Day 11 David Bowie On Our Last Day

Waking up for our last day in London is bittersweet. I am having so much fun and at the same time I am missing my family and all that is familiar to me at home. After our wonderful English breakfast, jump onto the tour bus and head off to the Victoria and Albert Museum to see the David Bowie exhibit. The museum itself is an incredible collection of art. We buy our tickets for the Bowie exhibit and have only 20 minutes before we can enter the hall. I wish I was able to take photos to share because this is a fantastic exhibit filled with Bowie's own words about his creative process. It is more than just music, there are ideas, inspiration and of course, the costumes. I don't know all of Bowie's music, but I know enough to love the exhibit.

Afterwards, we come back to the hotel for a quick snack/lunch and then Maddy and I are off to explore the streets with one last walk. We shop, we laugh and we walk arm and arm down the streets of London. As I fear the upcoming teen years, I enjoy every second of this time together and want to hold onto it for as long as I can. When she thanks me for taking her on the walk, my heart skips a beat.

My mother, Maddy and I celebrate our last night at Kiku, a sushi restaurant close to our hotel. It is the perfect ending to this amazing trip. We are tired, ready to go home and laugh about some of the funniest moments. Our three generations trip has come to an end and I will be forever grateful for this experience. It has far exceeded my expectations thanks to the education, the emotion, the fun and our strong bond.

Six months ago, this trip was just an idea and now it is over. All I can say is, "Best idea ever!"

Day 10 Old and New in London

Always start out with a great breakfast. It really is the cornerstone of the day especially on vacation. Fresh fruit, eggs, croissant and real English coffee is how I begin my day. Afterwards, we purchase tickets for "The Original Bus Tour" which takes us all around the city and allows us to get on and off the bus as often as we like. We sit upstairs of the double decker bus and enjoy every moment of the sites and the tour guide's goofy jokes.

First stop: Tower of London - I love walking around to see the Crown Jewels and the Armory. Walking along the cobblestones with the sun shining makes it even better. I imagine life 400 years before as players walk around dressed in costumes from that time period and act out scenes. So many of us take photos and video of these characters and I laugh for a moment as I look at the crowd holding up their iPhones, cameras, iPads, etc. The mix of times periods is so extreme that I find it difficult to imagine life without so many of the luxuries we take for granted.

Second stop: Piccadilly - With the London marathon scheduled for tomorrow the city is so crowded making Piccadilly really a circus. Great weather adds to the enormous amount of tourists and locals enjoying the weekend. We have lunch at a local restaurant and shop for some souvenirs.

After a brief rest back at the hotel, we head out again to see "Singing In The Rain" at the Palace Theater. Having seen "Matilda the Musical" the night before, I am struck by how American this show is and how long I have been away from home. The show is incredible, the dancers embody the 1920's and I am sure Gene Kelly is smiling down at the brilliance and joy of the cast actually singing in the rain during the live performances. Watching the show is a good reminder of how far we have come technologically. Silent movies were the rage 100 years ago and "talkies" didn't even exist and today our kids can watch movies in our cars or anywhere on portable personal computers.

Today was about old and new and I loved every minute.

Day 9 Goodbye Israel, Hello London

Waking up at 5:30 is never easy, but I am excited to go to London. Israel was an amazing experience, flew by fast and this time it was sad to say goodbye. Getting through the airport is a breeze and I am thankful for the early morning flight. We waste time by eating breakfast and last minute shopping.

Finally, time to get on the plane. Smooth flight, time passes quickly and I get to see a couple of new movies. Not bad for an almost 5 hour flight.

From the minute we land, I am impressed with the kindness and efficiency of the British. Everything is moving along and I see people smiling as they work. I haven't been here in about 30 years and it is a nice "welcome back."

My mother, Madeleine and I check into the Hilton Park Lane and it already seems like a great place to be. Questions get answered, service with a smile and so far, our first meal is good. Check out the view from our room.

Tonight we go see Matilda the Musical which is fantastic! I recommend it highly. The music is great, the theater is charming and the kids in this show are incredibly talented. It is a feel good, funny, and "songs are still in my head" show. Even though we are exhausted from Masada yesterday and traveling today, we make it through smiling and happy.

Sweet dreams - la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la ( I am still singing)

Day 8 Last Day in Israel: Footsteps on Masada

Pictures may have to express what I am not sure I can put into words. Our last day in Israel is spent at Masada. Twelve of us (six adults and six kids) travel by bus to tour this extraordinary site. Earlier in the trip we had seen the King Herod exhibit at the Israel Museum and now we are going to walk in his footsteps. The weather is gorgeous and the view is absolutely spectacular. As we begin to walk around Masada, I am overwhelmed with the fact that three generations of my family are standing at the top of this important piece in Jewish history. The three of us have had an incredible time on this trip, but this is a joyous moment for me. My mother walks with us for as long as she can and then waits for us to finish the tour. She chooses just the right moment because immediately following is a trek down into a cistern.

Later on the tour we see what had been a synagogue. As everyone leaves, I step back inside to say a prayer for a friend's father. There is something about being in a place that is old and sacred that gives me some hope and faith.

We then take the kids to the Dead Sea. Watching 12-year-olds try this new experience is comical. We watch as our kids play, find humor in just about everything and laugh until we cry. As we travel back to modern day, we enter Jerusalem at sunset and witness the most beautiful red sun I have ever seen. The picture is blurry, but it is incredible and we all know that this day is special. We wonder if we should say a prayer, but instead we are all silently aware of the gratitude we feel for being together.

Day 7 The Beauty of Tel Aviv and Goodbye to Magen

For me, Independence Hall is one of the most moving sites in Israel.  As an American and a Jew, I am deeply moved by the story birth of a nation story.  Imagining David Ben Gurion and others packed in the hall knowing that it would take more than the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  War was coming and they knew it.  We have the luxury of looking back to see the story in its entirety and are proud as we see what has been created.   It meant a lot to me to be with my mother and daughter on this day.  Sharing one of my favorites landmarks with them made it an even more meaningful experience.

Following Independence Hall, we walked over to the Conservative Synagogue in Never Tzedek.  It is a beautiful building and we learned of its exciting new growth in the community.  In a city and country where most people are either orthodox or secular, this new conservative synagogue brings a new perspective to Israel's story and is welcoming Israelis who have never been to synagogue.  As our Pressman kids pray, I am amazed by their comfort in this place so far from their home.

We visit Tel Aviv's 1st train station which is now a destination for food and shopping.  We all did a little shopping and enjoy the most delicious ice cream.

Though some of us are staying, the Pressman program ends and we meet at the Magen school at night to say an emotional good-bye.  Mazel tov to Deb Kollin and all the staff that made this trip extraordinary for  the kids and the participating parents. Thank you to the Magen staff and families for their love and kindness and in making our children feel at home.  Thank you also to The Jewish Federation for funding and partnership of our program.  For so many, this is a life changing experience - it has been for me.  My mother and I are so happy to have been a part and are grateful for the beautiful family experience.

Day 6 Celebrating with New Friends

What I find extraordinary about our cultural twinning program are the moments that we get to share Israeli life with our hosts. In celebration of Yom Haatzmaut, our hosts invite us to join them for their holiday celebrations.

Party #1: We enter a beautiful home and are immediately greeted by its owner, an American and her Israeli husband. They are so happy to have American guests and their friends are equally kind and welcoming. As I begin to meet the other guests (which are a mix of transplanted Americans and Israelis) I find connections through work and friendship. I am shocked by how easy it is to find connections. Jewish Geography is so fun when you are so far from home. Our host welcomes all of us and we take a moment to think of those in Boston. A delicious home cooked BBQ is served and for a moment it feels as though I am at home.

Party #2: Imagine your best outdoor party with about 50 men, women, children, all ages, and in someway you are related to them. This is the experience I had this afternoon. This family tradition started about 40 years ago with a few families coming together to celebrate this brand new country. The children of these families have all grown up and have families of their own. In one area, some men and kids are playing soccer. In another area, women create 4 different talking circles. While we are there, they serve incredible homemade fancy desserts. While there is a bit of a challenge at this party due to my lack of Hebrew, the host makes a special effort to make us feel welcome and to say (in English) the party is extra special because we are there. I think my heart actually skipped a beat with this show of kindness. Our 12 year old host translates an entire presentation that is given and she did it naturally without me asking. No one wants us to feel left out.

By the time we left, we have spent six hours with our hosts and I have enjoyed every moment. My mother and I comment later that we are so happy to have shared this holiday with our Israeli friends. When July 4th comes around this year I will take a more serious view of what we are actually celebrating and hope to infuse some new meaning into our BBQ and fireworks.

Day 5 - Part 2: Yom Haatzmaut in Tel Aviv

As I write this post, I am watching the news about the attack on the Boston Marathon. As of now, 2 killed and 23 injured. It is weird that I am in Israel hearing this news. My heart goes out to everyone in Boston. And on a night that we celebrate Independence Day here in Israel.

The past 24 hours in Israel are the saddest of the year and are followed by the most joyous. Our host family invites us over before the celebration which gives us a rare opportunity to share our lives. Perhaps I expect us to be different, but we are very similar - parents who love their children and worry about them too. We talk about our common interests, the kids, education, Jewish practice and music.

And then off to the big celebration with their community. The outpouring of hospitality by all the Magen families is extremely kind. The night is way beyond any celebration I have seen in the states - a BBQ picnic on steroids. Music, kids running around spraying each other with foam, so much food, fireworks and kind faces are what I will remember from this evening. My spirit is truly lifted and I feel deeply connected.

So again, I pray for those in Boston tonight. I am sad for those who lost their lives, those who are injured and the entire community who simply wanted to run in their historic marathon.

Day 5 - Part 1: Vacation with a capital V!

My day starts out with a pre-planned trip to the American Embassy for notary services. Here are the lessons learned from that experience:

1. If you are smart enough the make the appointment beforehand (which I did), then be smart enough to get there early so you arrive on time (which I did not).

2. They don't care if you are late and are fine turning you away (which they did).

I am sure they would have been helpful had I been on time. Needless to say, I was very upset with myself, so my mother and I get in a cab and go to the Hilton for a beautiful breakfast overlooking the water. By the end of breakfast, I have turned the Embassy experience into a story for our vacation.

We walk back to our hotel on a path overlooking the water and it is an absolutely gorgeous day here in Tel Aviv. When we return, we relax in the lobby and wait for some of our group to return from their morning activity commemorating Yom Hazikaron. At 11:00am, the memorial siren sounds and my mom and I stand with others for its duration. We look out the window and notice a taxi driver standing by his car with his head down. My eyes well up.

Around noon, our friends return and we take a walk to the new outdoor area of the Tel Aviv Port. Our friend Mike wants sushi, so that is where we end up. It is perfect to have a delicious lunch coupled with wonderful friends (thanks Mike and Russell) and a gorgeous view. I guess that is a trifecta. So this is vacation!

Day 4 Erev Yom Ha-zikaron

What better way to prepare for this memorial day than a visit to the Rabin Center. Having been there before, I really wanted my mom to see this extraordinary museum.

Below is the description from the website - http://www.rabincenter.org.il/

"The Israeli Museum at the Yitzhak Rabin Center is the first and only museum in Israel to explore the development of the State of Israel as a young democracy.

Built in a downward spiral, the Museum presents two parallel stories: the history of the State and Israeli society, and the biography of Yitzhak Rabin. The Museum exhibits focus on historical turning points in the country’s development, presenting the conflicts, social challenges and dilemmas the country faced at that time. Along the inner corridor and interwoven with the exhibits’ narratives is the story of the life of Yitzhak Rabin, the connecting thread in the country’s history."

I love this museum. It tells the story of a man, husband, father, grandfather, soldier, prime minister, leader. It is inspirational, emotional and educational. And my mother loved it too!

In the evening we attend a very moving Yom Ha zikaron ceremony at the Magen School as part of the Pressman twinning program. The ceremony was led almost entirely by the children. Seeing 6th graders sing and read thoughtful messages in remembrance of those who have died while serving in the army is emotional. I should add that the entire event was in Hebrew and I am grateful to my friends for translating some key moments for me. Frankly, it was still moving even though I don't speak the language.

Following the ceremony, we are taken to a large intersection where we watch as drivers get out of their cars at 8:00pm when we hear the siren that memorialize the fallen soldiers. It is daunting to imagine this moment all across the country. As witnesses to this moment at this intersection, we are immediately engaged in conversations about how we commemorate Memorial Day in Los Angeles. It made us all think about how different we are in that respect.

We end the evening with a beautiful and warm discussion with some Israeli friends led by Rabbi Kligfeld. As parents, we have so many of the same fears about our kids. Though our lives are different, we worry, we nurture and we try to teach them to make good choices. It was interesting to share these fears and hopes with Israeli parents.

And in the "It's a Small World" section of this blog, this afternoon, we rode in a taxi with a driver who had lived in Los Angeles for a brief time. And where did he live? You guessed it...about 1 mile from where I live now.

Good night and sweet dreams...

Day 3 History of Jerusalem 101 and Hello Tel Aviv

I am in overload from all the information I absorbed today. I hope most of it actually sticks. My mother and I were so pleased with our guide yesterday, we hired him for another day. So worth it. When he picks us up at 10:00am, we strategize for a bit to determine what would be most enjoyable for our last day in Jerusalem. So here it goes...

Charles, our guide, begins with two stops at viewpoints and he shares with us the history of Jerusalem and it is incredible to look at the spectacular view and hear stories of Kings and Crusaders, Jews, Christians and Muslims, archeology and architecture. My mother and I eagerly ask questions and are amazed at what this small city has survived.

Next, we go to one of my favorite places, the Israel Museum. We are lucky enough to be here for the King Herod exhibit which you should see if you are in Israel. Remembering our King Herod lesson from Caesarea, we feel a bit knowledgeable as we walk though the exhibit. We can't believe some his stories. Learning about life through the objects that were found, is like watching someone put a great puzzle together. That puzzle maker is the late Professor Ehud Netzer who dedicated his life to finding the tomb of King Herod. This exhibit is the success of that work. Professor Netzer sadly died from a fall on one of the excavation sites. No joke, he died in the site. A must see! We also saw the model city of Jerusalem, the Dead Sea Scrolls and another great exhibit, the saved synagogues for around the world. Seriously, a must see when you are in Jerusalem.

And then off to Tel Aviv. Beautiful drive, no traffic, and I even got a nap. We arrive in Tel Aviv, relax for a bit, and then take a walk to the Tel Aviv Port. Weather is perfect, sunset is gorgeous and food, well, not the best choice, but my mom and I sat for 2 hours enjoying our conversation and the opportunity to sit down for a nice relaxing dinner.

Checked in with Maddy and now time for bed...eyes are actually closing as I type.

Day 2 continues into Shabbat

My mother and I meet up with Maddy and the Pressman group. (My daughter is participating in Pressman Academy's twinning program with the Magen school in Tel Aviv - more about that later.) I have been to the Kotel several times now and am always surprised by the experience. This time is no different. We find the group at the Sephardic Educational Center where the group is staying. I haven't seen Maddy since she left on Sunday so I am eager to see her and her friends. Once I lay eyes on her and see that she is having a great time, I am now ready for Shabbat.

We each light candles and as I take my turn to light, I look to see my mother and my daughter that my mother and my daughter are right next to me. Three generations in Israel on Shabbat, I know this is a gift and I smile at the thought.

We all (35 of us) walk together to the southern wall so we can pray together. I have never been to that side and am overwhelmed with the history and the beauty. It is all so natural. We pray as we do back in Los Angeles, same book, same words, same family and friends and yet, I am enveloped by the peace and spirituality of the moment. Rabbi Kligfeld speaks about being here together and asks the kids to share their thoughts. I listen as beautiful words are spoken from the hearts of 12 year olds who are far from home. Some talk of friendship or their family back home and I am so profoundly aware of the moment that I try to burn it in my memory because I don't lose it.

We pray, sing and dance together and watch as the sunset turns to night. Afterwards, we walk back to the Kotel and as the men and women separate to each take their place in front of the wall, I say my own silent prayers of gratitude and love.

We walk back to SEC for dinner and though I am far from Los Angeles, I walk as if I am home.

Day 2 Doing a mitzvah

Before we arrived, we had a list of things we wanted to do. The #1 item for my mother was to visit the Lanaido Hospital in Netanya where she and my father began sending money every year for the past 36 years. When Eileen, the woman who was always in contact with my mother, found out that my father had passed away, she told my mother that she would put up a plaque in his name. As she promised, she did and sent my mother a photo. But when my mother and I actually saw the plaque, we knew we did the right thing by visiting. My mother gave another donation and we took some pictures in front of the plaque. A good way to start the day and I hope my dad was smiling.

Next, the tour guide took us to Caesarea and we walked around the remains of King Herod's town. It overlooks the water and it is incredible to think of all the lives that walked here before you for the past 2 thousand years.

Now we are off to see Maddy and her friends for Shabbat.

Wishing everyone a sweet Shabbat wherever you are.

Day 1 in Israel

Day 1 - Mom and I arrive safely around 2:00pm and with little sleep between us.  That did not stop us from making the most of our first day.   After checking into the hotel, we showered quickly to refresh and made our way to explore.

First stop - Yad Vashem.  Since my mother has not been here in 36 years, for her it is like visiting for the first time.  While she has strong memories, the country has changed so much in that time, including Yad Vashem.  We got there just before closing, did the fastest tour ever and it still made an impact.  I showed my mom some specific areas of the museum and also just roamed.  Under the best circumstances, 3-4 hours is necessary to immerse yourself into the lives of those who were murdered and survived.  Each individual has a compelling story.

We then took a cab to the Mamilla shopping mall to walk around and maybe find a place to have dinner.  Weather is great for outdoor walking, perhaps a bit cold, but after being on a plane for 14 hours, we loved it.

We wanted to do some research for our next day, so we went into the David Citadel for dinner and while we ate, I checked out a few sites on my iPad.  Food was delicious and our waitress was very nice.  Even with some language confusion, we had a great meal.

We then walked back to our hotel (got lost for 1 minute) and happily returned to try to get some sleep.  I got some sleep, though I am writing this at 2:35am local time and will now try to go back to sleep so I am rested for our day tomorrow.

By the way, both cab drivers we had were very talkative and friendly.  One talked about recent news stories and pointed out sites.  It definitely adds to my experience when I listen to what locals have to say.  That is one of my favorite parts about traveling.

More to come...good night.

Mid-Air

Half way through the flight I get a urge to write. I am in a weird space, high above the clouds and I feel I am nowhere. I was looking forward to the long flight from Los Angeles to Israel because it would be the first time in weeks that I would have 13 hours to myself and nothing to do. Yes, I brought books and there are movies, but between work, getting my daughter packed and getting myself packed and ready, I felt like a freight train with no stops. But now I have time to stop.

This is my first vacation to Israel. 100% personal and with great meaning as I am traveling with my mother and my daughter. If I think too much about it, I am overcome with emotion.

I have an excitement about this trip that reminds of an earlier time. When I was younger I used to love to travel - business or vacation - I loved the energy at the airport. People coming and going, so many different stories, some happy, some sad. The fast pulse of it all pulled me in.

Then 9/11 changed everything and excitement turned to fear, restrictions, less smiles and less interaction. Everything at the airport seemed harder and all I wanted to do was get out and get to my destination.

While some of the anxiety is still felt and may never go away, I am smiling with anticipation for this trip. Driving to the airport this week reminded me of the joy and thrill of travel. I look around on the flight and wonder where are they going? What is their story? What adventures will I have?

And I am grateful to have these feelings again. That flutter of excitement makes me so happy and what a way to begin this trip.

Israel - Here We Come...

In 3 days, I will be on my way to Israel for the first time in years as a vacation traveler.  In my work, I am lucky enough to have led wonderful missions to Israel.  Though very rewarding, it is work and I am now looking forward to being a participant on a trip of lifetime.

My daughter is participating on her school trip to Israel.  She has already left and my mother and I will meet up with them on Friday.  Three generations all together in Israel is a dream come true.

All three of us are bringing our excitement and expectations or lack of to this experience.  My mother hasn't been to Israel since she and my dad took my brother and me back in 1977.  This will be my 6th trip, but my first time since the trip with my parents.  My daughter is experiencing Israel for her first time.

Sharing this with my mother and daughter brings tears to my eyes.  I will be journaling from abroad so that I have a keepsake for my family.

I invite you to share the journey with us.