Coming Soon

Tuesday morning February 20 began at 5:30 AM for 10 of the 32 in our group who joined Rabbi Bernstein to watch the sun rise overlooking the Ramon Crater for Shacharit. The rest of us joined at 8:15 for our trip to the Ramon Crater, first to the Visitor's Center and then to journey down into the crater in land rovers ( the one I was in had 300,000 miles on it!)

The Visitor's Center is a tribute to Ilon Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut into space, who died in the Columbia Shuttle when it disintegrated upon reentry into the earth's atmosphere. Ilon was a brilliant engineer who made Israel's destruction of the Iraq nuclear reactor possible and a valued pilot. After his selection for the Columbia mission he had trained with NASA for 3 1/2 years. His loss was devastating to Israel.

Then we journeyed into the crater itself after learning that this crater was formed by erosion, the effect of water on the sand and clay. The color differentials were fascinating snd we learned a great deal about the desert environment in the Negev.

Throughout the morning we heard Air Force jets on maneauvers from a nearby base. And our group learned from our driver that Israeli pilots turn off their GPS because a GPS is always on due to its use of satellites so the pilots dont lead the enemy to them.

On the road we passed a solar field, used to gather energy and utilize the ever-present sun in the desert.

In the afternoon we visited a vineyard established 20 years ago on a site that had been a Nabatean  vineyard 1500 years ago. The main source of irrigation is flooding, though flat irrigation utilizing desalinated water is also used. The founder was deeply intouch with the Biblical "roots" of the connection.

Shortly after returning to the hotel some joined Rabbi Bernstein for sunset and a renewal of vows for Sheryl and Craig Gordon. After dinner most of us were treated to star-gazing out in a field near our hotel with an expert astronomer. With no neon lights or glare in this dark field, the view of  the sky was bright and clear, with only a few clouds that did not get in the way. It is the most distinct that I have ever seen the stars, reminding me that we really are closer to heaven in Israel.