Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Jewish Leadership and Desert Experience


Dear parents and friends,

Today was physically demanding - an early rising for both Satell Teen Fellows and students from the Netivot region was intentional for a sunrise viewing at Masada; it was a long day at Masada, Ein Gedi, the Dead Sea, and the final destination for the Fellows, Jerusalem. Upon the 3:45 am wake-up call, Fellows and Netivot students hopped on the bus to take them to Masada.  All participants got to see the water cistern that brings water to the baths and mikveh located at the top of Masada. After the brief hike up the mountain, participants were given the opportunity to watch the sunrise and embrace the beauty of King Herod’s fortress-palace of so many years ago.

Taking it all in was beautiful, but what was even more incredible was the history behind it. Participants learned about the Hashmonee, descendants of the Macabees who began to create King Herod’s escape palace at Masada, or Mitzada in Hebrew, which is also commonly described as mountainous and at a battle advantage. The program members saw many parts of Masada such as the mikveh, which was created by the Jews in 66 C.E. and discovered by chief rabbis as a Jewish creation due to its exact measurements at 40 se’ah, which is exactly what the mikveh must be in order to be considered a mikveh. After discovery of the mikveh, Masada was proclaimed a Jewish site. Fellows and Netivot students also saw the mitzodah, the fortress created by the Jews of Jerusalem, as well as the beit Knesset, which is still used for bar mitzvah celebrations today, and got to understand the anti-semitism behind Masada, since for quite a time people thought there was no Masada war, which was an idea central to those coming out of ancient Europe.

Unfortunately there was a war, with the rebellion beginning around 66 C.E. and ending in 73 C.E., even though it was really in 70 C.E. with the capture of Jerusalem. The information about Masada was extensive and a wonderful educational experience for both programs. After letting the information sink in, the Fellows and Netivot students sunk their feet into each step they took down the snake path, the trail down Masada, and were eventually welcomed by breakfast, since the trip down Masada was over before nine o’clock in the morning.

While we were physically exhausted, our spirits were running high as we took the quick bus ride over to the Ein Gedi area which consisted of a “Savta Hike” (even a Grandmother could do it), and beautiful waterfalls. Over the course of the hike, Yisrael discussed with the group the biblical significance of the region, ranging from wooden poles for the Mishkan (tabernacle), to the story of King Saul and David’s interaction in the hills of Ein Gedi. The beautiful water, wildlife, and hiking grounds were a relaxing, yet active continuation of an already superb day.

Our next stop with the Netivot program was the Dead Sea Spa where we got vouchers for lunch, and then hit the beach for an uber-salty swimming experience. With burning eyes and stinging cuts we engaged in a meaningful farewell with the Netivot Chevra as they boarded the bus back to their home town. The Fellows then applied therapeutic mud and spent time in the swimming pool for the rest of the afternoon until we boarded the bus for the long drive to Jerusalem, spiritual epicenter, holy city, capital of Israel, and by extension, capital of the world.

Upon arrival in Jerusalem we went straight to Mt. Scopus, which overlooks the entire city of Jerusalem. Here, we learned about Hebrew University and Hadasa hospital, and then made a Shehechiyanu on grape juice, due for our first visit to Jerusalem. Next, Melanie and Farren led the group in a harmonious and inspiring presentation of Naomi Shemer’s “Yerushalayim Shel Zahav” (Jerusalem of Gold). Before leaving, we used our uplifited spirits to help enhance the singing and dancing of another youth group that had just arrived in Jerusalem. From there, it was straight to a delicious dinner at Sammy’s on Rechov Agripas, which consisted of hot pita, Israeli salads, falafel, shwarma, and chicken - an intense spread for an intense group.

From there we went to the beautiful and intimate Eldan hotel, where we showered and unpacked before the next activity. At around 9 o'clock most of the Fellows went out to a recently-built outdoor mall only five minutes away from the hotel. While we split up for groups to go shopping, we all met at a central café to finish off the night before hitting the hay close to 20 hours after we had woken up that morning.

From start to finish, the multicultural and engaging aspects of the day left an impact on all of us, one that we can hopefully carry with us for the rest of our lives.

Good night!

- Melanie Rivkin and Ezra Seligsohn