CBI YOUTH CHOIR ISRAEL TRIP

Dor L’ Dor - generation to generation - sums up our Shabbat in Jerusalem’s embrace. Shabbat morning began with a literal expression of Dor L’ Dor at the B’not Mitzvot of Becca Myers and Samantha Levine. The girls Talitot were made by their families. Samantha’s family took Tsitsit from Talitot belonging to her grandfathers’ and father and added a new one.

Our focus on Dor L’ Dor began Erev Shabbat as our group held a service at the southern excavations near the Kotel (Western Wall) and Cantor Bernstein spoke of the generations of jews who travelled thousands of miles to perform the same act - praying at the Kotel, but each experienced the Wall in his or her own way. As Shabbat officially began, we were at the Wall, where some of us danced with a group of college students touring Israel with Birthright.

Our morning service was on the roof of Hebrew Union College with the Myers and Levine generations expressed by children, grandparents, and even a great-grand parent. After a lovely luncheon hosted by the families of the B’not Mitzvot we experienced Jerusalem on Shabbat. For some that was a nap, others went to the hotel pool, or explored the Muslim and Christian quarters of the Old City. As Shabbat ended, Cantor and the youth and teen choirs led by Buddy Voit on guitar and all the other families gathered,  celebrated a lively Havdallah in the hotel garden as other hotel guests watched and listened from their windows.

Dor L’ Dor isn’t just parents to children. Cantor reminded Becca and Samantha that, now that they are Jewish adults, they are also now teachers.

The saga that was our journey to Jerusalem is over and we have arrived. After an early morning bus trip, a survived bomb scare at LAX and a thirteen hour plane ride without sleep, we touched down in Ben Gurion and drove to Jerusalem. A highlight and routine activity so far has been eating. Our first meal consisted of at least twenty dishes, of various spreads, pita and a course of meat of skewers. Friday morning, at the early hour of 5:00 am, we were roused by the voiceless, mandatory wake up call and went to breakfast. We were greeted by four tables of deliciously enticing chopped vegetables, fruit, pastries, cheese and fish. All in all, the state of the food on this trip has been a success - and the trip will be too.

We have arrived. Our first stop at the Hass Promenade ovelooking the entire city of Jerusalem began with the prayer of Shehechiyanu and a prayer for peace of Jerusalem. The children sang from psalm 122:

Our feet are standing at Your gates. Jerusalem. Jerusalem, built as a city bound firmly together, where tribes once went to give thanks to the Eternal, where thrones of justice were once set, thrones of the House of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, may they prosper who love her. May peace be in her walls, tranquility in her towers. May God bless us from Zion and let us see the good of Jerusalem. Let us see our children’s children and peace upon Israel.

Dinner was fabulous. Endless plates of typical Israeli middle eastern fare were amazing. They were able to serve all 73 of us at long family style tables.

Tomorrow we are up at 6:30 and will be visiting the old City of Jerusalem and all of her Holy sites.

Shabbat Shalom. Have a wonderful shabbat. We will be holding our Kaballat Shabbat service in the area of the Western Wall.

I am thrilled to be traveling with everyone to the home of my heart, Israel.  Jerusalem, in particular is a second home for me. It has been since I first visited Israel as a teenager many years ago. My first trip, then, was with USY (United Synagogue Youth) Pilgrimage to Israel, it was a trip much like our Reform NFTY in Israel trips now. My parents gave me the opportunity to be the first person in our immediate family to go to Israel.

My family, like so many families, has members living all over the world. In 1933 my cousin Moshe Yoshpe, along with other members of our European family came to Israel from Russia/Poland. He helped build Moshav, K’far Sirkin outside of Petach Tikva/Tel-Aviv. Four generations of that side of my family live in Israel. A part of this family lives near Modi’in where we will be visiting the Reform synagogue of Yozma. Many other members of my family as well as good friends have made Aliyah and live in Israel. I also am very lucky to have made many friends in Israel over the years.

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Rabbi Michael Berk and Cantor Arlene Bernstein blessed all summer travelers present at outdoor services on Friday, June 20th. Services were filled to capacity in the beautiful Price Family Courtyard. Most of the travelers to Israel as part of the Youth Choir were present and excited to be departing for the Holy Land.

This Blog will serve as our connection back to CBI. We will update our travels with commentary and photos. We hope everyone will check back often to see how we are doing and what stories will have inspired us.

B’Shalom.