Aqua Kef

Last night we celebrated the start of our new week in Israel with a Just Dance competition and a karaoke and pizza party. We would share photos, but it was a device-free event, so what happens on the kibbutz, stays on the kibbutz. Let’s just say CDS Class of 2023 knows how to have fun! We will, however, embarrass our chaperones with this photo from their show-stopping version of “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys (also this year’s 8th Grade graduation song, of course).

Today we headed directly to Aqua Kef (literally, water fun). Of course the attraction didn’t exist when the Jerusalem Talmud was composed in Tiberias and when an influx of rabbis established the city as a center for Jewish learning along the Sea of Galilee in the 18th century. But this inflatable water park on the Kinneret sure lived up to its name, providing an hour of pure unbridled joy and relief from the heat. We then had the opportunity for free swim time at the beach. The photos say it all!

Kfar Kedem

From present-day Tverya, we traveled back about 1,800 years ago to the time and place where the Mishnah was compiled by Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi (Judah the Prince). At Kfar Kedem, they recreate the way of life of our Jewish ancestors in the Galilee, teaching visitors about how ancient peoples worked the land, Jewish agricultural laws, some wisdom of our second-century sages, and our connection to the land of Israel through the millennia. The outdoor pita-making with za’atar and delicious “Hafla” lunch are an annual CDS Israel trip favorite, and this year didn’t disappoint. We learned about the wheat-making process, and of course, everyone has to dress the part in a tunic and keffiyeh!

Then it was time to board our donkeys … we have some naturally expert riders (and drivers) on this trip, which is a skill perhaps they honed riding camels earlier this week. See them in action:

Mount Arbel

Next we took in the magical views atop Mount Arbel, across the Kinneret and beyond to the Golan Heights, with glimpses of Mount Hermon in the distance. Shirel shared with us the story of how the Jews fought against the Romans here, where soldiers sought refuge in fortified caves.

Tonight, we were so grateful to Tomer, Omer, Shirel, and our bus driver Ayal for cooking us a delicious American-style barbecue on the grill here at the kibbutz. It was the perfect way to end the day, and we appreciate their culinary skills and all of their efforts to make our trip so special!