Carl Rice

Today was a short, low-key day. The group started at the City Hall in Tel Aviv. We went to the spot where Prime Minister Rabin was murdered in 1995 by an Israeli extremist. Rabin was an advocate of peace with Yasser Arafat and the Palestinians, which created resentment towards him within the Jewish community.
From the City Hall the group rode to the city of Jaffa, just south of Tel Aviv. We started with an explanation and background of the Nalaga’at Center, a theatre with deaf and blind actors. Next we visited the Ben Zion David Art Museum and Art Gallery. Ben Zion David, the silversmith and owner, has a Yemenite Jew background. While in the museum we watched a short documentary on the history of Yemenite Jews. We learned about their perseverance in a Muslim society as well as their journey back to the Holy Land of Israel. From there the group walked around the streets of Jaffa for lunch and to visit the flea market.
After lunch the group drove back to Tel Aviv to see Independence Hall. This is where Ben-Gurion announced the establishment of the State of Israel to the world. We learned that 11 minutes after Ben-Gurion’s speech, President Truman accepted the establishment of Israel despite the opposition of all his advisors.