Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Love for Jews and Israel

You could say I have a God-given love for the Jews and the nation of Israel (Isaiah 62:6-7). That sacred bond has been strengthened over the years by the fact that I've been blessed to have lived all over Israel, getting to know its land and people quite well.
Apart from 5 months at Ramat Yohanan (where I met my "kibbutz mother," Miriam Weiss) I've also stayed at Sdot Yam on the Mediterranean, next to Caesarea, the site of my first ulpan (intensive Hebrew course), and where Israel's heroine, Hannah Senesh, was from; Regavim, near Zichron Yaakov, where I continued my Hebrew lessons amid its rolling green hills; Reshafim, near Bet She'an, with Mt. Gilboa practically in our backyard, and Jordan's mountains in lovely view out front; Adamit, on Lebanon's border, high up on a mountain, from where on clear days you can see all the way to Haifa's Mt. Carmel; Shoval, a rose in the Negev desert, just north of Be'er Sheva; Dan, way up in the northernmost part of Israel, in between Syria and Lebanon, next to the majestic snow-covered Mt. Hermon, where I was living when "Operation Desert Storm" blew in; and Ha'On, with its campground and ostrich farm on the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee, across from Tiberias; and last but not least, my beloved Jerusalem, next to my favorite spot on earth: the Temple Mount.
- excerpt from From Toledo to Jerusalem


http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Out West (2010)

Arches National Park, Utah

Arches National Park, Utah

 

Zion National Park (2010)

Zion National Park (2010)

 

Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon

(Which includes a few of Will Rogers, Oklahoma)

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Friday, May 14, 2010

Dan and Jordan win The Amazing Race!

Since I've been "on the road again," I wasn't able to watch the final episode of The Amazing Race. I just watched it and I'm glad one of the two teams I hoped would win did (Dan and Jordan, Jet and Cord). Congratulations to Dan and Jordan!

Some have complained that Dan and Jordan won by "cheating" at the airport by putting their bags in front of  Jet and Cord at the ticket counter, but I seriously doubt that questionable stunt, that strategic move, is what won the race for them. Jet and Cord won the race when it came to integrity throughout, representing themselves, their parents and Oklahoma (besides cowboys and rodeo folk) admirably. (Jet loves to read, so I hope he takes the time to read Beyond Babylon and be blessed).

As far as Brent and Caite go, I was so sick of her trying to prove herself throughout the show . If she had any self-respect she wouldn't feel the need to prove anything to others. And every time Brent would build her up, she would fall flat on her face. I hope Caite gets over the past and makes a future for herself with confidence, living and learning, chalking it all up to experience. She also needs to overcome her violent outbursts where she said she wanted to punch or hit Brent. Women viewers would have a fit if a man repeatedly said such things and didn't get called on it.

Wouldn't it be nice if The Amazing Race would finally have contestants on it who represent themselves, who simply want to win a million dollars, and not "represent" black women, interracial couples, women, lesbians, senior citizens, etc.? Their own life stories and backgrounds should be of sufficient interest to viewers.

All the best to all the players, especially the The Amazing Race winners Dan and Jordan!


http://www.davidbenariel.org/

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Poppies


Poppies
Originally uploaded by DavidBenAriel

Poppies


Poppies
Originally uploaded by DavidBenAriel
First of my poppies!

"End of the Trail"


"End of the Trail"
Originally uploaded by DavidBenAriel

Sunday, May 02, 2010

Monument Valley (slideshow by David Ben-Ariel)

Monument Valley is part of God's good creation on the border of Utah/Arizona. Go see it for yourself and enjoy its beauty!