We left early and drove into the Negev Desert. Our first stop was for a desert hike. We hiked up a trail built into the side of the hill. The views were sensational. It has a sculptured look to it with dramatic views all carved out of limestone. Not sure if our guides tell this to all the groups but they said we got up to the top the fastest of the groups they've had. Hiking in the desert was invigorating and the kids all did great.
Then it was on to Ben Gurion's grave. His dream was that millions of Jews would settle the desert. When he was travelling across the desert he saw a small group of youngsters starting a settlement, so when he retired, he joined the small kibbutz that they were building right around the ridge where ancient Canaan started.
We had lunch in Yerucham where Avinoam's sister Ilana lives. It's a small town settled by Moroccan Jews and gave us a very different perspective on Israel. Our most memorable moments have been the times we have spent with local Israelis, and meeting Ilana and the woman who made us lunch was inspiring. Ilana ended up here as part of a program to encourage young people to come to Yerucham and stay so they could improve things. She married a Moroccan Jew and loves her community. She was very enthusiastic to have us visit. We had lunch in the home of Mesuda, a woman who made aliyah in 1963. Her family had all of two months to leave Morocco after the king decided to allow them to emigrate, which ended with someone knocking on her family's door and telling them to throw what they could into a suitcase and come before the opportunity passed. She said she has had a hard life in this desert town raising 11 children by herself as her husband died in his 30's but she has been very happy. She has felt safe here which they never felt in Morocco.
We ended the day in a Bedouin village. We went on a camel ride which the kids really enjoyed. A Bedouin showed us how they make their coffee and demonstrated how you can grind with different rhythms and make music, which the kids had a chance to participate in. We had a scrumptious dinner sitting Bedouin-style on the floor.
We ended the day with Rabbi Schuck leading us in a desert experience as many religious experiences have arisen in the desert starting with Abraham and Moses. We had a chance to sit quietly by ourselves and experience the desert at sunset.
Can you then imagine all of us sleeping in one great big tent on slim mattresses under the bright moon and stars?
Cary and Mark Hochberg
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