Nili Couzens talk 'Your contribution to Jewish Destiny' discussed the 7 prophecies in the Torah of the Jewish people, and that the significance of these are ever important to us today as they will continue to be in our future. The 7 Judaic prophecies or wonders of Jewish history are: 1. the Jewish people are eternal; - she read a famous quote from author Mark Twain which expresses wonderment at the Jewish people and that endure while other peoples and empires decline and fall into oblivion 2. they will be dispersed among nations 3. they will be persecuted in foreign lands 4. They will always be fewer in number - Jews comprise less than 1 % of the world population 5. That the Jews wi

Every visitor to Israel be they Jewish or otherwise always includes Masada on their itinerary. The Masada experience and its story of resistance and heroism is unique. David our tour guide says he has seen among non Jewish groups visiting a few taking a small stone with them rubbing it as if to take in some of that spirit of heroism and strength. The cable car took us up to the fortress rebuilt by Herod, which sits on a massive plateau overlooking the Dead Sea. David brought the events for which Masada is famous to life. We know what happened through the accounts recorded by the main historian of the time, Josephus Flavius (himself originally Jewish formerly known as Matisyahu). At the beg

Our view for Seudah Shlishit at the Clamans The topic of Rabbi Gabriel Friedman's speech was 'Shabbos Heaven on Earth' was unexpected, you've never seen or heard a rabbi like this!! We were immediately hooked...and could not stop laughing. Weaving singing, lyrics, pop culture and a rapid fire humour, we were in stitches. Jokes aside Rav Gabriel stated that the Jews gave the world the weekend. He spoke of the Shabbos experience as being the most pleasurable experience in which we 'disconnect to connect' to stop and cut out the noise and connect with our family and our Judaism. Nili spoke of raising a child with soul. As parents we all want the best for our children, for them to become

Come, my Beloved, to meet the Bride, let us welcome the Shabbat" This is the meaning of the Lecha Dodi prayers when one welcomes in Shabbat. This was composed by one of the Kabbalists of Tsfat in the sixteenth century. As we ushered in Shabbat and the sun was setting one could feel the transformation at the Kotel. Our group of JWRP women formed circular formations closely together and began to sing' Lecha Dodi'. So moving, powerful and captivating that others were mesmerised and had to stare. We then made our way from the Old City to the Waldorf Astoria for a Shabbat banquet of epic proportions. Here we were inspired and entertained by Rav Gav, aka Rabbi Gavriel Friedman. For Shabbat lun

Today was a very emotional day for us all. My first time in Israel since I was ten years old. Walking through the magnificent modern Mamilla Mall out towards the Jaffa Gate into the ancient walled city of Jerusalem. Muslim, Jew, Armenian Christian, young, old, religious and secular, it was a busy place today. Nilli Couzins inspired us when she spoke about the Kotel, the Western Wall, also called the Wailing Wall. This is where heaven and earth meet, it is the portal to Hashem. You must whisper in prayer, you must bring your prayer to speech as words build worlds. Anything you ask Hashem is possible, so ask! The JWRP group of women then left the building and followed the stairway downstai

An emotional rollercoaster day. We started off with a tour of old city, starting out at Jaffa Gate, ..it's mezzuza was made from bullets in the 1947 and 1967 wars. Travelled through the Armenian Quarter, to the Jewish quarter. At the Aish Centre the inspirational speaker Nili Couzens prepared us for the Kottel. She spoke of the 3 parts of prayer, praise, request and thanks, and of course of the power of a mother's love. With our prayers and hopes in our hearts and souls...and clutched in our hands (our own notes) we set off for the Kottel. This was a unique experience to touch the stones of the place where every Jewish prayer uttered around the world travels, and ascends to its destinat

On awakening at sunrise on the Kinneret we indulged on a sumptuous Israeli breakfast. Endless choices of dishes from herrings to olives to assorted cheeses to delicious rugelach and more! Raquel gave a talk on happiness, love and marriage in Judaism, sharing her funny and spirited personal stories. I loved her warmth and enthusiasm. It was lovely to hear. We continued on from Tiberius to Tsfat climbing through the mountains with beautiful views of Mt Meron. Tsfat was really phenomenal... we walked around through a cobblestone path filled with delightful artist galleries and shops. We also visited three ancient and still active shules. Then we had a tour of the mikveh ... it was exceptio

Day 2 of our journey started with a talk by Raquel Kirszenbaum, an entertaining, warm outgoing Israeli explaining the Kabbalah of Love. Real true love a comes from inner strength and the choice to see the good in people, to be thankful for our spouse, and people in our lives. The importance of thanking our partner, children or others is more for our benefit than the recipient, as it reminds us to be grateful for what we have ...and what we don't. In the mystical Tsvat we went inside the Ha'Ari Shul and Abuhav shul. We felt hushed and humbled inside. We learned the Kabbalistic explanation why we don't eat milk and meat together. At the Mikvah and learned its significance of renewal an

Subject: Day 2-Wednesday 10th May 2017- Tsfat/ Jerusalem Day 2 began with a quick breakfast and the slow bus climb winding up to the mystical city of Tsfat. An ancient city of Jewish learning and Kabbalah. We walked through the main walkway surrounded by Jewish art works and jewellery. A religious man stopped a young man and asked him to lay tefillin urging him to do the mitzvah, which he did. He then tied a red string on my arm and gave me a blessing asking for my Hebrew name and my mother's Hebrew name. (Leora bat Sarah). We visited a magnificent Sephardic synagogue painted in mediterranean blue that is supposed to keep away the evil eye. Following that we went into an Ashkenazi syn

After converging on Ben Gurion airport on a sweltering day we set off with great excitement and anticipation on a coach to Tiberius. We joined the US group from Orange County CA with an ice breaker the Aussie and Americans spoke a bit about themselves. Patrick entertaining and very knowledgeable tour guide spoke and imbued us with great sense of connection and pride and awe for Israel. It was unique unforgettable experience wending our way down the road to Tiberius, a city that has been Jewish for 3,000 years - it has the tomb of the Rambam. The view of the expanse of the Kineret was breathtaking, and nestled on the Tel overlooking the Kineret we could see the mystical Tzfat. After

Powerful words, you can choose to go either way, it is up to you. A fitting beginning for a inspiring week long journey. Moving onto a delicious dinner with a spectacular setting and the joy of dance and music. I cannot wait for tomorrow!

Arriving at Ben Gurion Airport after the long journey from Western Australia feeling anxious about the start of the JWRP Momentum program. It was so exciting and heartwarming to meet up with my group and all the familiar faces. Dancing in the Arrivals Hall of Ben Gurion Airport was warm and embracing. Our guide Patrick shared his immense knowledge of Israel with us during the drive to Tiberius. We were inspired by Adrienne with a talk on Lashon Hora, followed by an awesome dinner with dancing on the shore of the Kinneret. We were treated to fireworks that lit the night sky on a warm balmy evening.