On Friday the 19th we were sent to our host families for the weekend. This was possibly the highlight of the trip and something we had all been waiting for. Our host families were told to take us to a place with water while we were told to take pictures of them in their favorite water spot. With Yagel and his family, we went to the Sachne, a natural lake and popular hang out spot for the Beit Shean teens. Yagel told me that he goes with his friends every Friday afternoon before Shabbat. Many young people were there with towels, food and drinks. Everyone was laying down on the grass around the lake and just enjoying the afternoon. Some people swam, but most just played in the grass with their friends and ate fruit (something I wouldn’t mind doing every Friday after school). I found this to be a great example of our theme. In the Valley of Springs (a neighboring region of Beit Shean), they use these natural springs and lakes as much as possible. Hanging out at lakes is the norm for the residents of Beit Shean. In many places throughout Israel, there is a shortage of water. But in Beit Shean, there is not, and they don’t let their springs go to waste.
The next place that Yagel’s family took me was a water park on the shore of the Kineret (Sea of Gallilee) in Tiberias, something that his family does on a weekly basis as well. Every Saturday morning, they make the 20 minute drive up to Tiberias to spend the day. We got there around 11:30 and didn’t leave until around 4:00. When they go to the water park, they pack for the whole day knowing they will stay for several hours. They bring towels, lunch, drinks, many snacks and books. Anything that you would need for a day, Yagel’s family packed. There, we swam in the swimming pool, slid down the water slides, played Matkot (a common game played on the beach much like tennis without the net), and swam in the Kineret. Sitting around on lawn chairs with all of Yagel’s family, we talked about the day, and life in America. This weekly tradition for Yagel’s family, is part of the society and the culture of Israel as a whole.