Sometimes things are just “bashert.” On the very day that we launch RamahDate, all three levels of Ramah riders visited the breathtaking Biryah Forest in the hills overlooking Tzfat, the burial site of Rabbi Yonatan ben Uziel, a First Century CE sage who is credited as being a shadchan (matchmaker) for singles looking to find their soulmates! To this day, single people pray at his grave for divine assistance in their search for a spouse. After another sumptuous breakfast buffet all three groups biked from our kibbutz southward, through quiet farmland with amazing eucalyptus and pine trees. Coming out of the Biryah Forest was quite a climb for all levels, and everyone was relieved to arrive at the Dalton Winery for a lovely lunch and wine tasting.
Some riders then biked all the way back to the kibbutz, some went on a walking tour of Tzfat, and others came by bus straight back to Kibbutz HaGoshrim to relax and enjoy the pool and spa.
And now it is time for Shabbat, when the entire group of 114 hikers and riders can come together as a community for rest and reflection.
Tonight we will have a general session on Tikvah, so that everyone who has worked so hard to raise over $400,000 for campers with disabilities can learn more about our programs, and hear about their impact from camp leaders and Tikvah parents.
After Shabbat we will have two more days of adventure. We look forward to sharing with you stories about our biking in the Golan Heights and down to the Kinneret.
For now, we are happy to be clean, resting, and ready for a wonderful Shabbat together.
Shabbat Shalom from Northern Israel,
Rabbi Mitchell Cohen, National Ramah Director