September 26, 2018
As September turns to October, it is time to turn my thinking in earnest to the upcoming Israel Ride. It will be my 5th! In writing these words, I am mindful that I am not a reliable blogger. I have not written here since the close of the last ride. It was a turbulent time, with the election of a president who has proven to be an embarrassment and a disgrace to the institution he represents and the Constitution he is sworn to uphold (ok, so I betray my politics). Oftentimes I wonder how we go about day-to-day lives when so many fundamental principles on which our democracy rests are shaken. I suppose one reason is that we cannot live in a constant state of crisis - but do we thereby become numb to reality? Do the scandals and outrage become the new normal?? Or do we focus on the things we can impact and improve? (phew... I think I just figured out how to get out of the dark direction this was going in...)
In these uncivil times, where tweets and bullying have taken the place of leadership, it is the vision and actions of organizations like the Arava Institute and Hazon that remind me of the hope and resiliency of the human condition. If ancient plants can be brought back to life, and the desert can continue to bloom, then the seeds of trust, cooperation and leadership planted at Arava too will thrive.
For this we ride! I am thrilled to enter this last phase of training and preparation, and I am eager to meet old friends and new, as we begin our journey from the hills of Jerusalem to the shores of the Red Sea. I have said this before, but there is no better way to experience the spirituality and the drama of Israel than from the seat of a bike, where the sights, sounds, smell, touch, and even the taste of the Land are close, alive, visceral. And there is no better cause than supporting the vision of peace, cooperation and sustainable environmental practices that is at the core of the Arava Institute (and its partner in the ride, Hazon).
So I will try to be a more reliable scribe as the ride draws closer and during the trip itself.
Until then, l’hitra-ot.
Lester, bechatzlecha, on your 5th ride. It was only 10 years ago when you 1st mentioned it, that remembered Dennis on his return visit to Usha ran into briefly my Usha adopted Father, Avner, who was said to be going on a bike ride. So this was brought to your attention, with you immediately requesting his email as I also have been for more than a decade. U got it, I have not! Please wish my Usha Parents Avner & Aviva (A&A), Mazel Tov on their recent 50th wedding anniversary from this volunteer son of 44 years ago, with 6 vists to Usha over that time. Was glad to see via FB they celebrated with a tiyul to NYC, NY a few months ago. It may have been Aviva's 1st time in the USA. Their son Ben, who was born in England when Avner was a Shaliach a year or so before our KUS74 semester, with his family, came from Toronto, CA where he resides & works, to share some of the NYC tiyul with A&A. So Bechatzlecha with this 5th ride. Hopefully I have reached you soon enough to complete the requests herein made.
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