By Martin Weiss

We began Monday with an excellent Israeli breakfast at our hotel, Néa, in Shavey Tzion. Our server was a one-man machine, providing omelet's, assorted cheeses, and endless cappuccinos. After the meal, we filed onto the bus and sang happy birthday to Martin [that’s me ;)] in both English and Hebrew.

Off to Akko we went! We had a walking tour led by Urban Kibbutz guides from the movement of Habonim Dror, Yahel and Zac from the new-age educators kibbutz. We explored how the members tackle the complexities of living within a city mixed with Jewish, Arab, and other minorities.

Our guides were equal parts passionate and insightful, offering hope and vision for the future of their community relations. Akko, like much of Israel, may best be described as an onion or a city with many layers. Next, we ventured into the old city of Akko, over 5,000 years old, where we toured the ancient Akko fortress prison. There, we learned about the origins of the Israeli defense force and their efforts to free themselves from British rule. Amazingly, Israeli freedom fighters managed to escape from the fortress and continue the work of the Lechi, Etzel, and Hagenah forces from the outside.

On our way out of the Akko Museum, our group heard the Muslim call to prayer from the Al Jazzar Mosque, truly demonstrating the blended nature of the city. We stopped for a quick lunch in downtown Nahariya, where we enjoyed falafel, schnitzel, and shawarma alike.

After a quick bus ride, we arrived at Kibbutz Yechiam, famous for their deli meat production factory. It is there that we met with refugees settling in from the Russian-Ukrainian war. There were three speakers from Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia, respectively. Each with their own unique story which led them to flee to Israel. Despite the adverse circumstances of their departures, they all seemed happy to be in the land of milk and honey.

After a brief respite at the hotel, we headed to The Partnership Center building for a dinner with our Israeli / Hungarian friends. During our meal, we discussed how American and Israeli Jews alike relate, and wherein lies opportunities for growth within our communities.

To top it all off, much of our group went out for drinks late into the evening to continue bonding with our partnership friends. It was a lovely, jam-packed day!