Digging, Mudding & Riding

Monday Afternoon - Kid's Party in a Sandbox

Monday morning Oldest Son along with four other Jewish teens became adults in the Jewish tradition. It is customary to celebrate this significant life cycle event. What better way than to do an archaeological dig in Israel? We took part in an ACTIVE dig at the Beit Guvrin Caves where we uncovered pottery and bones, schlepped out the dirt and then sifted it again. Israel is brilliant in designing authentic and useful tourist attractions.

Youngest Son & Commuter Husband uncover pottery & bones. We carted out about 50 buckets of dirt - seriously.

There are so many shards that visitors can take discarded pieces. Youngest Son made a Chanukiah!

Tuesday - Masada, Dead Sea & Genesis Land

We had three biblical experiences today.

We first took the cable car up to Masada. Our guide told us the great story of the Jewish Zealot's last stand against the  the Roman Legionnaires and about Masada's symbolism in Jewish defense and in modern Israel.

Youngest Son walking along the Southern end of Masada. 

Oldest Son views the original fresco and structure below the black line .

Note Youngest Son's kippah under is baseball cap!

After Masada, we smothered ourselves in black mud, swam in the salt of the Dead Sea and lounged in the hot sulfur mineral bath. It was really fun and relaxing.

Oldest Son helping Commuter Husband. They both had mud head to toe by the end! 

Youngest Son eventually has it in his ears!

Our final stop of Tuesday was at Genesis Land which is a Biblical encampment in the Judean Desert. Abraham and his servant greeted us as we rode camels to a Hafla feast.

See how Youngest Son is holding Oldest Son's arm as they approach that camel? 

LEAN BACK!

We had a kaleidoscope of experiences helping us understand the daily life and landscape of our Jewish ancestors. The learning on this trip is just exponential ...

LOTS MORE PICS AT TEMPLE BLOG - SEE THE ONE OF COMMUTER HUSBAND!