Rosh-Hashana in Jaffa community

Happy holiday and Happy New Year to all of you dear ones. I would like to share with you a wonderful experience of spending time together during the Rosh Hashanah holiday with several families from the Jaffa community together with fr. Apolinary. We stayed in Ein Kerem at the Casa Nova, which is a great experience in itself! It is a peaceful place with lots of animals, dogs, cats and a donkey and a poultry. there is a wonderful garden, and you can feel the kindness of the Franciscan friers who take care of it all. Of course, we prayed together, we walked around the Jerusalem mountains in the wonderful forest that is a section of the Israel National Trail. It was definitely challenging, especially for me, who is not used to intense walks at high altitudes. And here I must point out that thanks to the concern and loving support of the group members, I could make it. Otherwise, I would probably stay in the depths of the forest for a long time. We were at the place of John the Baptist in the desert and at the tomb of St. Elisabeth - an absolutely moving experience. We had a meal of kings with a barbecue in the monastery at Fr. Sergey's. We will all pray that God will give him good health and strength to continue his life's mission. If you thought we melted from the heat, then it is only partly true. Altogether, it was a great fun and an uplifting experience. Thanks to God and all the dear members of the group. I hope we will continue to spend time together walking and praying and meeting beautiful places and people. Happy holiday.