Israel trip

I was luckily enough to go to Israel for work in late March- April.  It is definitely a country that wasn't on my "must-see" list, but when some one wants to send you half way across the world for free- I jumped!  I am so pleased I went.  Israel is a young, proud, vibrant nation.  I am not sure how I feel, even upon my return, about the State of Israel and Palestine.  I traveled the whole country (its the size of New Jersey) and even into Palestine.  I was 3km away from Gaza, spent the better part of one day in Arab cities within Israel and visited a hospital that serves Jews, Arabs, Christians, and Bedouins. There is more happening there politically, historically and religiously than I can grasp.  But I managed for a week to work hard, play harder and see sights I never thoughht I would see. 

Here's a photojournal of the work part of the trip:



At a teen center that serves under-privilaged youth. 



One of the many Ethopian Jews I met.  I couldn't take my eyes off this kid. 





This boy was a patient at the hosoital I mentioned above.  He is a Muslim, but was playing and healing with Christians and Jews.  




Our free night out in Tel Aviv! 



A school in the Negev, just 3km from Gaza.  This classroom is actually a fortified bombshelter.  4 hours after we left the school, a bomb fell.  A week later a rocket hit a school bus killing a 13 year old student. 



In the foreground you can see a depression from a rocket, behind the girls you can see a bomb shelter.  When the sirens go off, students have 15 seconds to get to a shelter or fortified classroom. 





We greeted Ethiopian refugees into Israel.  They leave Ethiopia due to religious persecution. 



My first, but certainly not my last falafeel in Israel!

 We put in 14-18 hour days for 5 days and I met with collegues who hold similar positions to mine all over the country.  It was a great professional opportunity for me and I made some new friends for life!