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*Gibush
- Hebrew term signifying cohesion. Used to identify an activity that promotes
building ties as a group, or strengthening (family) bonds.
As the winter rains begin in Israel,
thoughts of a glorious, crisp Bar Mitzvah tiyul in the north seem
"ify", as do plans in the hills outside of Jerusalem, where winter weather
can be cold and windy. But tiny Israel is blessed with climate zones to suit
each season. And winter in the desert is ideal -- warm dry days, and cold
nights under a brilliant canopy of stars.
Luckily, we found Shai and Vered, an
adventuresome couple who exemplify the "salt of the earth", although in their
case, one might say "sands of the desert". Shai and Vered live in the southern
Negev, in a place named Shacharut.
At Shacharut, Shai and Vered offer
a Magical Camel Trek to the heart of the desert, where over a four-day
period, a Bar or Bat Mitzvah child with the family can discover
a new world.
During the desert trek, the family
learns about desert plants: which plants are suitable for nourishment, seasoning
or medical treatment. Adults and children learn the different ways to light
a fire and then how to cook a desert meal on that fire and bake bread over
hot coals. The group continues the desert adventure by following ancient
trails and learning desert traditions and tales. Led by Shai, a licensed
desert guide, the family bonds as it learns together -- parent and child
are equally new to the desert wilderness.
The trek is designed to help the each
family member find inner peace through leadership and independence skills
learned in the desert.
A program like this can only bring
a family closer together. It promises to be a totally new experience for
the entire family (at least ours). It certainly will be one we never forget.
Text by Israel
Info-Access. Photos by S. Gonorov.
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