persons who helped to organize and prepare the trip.