Last Friday evening dad and I were invited to a Shabbat dinner in a Rabbi's home. Prior to the dinner we attended the evening church service in their synagogue. The men were in one big room, and the women (me included) sat on the edges of this big room, separated by a wall and thin veil we could barely see thru but heard well. They were reciting hymns and prayers from their book (I had a copy of the book which was both in Hebrew and English, but since I didn't know Hebrew, I couldn't follow the English well because I didn't know where they were).
All the men wore white shirts and dark suits, with a head covering. All the women wore variations of black, white, tan and most had their head covered. I had not brought a scarf or hat, so the man we were with gave me a scarf of his and wrapped it around my head. I hate to say this, but the scarf was so dirty and musty smelling I couldn't wear it very long. Once I saw some of the women without head coverings, I took it off.
After the service we walked to the Rabbi's house (driving or riding in a car is not allowed once Shabbat begins, but since all the living quarters are built around the synagogue, the walk was maybe 10 minutes). This particular Rabbi welcomes everyone to dinner - no matter their religious affiliation. He was very kind and welcoming to us. They had crammed tables and chairs to seat close to 60 people, and still more came. They set up more tables until they probably had close to 90 people for dinner. They passed around a bowl of water to rinse your hands before eating. Then the courses came - sweet halla bread, eggplant, chicken and carrot soup, apple/rice puddings, oven-baked chicken, then cookies. Other foods were also passed around but since we didn't know what they were, we passed. While eating, the Rabbi would talk in Hebrew and then English, and all would sing in Hebrew.. He announed to everyone that all the Jews would be learning the same lesson tomorrow (which was news to me - I didn't think they were organized enough to have that happen). He also encouraged them all to "wake up and SEE the blessings of being who they are and where they live". The dinner started at 9:00 PM and we left at 11:00 PM.
In contrast, our Shabbat was a very inspirational Sacrament meeting the following day. We had 4 students speak of their experiences here and their testimonies of Christ, and 3 musical numbers by the students (vocal duet, violin duet, men's quartet), besides the student choir singing another of dad's hymn arrangements for prelude music. They are all so sincere and talented!! When this group arrived I didn't know any of them and I missed the 1st group we had here. But after going on the Jordan trip and getting to know this new group, I will really miss THIS group now!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Youth Activity Day
August 6, 2007
Today we had another District Youth Activity. Youth from Tiberius, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem met here at the BYU Center at 10:00 AM to clean up litter and garbage from the hill outside the front gate. We then piled into cars and drove quickly to the YMCA so they could play the Carillon bells with us at Noon. We showed them the actual bells at the top of the tower, where there are also wonderful panoramic views all around the city.
After eating lunch back at the Center, they played soccer with a soft ball in the gymnasium, followed by making their own ice cream in a bag. They were pleasantly surprised at discovering this actually worked - if was a fun activity for them but quite messy (we should have done this outside where it didn’t matter if the bags leaked!). We listened to our Israel District President, Pres. Browning, talk about the importance of listening for answers to prayers. Those answers can come in many different ways as he related stories of 4 church members. Then we played pictionary on scripture stories, get-to-know you games, and volleyball with a beach ball. The activity closed with a barbecue dinner.
Because of distances, the youth don’t often get together, and the challenge when they do get together is that they come from different countries – some speak Russian but no English, some speak English, some speak Spanish. We had some translation happening, but all in all, they got along well and had great fun getting to know each other.
Today we had another District Youth Activity. Youth from Tiberius, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem met here at the BYU Center at 10:00 AM to clean up litter and garbage from the hill outside the front gate. We then piled into cars and drove quickly to the YMCA so they could play the Carillon bells with us at Noon. We showed them the actual bells at the top of the tower, where there are also wonderful panoramic views all around the city.
After eating lunch back at the Center, they played soccer with a soft ball in the gymnasium, followed by making their own ice cream in a bag. They were pleasantly surprised at discovering this actually worked - if was a fun activity for them but quite messy (we should have done this outside where it didn’t matter if the bags leaked!). We listened to our Israel District President, Pres. Browning, talk about the importance of listening for answers to prayers. Those answers can come in many different ways as he related stories of 4 church members. Then we played pictionary on scripture stories, get-to-know you games, and volleyball with a beach ball. The activity closed with a barbecue dinner.
Because of distances, the youth don’t often get together, and the challenge when they do get together is that they come from different countries – some speak Russian but no English, some speak English, some speak Spanish. We had some translation happening, but all in all, they got along well and had great fun getting to know each other.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Jordan and Ein Kerem
July 28, 2007
Today we left with the students on a 4-day field trip to Jordan. The first place we stopped was Mt. Nebo where Moses saw the promised land but couldn’t enter. (see monument to the left). We thought the land looked pretty barren and forlorn.
We then took a 3-hour bus ride south to Petra and a hotel. The next morning we awoke early to walk to the entrance 
of Petra – one of the new “seven wonders of the world”, as of this very month. The walk there is down a gorge with cliffs rising straight up on both sides – it was a major trade route for the Middle East many centuries ago.
of Petra – one of the new “seven wonders of the world”, as of this very month. The walk there is down a gorge with cliffs rising straight up on both sides – it was a major trade route for the Middle East many centuries ago. After walking for maybe 30 minutes, suddenly there in front of you emerges a magnificent temple-like structure ('the Treasury") carved out of solid rock, complete with Greek architectural details. (picture to the left) It has been protected from the elements by the overhang. The details on the capitols are still in amazingly good condition. Petra was named one of the new "7 wonders of the world" in July 2007.
The area is filled with tombs carved out of the rock, which until recently had been inhabited by Bedoins. (see picture below) As we continued walking, there were tent stalls selling trinkets, jewelry, bags and other items. It was very hot and dusty, but so memorable.
July 29, 2007
From there we drove to Amman where we met in the LDS church building with the District President of Jordan and Egypt. There we had the sacrament, and heard the President speak of the progress of the church in his area. In the last 5 weeks he has had 5 e-mails from Muslims wanting to know about the church. Two of them wished to take a Book of Mormon to read. He told them he couldn’t do that but they were welcome to visit the church to read it any time. If they were Christian Arabs already, it was Ok for them to learn about the church. But if Muslims join the church it places them in great danger. He told us the leading Islamic authority in Egypt has said it is not a crime to change your religion, and that could have important implications for the rest of the Arab world.
July 30, 2007
Next we visited the Jabbock River where Jacob was to meet his brother Esau; and then to the River Jordan where Jesus was baptized. The rest of the day was free time.
July 30, 2007
Today we visited Jerash, the most impressive and extensive Roman ruin we’ve ever seen.
From there we drove to Amman where we met in the LDS church building with the District President of Jordan and Egypt. There we had the sacrament, and heard the President speak of the progress of the church in his area. In the last 5 weeks he has had 5 e-mails from Muslims wanting to know about the church. Two of them wished to take a Book of Mormon to read. He told them he couldn’t do that but they were welcome to visit the church to read it any time. If they were Christian Arabs already, it was Ok for them to learn about the church. But if Muslims join the church it places them in great danger. He told us the leading Islamic authority in Egypt has said it is not a crime to change your religion, and that could have important implications for the rest of the Arab world.
July 30, 2007
Next we visited the Jabbock River where Jacob was to meet his brother Esau; and then to the River Jordan where Jesus was baptized. The rest of the day was free time.
July 30, 2007
Today we visited Jerash, the most impressive and extensive Roman ruin we’ve ever seen.
We all sat in the huge well-preserved Roman amphitheatre with its stage and wonderful acoustics (similar to the Tabernacle on Temple Square). The students had Mariah Wilson get up and sing, then a male student sang something, then they asked Nate Bennion to sing. He stood and said he would sing if Sister Galbraith would join him!!
This was a total surprise to me….He borrowed Bob's straw hat and I took my umbrella as he walked with me down to the stage while explaining that I didn’t have to do anything, just be his partner as he sang. With me on his arm he began to sing the song from “Guys and Dolls” – Luck Be A Lady Tonight. I tried to act a little to the words he was singing, then we danced a little before we ended. Needless to say, it was great fun and a memory I’ll always have of Jerash. I have now made my debut on a Roman stage in Jordan!!
We looked around at the little shops there, and Bob bought a Jordanian rug made of camel’s hair. Then we took the bus to the Israeli border, got off the bus and drove a car home as the students continued on to Galilee for an 8-day stay.
August 4, 2007
Today, Shabbat, I wanted to go on a drive. We found our way to the Menachem Begin freeway and began driving. We actually ended in in Ein Kerem – a very quaint, pleasant “village” on the outskirts of Jerusalem. It is considered to be the birthplace of John the Baptist. We got out and began walking around – visiting St. John’s Monastery, and walking down some side streets. We saw several very nice homes with surrounding gardens – it was a quiet neighborhood and quite out of the way. It felt very different from noisy Jerusalem.
Today, Shabbat, I wanted to go on a drive. We found our way to the Menachem Begin freeway and began driving. We actually ended in in Ein Kerem – a very quaint, pleasant “village” on the outskirts of Jerusalem. It is considered to be the birthplace of John the Baptist. We got out and began walking around – visiting St. John’s Monastery, and walking down some side streets. We saw several very nice homes with surrounding gardens – it was a quiet neighborhood and quite out of the way. It felt very different from noisy Jerusalem.
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