Day 1 in Israel

Shalom,
We arrived safe and sound at 12:30 p.m. ish today (Tuesday) to a sunny and hot (not too hot, really) day. Passport control and baggage went relatively smoothly, and then through the exit to hugs and kisses with Aviva, Hana, and Yonat (the Anderson's partner [and now family] in Modi'in). After fiddling with the ATM machine for ready shekels, we were off in our mini-bus to Naot Kedumim, the Biblical Preserve not far from Modi'in dedicated to recreating the flora and fauna of the Bible. We began with a sumptuous vegetarian lunch with all ingredients, planted on site - salads, humus, tahini, quiche, pasta, yogurt, honey and baklawa. The yogurt and honey introduced the theme for the tour. Our knowledgeable, spiritual, engaging guide, Michal taught us many lessons today:
1) "kedumim" means both back in time and advancing to the future. Modi'in from ancient times was at the crossroads, looking towards Tel Aviv in one direction and Jerusalem in the other. The preserve is there to remind us that we can not forge our future without relying on the wisdom of our past. At this moment we all stood in a circle, hands grasped, and listened to Jacqui and Elliot recite a prayer in petition and gratitude for the rain that causes the earth to bloom. We then had the opportunity to plant an oak sapling with another staff person, Zachariah. What a powerful first act for us in the Holyland! It is the hope that in the near future the huge expanse of rock and desolate hills around Modi'in will once again be covered by these beautiful and indigenous trees.
2) "Milk and honey" - the classic epithet for the land of Israel at its best, can easily become a curse. Too much of a good thing moves the heart away from its original intention and turns one into a glutton. Milk and honey is not a blessing according to our prophets.
3) The cedar of Lebanon and the Palm tree of Israel are planted adjacent to each other and reflect together in the pond below them. This symbolizes the ability of two cultures to live together in harmony.
4) The trees and plants of Naot kedumim are planted according to the design of the Bible. For example, the walnut tree is planted in the lower elevation of the Solomon's garden by the pond (cf. Song of Songs) because the story says that King Solomon went down to the walnut tree.
5) We stopped to test out an ancient (2500 years young) cistern, still full of cold water, by an ancient site where was found both Jewish, Christian and Muslim remnants
6) Ended the day with the pounding of hyssop to a finely crushed and frangrant spice to take home. Hyssop (or zata) was the branch used to smear the blood of the doorposts of the Jewish homes in Egypt to spare them from the slaying of the first born.

Please - an open invitation to other members of the delegation to add more of Michal's stories during our adventure today!

From Naot Kedumim, we rode to the Iriyah - municipality of odi'in - where Chaim Bibis, the new young (39 years) mayor of Modi'in warmly greeted us, relayed a bit of the history of Modi'in and handed out Modi'in pins before leaving for another meeting. We also heard from Chaya, Modi'in superintendent of schools. Chaya will be coming to Rochester in December.

By now, jet lag had finally reached the group and thank goodness it was 6:00 p.m. - time to meet our hosts. We walked accross the street to Idanim school, where Aviva is principal and, no suprise, drinks and cake awaited us in the library along with our smiling hosts and many of their young and beautiful children.

All is well in Modi'in as we dream of our long day tomorrow, visiting two schools, workshop at the ecological farm and a guided afternoon at the hot spots in Tel Aviv (including Independence Hall) topped off by dinner on the water. What a life - what inspiration!