5 months to go! 2010 Family Mission E-Newsletter

We hope you’re enjoying your summer!

We’re now one month closer to the 2010 ASSOCIATED Family Mission to Israel and looking forward to the pre-programming. Check out the newsletter for an introduction to the other Mission families, highlights on Israel tourism and some fun facts.

Please mark your calendars for the dates of our pre-mission programs to be held this fall. These special events will allow us to get to know each other and prepare for our trip. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

If anyone in your family is not receiving our communications – please send the missing email addresses to Rebecca Prodoehl at rprodoehl@associated.org.

Enjoy the e-news and we’ll be in touch soon.

Important Dates

Pre-Mission Programs:
We invite and encourage all mission participants to come together for three programs prior to our mission departure. Programming is for the entire family and there will be separate components for children and teens. Please save these dates. Details to come:

Sunday, October 17 from 4:30-7:00 p.m.
Evening at Kayam Farm
Join mission participants at Kaayam Farm at the Pearlstone Conference and Retreat Center for a hands-on volunteer project. Get to know each other and enjoy a delicious, organic dinner.

Thursday, November 11 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Israel's History & Politics
In preparation for our experience, learn about Israel, her rich history and pressing current events, with Dr. Art Abramson, Executive Director of the Baltimore Jewish Council. Includes dessert reception. At the home of Debs and Joe Weinberg.

Tuesday, December 7 at 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Orientation
As our mission nears, join us for the official orientation program. Hear important information to prepare for the trip and get any last-minute questions answered. Includes dessert reception. At the home of Laurie and Kevin Luskin.

Israel IQ

Meet Your Guide
Abraham Silver was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He moved to Kibbutz Ketura, a socialist pioneering settlement in Israel’s Negev desert, where he spent many years as a date farmer.
Read more.

Tel Aviv – The Big Orange!
Tel Aviv – the Jewel of the Mediterranean, the City That Never Sleeps, The Big Orange! Read more.

Israel: A Geographic Snapshot
Visitors to Jerusalem enjoy its unique mix of people, ancient and modern history in a creative new way in the ever-growing series of delightful wall murals adorning streets throughout the capital. At the Old City’s Dung Gate, above the stones of a centuries-old market street, Jerusalemites do their shopping. Nearby, in the City of David, the scene depicts daily life along an ancient scenic promenade by the 2,000-year-old Pool of Siloam.

Israel: Current Events
Ramallah, West Bank (CNN) -- George Mitchell, the U.S. envoy to the Middle East, said he held "candid" and "productive" talks on Saturday with Palestinian leaders in his latest push to advance direct peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians. Read more.