11/9/17: On the road again – Mitzpe Ramon to The Arava Institute
Posted 11/9/17
On The Road Again – Mitzpe Ramon To The Arava Institute
Sunday began with a wake up at 4:15am so that we could ready ourselves, pack up, grab a very early breakfast and bike a half mile to the edge of the Machtesh (crater) where we had prayer services and then took a group photo of all of the riders, staff and crew. A drone has been used throughout the trip to take many of the pictures. We watched the sun rise over this beautiful crater and had Ibex guests join us.
Over this week we have become friends with the family who is celebrating their son, Levi’s, Bar Mitzvah during the ride, and Levi’s father and I helped Levi lay t’fillin for the first time in his life. It was such an inspiring, beautiful, moving experience to be part of this mitzvah.
We then started our stunning descent into Machtesh Ramon and climbed out the other side. After crossing a desert plateau, we crossed Wadi Faran, one of the largest valleys crossing the Negev Desert, and had a short steep climb (10% grade – YIKES and we made it!) out before our final stop for the day. After lunch we took a bus to Kibbutz Ketura for the afternoon activities at the Arava Institute, which is located on the kibbutz.
Interacting with the Arava students, touring the institute and spending the evening there was an educational experience that seems like a hidden treasure. We toured the “Off-the-Grid Research facility” and saw some of the innovative ways that they have created a sustainable environment and sustainable energy. We learned up close and personal during a meet and greet with current students that this is a place where Jews, Palestinians, Jordanians, and other international students from other countries come together for what appears on the surface to be working together for sustainable energy and a sustainable environment.
The reality is, after learning about the institute, they are learning how to TALK with each other and how to TRUST each other. From what we learned, I would say that my hope and prayer is that these students become the leaders of our future world. The Arava Institute is a miraculous place!
More to follow soon,
David and Debra
