Today was awesome!

We started out with a visit to the graves of 2 special rabbis in the town of Tiberius (where we are staying). One is Rabbi Akiva, from the Mishna/Talmud, and the Passover Haggadah. The other is Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato, from the 19th century. While we were there, some fist-pumping, techno-blasting Bratislaver chassidim arrived to pray, sing and dance at the grave. We loved seeing them there.

Then we took a hike that took about 60-90 minutes. We crossed 2 streams, went up and down hills, saw the gorgeous Gilabun waterfall. We really bonded on the hike, both with the land of Israel and with one another. We helped each other across the difficult parts of the hike.

Then we went to the town of Modern Katrin for lunch at a food court. We bumped into about 200 other students on birthright trips, from NYU, U Mass, Wisconsin, Texas, and others. I was happy to acquire my first Israeli currency there!

Next we went to Kibbutz El Ram to see a short film and learn about the fight to save the Golan Heights during the 1973 Yom Kippur war. It was a very emotional film.

We went to the excavated ruins of Ancient Katzrin. It is hard to compare modern life to life back then (1500 years ago) but it really inspired me. It really put into perspective how privledged we are in the US, but kind of sad how in some ways we've regessed, society-wise.

From there we went to a chocolate factory on a Kibbutz, where some really high end chocolates and liquers were made (and sold to us!). I didn't even know what a Kibbutz was before we came there, so it was a really enriching experience for me.

Lastly, we went to the Golan Winery, where they have Yarden wines. They showed us the whole process, including fermentation in barrels, the difference in making white and red wines, how time affects the process, and the very delicate nature of making wine. We got to taste a few wines (it is legal to drink alcohol in Israel starting at age 18), of which the red was my favorite. I ended up buying a bottle to bring home.

Tomorrow we will visit the holy city of Tzfat.
--by Jacques Karcnik, RU '12