Nava Tehila, Shabbat lunch, Tel Aviv, Biblical Zoo, and more...

Some more highlights to share:

We went to Kabbalat Shabbat services at a Jewish Renewal congregation in Jerusalem called Nava Tehila.  Allie Klein had told us about it.  The music and congregational participation in the music was incredible.  An inner circle of musicians (guitars, tof, violin, mandolin, recorder, rain stick!) was surrounded by concentric circles of congregants, and a few of us sat on the floor right in the middle.  They write their own melodies, which are easy to learn and very satisfying to sing.  Some congregants danced outside the circles as well.  The most inspirational part for me was the energy that was created within the community, through the music.

We're looking forward to other new prayer experiences...

We invited some new friends over for Shabbat lunch, and enjoyed a very relaxing afternoon with them.  Udi Cohen is the director of a Reform preschool, and he and his wife, Sharon, have 3 kids around our kids' ages.  Here's a picture of the table!  Those of you who were on this year's TBS Sisterhood retreat, may remember that this was one of my Shabbat goals...

Jay and I spent part of a day with Andy and Martha Hausman/Vogel in Tel Aviv on the beach.  It felt quite decadent to sit by the beach for brunch in the middle of the week.

Our family has enjoyed several more outings.  We went to the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem, which has beautiful grounds and many very interesting animals, including tapirs, ibex, lemurs, kangaroos, cassowaries, and a serval.  (See below, and see Liana's blog for more pictures.)We spent 4 glorious hours there last Shabbat!

We also went to the old city specifically to put prayers into the wall.  Liana posted a beautiful piece about this visit on her blog, as well.  Both kids really enjoy being there, which is very sweet.

In this next picture, we are sitting in front of the newly rebuilt Hurva Synagogue inside the old city.  This is the one that used to just be the Hurva Synagogue Arch.  Isn't it beautiful?  (You have to look at the following picture to actually see the Synagogue!!!)

We also spent a lovely Shabbat in Ashqelon with the entire Zeffren family, played at the "Mifletset (monster) park" (also see Liana's blog) and sampled some delicious hot fudge and caramel covered waffles at Babet's Waffle Bar.  (Well, they tell me the waffles were delicious!!)  Unfortunately, the sound and light show at David's Citadel was sold out, so we still have that to look forward to.

I have tried out 4 Israeli Dance sessions so far.  Each one has a totally different flavor.  I haven't found my perfect spot yet, but I'm enjoying hopping around.  Last night I went to Hebrew University, where I danced with 300 other people in a huge gym.  Most of the people there have been dancing for several years, and I was especially entranced by the couples dancing.  It's quite beautiful, and very difficult, but everyone made it LOOK easy!  I was also amazed by the huge age range of people who take Israeli Dance very seriously.There were equal numbers of dancers in their 20's, 40's, and 60's, plenty of women AND men.

Tomorrow night, Maya and Menachem Leibovich, from M'vasseret Tzion are coming for Shabbat dinner.  Maya is an Israeli Reform Rabbi who has visited both Temple Beth Shalom and Shaare Emeth.  Many of you have met her.  Jay has been close to their family for a very long time.

That's all for now.  Laila Tov! (Good night...)