Israel Trip 2006, Day 10 (03/01)
The last day of our Israel experience began with a journey back in time. We headed to Beit Guvrin, a forty five minute drive from Tel Aviv on the road to Jerusalem. Passing the strategic point of Latroun--important battle site in both the war of Independence and the 6 Day War in 1967, we came to what was an ancient city of more than 20,000 residents.
Beit Guvrin dates back generations and is mentioned in the Bible. Founded by Solomon's son and then through the years became a site of different groups both Jewish and not. The Jews who lived there were carried off to Babylonian in 586 BCE by Nebudchadnezzar and others came to occupy this huge town including the Edomites. Later when Alexander brought Hellenism to Israel--this town included both Jews and pagans and Hellenizers. The Maccabees brought Judaism to this area again.
We met our guide Asaf who helped us as we began to climb through a series of tunnels more than 60 meters below the earth's surface. These are the remains of underground connecting systems of their basements. Narrow in many place, we scooted through history by candlelight. The basements had been filled up with dirt and stones when some fled the area. Later we entered the tunnels that had been cleared out of much of the dirt and fill. It was here that we got to participate in an archaeological dig. (This is how they removed the dirt from the filled in tunnels!). We used our hoes and buckets--finding mostly pieces of pottery shard and bones of animals and shells that had been used as decorations. (Probably part of the Friday night chicken dinner!) When we climbed back up on the ground we sifted through buckets and buckets finding addtional shells, pottery pieces and bone.
No major finds by us but we had a better appreciation for Indiana Jones and all those who piece together ancient history through archaeology.
Back to Tel Aviv for an afternoon at leisure. Some of us went down to the Mediterranean enjoy another beautiful day while others of us shopped in the Carmel market or Sheinkin street--the Melrose Avenue of Tel Aviv!
We gathered at 6 pm for our farewell dinner at a wonderful restaurant called Stephen Braun. It was named for a gay man who had been a furrier in the building. His nephew opened the restaurant. It was a delicious meal and we got to thank our driver Shmuel, Russel Lord our travel agent and Rafi Shibolet our incredible guide.
We had two surprise guests also join us --Mike Hamil from the Agudah--Tel Aviv's LGBT organization who had visited us at our opening meal and made a presentation returned to spend the evening with us. Also joining us was Michal Eden, former city council woman of Tel Aviv. She had been the first openly gay elected official in all of Israel! We were so happy to see her and catch up with her as she had visited Kol Ami a number of years ago. She gave us an update on Beit Dror--the gay homeless youth shelter she helped to start.
After dinner we walked to Evita--a wonderful gay owned cafe and bar for dessert and coffee. We said goodbye to those of our group who were leaving on different flights flying to Turkey or England or Frankfurt or Egypt. We loaded our bus for the last time for our return trip to Los Angeles.
Of course our flight was delayed a bit leaving--but after the marathon of flying we returned safely to Los Angeles on time making up all of the time delay!
The trip went by so fast--but we had an amazing eye view of Eretz Yisrael--it successes and difficulties. We journeyed into the past and imagined what the future will bring as elections are looming large in the local mind. But most of all we deepened and strengthened our ties to the Land of Israel and realized we too have a stake there. A stake for our people--Am Yisrael. Am Yisrael Chai.
Shalom,
Rabbi Denise L. Eger
Posted by Lee at March 3, 2006 09:14 AM
