Israel Connect

This will be a quick summary of the Open and Juniors activities to date:

One can't even begin to imagine how to transport two hockey teams right from training camp to Israel, but yet it has been done! Never stand in the way of determined ho9ckey players to get their smelly equipment on the plane before everyone else. Except for one player who we think got the security guards telephone number and the other who can't figure out if his name we were all good.

The plane trip over started out with a shout out from our pilot wish ONLY the ice hockey teams a warm welcome. Kinda cool. As we deplaned in Israel, picked up our luggage and equipment and commandeered a truck for the bags we were bused away to Kfar Maccabiah our home for the next few nights. Let the trip begin...

After a quick training session the teams were bused to Independence Hall, Rabin Square and Neve Tzedek for a small bit of cultural experiences and a quick history lesson, then we had a boxed lunch and visit to the Tel Aviv beaches. It truly doesn't get better then that, unless you manage to get a black eye so you look cool for your evening out with the boys.

Another morning of training begins and most of the players are in good spirits, at least those who got some sleep. After we headed off to Mt. Scopus, Old City, the Jewish Quarter, the Kotel and more. Talk about a short day for us. Even our morning workouts felt like nothing after all that walking and climbing. We returned home for a bbq with all the Maccabi USA teams!

Yes another morning of training and yes a full day of activities-but this time we relax first in the dead sea. Then after a quick rinse you conquer Masada! Then we are treated to a Bedouin Tent dinner. If that's not enough some of the older players had yet,another night out...

Our Israel connect program is starting to wind down and we finish with an emotional day visiting, Yad Vashem, Mt. Herzl, Knesset, Ammunition Hill and Machane Yehuda. WOW is right-the athletes had a chance to sit for a bit in their small bus groups and then reflected on the activities we have done together as a group. It was at this point in the trip that it all came together for them. The reason why they are here. But with any Jewish event we were not done yet we still had a B'nai Mitzvah to attend! The Phyliss Magerman Memorial B'nai Mitzvah was the ONLY way these past few days should wrap up. To see the amount of athletes who rose up to participate for this was overwhelming. The entire Open Ice Hockey team participated! Some who never had a B'nai Mitzvah did so in Israel over looking the city at sunset-it doesn't get any better then that.

Our buses were truly blessed with guides who not only cared about us learning and enjoying our trip but us as well. The program provided them with WATER, food and sunscreen! If you didn't drink enough you were told.

This was our quick overview of the last few days before we departed to the North. More personal information to follow shortly.

Oh, and for those of you not traveling to see your sons-yes they do miss you!