Crossing the Yarden

By Yarden Frankl

Riding to the Beach

I'm taking the week off. No columns about politics or aliyah, nothing about the risks and rewards about living in Israel. No history, geography, or religion this week. Just come with me on a bicycle ride.

We start from my house at the top of Neve Daniel. Neve Daniel is one of the highest parts of the country, so riding away is relatively easy. As I left the Yishuv and started riding down “Derech Avot,” the “Path of the Patriarchs,” I thought how lucky I am. Within a minute of my house is a trail steeped in history with amazing views the whole way.

At the start of the trail, we pass a couple of Arabs walking in the opposite direction. I do wonder whenever I pass Arabs out on the trail just what they are thinking as I zip by. Do they realize how absurd and self defeating their hatred of Jews and Israel is? Do they realize how much better their lives would be if they accepted just one of Israel’s peace overtures? Do they realize that a mountain bike is a hell of a lot more fun than a donkey?

We emerge near Kfar Etzion. Years before there was a State of Israel, there were yishuvim here. The people who lived here had a difficult life, much harder than mine today. They struggled to turn the rocky land into fertile soil while defending themselves from hostile attack. The winter is bad enough nowadays for those of us who drive through the fog and ice, but for them it was far worse. Anyway, I hope they would feel proud that the Gush has been reborn and is flourishing in every sense of the word. Every day, more houses and schools, and synagogues, are being built here.

Our ride goes by an area where they are building the “wall.” Forgetting about all the political and security issues surrounding this project, it is really depressing to see how the spectacular environment is disregarded as the construction vehicles rip up the dirt. It also looks like we are on the “Israeli”" side of one wall, but the Arab side of another one. Hmm… too confusing to think about now. Plus, we’re on a bike ride.

We ride out of the Gush past the giant satellite dishes at Emek Eleh. The satellites always make me think of the latest Israeli technological innovations. Cell phones, micro chips, night vision goggles, isn’t it amazing what this tiny little country can come up with, even as we have to think about issues such as war and peace every day.

Gaining speed we turn on to Route 353, one of my favorites. You see very few cars and trucks on this wonderful road. The land around us is now flat, and we can see for many kilometers around. All the land is farmland and you can see it literally bursting with fresh produce. There was a time when Jews trying to live in Israel were starving. Today, much of this food coming from the ground is exported around the world. The concept of making the land bloom is not just a cliché, we can see it in front of our eyes.

Almost at our destination, we turn left at Nitzanit. On our right are the red-roofed “caravillas” that were “given” to those expelled from their homes in Gaza. I just wonder how anyone who thought disengagement was a great idea can continue to believe so. Rockets are fired from these peoples’ former homes, and they are stuck in trailer homes now two years later. Where is the great Israeli government of compassion that will fly rescue teams around the world to help alleviate suffering from natural disasters, but won’t admit its mistakes and help its own citizens? Whoops, no politics today, just a bike ride.

Finally, we hear the surf and pull up to the beach. Warm sand underfoot and calm water. A relaxing swim to top off a fantastic ride. Living in Israel, you can’t help thinking about the issues, the history, and the potential that the land has to offer.

But it is also important to take the time every now and then to just reflect that we are living in a fascinating, beautiful country.

See you on the road.

Shabbat Shalom from our blessed nation.

© 2007 Yarden Frankl