Kulanu Ba'aretz 2010 - 2011

"This says it all"

2011-01-16T02:05:00.000-08:00

"This says it all"

-Evan

Farewell Party

2011-01-13T01:19:00.000-08:00

Farewell Party

Thank you Dvora and Kenny
for a fantastic party.

Thank you Dr. Beryl for your
Parsha classes.

"Bayla's Angels"
Shana & Vered

Thank you David for the great
food in the dining room.

Thank you Raya for
EVERYTHING!!

Thank you Steve for a GREAT song!!

Thank you Chanan for coordinating all
the great events with the high school kids.

Thank you Kulanu kids for making our 3rd
Ba'aretz trip a memorable and rewarding
experience for all.

To the tune of Honkey Tonk Women by the Rolling Stones

They landed here El Al in mid October

They didn’t have a clue ‘bout what’s in store

Made it through three months so think it over

Leaving now but they just want some more

Chorus:

Sing a song say so long to Kulanu

They made their mark in style for me and you

He’s full of smile Max D he’s Mr. Friendly

Watch out now he hugs with all his might

Made his mark right in the Chadar Ochel

And when he starts to dance he’s out of sight

Chorus

Max K well yeah he seems a little quiet

Hey who needs lots of noise to make your day?

But when it’s time for work better watch out

He must be a kibbutznik they all say

Chorus

Zach he’s our deep thinker don’t you know it

And if you ask he’ll share some thought with you

They love him at the Kol Bo who can blame them

He’ll be your friend and teach a midrash too

Chorus

Get ready cause he’s got a lot of questions

Yonatan he’s friends with me and you

Just don’t come late, make sure you shave each morning

I gotta go they need me at the zoo

Chorus

Who’s that girl on hikes she’s number one now

The laundry queen –sweaters, shirts and socks

She keeps the boys in line she’ll have some fun now

Bayla Beinstock she can really rock

Chorus

Evan said hey it was fun the last time

I’ll work a little and soak up Israeli sun

He learned a little Hebrew in the meantime

יאללה חלאס די כבר יונתן!!

Chorus

Let’s give it up for Kenny and Dvora

Made it through these mild winter days

Hiked a lot and ordered lots of pizza

What will they do until the summer days?

Final week Activities

2011-01-11T02:04:00.000-08:00

Friday morning we walked through

parts of Bet She'an National Park.

Crossing the "Gesher"

Max and Mordy checking
out the great views.

A big thanks to Judy for teaching us
how to make home-made hummus.

Basketball with the high school kids.

Art with the high school kids.

Party Time....Thanks to Chanan

and the gang for all the good times !!!

Pizza Making, Rosh Hanikra with the Dwek family and Acre

2011-01-05T10:58:00.000-08:00

Saturday night Kenny brought over his

portable pizza oven and we all got to make

our own personal pies.

That's not a bowling ball....

that's a pomelo!!

Yonaton helping Kenny paint

one of the bunk houses.

Bayla's brother Sholom making a

surprise visit to the Kibbutz

Steven, Jo, Abie, Zeke and Jake Dwek

arrving on Kibbutz to visit with Max......and

to travel with us to Rosh Hanikra.

Rosh Hanikra

Yes..... we were that close to Lebanon. In fact,
the border was about 100 yards to our left.

Cable car to take us to the grattoe's.

The beautiful grottoes at Rosh Hanikra resulted

from an ongoing geological process over thousands of

years. It all began with a series of underground shocks

that ripped gapes into the bedrock. Rainwater

penetrated and dissolved the bedrock forming tunnels

and sea caves (grottoes)

Acre (Hebrew) Akko (Arabic)

Acre is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities

in Israel. The walls of the city, its fortresses and citadels,

its churches and mosques and its many other buildings

within its boundries, tell the history of the many rulers

who governed it and fought for it, who built the city and

who glorified it.

In Acre, you can see the "fingerprints" of many peoples

and religious movements such as the Canaanites, the

Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Crusaders,

the Mamelukes, the Turks and the British. Today Acre has a Jewish population close to 50,000.

Walking the Old City of Acre on

the way to the famous Shuks.

Shabbos with the Katz family, Bayla riding a Bike and The Golan Heights

2010-12-29T13:36:00.000-08:00

Friday afternoon we were off to Hashmonaim

to spend Shabbos with the Katz family.

We would like to thank Stuart, Carol and the

kids for welcoming us into their home, their shul and

their lives and making our Shabbos a very special one!

Sunday afternoon, Yonaton had a visit from his Israeli

Aunt and cousins....bringing with them enough chips

and nosh to satisfy even Yonaton's appetite.

Monday Bayla received a bike riding

lesson from our good friend Kyle.

Wednesday we were off to the

Golan Heights for the day.

First stop was an abandoned

Syrian village

Next, a short visit to the

Golan Heights Winery

After, we had a chance to tour the DeKarina

Chocolate Factory and not only watch chocolate

being made, but to try to make it ourselves.....

and to eat it of course!!

DeKarina, originating from Argentina, has been

making chocolate by hand for more than 100 years.

Last stop of the day was to a memorial for

Israeli soldiers who died fighting against Syria.

The memorial is locted at the sight of old Syrian

tunnels and fighting trenches.

Hike, BBQ, Art and Zichron Yaacov

2010-12-21T12:35:00.000-08:00

Friday morning's hike was to a small

mountain on a neighboring Kibbutz

Saturday night we invited the high school kids

from the Kibbutz for a barbecue at our house

Sunday night Art class

Tuesday we went to Zichron Yaacov for the day. Our first stop was Ramot Ha-Nadiv (Heights of the Benefactor), located at the southern end of Mount Carmel. Ramot Ha-Nadiv is a living memorial dedicated to the memory of Baron Edmond de Rothschild who had a consequential role in the establishment of the state of Israel; including many towns and agricultural settlements developed under his sponsorship.

Beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea.

Apple break!!

Ramot Ha-Nadiv contains some of the most
beautiful gardens in Israel, including the Cascade
Garden, Rose Garden, The Palm Garden and The
Fragrance Garden...all meticulously nurtured.

The Rothschild family motto appears below the
shield in Latin...Concordia, Integritas, Industrias
(Harmony, Integrity, Industry)

The main street in Zichron Yaacov (Memorial of Jacob..

named after Baron's father) is considered by many to be the quaintest in all of Israel...with its cafes, craft shops, restaurants and beautiful homes. Zichron Yaacov was founded in 1882 and has the distinction as being one of the first agricultural towns to be developed in Israel in modern times.

Beniamins Pool was inaugurated in
1891 when new technology was used to bring
water through pipes to drinking fountains and
to this beautiful pool in the center of
Zichron Yaacov.

"You scream, I Scream, We all scream!!!!"

Tel Aviv & Jaffa

2010-12-15T12:13:00.000-08:00

Our day trip to Tel Aviv started out by

the beach and we walked our way to the

beautiful Old City of Jaffa (Yafo)

Jaffa has existed as a port city for more than

4,000 years and is the only one that can boast

uninterrupted inhabitation throughout its entire

existence. Old Jaffa has since become one of Israel's

more popular tourist attractions with its quaint

picturesque paths and gardens leading to artists'

quarters, studios and art galleries. Its narow alleys

are named after the signs of the Zodiac and are set

against a backdrop of modern Tel Aviv.

                      Mr. Wollis hugging the "Hovering
                  Orange Tree", which is a tree completely
                      suspended by ropes that is thought to
                            symbolize Israel's prosperity.

A little fun in the sun!!!

Last stop of the day is the Design Museum

in Holon to see some cool exhibits about

craftsmenship and building.

Robots made out of vacuum cleaner parts.

Shabbaton in Jerusalem

2010-12-12T08:05:00.000-08:00

Thursday began our Shabbaton to Jerusalem and our first stop was directly to Yad Vashem. Yad Vashem, established in 1953, has become the world center for documentation, research, education. and commemoration of the Holocaust.

Davening Mincha at Yad Vashem

The Valley of the Communities in Yad Vashem

is a massive 2.5 acre monument literally dug out of

natural bedrock. Over 5000 names of communities

are engraved on the stone walls in the Valley of the Communities. Each name recalls a Jewish community

which existed for hundreds of years. Today, in most cases, nothing remains but the name.

Mr. Wollis finding his
Grandfather's birth city.

Yonaton meeting his uncle, aunt and
cousin by chance at Yad Vashem.

Later on, Max K. reuniting with his half-
brother Yehuda and family after 14 years.

A truley amazing dinner with Mark
and Marlene Kurman...We thank you!!

Especially Yonaton!!

Davening Friday morning at the hotel.

Off we go exploring Jerusalem on foot

Gilad Shalit is an Israeli soldier who was
captured on June 25, 2006 by Hammas. A tent
has been erected by his family to keep the hope
of his safe return alive. We sign our names and
give our prayers.

A Jewish Art exhibit

Soon after we walked up to Mahane Yehuda,

which is the largest shuk in Jerusalem. Not only

can you buy the best and freshest of everything

edible....it is a great place to people watch.

Jake and Zeke Dwek meeting us at the shuk.

A beautiful stroll back to
get ready for Shabbos.

Bayla being picked up for Shabbos dinner
with her family by brother Yaakov.

Night Hike, John Deere Land, and an afternoon in Safed

2010-12-07T12:37:00.000-08:00

Saturday night we were lucky to have a few of Shluchot's

finest Ex-soldiers to take us on a" night-hike" and to teach

us a few army maneuvers.

We were running, crawling and rolling....
But having lots of fun!!

Mission accomplished.....Let's eat!!

Tuesday we were off again to spend the afternoon in Safed. First stop on the way was Mount Tabor (Har Tavor) which is a hill rising 1640 feet above the Jezreel Valley in the region of Galilee. Due to its strategic location along the north-south road, it has been an important fortress since ancient times.

On top of Har Tavor

Next stop....... John Deere Land for
a little fun. John Deere tractors are an
essential part of the farming operation
on Kibbutz Shluchot.

A beautiful picnic lunch in the woods.

           Safed (Tzfat) is one of the four holy cities in Israel,
            together with Jerusalem, Tiberius, and Hebron.
          The old part of town consists of narrow cobblestone
               alleys revealing artists' galleries, medieval
               synagogues, tiny cafes, private homes and
                                   small guest houses.

                  According to legend, Safed is where Shem
                      and Ever, son and grandson of Noah,
           established their Yeshiva where Yaakov Avinu
                                 studied for many years.

In the 16th century, many famous Jewish religious

scholars and mystics moved to Safed following the

Spanish Expulsion, fleeing from the horrors of the inquisition. Safed then became the spiritual center of

the Jewish world, where Kabbalah reached the peak

of its influence.

Watching a candle being made.

Max is amazed that this "teva"
is made soley of wax.

Bayla exploring some of the art galleries.

Relaxing and laughing.

After a big group hug, we head back home.

Beit Guvrin Caves and Army Base

2010-12-02T06:34:00.000-08:00

Wednesday we became amateur archeologist exploring several caves in the Beit Guvrin area where numerous quaries produce limestone for cement and for the typical natural stone faces of many houses found throughout Israel. The Soreq Cave, the first of many we visited, was founded by accident in 1968 by miners blasting away the stone with explosives. The site quickly became a nature preserve as it contained beautiful stalactite and stalagtite formations that have been forming for millions of years underground.

Stalactite is above and hang down like icicles and
stalagmite is below and sticks up from the ground.
After hundreds of thousands of years they
can meet and become columns.

Into the Columbarium Caves at Beit Guvrin -
Maresha National Park

This cave was used in Byzantine times as a place for
nesting pigeons. Pigeons were used for many purposes
such as a food source for the people, sending messages
and collecting the droppings for fertilizer for the crops. Centuries later, the Jews used these caves to hide in.

The last cave we visited was the Bell Cave which is VERY large with ceilings over 60 feet high and an entrance that is easily accessible. This cave was a quarry which was excavated at different times in history, and dates back to the 4th century B.C. Because of its fantastic acoustics and grand design, today this cave is used for many unique occassions.

After "Cave hopping", we were invited to an Israeli Army base in the Beit Guvrin area to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with soldiers and officers.

Armored Humvee

M-16 machine gun simulator

Lighting candles, singing and eating
"sufganiyot" (jelly doughnuts)

HAPPY HANUKKAH!!

Melissa, GAGA, Hiking, and Bowling

2010-11-28T06:43:00.000-08:00

Thursday afternoon brought us a big surprise!!

Melissa Spector, Mom, Dad and Cousin

came to Shluchot for a visit.

Catching up with old friends.

Thursday night....GAGA

in the bombshelter!!

This Friday was the "hike of all hikes". We ventured out on a 4-hour expedition which brought us up to the top of the Gilboa Mountains where we had a great picnic lunch.....and then back down for a well deserved pre-shabbos rest.

To celebrate our one-month anniversary in Israel,

Saturday night we had an amazing bowling and

pizza party with the Kibbutz High School kids.

Golan Heights Day 2

2010-11-25T13:51:00.000-08:00

First stop on our second day is to Mount Bental, which is part of an extinct volcano in the northeastern Golan Heights. The top of the mountain is 3,840 ft. above sea level and is home to the Har Avital - Har Bental Nature Reserve. On top is a reconstructed IDF (Israel Defense Force) emplacement, built on the original Syrian emplacement with bunkers, tunnels, and now........ a "posh" new cafe and coffee shop.

Tunnel leading into an underground bunker

"Coffee Annan"....which means "Cloud Coffee"

If there's food.....Yonaton will find it
(even 3,840 feet up!!)

Max helping Bayla over tough terrain.

Picnic lunch in a very cool sculpture garden

After lunch, we arrive at a Deer Farm....but are

surprised to find many other animals.

Some very small and some VERY large.

Our last stop in the Golan Heights took us to Banias (Banyas) Nature Reserve and Waterfalls. The Banias was the site of worship for many centuries to a dozen peoples and half a dozen religions. In ancient times the Canaanites and later the Greeks built shrines and temples here. The park today is treasured for its rich historical significance and its magnificant waterfalls.

We never miss a chance to walk...or sit on water pipes

Dinner in Bet Sh'ean at our favorite local place.

Golan Heights Day 1

2010-11-24T13:57:00.000-08:00

We're off to the Golan Heights!!

A roadside tank museum...let's climb them!!

This Ancient Jewish farming village of Qasrin or Katzrin is now a museum park giving a revealing picture of what daily life in the early Jewish communities of the Golan and Galilee would have been like. Here you will find a partially restored ancient synagogue dating from the Byzantine period. Also, two reconstructed houses from the Talmudic era, complete with reproductions of furnishings and implements from those times.

Time to grind the olives

And then press them.

"Peek-a-boo"

At the entrance of the Ancient Synagogue.

Davening Mincha

Capernaum Vista Olive Farm produces some of the

best quality olive oil products in the world

including cosmetics, foods, soaps, and of course

olive oil....in many flavors.

After a movie and a tour of the factory, it's time to
taste the many varieties of olive oil

A quick stop at Eden Springs

And finally..... a stroll through Tiberius

with dinner and ice cream

Meeting one of the most famous chefs
in Israel...Segev Moshe.

Yonaton enjoying one of the 10 plus
falafel places in Tiberius...and getting
free seconds from the owner!!

Gelato by the Kinneret

Time to head home....we have a full day
tomorrow back in the Golan Heights!!

A very busy week.....but fun!!

2010-11-22T00:25:00.000-08:00

Friday Morning brought us to "The Sachne", which Time Magazine selected as the most beautiful site in Israel and one of the world's 20 most exotic sites. With beautiful waterfalls, underground springs and stone bridges, this was an extremely pleasurable place for us to visit and swim.

Also within the park is an ancient flourmill. The flourmill is waterdriven and is one of the most unique flourmills in Israel.

Jake and Zeke Dwek spending Shabbos with us

Max on his bike

Bayla typing an e-mail to her little sister

Steve playing BINGO with the boys

Breakfast on the Kibbutz with our "new"
friend Nikolas, who we met at Masada.

Another class of Ball Pilates....It's getting easier!!!!

Water exercises at Kibbutz Nir David with Freida

Hamat Gader Alligator Park & Hot Springs

2010-11-18T05:17:00.000-08:00

Amazing day at Hamat Gader

Who wants to swim in this pool???

Max D. asked ....."Hey, where's his helmet?"

Keeping busy....and in shape!!

2010-11-16T10:13:00.000-08:00

Sunday night "Ball Pilates" presented us
with many new challenges......but
we all tried our best and had a blast.

Bayla doing a great job balancing

Max making it look easy.....it's not!!

Max looking like he's been
doing this for years.

Monday night basketball with
the Kibbutz teenagers.

SWISH........

Yonaton making even more new friends

A big thanks to Max D.'s Grandparents for
treating us to an amazing pizza dinner!!

Pitot Making & Jam Session

2010-11-14T03:35:00.000-08:00

Motzei Shabbos brought pitot making with
Kenny and some of our new friends

Then a little Jam Session to keep the party going!!

Gan HaShelosha Kangaroo Farm

2010-11-14T01:09:00.000-08:00

Friday morning we visited Gan HaShelosha Kangaroo
Farm only 10 minutes from our Kibbutz.

We had an opportunity to see (and in some cases touch)
different animals that are native to Australia.

Ein Gedi

2010-11-11T07:32:00.000-08:00

Rare herbs and spices grown at Ein Gedi were famous throughout the ancient world and used to produce the most exotic incense, lotions and perfumes.

An inscription in the mosaic floor warns members of the community not to divulge the "secrets of the town" to outsiders or a curse would be placed upon them.

Kenny teaching the group about this Byzantine-era synagogue which sat desolate for more than 1,000 years. The region was resettled in 1949 by a group of pioneers who planted it with cotton, grapes, vegetables and flowers.

Yonaton and Max help set up for a picnic lunch

Washing before devouring schnitzel sandwiches
and chips

Sorry Max!! Your still fleishig.

A vigorous hike to get to the waterfalls.

It doesn't get much better than this!

Time to dry off and head home

The Dead Sea and Nahal Prazim

2010-11-11T05:58:00.000-08:00

The Dead Sea is so salty, almost ten times saltier than any ocean, that no fish or plant can live in it, which explains why it is called the Dead Sea. Bordered by Israel and Jordan, the Dead Sea is located 1,300 feet below sea level, making it the lowest place on earth! Even if you can't swim, you'll never sink in the Dead Sea because the large amount of salt and other minerals make the water so dense you just bob on the surface like a cork. Many visitors to the Dead Sea rub themselves with the salt or cover their bodies with the black mud, which are said to be good for relieving skin ailments and arthritis.

Nothing like floating in the Dead Sea!

Yonaton preparing for a hike at Nahal Prazim

Bayla and our guide Shaul

Friends helping friends

Which way to 620 Central Ave.?

Masada

2010-11-11T02:50:00.000-08:00

Located on an almost inaccessible mountaintop high above the Dead Sea, King Herod built this legendary palace fortress about 2,000 years ago. About 75 years after Herod's death, it became the final stronghold of the First Revolt against Rome. Here the last Jews to live under their own rule (until the creation of the State of Israel in 1948) committed suicide on the eve of their conquest by Roman armies. They unanimously choose death....... over a life of slavery.

On the way up

Oh the beauiful view from up here!

Davening Mincha in the Shul atop Masada

Max conquering his fear of heights

There's no turning back....let's do it!

Down.....Down.....Down.....Down

Three enthusiastic thumbs up....Good job Guys!!

Bnei Akiva Celebration

2010-11-07T01:02:00.000-07:00

Zachary making new friends

Waving the Israeli flag PROUD

Let the dancing begin!!

It's Shabbos!!

2010-11-07T00:40:00.000-07:00

Off to Shul and then an "outstanding" dinner
at Kenny and Sandy's House!!

Friday morning Hike to Ein Mudda Springs

2010-11-07T00:24:00.000-07:00

Day trip to Jerusalem

2010-11-03T04:34:00.000-07:00

We're on our way to the Old City!

Saying a Brachos by the Kotel while
Zachary puts a "kvitel" in the wall.

Enjoying a tour of the Kotel tunnels

Davening Mincha

Yonatan and Max checking out the "shuks"

Dinner with Jake and Zeke Dwek and Nathan
at Ben-Yehuda Street

Kulanu in Jerusalem

2010-11-03T03:38:00.000-07:00

Work time!!

2010-11-01T04:25:00.000-07:00

Max in the Dining Hall

Zachary at the Kol-bo

Bayla in the Laundry

Yonaton at the Petting Zoo

Max in the Dining Hall

Art class with Kenny

2010-11-01T04:10:00.000-07:00

"Now we have a place to hang our keys!!"

Shave...Shower...Shabbos!!

2010-11-01T04:05:00.000-07:00

Off to Shul and then a beautiful dinner at
Steve and Dvora's house

Max calling to wish Mom and Dad a Good Shabbos!

Time to explore the Kibbutz

2010-10-29T06:17:00.000-07:00

Our beautiful Shul

Our first hike to the fish ponds

Max pets a chinchilla from our very own zoo

Bayla near our house

First day of Davening

2010-10-29T05:57:00.000-07:00

Next stop....Shluhot!!

2010-10-29T05:49:00.000-07:00

A picnic lunch on the way to our new home

A home cooked meal in our own house
before turning in for a well needed sleep!!

Saying goodbye at the airport

2010-10-29T05:15:00.000-07:00

The whole Mishpucha!!

Waiting in anticipation

Arriving in Tel-Aviv

Preparing for the big trip

2010-10-26T18:57:00.000-07:00