Day 1

Sunday night I couldn’t sleep. I kept telling myself it was in preparation for the flight, a quick 6000 mile, 10 and 1/2 hour trip to the promise land. Morning finally came and I hustled to meet the rest of the Dillers at the JCC in Whippany, where we began our trip to Newark Liberty Airport. After long interrogations at check in, Zak getting stopped by TSA security and of course, a snack break, we boarded the plane. Before I knew it the wheels were up and our trip had begun. No one, except maybe Jess who sprawled out across a row of 4 seats, could sleep very much.

We were up and about for hours, munching on junk food and blabbering to each other about all the adventures we would share. Even though we were reminded multiple times by the flight attendant that we were “on a plane and not a playground,” we just couldn’t contain our excitement. Carmelle was so amped that she started making friends with kids from a birthright trip. The flight was a little turbulent, but for the most part it was as short and painless as any 10 hour flight can be.

Two gourmet airplane meals later we touched down in Tel Aviv around 7am. It was already Tuesday July 12, day one of Diller 4’s grand adventure!

Excitedly we hopped off the plane, sped through immigration, grabbed our bags and rushed towards a roaring crowd of Israeli Dillers. After being welcomed home, Ari and Zoe, who had arrived in Israel early, were reunited with the cohort. Next, we met the wonderful crew in charge of our trip: the reigning tour-guide champion of the world, Baruch (or Barry or Bruce or anything with a B), Avi, the highly skilled bus driver with a brand new vehicle, and Rafael, the “Big Man/Medic.”

Our first stop was in Caesarea where we learned of the port city’s history and how it morphed from Herod’s tribute to the Roman Empire to a theological center for Christianity, to a nearly desolate Muslim city. We roamed the ruins while listening to Daphna and Baruch recalling stories of their ancestors traveling to Israel. Next, we entered the Roman Circus and held a classic horse race where Jason and I narrowly defeated Zoe and Zak.

After a group picture in the Roman Theatre it was time to head over to a nicely wooded picnic area for lunch. Soon after, we rode up to the Golan Heights and learned the history of the border conflicts with Syria from Baruch, then walked through a bomb shelter built into the mountain. The breathtaking view of the Golan on the ride down transitioned us smoothly for our arrival at the Kibbutz, El Mul Golan, or the “Gates to the Golan”, where we will be staying for the next two nights. Thanks to the tour we had, we now feel comfortable to explain the kibbutz’ roll as a component of Israeli society. We then grabbed dinner and held our first Ma’agal Laila in Israel underneath the stars.

I’m still not sure exactly where that Monday went, or how many hours in a row I have been awake, but I know our first day in Israel was a huge success and a perfect opening to the trip.

Ben