Negev Tiyul followed by a taste of home

Last week we had our third and final HUC tiyul. We spent 4 amazing days in the Negev. (desert in the Southern part of the country) The first day began with a moderately challenging hike in Ein Avdah followed by an alternative "meditative" Mincha service overlooking Machtash Ramon. Machtash Ramon is the crater we had the opportunity to see back in December when Matt lead the sunrise Bat Mitzvah. It was as stunning as ever and on top of the beautiful sights, we had amazing weather.

We stayed at Kibbutz Yahel which is one of two Reform kibbutzim in the South. We were exhausted by the end of the night, but what better way to unwind than with a Karaoke party! Matt surprised me by singing the song from the first dance of our wedding - "Here, There, Everywhere." Then, he had to partake in a little boy band action with some of the guys singing the Backstreet Boys (thanks to Jessie's camera, the footage of that one will re-surface sometime again this year).

Day Two - We had two choices, supposedly between a "beginner" hike and an "intermediate hike." Yeah right. More like "super challenging" and "extremely-super challenging!" Matt and I separated for these few hours, I went on choice A and he took choice B and the camera. After an unbelievably difficult, but fulfilling day of hiking, we spent the night sleeping on the ground at a Bedouin tent (owned and run by Israelis, not quite Bedoin but still a unique experience). Although the sleeping part was less-than the Ritz, we were in the middle of the most spectacular view on a mountain in the desert.

The next morning we traveled to the second Reform kibbutz in the South, Kibbutz Lotan. This is a eco-friendly living environment and the projects they have developed over the years are incredible. Everything from creative recycling to constructing their own homes out of all environmentally friendly materials. There are some amazing projects going on at Lotan and we hope to visit them again before our time in Israel ends. (especially for their Watsu Center - that's shiatsu massages in a heated pool!)

Next onto the resort town of Eilat. Again, absolutely perfect weather and a chance to snorkel in the Red Sea. Although the water was frigid, Matt braved the waters to see the spectacular coral reef and its exotic fish. I took a pass on this one and sat on the beach playing Euchre.

We headed back to Kibbutz Yahel for Shabbat. We had a wonderful Friday night service led by the rabbi at Yahel, followed by dinner and a very touching, meaningful discussion with Rabbis Danny Freelander and Elyse Frishman (married, Reform rabbis in the States, on sabbatical in Israel) about what life will be like for the students and spouses as they progress through their careers. Saturday morning services were led by the HUC cantorial students. We had a relaxing Saturday on the Kibbutz where we also heard a panel discussion from the residents and had the opportunity to ask them questions about living at Yahel.

We headed back home Saturday night, to a very excited Mitzi! This was our favorite tiyul and I think we definitely felt a sense of becoming "one with the desert" but it was nice to be back in our comfy beds!

After a couple of days of rest following the tiyul, we met up with our friend Peter Freimark (Matt's good-friend Adam's father) who was here in Jerusalem participating on a Mitzvah Hero mission. We enjoyed a delicious dinner and great conversation together and thanks to his generosity, we received a couple of requested items we just could not find here in Israel: Low-Fat Peanut Butter (for Erin) and Kraft Mac & Cheese in the blue box (for Matt).