From the Good Land - Springs Flowing in the Valleys & Hills

This week we made a break in our preparations for the trip to Carpatho Rus. We have been planning a gala outing for the whole family in the beautiful green and wet Galilee region for a number of weeks. This Sunday  our family vacation began with a get together at Nachal Hakibbutzim in the Valley of Springs area. The shade and running spring water made the nearly 40 degree temperature enjoyable. Most of our kids and their families made it to the rendezvous and the little ones really loved the dip!

Harel with Yifat & Chen

From the Valley we headed to our camp site near Kibbutz Dafna in the Upper Galilee. Everyone pitched in to make camp and our outdoor barbecue.

Shlomi Pitching the Geva Tent

The next days were spent hiking, enjoying water activities (swimming, water sports, fishing and kayaking).

Tzion & Adi - the Two new High School Girls

This past Shabbat we read Parshat Ekev, in which the wonderful natural attributes of the Land of Israel are described:

Ori & Aviyah in the Dan

For the L-rd your G-d is bringing you into a good land--a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills;  a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing...                            Devarim 8

Linda & Reuven in the Center of Kibbutz Dafna

These days together in the beautiful green, wet landscapes of our country helped us appreciate our Land and its Divine blessings. 

The Women of the Tribe Relaxing

It provided us with a chance to cement our family relationships and the for third generation to get to know their cousins. 

During our three day outing Linda & I visited the awesome Memorial Site at Dafna dedicated to the memory of the 73 soldiers and flight crew who perished in a tragic collision of two military helicopters in February, 1997. The soldiers were on their way to forward positions in Lebanon. The memorial utilizes the natural landscape and springs to create a monument which emphasizes the bravery and dedication of these young men who perished while serving to protect the borders and people of the State of Israel.

The Helicopter Tragedy Memorial

As we departed the Galilee, I noticed that our grandson, Carmi, was wearing a T shirt  with a very pertinent message: "I feel that my roots are here. Here I was born."

This is the message that will accompany us on our trip. How I would love to be able to show my family that perished there,their offspring with such deep roots in the Land of Israel which was chosen & blessed by the L-rd; in the Jewish State which has arisen from the ashes.