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message from Joel Moss Joel Moss added: It was an amazing experience with a group of very determined people and very well organized in all aspects. My best learning was an old Arabic expression which our guide Yishai said in Hebrew: "Chacham hashvil mehaholech bo - the trail has greater wisdom than those who travel on it." In hiking it means stick to the trail and be wary of seeming shortcuts. It's a good motto for life in general and following the paths of the Torah
Message from Avi, our medic שלום שלום לאנשים המופלאים דבר ראשון אני רוצה להוריד בפני כל אחד ואחד מכם את הכובע ופשוט להגיד כל הכבוד , אתם אנשים מדהימים ואני שמח שיצא לי להכיר אתכם , הייתם קבוצה מדהימה עם המון שמחת חיים ואהבה לעולם ובמיוחד לילדים שבשבילם צעדתם כל יום אני יודע שכל אחד כבר חזר לחיים הפרטיים שלו ולחיי היום יום אבל האנרגיות והרוח והאהבה שהשארתם בארץ במיוחד באזור הצפון לא נעלמו ולא יעלמו הקסם שלכם נשאר פה ובטח ובטח בתוך ליבי ... המון אהבה ושפע של ברכות פן ירבו אנשים כמותכם אבי Shalom Shalom to the special people, First of all I want to take off my hat to each and every one of you and simply say Kol Hakavod! You are really amazing people and I am happy that I had the opportunity to meet you and get to know you. You were a great group with lots of love of life, happiness and love of the world, especially for the children for whom you hiked every day. I know that you all returned to your private lives and your daily routines but the energy, spririt and love that you left in Israel, especially in the North, have not disappeared and will not disappear. Your magic will stay here and, of course, in my heart. Lots of love and loads of blessings. There should be many more people like you. Avi
Goodbye Dinner The last night, the group had a beautiful and delicious closing dinner at Decks in Tiberias. After enjoying a delicious meal, we went around the table asking people's impressions and ideas. Yishai, our tour guide spoke about the planning of the trip and that it was a dream that became true. Sheldon spoke about walking the breadth of Eretz Yisrael and that next time we should walk the length of the country. He said that it was a very spiritual experience being with nature. Robbie spoke about the wonderful work of Emunah. Joel Moss spoke of his appreciation of Yishai's tuchus. He was also humbled by the privilege to be able to do this trip. Ellen Moss spoke about the great group of people. She also spoke from a professional point of view about the accomplishments of Emunah, is successful in a way that is unparalled. Jordan said that this trip allowed him to get a new perspective of Israel. Irene told us how moved she was by Adele’s inspirational talks each morning and the great hikes. She was impressed by the work that Emunah is doing. Mindy spoke about her time on the ledge, and all that she could think of was that at least someone would give money to Emunah in her memory. Jonny told the group that he agreed to chair this hike to imitate some of his hiking experiences in Europe; but it would be even better because it would be in Israel. Albie admitted that he did not have a choice about coming on the hike, but was very satisfied. It was a completely different experience than he had ever had in Israel, and he loved the terrain.
Thursday May 3rd IN our inspirational for the day we heard about individual children whose lives have been changed because of Emunah. We began our trail beneath the industrial area of Tzfat, descending a steep path to Ein Kuvais a small spring with a water mill. This may e one of the remains of the wool industry that flourished in Tzfat in the 16th Century u[pm the arrival of Jews expelled from Spain. At our lunch break we were joined by 10 of the children from our Sara Herzog Home in Afula. We continued our descent to the lower Amud stream climbing and under rocks (even through a thundershower) while walking through the dry riverbed we were surrounded by a variety of coloured flowers on all sides. We followed the trail under the giant cliffs of Nachal Amud until we reached a concrete strip that crosses the river bed. This is the national water carrier bring water from the Kinneret to the Negev. From there the hike was short until we reached the famous Amud – the natural column which gives its name to the entire river bed Once we left the Amud stream we took a short bus ride to Karei Deshe beach. At the entrance were cheered by more of the children from Emunah's residential home in Afula. Ronnie Faber poured our Mediterranean water into the Kinneret symbolizing the conclusion of our Yam Le Yam hike. We were entertained by the Emunotes – a group of girls from our home in Afula who sang and danced for us. Certificates of accomplishment were awarded to each participant with everyone clapping for each other. We finished with an emotional rendering of Hatikvah. Our concluding dinner was in Decks…..(to be continued)
Day 3- Wednesday, May 2. 2007 Our inspirational talk of the day was about the range of Emunah's projects all over Israel, from the 8,000 baby and infants in Emunah's care to the services for senior citizens. This was corroborated by personal testimonies from Fran Hirmes and Mindy Stein. We began our hike today, in the midst of the chamsin, on the summit trail of Har Meron, where we finished yesterday. We passed an area of trees on the trail, hit badly by ketyusha rockets in this past summer's war with Lebanon. Yishai, our extraordinary guide, pointed out the new growth already sprouting from the base of the burnt trees, symbolizing the growth and continuity of Eretz Yisrael. We then began with a steep descent to the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, preceding the Lag B'omer masses and bonfires of the weekend. We saw the ruins of the ancient synagogue of Meron. We then continued all the way down to the riverbed of Nachal Meron which we followed to Nachal Amud. There we came to the Sechvi pools filled with clear, cold, refreshing water and many Israeli teenagers. We soaked our tired feet and posed for a beautiful photo opportunity. As we made our sweaty ascent up from the rocky river bed, we stopped to admire the stunning scenery and the storks gliding overhead. We ended the evening with a magnificent, unbelievably scrumptious dinner at the Bar-El Restaurant/ Bed and Breakfast. It was awesome. Quotes of the Day: -As Yishai quotes David Ben-Gurion, "If you do not believe in miracles in Israel, than you are not practical." -We learned why call the Lower Galilee the Lower Galilee: Because it's lower than the Higher Galilee. -"And I always thought Emunah was a bunch of old women…Now I know for sure."- Sheldon Margules -"When in doubt, use you’re tush(buttocks)"- Ronnie Faber -"Ein Shemesh k'shemesh ha'aretz"- Steven "the bagel" Adelsberg
Day 2- May 1, 2007 Our inspiration of the day delivered by Adele Roffman was Emunah’s multi-purpose daycare center in Tzfat. We began the day at Nebe Sabalan where we met the Druze who is responsible for protecting the grave of Zevulun. From there we began a steep descent to Nachal K’ziv (once again), and continued up and up Nachal Neriyah. We walked past the ruins of Chumemah and Ein Chumemah, until we reached the summit trail of Mount Meron. There we enjoyed the breathtaking views of Northern Israel. At dinner, we received an inspiritational talk from Shlomo Kessel, Director of the children's home in Afula. He spoke to the group about the war last summer in the North. He discussed how Emunah handled the situation with the children, getting them to and from shelters and dealing with the crises of the war. He spoke about the programs and services that the children's home in Afula offers. The group had this to say about our eventful day: -"It says in the torah, that the Jews at Har Sinai saw the voices, instead of hearing the voices. So to, it's imperative that everybody should see the wonderous things that Emunah does and the capable people who run the Emunah homes and facilities."- Mindy Stein -"It was a perfect day: challenging, gorgeous weather, and great company."- Shaynee Kessler -"As we met the challenges throughout the hike youc ould hear much laughter and interesting conversation."- Diane Burstein "The stretching really helped relieve our sore muscles."- Steven "the Bagel" Adelsberg
Day 1 Quotes of the day! “Move your legs as fast as your lips” – Yishai, our wonderful guide “I have hiked all over the world but this is the most special day of hiking “– Robbie Prepas , Laguna Beach California “This trip has been a breath of fresh air in so many different ways – this verdant countryside has been a refreshing change from a polluted environment” -Sheldon Margules Lawrence. “No spouse was missed!” Steve Adelsberg, Brooklyn “The Montreal couple are too fast!” Mindy Stein Teaneck “Besides the long walking I will always remember the camaraderie and encouragement from everyone – and that at the very end this is all for the children” Irene Kofman Woodsburgh “This is a beautiful group” Yishai “This is only the first day” Steve Adelesberg
Day 1 continued We started our hike in Mitzpe Hila – home to captured soldier Gilad Shalit. We climbed down the steep mountain to the Montfort fortress and the Nachal Kziv river bed – a lot of rocks and a lot of water! In spite of the challenging terrain everyone's spirits were high and there was a wonderful feeling of camaraderie. The day ended with a steep climb until we met our intrepid jeep driver Zion who was waiting with fresh herbal tea he had brewed for us .
Day1 Monday April 30 The first day startedomptly at 7.30 with an emotional send offat the beach of Gesher Ahziv by Adele Roffman reminding us of the children of EMunah who we are all walking for. Then Jonny Ben David filled a bottle with water from the Mediterranean which will be carried by all of us in turn till we pour it into the Kinneret on Thursday.
Sunday continued After a satisfying meal and an inspiring welcome by the Emunah team we all went to bed without any need of Ambian!
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