To begin Passover break I was lucky enough to go on a hike throughout the north of Israel with Hebrew University's Office of Student Activities. OSA organizes activities for Rothberg International students like museum tours, dinners and other events. But, Yam l'yam is known as their best activity, which was clear when the registration was full just a few days after sign ups began.
Just over a year ago, you couldn't pay me to go hiking. Growing up in Lake Elizabeth, surrounded by the Angeles National Forest, I took for granted the nature that was all around me. But since coming to Israel, I have developed an appreciation for the environment, which was ignited during my first trips to the West Bank with Rabbis for Human Rights. Volunteering with Rabbis for Human Rights gave me the opportunity to travel to beautiful and diverse areas of Israel: from the lush, fertile north, to the dry, hilly south. After these excursions I could see that Israel not only offered an interesting political situation, but also incredible scenery. This is what encouraged my interest in hiking throughout Israel.
We began at Nahariya where our Madrichim gave us a hilarious theatrical welcoming to the hike. Off the shores we could see Israeli naval ships guarding the maritime border between Lebanon and Israel.
Trekking across the river countless times during the hike. My TOMS held up well.
Eli, our madrich, showing us the way
The first day we hiked to the top of the mountains in the north where we could see the beautiful skyline leading out to the ocean. These photos hardly capture the magnificent view.
Set into the valley and hillside of the adjacent mountain is the town of Mitzpe Hila, the birthplace of Gilad Shalit and where his parents still reside. Considering all of our madrichim and hiking guides served in the IDF, along with all other Israelis once they become of-age, the issue of the danger living in and serving the state of Israel was brought up.
The following day we hiked Mt. Meron, which lies within the sight of Lebanon. After the expulsion of the PLO from Jordan in the incident known as Black September, the group settled in southern Lebanon and began attacking Israel. The area where we hiked was in rocket range of Lebanon, and was hit many times during the PLO's residency in Lebanon. Israel responded in 1982 with the invasion of Lebanon that began the 18 year occupation of the region. In an attempt to stop attacks from the PLO and defeat their enemies, Israel found itself occupying Lebanon for nearly two decades and created resentment and fueling hatred from its Arab neighbors and groups within the countries, like Hezbollah. It was stunning to be hiking in an area that had so much political significance, which had suffered attacks throughout the 1980s and in the early 2000s that began such important political manuevers and strategies by Israel and the surrounding countries.
Hannah and me
Our hiking guide, Noach
Day two hike trail
At the end of the second day we bussed to a hostel in Sfat where we stayed for Shabbos. Unfortunately, my stomach didn't agree with something and I had to leave early the next day, and was unable hike the final day to the destination: the kinneret.
The purple trail shows the basic hiking path we took
Yam l'yam was an amazing experience where I was able to meet new friends, see different areas of Israel and explore moral and political questions brought up along our hike.
