Elazar: The Movie

It's the blockbuster movie you have all been waiting to see...



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A Tiyul in the Forest

On the second day of Succos it was Yom Tov for Josh, but it was Chol HaMoed for the rest of us, so we decided to have a fun family activity that everyone could do. We took a tiyul through the Jerusalem forest that surrounds Har Nof. It is wonderful that you can literally cross the street and enter the Jerusalem forest from our apartment. It's kind of like exploring the brook outside of 22 Essex Road -- only bigger!!!

Ima was the photographer so you won't see her in any of these pictures. The pictures are chronological and after taking the dirt path for cars off the main road, you can take the many trails that lead through the forest.

Now many years ago, (and probably today as well), Jews from all over the world give money to קרן קיימת לישראל [Keren Kayamet L'Yisrael] or קק"ל for short. They use that money, among other things, to put playgrounds, picnic tabels and other nice areas all throughout the forest. So you will see קק"ל etched into many plaques and signs with Jews from all over the world throughout the forest.

As usual Elazar was such a good boy the whole journey. You didn't hear a peep from him. He didn't get to see much of the forest. Most of the time he slept when he wasn't admiring Abba's white shirt.

The great thing about the forest is that instead of us shleping to distant parts of Israel the kids are able to step out of the city life of Har Nof anytime. We just pack some snacks and drinks and its like exploring the Golan, Galeel, etc. The forest is so big that we can explore a new part each time just by taking a different trail. If there is someone gets hurt or doesn't feel well we can get back to Har Nof rather quickly.

Next time you come to Israel you don't have to book some expensive tour. You can just visit the Gerstens in Har Nof and join us for our next expedition.