Please Share Your Thoughts...

We are now just 8 weeks! away from the start of our incredible journey to HaAretz (Literally: The Land), something we have been dreaming of for over a year. It looks like there will be 16 people traveling together on this mission -- all members of Temple Beth Elohim. We range from an elementary school student (my son) who has never been to Israel, to grandparents who are well-seasoned world-travelers.

Of course, we are all very excited about the trip.

Final payments have been made. Tickets have been purchased. Passports are up-to-date. Shopping has begun. We've had one meeting with a rep from the tour company (Ayelet Tours, Inc.) and another one planned for May 1. At that time it will be fun to say:

"Next Month In Jerusalem!"

My hope is that each of you who reads this blog will also try to contribute something to it. Even if it's a simple one-liner response to something someone else posted...we want to hear from you.

Once we arrive in Israel, at least one person from the group will post something from each day's experiences on this site. In addition, I will post my own thoughts along with pictures that highlight our activities.

We all look forward to sharing as much of our experience as possible with as many people as possible. As our journey unfolds, please remember that each of you -- our family and friends -- are with us in our hearts (if not on the bus).

Faithfully,
Rabbi Jeffrey R. Astrachan