What? No pool.

I am standing at the top of Mount Scopus. Below me is Jerusalem.  I studied at Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1973-74, a memorable year because the Yom Kippur War broke out shortly after we  had arrived. I returned to Israel in 1976 after my college graduation to work on a kibbutz for a few months. Volunteers picked pears and olives, took care of the babies n the Children's House,  drove tractors, shaved plastic pipes, etc.  Now I am back in Israel on an educational synagogue tour called Discovering Your Jewish Roots. Actually, it feels like my Jewish roots are rediscovering me. I have posted many pictures on Facebook for those who want a visual of the variety and complexity of Israel today.  What struck me the most so far on tour was a visit to a kibbutz. Kibbutzim no longer have Children's Houses. Parents wanted to sleep with their children. They no longer take volunteers as they find today's youth do not work hard, and it results in a financial loss to host them.  Most importantly, the Kibbutz has evolved from a socialistic collective where "ours" has been replaced by a more capitalistic "mine".
The result is a return of the young people to the kibbutz, more incentive to work among its members,
and an economic gain.

Our tour is intense, educational, and fascinating. We are  now in Tsfad where Jewish Mysticism was born.  Although the hotel has a pool, it will not be open until summer. I just learned to float on my back before I left home. My teacher gave me some land exercises  which I can do anywhere. But wait! I am going to the Dead Sea. To be continued......