Rabbi's Israel trip Post # 8

Shalom, All!

Today was another emotional roller-coaster, this time in Tel Aviv. Our day began with a visit to the "Ayalon Institute", an underground (literally and figuratively) bullet-making factory that the Hagana ran in Rehovot. Right under the noses of the British Mandatory authorities, the bullet factory produced over 2.25 million desperately needed bullets for the Hagana troops trying to hold back the Arab forces. This was a super-secret operation, and, though it involved 45 workers, remained a secret for years. By the way, we ran into Sandy and Joe Lepelstat again at the "Institute" -- Israel is indeed a small country!!

Our next stop was the former home of Meir Dizengoff, Tel Aviv's first mayor. Turned into a museum after Dizengoff's death, this was the place where David Ben Gurion declared the existence of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948. Our guide played a recording of that event, which included the recitation of "shehechiyanu" and the singing of Hatikva. Even though this is the third time I have heard the recording of that historic event, I welled up with tears and could hardly sing Hatikvah along with the record.

Next we visited the Palmach Museum, about which I have written and about which I have spoken in High Holy Day sermons in years past. To refresh your memory, at the Palmach Museum one follows, through a multi-media presentation, the trials, and tribulations of a Palmach squad from its formation through the aftermath of the War of Independence. Again, extraordinarily moving.

Afterwards we visited "Beit HaLochem", an incredible rehabilitation and recreation center for severely wounded Israeli veterans. The work they perform with the wounded vets, and the extent that they help these men and women, is truly inspirational and is light years ahead of what we do in the US.

Our day ended with a quick visit to Jaffa.

As I said, today was another emotionally charged day!

Tomorrow we are off to the north.

Start planning to participate in our next EMJC Israel trip (date to be determined)!

Love to all from the entire 2009 EMJC Israel group.

Rabbi Androphy