June 28 The week at my cousin Efrat ended with me attending a performance of one of the groups she and her husband work with. They are autistic adults and they performed a set of skits with the theme of acceptance and tolerance. It was heart warming. I have discovered my cousins who are humanitarians and whose lives are dedicated to doing good work. I am now in Hod Ha Sharon a suburb of Tel Aviv now visiting with Amir ( Efrat's brother) his wife and 4 kids. Will be here for Shabbat.

Rosh HaNikra- Lebanon border

June 26 Went to visit these natural caves. Beautiful love story legend associated with it .

One of the oldest inhabited cities in Israel, the old walled city of Acre sits on the Northern End of Haifa Bay. Like many other cities in the Holy Land, it has been occupied by many different cultures throughout the centuries. Before it’s heyday during the Crusader and Ottoman periods, it had been occupied by the Persians, Greeks and Romans, just to name a few. Many of those cultures are still visible in Acre’s old walled city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Excavated Room from the Crusader Era The city’s most striking building is the Citadel, an Ottoman structure built on the foundations of the old Crusader Fortress. The city was taken in the first crusade, and held for a little less than 100 years. The Knights Templar were busy during this time, building their formidable fortress as well as an elaborate series of subterranean tunnels underneath the city which were to be used in the defense of the city. Today, many of these halls have been excavated, lending an impressive perspective to the building of this complicated structure. An audio guide is available at the visitor’s center which I found very useful in helping me understand how the Citadel was used and defended during the Crusades. The Turkish Baths Near the Citadel is the reconstructed Turkish Bath, restored to what it looked like when it was built in the late 18th Century. These baths were common throughout most of the Ottoman Empire. The Tunnel of the Knights Templar Much of the Fortress built by the Knights Templar is now submerged, but thanks to some good excavating and an engineering feat, much of the tunnel they built under the city is now accessible to tourists. This area had been underwater for hundreds of years, but in the mid 1990s a series of pumps was installed and boardwalks were put in place, allowing for a unique glimpse into the defenses that made Acre such a hard city to capture. The tunnels are an easy walk, although the low ceilings in many places might make for some uncomfortable walking while crouched over for those visitor’s over six feet tall. The Walls of Acre The underground tunnels were only one of the factors that made Acre a difficult city to capture. Being a walled city surrounded by water on three sides also made it hard for invaders to properly attack the city. Nowhere in Acre is that more apparent than the walls on the Mediterranean side of the city. Much of the defense wall remains in place today, and a stroll around those ramparts is truly eye-opening. There are also sweeping views over the Mediterranean Sea and across the Bay of Haifa. Fresh Bread in the Acre Souq As historically significant as Acre is, my favorite part of the city was it’s bustling souq, or market. The souq is such a colorful place, with an almost unimaginable abundance of goods for sale. I especially enjoyed seeing the fresh seafood displays, something unique to the markets in the coastal cities. Spices for sale in the souq The Morning's Catch fresh from the Mediterranean Acre is an easy day-trip from Haifa, less than an hour away from Haifa across the bay. Acre also has one of the largest Arab populations (nearly 28%) of any Israeli city outside the West Bank. This gives the city a feel to it that is especially unique amongst Israel’s coastal cities. That adds a cultural reason to the historical ones for including Acre on any itinerary in Israel.The Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast – best places to travel middle east travel

AKKO (ACCO)

June 24 After taking my little cousin (bat-dodi) to kindergarten My cousin Efrat and I went to ACCO it is an amazing ancient city. We strolled along the beach, went to the market, and ate the most amazing hummus I ever had.We did nor have too much time especially after getting a ticket! Traffic cops are the same everywhere... quota Go to link to read abut ACCO it is very intriguing.http: //www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Acco.html or just Google it. It is a very ancient city the oldest that has always been inhabited.

Golan Heights

June 23 We traveled to the Golan Heights to a Kibbutz that invited this Kibbutz to pick cherries to their hearts content. There was an over abundance of cherries and before they are overripe the kibbutz invited this kibbutz. The view was spectacular . One could see snow on the mountains on the Syrian side. We picked cherries, had a picnic and the kids played on the fresh water little pool. This particular kibbutz was very much a part of the war and the bunkers, and outlook points still there. Beautiful views, a nice d ay

June 23 Well- stepping out of my comfort zone I used public tansporati9on - 2 buses- to get to Tel Aviv. Efrat picked me up ( my cousin from my mother's side) and after having gotten lost but enjoying the adventure- we arrived to Kibbutz Tifil in the Galilee. Her two adorable children Sher-ri (my song) and Jonathan have been giving me Hebrew lessons as I give them English lessons. A few days here and maybe I will really be able to speak Hebrew! We had a Shabbat dinner with the Kibbutzim and today are going to hike in the upper Galilee. The pictures ar of the children including the kids playing after dinner. Very quiet her e except for the nightly coyotes. The air is clean, and I amleaving my make up in the suitcase!

June 21

Today is the last day of the seminar. It was another full day as we listened to experts, speak about the Challenges of Holocaust Education and whee we are going. The main points brought up is how the Holocaust has been trivialized and how Holocaust vernacular has become mainstream . A panel discussion of secondary teachers followed but the venue was not conducive to a discussion. It was a bit frustrating. I am now sitting in a room waiting for a survivor to present her story. I do not think I will have internet later on due to the exorbitant fees hence I am writing now. The program will conclude after the presentation of the survivor and then back to the hotel. I am still waiting to hear from my cousin as to where and when I will meet her in Tel Aviv tomorrow- and to all my friends and family that know me well.... know I am stressed not knowing yet where and when to meet her!!! Hope you all are enjoying my blog and I hope to continue with my family visit.