Last Week of Work

It is hard to believe that our time in Israel is nearing an end. Thursday we finish up our work with CFI and are taking a few days to travel to the Golan Heights before our kids arrive in 8 days. Friday is the Festival of Shavuot commemorating the giving of the law so everything is closed. It will be hard to say good-bye to our new friends at CFI and especially hard to say good-bye to Israel. We have been invited back by Sharon and Ray so perhaps .... Did you know the Israeli Defense Force has a volunteer program for all ages - I met a woman my age who baked cookies and pastries for the army for three weeks. Said there were a lot of Americans volunteering at her base - only thing, she didn't get to carry one of those M16's in the kitchen. Saint George Monastery located between Jerusalem and Jericho in Wadi Qelt (river bed). Fifth century Greek Orthodox monastery with 2 monks in attendance. The Old Jericho Road runs along side this area.The area of the dry river bed in front of the monasteryInside the monastery with it's old iconsThe supposed cave of Elijah - 1 Kings 17: 1-6 - where he was fed by the ravensStained glass windows of the Great Synagogue in JerusalemThe plaque in front of the Great Synagogue - lots of contributions from Americans for the building of this synagogue.

The best part of our weekend was the wonderful visit we had with Bill and Jeanne Hennessey (from Maryland) who had been traveling all over the land as well as parts of Egypt and Jordan. While in Jerusalem, they stayed only 10 minutes from our apartment and we were able to meet up easily and walk to one of the two restaurants we know is open on Shabbat. We talked and talked and feel we now have the Israeli-Palestinian problem solved!