Dear Russian Insiders let me describe my trip to Israel.
That’s the country that a longed to see for my whole life. The country of my dream, of my proud and my constant concern. My family in Russia followed every news regarding the Israel path from the origination though each war listening “Golos Svobodi” (Voice of Freedom”) despite the noise that was sent by authorities trying to overpower the station.
In 70 I joined movements of young people to fight for emigration to move to Israel. We gathered on private apartments, sang Israel songs, studied Hebrew in undercover Ulpuns, my friends printed and distributed prohibited literature.
I was refused entrance to Komsomol (Young Communist Party) and got grade “3” of regular “5” for Behavior on my High School Diploma and my brother was fired from his job and removed from Komsomol after we had alteration with police on Sinha-Tora at Sinagouge at Arhipov street when police ordered thousands young jews to go home after end of religious service and we all ran to the government building shouting and chanting “Отпусти народ мой” (“Let my people go”).
My brother was refused emigration to Israel because of his prior service in a secret troops of combat. Only in 18 years I left Russia for America having all my relatives already emigrated there.
After my grandson Zev entered his first year of Yeshiva University in Israel, I decided to visit my dream country.
Thanks to Odnoklassniki.ru I was able to find my long lost friends in Israel and I really anticipated to see them.
Apon arrival on Ben-Gorion aeroport I was met by my dear childhood and school friend Marina.
She took me for a ride to her home which resides in West Bank, occupied territory.
I was full of fears through the whole night ride through the maintains, seeing the electronic fence which separates Israel from Palestine on the left side of the road, green lights of masks on the other side, empty rode and nobody on site.
But as I noticed People of Israel brave and fearless.
In the morning I was able appreciate the beauty of the place. Fresh air, houses are covered with exotic trees, mashrooms along the pathes to homes.
Panorama of mountings is breathtaking.
I was pointed to few cars with white plates belonging to Palestinians coming for labor to village as a opposite to yellow Israel plates.
As I understood Palestinians and Israelis live there in peaceful symbiosis exchanging labor and currency.
My first trip was to see Herodium. That’s the palace of Herod, the King of Israel which also was place of his burial. I went trough tunnels and saw roman bathes , courtyard and maket of Herod sargofag which was uncovered by arheologists. Later this place was used and rebuild by Bar Kokhba and his people, who rebel against Rome Empire during Jewish-Roman war but eventually were overpowered.
The next day I moved to hotel Zion in the center of Jerusalem. It was recommended by friends with free Wi-Fi , breakfast included, $70 per day.
The first thing that took my attention in Israel was numerous boys and girls in military uniforms caring weapons. I saw people in regular attire casually holding huge rifles walking the streets and in buses. I was explained that it’s soldiers on breaks, but they always need to have rifle on his hands and on beaches you can see girls in bikinis with rifles hanging from their shoulders.
In the morning I walk to the most holy place for Jews, Western wall. I washed hands using cup chained to the water fountain, wrote names for all my close relatives on piece of paper, asking God for their health and happiness, then united with women for prayer and put this piece of paper into the holy wall. Main mission was accomplished.
Western wall resides within the whole complex of ancient buildings. Later on I visited Haifa and Tel-Aviv, but nothing can be compared with beauty of Jerusalem. The feeling and sense of history is unbelievable. You just expecting from any corner to be approached by King Herod, Roman warrior Titus, Jesus Christ or prophet Mohammad.
The whole story from my favorite book “Josephus” by Lion Feuchtwanger (“Иудейскайя Война” Леон Фейхтвангер )
about war berween Israel and Rome, the destruction of second of temple by Titus and Iosif Flaviy, the Jewish historian, was right in front my eyes.
By the way I could not find any books by Lion Feuchtwanger in book stores or internet. I think he was banned in America for his sympathy to Soviet Union.
The next day I visited Haifa. The most amazement attraction is The Bahai Garden. The golden temple resides on a top of mounting surrounded by heaven of flowers in an unbelievable design and the hand made water fall going from the temple on top to the bottom of the hill. The view is simply astonishing.
The beaches of Haifa suburbs tastefully decorated with places for snowboarding, gyms on open air, kids games.
Tel-Aviv was scheduled for the next day. We went to central bus station and in hour we were there.
If not driven by my friends, the whole trip I was using public transportation. English is a second language in Israel but my grandson Zev knowledge of Hebrew that he acquired for three month in Israel was very helpful.
Tel-Aviv also has very long and beautiful promenade along the beach with huge hotels build with great design.
But the most interesting part is Yaffa – old part of the city with ancient buildings around.
We enjoyed the spirit of the city and went to “Dr. Shakshooka” for a lunch to experience the real Israel food. It cost us about $40 for two. That was the most expensive place that we visited in Israel.
Mostly we used places that Zev already knew and visited with his friends which were cheap and tasty, with dishes like shakshooka, falafel, baba ganoush with pita bread.
Fruits and vegetable is very cheap and very tasty, reminded me the taste that I experienced in markets of Odessa.
The most expensive in Israel is oil. After our calculations with liters to gallons and shekels to dollars, the result was $7 per gallon.
On the final note I appreciate and adore my trip. I am very happy that I had an opportunity to see my ancient motherland and experience the spirit of this beautiful country. I hope to visit it again and again.
And the greatest wish that Israel will accomplish eventually piece and friendship with all surrounding countries.
By Eva Levitis.