WRJ Centennial Trip: A WRJ Tabernacle in the Desert

As I write this a cool wind is blowing across the Negev and the sun is shining over the beautiful ‘crater’ at Mitzpe Ramon. I now know that the ‘crater’ is not really a crater, but rather a unique and breath-taking geological formation. Having visited David and Paula Ben Gurion’s graves near their home at Sde Boker not far from Mitzpa Ramon, I can understand why he chose this region of all places in Israel for his inspiration and his eternal rest.

After two very full days in Tel Aviv, the desert quiet is rejuvenating. We previously spent a day getting to know Israel’s early history at the Rabin Center and the Palmach Museum, journeyed from the Port of Tel Aviv to Jaffa and places in between. We experienced the wonder of the Na Lagaat Theatre production created by blind and deaf actors, and we were challenged to learn about issues facing foreign workers, refugees, and their families as we visited the Hotline for Migrant Workers. And then we met our Israeli sisters as we joined them at Congregation Beit Daniel for their annual meeting and learned about the mother-daughter Bat Mitzvah program sponsored by WRJ. With appreciation to Resa Davids for this idea, coming to the desert for our amazing mifgash Shabbat, which brought together the women of WRJ and WRJ-Israel, has been particularly awe-inspiring. Led by Blair Marks, WRJ 1^st Vice President, and Israeli rabbinical student Ayala Samuels, our worship blended many different styles and melodies to create an uplifting spiritual moment for all of us. Reflecting on the weekly Torah Portion, our experience was not unlike that of Bezalel, the architect of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, who took the varied over-abundance of free-will offerings of the

Israelites and combined them into a single, holy structure that would house God’s presence among them. Like our ancestors, despite our many differences and the varied gifts we bring, together we established a WRJ Tabernacle in the wilderness, creating a sacred space worthy of God’s presence. We will continue our journey tomorrow with a visit to Kibbutz Lotan, where we will learn about environmental issues, and then on to Beer Sheva to learn about Bedouin issues from a coexistence group, NISPED. Eventually we will make our way to Jerusalem for the remainder of our Israel adventure. I have no doubt that the entire trip will be amazing and WRJ leaders will be talking about this experience for many years to come. And for most of us, our Shabbat in the wilderness will remain with us as a model of holiness for which we all strive day by day. Shavua Tov from the Negev!