The CAARI (Canadian American Active Retirees in Israel) program began in Israel earlier this month. Over the past few days participants have worked on community service projects, cleaned up the forests, and also toured Independence Hall, the Rabin Center, and Neot Kedumim. Here is a recap from some of the participants:

We are now settled in and Tel Aviv is home! We have also begun our community work. Some of us are tutoring English in elementary schools, others are assisting in two hospitals, and three people are helping in the community agency: Koach L' Tet. Many of the CAARI participants have been in the schools before and they have been warmly received. Each day at lunch we talk about our wonderful experiences -- what we did, what the children said to us, and how we’ve been helping. We also kvell at the warm reception we are receiving everywhere we go! Yesterday we worked (and I mean worked!) in the JNF Forest in Ben Shemen. It was a beautiful day - in the 70's and sunny. The foresters couldn't believe that a group of seniors could cut and trim so many trees. Of course, some of us were schelpers -- bringing the cut branches to a central area. I am sure that the Israelis will enjoy the cleared paths in the forest. - Sheila Fedder, Toronto, Canada

Wow - I felt like a rock star! This is my 4th time tutoring in the Bal Shem Tov School and the kids remember me and are so excited that CAARI is back. They greeted us (Thelma Shore and Esther Katz are also tutoring with me) with balloons, flowers, and small gifts. The teachers are also happy that we have returned. They tell us that the children ask about us throughout the year. They believe that we make a difference in improving the students’ language skills. Also, the other evening, Amotz Asa El (a former Jerusalem Post editor) gave us an overview of Israel today. The speakers that met with us really give us a clear picture of what is going on now. - Bernie Hulkower, Long Island New York.

It was a glorious day in the JNF forest. All of us worked very hard trimming the trees, schlepping branches, and clearing paths. It is amazing to see the difference we made. After our forest work, we toured a wonderful place -- Neot Kedumin, a biblical landscape reserve. We hiked through the biblical gardens, picked hysop to make our own zatar, and learned about biblical agriculture. - Phyllis Viduarri, Burbank, California