Checking In from Tel Aviv/ Yafo- Israel 2022

Dear Friends and Family of The Davis Academy Class of 2022,

Let's start with a logistical item. Here's the Google Album Link once again! https://photos.app.goo.gl/xU7SDRhvDkTc4CWT8

I'm writing to you from our hotel in Tel Aviv/ Yafo. It's late on Friday evening and the wearying effects of an intense couple of travel days are starting to sink in. The floors are, for the most part, quiet. As you likely know, our flight out of Newark was a couple hours delayed which means that we landed in Israel just as Shabbat was beginning. Perhaps there's some symbolism in that. But admittedly, navigating Ben Gurion Airport with the added complexities of Covid didn't give us much time to appreciate the cosmic convergence of our plane descending with the Sabbath. 

So far, the highlight of our time in Israel was the quick opening circle that we had at the airport. Our guides greeted us warmly and reminded us that even though we were all exhausted from the travel and prickly from the 2nd PCR test, that it was in fact Shabbat. As Nimo, one of our guides explained, Shabbat is about taking a moment to pause, to breathe, and to appreciate. He reminded us of all that while holding on a platter an absolutely beautiful Challah, which, as it turned out, he baked especially for us that morning. 

Shabbat dinner allowed us all to sit at one large banquet table. There was plenty of enticing Israeli food and everyone enjoyed their first foray into the eclectic cuisine that reflects the diversity of Israeli society. And from there, it was off to bed. 

As I use what little energy I have left at the moment to reflect on the time that has elapsed since we left Atlanta, I'm struck by a couple of things. I'm struck by how easy going the kids have been. There have been plenty of moments for small scale stress, but they've taken it all in stride. For example, many of the food stands at the two airports only accept credit cards, further limiting the options for some members of our group. But they made it work. Some kids weren't able to move their seats on some of the various plane rides, but they made it work. There was a definite lack of air conditioning in most of the places we've been during the last 36 hours, but they made it work. I think they're happy and appreciative to be on this adventure. I think they're delighting in the novelty of it all. I think they're shocked that it's actually happening. I think they're discovering that there's a lot to love and celebrate in their 8th grade community.  

I anticipate that the coming days will continue to allow us all to settle in to the reality of traveling in Israel. I anticipate that we'll all open up bit by bit, become more curious and engaged, become more comfortable sharing our thoughts and feelings, and become even more appreciative of the gift that we've been given. 

As we departed the plane here in Tel Aviv there was a sign that said, "Welcome to Israel. Your life will never be the same." There's so much in life that is out of our control. There's so much that can't be planned for, anticipated, or guaranteed. But one thing that I can absolutely guarantee is that the lives of the kids who boarded those busses yesterday and walked off that plane tonight in Tel Aviv just as Shabbat was descending on Israel... those lives, so precious to each and every one of us, will never be the same. 

If you're reading this blog it means that you're not here with us to witness first hand the transformation, sometimes subtle sometimes profound. But it means that you will have the joy of discovering it, one story at a time, when we return. For now, follow along, enjoy the pictures, and prepare for the sweetness of hearing all about it from them soon enough.