By Risa Kelemer Shabbat in Marrakech was relaxing we davened and ate at the one local synagogue. Erev Shabbat we were waiting to be bused to the Shul, when ten horse pulled carriages rolled up to the curb. We traveled in style through the city, waving at the passing cars. Our carriage was the first, and it was quite… read more

By Jakir Manela “Blessed are you, G-d ruler of the universe, who is good and does good.” One of the great things about Judaism is that we say the blessing above whenever it rains.  Something we might consider a normal, natural occurrence, yet being in Israel reminds us of just how precious rain is amidst all of Israel’s water… read more

A group of dedicated Baltimore volunteers and professionals left for Ashkelon earlier this week. Follow their experience through Israel and our sister city as they learn and grow… By Diane Weiner My return visit to Israel and to Jerusalem is especially meaningful because I am sharing it with my husband Jeremy. Avi Melamed’s discussion of Israel’s security concerns, while… read more

In our Israeli sister city of Ashkelon, the folks are celebrating the spirit of Baltimore-Ashkelon Partnership volunteerism. In the city’s most recent community newspaper, a quarter-page article ran about some of the most meaningful recent visits: “Many Baltimore families who came to Israel within the last several months requested private volunteer experiences in Ashkelon with the goal of giving… read more

By Micky Rubin Baltimore Hebrew Institute Although this was perhaps the most physically demanding day of our journey through the holy land thus far, I can honestly say that I felt as if I had accomplished something special by the time I had laid my head down to sleep in the evening. Our adventure began in the morning as… read more

By Ruth M. Szykman Baltimore Hebrew Institute The western side of the Judean Hills are green.  Terraced and farmed for thousands of years.  You continue past Jerusalem and head east, the climate turns arid and you enter the Judean Desert.  Too sparse to cultivate, you now think of nomadic life.  This is where Abraham grazed his flocks.  This is… read more

By Shifrah Hill MAJE graduate student Baltimore Hebrew Institute A few days ago, we visited a non-profit organization called Yad Lakashish (“Lifeline for the Old”), which provides work and financial assistance to aging immigrants in Jerusalem. In a variety of specialty workshops, including painting, ceramics and metal work, they create Judaica items such as chanukiot and challah covers, as… read more

By Sam Stern Student, Baltimore Hebrew Institute Saturday was the last day of 2011. It was also Shabbat. Over the past few days our group has been here in Israel, learning about social services and touring Israel. We took a break for Shabbat. On Friday evening, Mickey Rubin and I led a Shabbat service for the rest of the… read more

By Rich Dinetz Student, Baltimore Hebrew Institute On our drive to Haifa around 8:30 a.m. this morning, December 28, the windows on the left side of the bus were filled with a sparkling blue aura as we drove north up Israel’s coast along the Mediterranean Sea. Once we arrived in Haifa, we walked through Baha’i Gardens, a gorgeous shrine… read more

This year’s Community Mitzvah Day spread a little extra light than in year’s prior. Towards the close of the morning, Baltimore volunteers at Ashkelon teens participating in the Net@ program shared a candle-lighting experience ... via Skpe! The Net@ program, a collaboration of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Cisco Systems, Inc., United Israel Appeal, and Appleseeds Academy, and supported… read more