Day 4 - Shabbat and Havdalah

I've said it before and I'll say it again....the only way to do a multi-day, long mileage bike ride is with a Jewish group!  After 3 days of riding from north to south, over hills and valleys, a restful Shabbat is just what the doctor ordered.  There are a variety of ways to enjoy Shabbat in this open and non-judgmental community, but the highlight definitely comes in the afternoon when the students and alumnae of the Arava Institute participate in panel or group discussions.  That is when we really begin to understand the mission, success and hopes of the Arava Institute, and for me it is the moment I realize what a great cause I've been raising funds and awareness for. 

We listened to the personal stories of the students with awe and often with tears, and gained a true appreciation for the journey their lives have taken.  They come from Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian territories and the rest of the world.  Many from outside of Israel suffer the consequences back home of having dared to study and do research in Israel.  The focus of the Institute is to do research on environmental issues impacting the middle east. The motto of the Institute, "Nature Knows No Boundaries" is the backbone of their mission.  But inevitably, peace and coexistence issues arise.  Through the Peace and Environmental Leadership Seminars (PELS) the students are given tools to use now and in the future which will hopefully allow them, and us, to acknowledge differences, respect each other's stories, and work together to solve the problems that plague anyone living in the region.  These young people give me hope for the future, and now that I've seen the familiar faces coming back to crew for the ride year after year, and hear about the work they continue to do, I am totally committed to them.

Our spirits lifted, Shabbat traditionally ends with a joyous, magnificent Havdalah service at the edge of the Maktesh - the huge erosion crater on whose edge we have been spending Shabbat.  We have, in a short 3 days, gone from a group of disjointed bikers from all over creation to a cohesive community of people who truly care about and look after each other.  It is the magic of the Israel Ride that we form community so quickly with so many strangers.  We bid Shabbat farewell and welcome the new week with renewed strength and commitment to the beat of the drums and the sounds of the flute which -thanks to our talented and enthusiastic crew and students - have accompanied us and will continue to do so through the desert.

Shavuah tov!!