Cantor Roochvarg's Israel Trip Blog

Installment #11

Our last full day in Israel did not begin well, and it started with a taxi ride to the Yitzhak Rabin Center/Museum. Just as Linda had had a stressful experience upon arriving in Israel, I had an equally stressful one at the Museum. We had only been there about five minutes, when I reached for my cell phone to take a photo, & discovered it was not on my belt; and I knew I had brought it with me from our apartment. It must have fallen off my belt in the taxi. And of course, we had not paid attention to what cab company it was, or the driver's name. Furthermore--and quite unusual for us---we had not even gotten a receipt. I told the receptionist at the front desk of our dilemma, and she shook her head saying, "You know how many taxis there are in Tel Aviv???"

Linda, God bless her, saved the day by using HER phone, she called MY phone. The taxi driver picked it up and, long story short, brought it back to the Museum, for which I rewarded him handsomely.


The Rabin Center was worth much more than the price of admission. Through artifacts and numerous audio-visuals, it told the story of the rise of the State of Israel and of Rabin's life and work. Early on, we noticed (& photographed) a thank you to Jimmy Hoffa & his family for their generous support of Israel and the Rabin Center. We also took a picture of Rabin's Nobel Prize. 

In the 1970’s, Rabin took an incognito trip to Morocco. In order not to be recognized, he donned a wig. Would YOU have recognized him?  ==>
 

A large part of the Center dealt with the atmosphere of hate & violent opposition to the Oslo Accords which led to Rabin's assassination, including the portrayal of Rabin as a Nazi. I recommend a visit to anyone visiting Israel!
 

We took a taxi to the Carmel market, & decided to get some FALAFEL. We went into a place, and ordered a FALAFEL plate. The guy gave us each several FALAFEL balls, we helped ourselves to the "fixin's," and paid 100 shekels, about $30. I remember when FALAFEL with all the trimmings was a fraction of that, but I'm revealing my age!


Then, while Linda entered the Carmel Market, I walked to the old cemetery on Trumpeldor Street, where some of Israel's most distinguished citizens rest; including Chaim Nachman Bialik, early Israel's poet laureate, Achad Ha'Am, a great writer & cultural---as opposed to political---Zionist, & Arik Einstein, a beloved actor & singer who passed away just recently.

I also paid my respects at the grave of my great-grandfather, Simcha Bunem Roochvarg, who left his family, including my then-teenage grandfather in Russia, made Aliya at the turn of the 20th century and was interred in this cemetery in 1910. His son, my grandfather, the first Elias Roochvarg, came to America in 1906 - which is why I am American and not Israeli.