Day 16 - Samantha's Bat Mitzvah

So an extra early wake up call today but with a different result. Our daughter Samantha was up and getting ready for her special day 15 minutes before the alarm went off (and it did go off at 5:00am). The reason for the early wake up call was because we had to be on the bus by 6:30 to get to Masada, which is and hour and a half away.

Masada is a mountain retreat built by King Herod. It was the equivalent of today’s Camp David for the President of the United States. However, it is also where the Jewish people had their last stand against the Romans back in 73AD (after Herod passed away). This mountain plateau is similar to Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver, British Columbia, in that there are two ways to get to the top. One way is by a 3 minute tram ride and the other by an hour plus “Grouse Grind” type of hike. As we were all dressed for Samantha’s Bat Mitzvah today, we chose the tram.

 On our way up

And the view from the Tram

At the top, we were first treated to a tour of this walled fortress a few hundred feet above the soil below.

 Overlooking some of the ruins

And this was Herod's private barony overlooking the Dead Sea

An aerial view of Masada courtesy of Google search

And then to the reason we all came here for. The Bar and Bat Mitzvah’s of those special kids on our tour that were about to become men and women. Samantha read aloud her portion of the reading in the Jewish Torah and totally aced it.  It is important to note that Samantha just started to learn Hebrew only a half dozen months ago. Reading a passage from the Jewish Torah is no easy task. The Hebrew writing in the Torah has no vowels and there is very little spacing between words. Most children just memorize the passage they are supposed to read, but Samantha followed the writing in the Torah and read it word for word. Her family and those who attended the service were very impressed.

Getting ready

"This spot reserved for Samantha's reading video but have to wait for photographer to send us CD"

In the interim, here is an audio of Samantha's Torah reading

Our little girl

Now an official young woman

And the proud parents

Along with the equally proud grandparents (who traveled here to be with their granddaughter on this special day)

After the ceremony we left and headed to the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is the lowest dry (as in land) point on the earth. Prior to visiting the Dead Sea I had been to Death Valley in California, were the elevation is -86 meters (282 feet below sea level). The elevation at the Dead Sea is -429 meters (1,407 feet below sea level).  Today it was 40 degrees celsius so, of course we had to take a refreshing dip in the 32.4% salt water. After walking into the Sea (you never run or jump) you quickly find out that the temperature is a dry 40 degrees on land and a wet 40 degrees in the water. Also because of all the salt, you couldn’t sink in this water even if the Mafia fitted you with a pair of cement shoes.. Buoyancy is not a problem here, getting back on your feet however is.

Back on the bus and back to Jerusalem for the gala party tonight in honour of Samantha and her new “adult” friends.

At the hotel we were treated to a cocktail hour (well cocktail 1/2 hour - I guess they saw me coming and closed up the bar early). Had a great dinner and then dancing for the families. Samantha, along with her friends, were hoisted above the ground on chairs lifted by older siblings and fathers. The live music lasted until the wee hours of 10:30PM. Then back to the room and to sleep.

Our daughter on Gala Night