There was Orthodox prayer service in the early morning open to everyone who wished to participate. Our first full day at Kennes began with an extensive kosher breakfast catering to the diversity within each of the thirteen communities and encouraging cultural exchange. We checked in with our San Francisco Cohort and were presented with six Shabbat Morning Experiences - Traditional Minyan, G-d Talk, Yoga, Reform Service, Biblio-Drama, and Nature. Many challenged themselves in their choice by selecting an option that was new to them* and others connected deeply to what they already enjoyed. With our color groups, a mix of fellows from each international cohort, we participated in Shnayim Ochazin (text study) and studied Parshat Korach. The coordinator posed challenging questions on dictatorship, the qualities of a leader, and majoritarian rule. We discussed the biblical significance of actions as well as the contemporary interpretations. By lunchtime, we had made friends and continued to mingle with other Dillers. We gathered for our Shabbat walk to the Old City of Jerusalem. Our first stop was overlooking the entire city where our new tour guide, Ori, introduced us to the history of Israel and the present-day Israel-Palestine conflict. For our third meal, we had a light snack picnic-style in the park, Gan ha’Pa'amon. We visited the neighborhood of Yemin Moshe, named for the famous architecture who built outside the gates of the Old City and sit alongside the former boundary with Jordan. The reality in the Old City greatly contrasted with the progressive movement, Women of the Wall, which we had been acquainted with the previous day. At the Kotel, men and women prayed in segregated sections and some placed notes within the wall. We went on to see the remains of the Temple and the new co-ed portion of the wall, which derives from a compromise between Israel and the women who fought for it to be egalitarian. As the end of Shabbat fell upon us, we greeted the new week with Havdalah rituals such lighting the candle and snuffing it in the grape juice - it was a marvelous sizzle. In Diller style, we wished each other well, danced with great ruach, and 'rode the pony.’ After taking photos and inhaling the beauty of the Wall, we treaded on to Ben Yahuda Street to visit with family and friends and share the company of other Dillers. There was an abundance of souvenirs and delicious food. The long night came to an end and we were back to Kibbutz Ramat Rachel. *singular to be gender inclusive
Contributed by Gavi Emunah - July 11th
An early morning breakfast greeted us
at Ramat Rachel Hotel, and with only 5 hours of sleep under our belts, we all took a
final survey reflecting on our experiences at Kennes. We packed all of our
baggage into a bus, and departed for Mount Herzl. About 5 minutes later we
stepped off the bus and a wave of heat assaulted our faces. We then continued
into a nice air conditioned building and spent the next hour or so experiencing
a multimedia multi-directional tour of Herzl's life. After a quick stop for
icecafe, we were introduced to our Israeli-British tour guide that walked us
through Mount Herzl, switching seamlessly between jokes and history lessons.
After the tour, a footsore group of fellows then boarded the bus again, and we
continued on to a desert team building program. From 1:00 - 4:00 pm we jumped from a
couple activities; we herded goats and sheep, we played a question game, and
tried to build arches with random piles of stones. Needless to say, Yonim and I
thrived as shepherds.
Everyone was thrilled to be reunited with our Israeli
brothers and sisters, but physical needs had to be met, but after a quick
bathroom and snack break, we were back on the road, making our way north mile
by beautiful mile. Finally the bus stopped in Kiriyat Shmonah, and we were
blissfully reunited with our Israeli partners.
After a lovely welcoming
ceremony, very similar to when they came to SF, we split ways, for now.
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