Greetings,The Old City is full of civilizations and cultures – from Greek, Roman, Mamuluks, and so on! We captured a little of this as we walked the Four quarters. We learned about walls, relics, battles, the Jewish High Priests, the First and Second Temple Periods – and so much more! We walked the quarters, walked the rooftops and challenged Susan who was trying to keep us all together! A highlight of the tour (no, it wasn’t the sherutim – bathroom – stops) was the newly renovated Hurva Synagogue – wow, most impressive. And, of course, we didn’t miss the tour of the Western Wall Tunnels. Time for a little coffee – now which Quarter were we in? Do you think that street sign “HaKKari” was the first CAARI Period or from the First or Second Temple Period?
On Wednesday afternoon we had a delightful tour of the Botanical Gardens – spring, flowers and sunny skies- what could be better? Oh…maybe the little train that we road through the gardens – a welcome rest for our weary feet. Dr. Michael Avishi, the first director of the Botanical Gardens, gave a splendid tour of this special garden in the middle of Jerusalem.
In the evening, we enjoyed our Farewell Dinner at Luciana’s in the German Colony. Dee, your song was so fitting as you included everyone in the lyrics! We have lots of talent in the group – and will publish the ‘works’ of Sid Golden, Gloria Kaufman and Marcia Bercov!
As they say…a good time was had by all! Some of our participants left that evening as CAARI 2011 starts to come to a close.
Warm Regards,
CAARI 2011