What a great first day in Israel!

After landing at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv we drove south to go into the Negev, and spent our first night in Kibbutz Mashabei Sadeh.  It was my first time in the desert, and my first time staying at a 'real' kibbutz.  Just smelling the desert air was a new and special experience.

Our first morning in Israel we took a meditative hike in the desert, another new experience for me.  I highly recommend it!

And then we were on our way to Yerucham, a development town that is remaking itself into a center of  social, educational and cultural life in the desert.  We visited with the Ass't Principal of a local school, and then went to the home of one of the 'Culinary Queens of Yerucham' - another unbelievable experience! These are women who are economically disadvantaged, and are great cooks and gracious hosts.  They open up their homes to visitors, and cook multi-course meals.  There were 20 in our group, and we sampled 15 or so different homemade dishes.  We were also regaled with the family's story of how they came to Yerucham, and some insights into their lives here.  I am happy to share their cookbook with you.

As I type this we are on the bus on our way to Tel Aviv, to prepare for Shabbat.  We are excited to be hosting 11 Lone Soldiers for Shabbat dinner tonight.

A special note to our friends who came to Israel last year with SHJC....our friend and tour guide Shari Robins is on this trip.  She sends love and regards to each of you, and is excited to lead another SHJC trip next February.  We are working on some of the details this week.

I'm here less than 24 hours....and it already feels 'home'.

With gratitude, and Shabbat Shalom,

Sherry Gutes.