Northern Exposure

Morning Services IN the Kinneret!

In quick succession, I have had new opportunities to explore the hilly northern regions of Israel.  The first came as a getaway among friends during the break between summer and fall academic terms. Seven of us piled into small little car and wound our way among earthen redoubts and bovine sanctuaries.  Our main destination was Tzfat (Safed?), the ancient city of mysticism and art.  Some say this is the highest city in the Galilee and Israel; the view from our rented apartment would support this claim.  I remember stopping in Tzfat during Birthright. Walking down the cobblestone sidewalks, I was reminded of the colorful places of worship and the rows of galleries with their windows looking out on the countryside.  My friends and I spent our break relaxing by sampling  locally produced wine, goat cheese, and olive oils.  We admired the artisanry  and ritual objects.  As we browsed talliyot and jewelry, the microcalligrapher who illustrates biblical scenes with the complete text promised a free print if we could find an error.  Perhaps a return trip is in order after the completion of our Biblical Grammar course?

Smiles at Tel Hai

Busy schedules drew us back to Jerusalem after two nights, but within a week, we found ourselves driving northwards again as part of the first study tiyul of our year for our Israel Seminar with the rest of our colleagues. This journey brought us to the Kinneret region including Kibbutz Degania, the city of Tiberias, and a stop in Nazareth.  Framing our trip was the pioneer experience of the early kibbutznikim, people who gave up lives elsewhere to reinvent themselves and the land 100 years ago.  This concept informs a piece of Israel's identity and continues to be played out through agricultural and modern urban kibbutzim. We stopped by one urban kibbutz whose mission is built on education and youth outreach.  The group relies on consensus model decision making, something with which I am only too familiar (shout out #weareavodah), to coordinate daily operations and life with young children.  As a long term arrangement, I wonder what life would be like in a complete cooperative.  Can such a model persist alongside a society built on capitalist ideals?

Gan HaShlosha: sunnyday destination

Our adventures concluded with a visit to Gan HaShlosha, a national park and natural spring.  Few things are as refreshing as a quick swim with nibbling fish, waterfalls, and some swimming buddies. In these clear waters, you can see people of all denominations and races swimming together.  Now fall term is in full swing, but hopefully more refreshing swimming excursions lie ahead in my future!