Farewell to Tel Aviv - Best Visit Ever

            Saying farewell to Tel Aviv. It's the most I have ever liked Tel Aviv. It's an avenue and place for secular Judaism to flourish and yet I still managed to see plenty of Judaica for sale. I even purchased a Sefer Sefer Hahinuch, which I have been wanting for a long time for Derash preparation.
            Staying at the hostel was really interesting as it put me in touch with younger travelers both Jewish and non-Jewish. I met a young guy who saw my Gonzaga T-shirt and told me he went to Jesuit high school in Washington, DC and then proceeded to ask me a bunch of questions about Jews and Judaism. He just arrived from 6 days in Jerusalem.
            And then I met three kids who extended birthright trips. Some of the Jewish Gonzaga kids have thought about doing birthright before or after the Gonzaga program for next year and I actually think that could be great as they will come away a number of narratives and will be able think critically about a number of issues.
            Meetings were very productive while I was in Tel Aviv and I spent the morning reviewing and reflecting on curriculum in a cafe known for activism. I think the cafe is like Tel Aviv's Stonewall. Of course Itamar from T'ruah told me about it.
            As I walked back towards the hostel to catch the shuttle to Tel Aviv, I realized I was in the market district of Shul Levinsky. See pictures of nut baskets, spices and house wares. I think it will be a good activity for the students when not in class or touring.
            I also found that someone had given me a counterfeit 10 shekel, which someone at the hostel swore was not counterfeit but changed it for me nevertheless. 
           Ran across another part of the market that is apparently the bead district of Tel Aviv, and those of you who know me, know how serendipitous this was. I controlled myself and spent less than 18 dollars on jewelry making supplies but it was a fun way to close out the Tel Aviv time.
           Now I'm on the shuttle to Jerusalem where I will continue to have meetings to prep the trip, check out the Israel museum and have Shabbat.
            Aaron Taylor and I are planning to go to Ramallah tomorrow. This will be my first time in the West Bank since the 1980's when we briefly visited Hebron and the caves of the patriarchs and matriarchs. I will write more when I return. In the meantime, I very much looking forward to being in Jerusalem. Shaya and Kim gave me notes for the Kotel Wall.

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Levinsky Market District in Tel Aviv