Weaving our Way Through History
Vicki Skigen, Denver CO
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Russ and Vicki |
It’s been slightly more than a month since Russ and I returned from our Melton Israel Seminar, and we are still in a state of awe and wonder. This was my first trip to Israel, and Russ’ first since 1973. We had heard from several people who had participated in previous Seminars, and listened to their experiences with interest, excitement, and perhaps even a bit of doubt. How could anything be as incredible as what they were describing? Well, after having lived and learned through our study tour, I know that our entire group agreed - it was everything that we had heard it was, all that we hoped it would be, and much more!
We were blessed with an amazing combination of critical components to the trip. First, we were in Israel. What other place in the world holds more history, spiritual connection, and beauty than Israel? Second, we participated in the seminar with an incredible, dynamic group of people. We had such fun together! Many of us were from the Denver area, and although we’d been meeting monthly to learn about Israel prior to the seminar, we did not all know each other well. When we joined together with our other Israel Seminar group members from Canada, Oregon and Arizona, we soon discovered that learning together in the Holy Land provided the seed and nourishment for the growth of strong and lasting friendships. We have all been exchanging e-mails since the trip has ended, sharing news, photos, and interesting websites with each other. (I think a returnee seminar reunion is in order!)
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studying on-site in Ancient Katzrin |
The third component, which was the part that insured the constant “high” and the fascinating learning experience, was an outstanding curriculum, presented by our fabulous tour educator, Jonty Blackman. Jonty is a treasure. His extensive knowledge, from ancient biblical history up to the present State of Israel, was relayed to us in a manner that was always compelling. Jonty’s enthusiasm for study and teaching was so contagious that it was virtually impossible to not be captivated by whatever topic he was teaching.
Thanks to Melton’s Toby Appel, every aspect of the Seminar ran smoothly – without a hitch! There were about 48 participants, so we were divided into two groups. The other group was led by Haim Aronovitz, and his group raved about him just as we did about Jonty. The quality of educators at Melton is phenomenal! We had several opportunities to study with Dr. Yonatan Mirvis, Melton’s International Director, as well. What a treat! On Shabbat, after candle lighting at the Tomb of David, Kabbalat Shabbat at the Kotel, and dinner, Dr. Mirvis led a group of us on a late night walk to Me’ah Shearim to visit a Rebbe’s Tisch…which I am certain will remain one of the most memorable events of the trip for me!
Each day we’d weave our way forward and back through history…but always following a common thread – the thread of our collective memory –that links us with our ancestors. For example, one day, after spending the night at Kibbutz Ma’agan on the southern tip of the Kinneret, we climbed (by bus!) up the Golan for a breathtaking view of the Galilee – then drove across the Golan Heights to Mt. Bental, a former security post/bunker, where we sat gazing through the barbed wire border fences at Syria, and talked about the Yom Kippur War. From there we went to Katzrin, the capital of the Golan, and met with two residents who shared with us their reasons for choosing to live on the Golan…and their feelings, “How can this territory be negotiable?” It was a powerful learning experience. After a delicious lunch at the Capernaum Vista Olive Farm (oh, the food in Israel …that’s a story of its own!) we traveled back in time to the Ancient Talmudic Village of Katzrin, and explored more of our collective memory, more connection to the Land.
This was not a vacation, in the sense of rest and relaxation…the days were full…we fell into bed exhausted each night…and yet we wouldn’t have changed a thing! We started early, on the bus generally by 7:30 or 8:30 am, and we would return to our rooms between 9:00 and 10:00 pm. During the bus rides each day, Jonty would fill much of the time by sharing details about the areas we were passing through, or with information about our destination. He would entertain any questions, whether relevant to the topic of the day or not. We had some great discussions on the bus! The excitement of learning never ceased.
The Israel Seminar was Melton learning at its finest – I felt like history came alive for me during the 2nd year Melton Dramas course, and it did – but so much more so now, on site! Imagine this: In the remains of the Hippodrome at Caesarea we read of the execution of Rabbi Akiva and the Ten Martyrs…which may have occurred at that very location. Another day, in Jerusalem, we sat on the steps at the Southern Wall of the Temple, where we could just close our eyes and see the scores of people ascending those steps to the Temple.
This was my first trip to Israel, and I returned from it a changed person. The first full day of the Seminar began at Ir David. As we stood at a high point there, taking in the view of Jerusalem, listening to Jonty, I experienced a sense of connection and completion that I am not sure I can adequately describe. It was magical and it was completely unexpected.
I was overcome with joy – and with pride in my Jewish identity. I thought, “I’m a Jew and I’m in Jerusalem, G-d’s Holiest City, the center of the world.
