Bittersweet Serendipity While Cycling Near Shaar Hagai

14 June 2009
The plan for yesterday morning's bike ride was a loop from the Latrun Monastery to Shaar Hagai and back -- in the same area as last week's Israel Trail hike, but on different trails. After cycling for about 40 minutes, we reached our intended turn-around point. We paused to catch our breath at a junction on the steep climb up Givat Hatul, and did a quick rethink of our route choice. We decided that instead of turning off the trail, we would walk/push our bikes a short distance further to the top of the ridge. From there we could ride on flat or downhill trails. When we reached the top of the ridge, we were surprised and delighted! An amazing vista point overlooking Shaar Hagai. What a view! Engraved plaques present maps and history of the Burma Road and…
The Mishli Hiking Group Takes to the Israel Trail Again

The Mishli Hiking Group Takes to the Israel Trail Again

8 June 2009
Segment 22: Latrun to Shaar Hagai * For our second hike on the Israel Trail we were a group of 18. We were missing 7 from the first hike, several of whom were unfortunately suffering from back ailments. The 6 newcomers had expressed interest from the start, but for various reasons had not been on the first hike. (My apologies to the group: we forgot to take a group photo this time. We must remember to do on every hike.) 6:45: Meet-up at gas station near Messilat Zion, regrouping into 4 cars, and shuttle back to Latrun. 7:15: The GPS (”the Garmin”) starts recording. We leave the parking lot next to the restaurant and head north to reconnect with the trail where we left the trail last time. We walk around the east side of the Armored Corps Museum…

Israel Trail Guidebook Author Zevi Gilat

21 May 2009
Best Wishes from the Israel Trail Guidebook Author *   Last week I attended an interesting lecture about the tombs of the righteous. The speaker, who has published a book on the subject, was none other than Zevi Gilat, author of the Israel Trail guidebook. After the lecture I approached Zevi, told him I had organized a group to hike the trail, pulled the guidebook out of my bag, and asked him to autograph it. He very kindly wrote an inscription, dedicated to me and my hiking friends. "To Lisa and to those walking the way, best wishes for a good journey, from Zevi Gilat" Summer Hiking Segments Save the dates. Friday, July 3 and Friday, July 31. We will hike along the sea shore in the late afternoon, followed by a kumsitz (campfire picnic) when the sun goes down. On July 3, moonrise…

Get Set for our Second Hike on the Israel National Trail

17 May 2009
In light of feedback and requests following our first hike, this is the plan for our second hike. (1) The date remains as originally planned: Shabbat, June 6. Sorry, cannot be changed! Please confirm your participation by May 30. (2) In addition to the 19 people who hiked the first segment, another 12 people are also on the list. If I do not receive 20 confirmations by May 30, I will let you know spaces are available for newcomers. (3) We will slow down the pace a bit to keep the group together. Specifically, we will stop more often -- as a group -- to snack, sing, chat, view the vistas, learn about the sites, and to simply enjoy moments of pleasure and comradarie on the Israel Trail. (4) Varda Ingels has volunteered to share her knowledge about this…
The Israel Trail Hiking Group Materializes

The Israel Trail Hiking Group Materializes

2 May 2009
Segment 21: Mitzpeh Modiin to Latrun *  My emails, phone calls and conversations over the past few weeks produced a group of 17 people ready to roll on the Israel Trail this morning. Here, then, is my account of our first hike: 6:45: Quick introductions in the restaurant parking lot at Latrun, regrouping into 3 cars, and shuttle to Mizpeh Modiin in Ben Shemen Forest. 7:29: The GPS ("the Garmin") starts recording. 7:33: We misread a trailblaze and turn off the main road onto a footpath in the forest. It's not a serious mistake, and actually takes us on a more pleasant route through the woods for 5 minutes. 8:08 (2.4 km): After climbing and descending several hills, we emerge from the Ben Shemen Forest. We head through the olive groves. 8:15 (3 km): We are moving at a…

Preparing for Our First Hike

20 April 2009
I was delighted with the positive responses from friends who want to hike the Israel Trail with Yuval and me. A group has formed and we hope/expect to have 15-20 people hiking on each segment. Our first hike on the Israel National Trail: Shabbat, May 2, 2009 Meeting Point: We will all meet at the segment END POINT -- in the parking lot of Asa Restaurant at Latrun. Meeting Time: 6:45 a.m. We will leave most of our cars at Latrun, and take as few cars as needed to get us all to Mitzpeh Modiin, where we will begin our hike. Start Point: Mitzpeh Modiin (Ben Shemen Forest) Start Time: 7:30 (or sooner, if we organize quickly) End Point: Latrun (Asa restaurant / gas station) Route Length: 17 km Difficulty: medium Time: about 7 hours, including rest stops Route:…

First Responses to Israel Trail Hiking Plan

6 April 2009
I had a number of immediate positive responses to yesterday's announcement about hiking the Israel Trail. Unfortunately a few will not be able to participate in the first segment. I suspect it might take a few hikes before we get a full and committed group formulated. But I figure the early two segments can be easily completed afterwards by the late joiners.

Israel National Trail – The Challenge Begins!

5 April 2009
For several years I have contemplated and often talked about hiking the Israel National Trail. Now that we have sold our 4x4 pickup, the time is ripe to embark on this project. MAPA's Guide for Israel Trek by Zevi Gilat breaks down the 940 kilometer trail into 44 segments. My idea is to form a group that hikes a segment of the trail about once a month, and not in sequential order.  The plan is to start with segments that are easier, to leave the more difficult segments for later, and to do segments best suited to the season. It will take several years to complete the entire trail. An orienteering friend, Shimon Shomrony, initiated such a plan four years ago. He has generously shared his group's itinerary and logistical plans with me and Yuval, and they will serve…

My Torah Talks (Divrei Torah)

5 January 2009
I am an active member of Shalhevet Hamaccabim, an egalitarian Masorti congregation that was formed some 20 years ago, soon after the town of Maccabim was established. Our membership comprises about forty families from Maccabim, Reut, Modiin and the surrounding area, and includes new and veteran immigrants from the USA and other English-speaking countries, South Americans, as well as native Israelis. We are a self-led congregation with many talented members, whose skills, knowledge and energy keep our congregation vibrant and enriched, both spiritually and socially. Every Friday evening the congregation meets for a kabbalat shabbat service, which includes a dvar torah (short sermon on the weekly Bible portion) delivered by one of the congregants. For the past two years I have prepared and delivered a number of divrei torah. I prepare my text in English, but speak in Hebrew. The Torah Talk…