Couple Wins Tickets to Israel and Celebrates 50th Anniversary For the second year in a row, The Temple-Tifereth Israel won Jewish National Fund’s (JNF) Tu Bishvat in the school’s raffle with a grand prize of two round-trip airline tickets to Israel. Ann Hudec and her husband, David, recently returned from the Holy Land after using the tickets. For those who have never gone to Israel, Hudec shared her experience, saying, “I fell in love with the land and the people of Israel.” Having worked at the Beachwood temple for 26 years, Hudec felt very fortunate to finally see Israel after all these years and see the JNF programs that The Temple has long supported. “My husband and I went on JNF’s nine-day Sunshine Tour with 35 others from across the United States, guided by legendary actor and musician, Hal Linden, ” she told us. “What made this trip all the more special was that this year marked our 50th wedding anniversary.” The group saw Israel from the north to the south, visited the high fortress of Masada and swam in the Dead Sea. Hudec told us that it was impressive to feel the history and emotion that continues to radiate from the ancient summer palace of King Herod at Masada, saying that she felt like a younger person while thinking of the students who have their B’nei Mitzvah there. In Sderot, just a mile from the Gaza border, they visited the JNF Indoor Recreation Center that provides children with a safe place to play, as it is outfitted with bomb shelters that protect them from the rockets that are fired into southern Israel. The Temple-Tifereth Israel often corresponds with its sister Pictured from left: David and Ann Hudec with Hal Linden in the Golan Heights along the Syrian border. school in Beit Shean. Each year, The Temple's second graders study Israel and have a tele-conference with the students their age from the Beit Shean school at the end of the school year. “Everywhere we went – from Independence Hall in Tel Aviv to Yad Vashem in Jerusalem to the Western Galilee – we saw Israeli children learning about their country’s culture and visiting the sites,” Hudec said. “We experienced very personal and touching moments at both the Aleh Negev Rehabilitative Village, a special-needs facility, and The Rose Garden, an adult workshop in Kofar Radim, both of which JNF supports. “David and I have a daughter with Downs Syndrome who works at a local Y.M.C.A.,” Hudec shared. “We know that she has the ability to, and in fact does, live a very productive life. It was good to see that Israel also works hard to ensure the same quality of life for all of its citizens, disabled or not.” The group also visited the American Independence Park to see the dedication plaques awarded to The Temple's school over the years for the many trees purchased that help green Israel. “Visiting the land and people of Israel was both rewarding and educational.” Hudec told us. “Our school has now planted 44 gardens in Israel and after being there, I know the importance of continuing to plant trees. And I also saw that in addition to trees, love grows in Israel.” FREE PICK UP & DELIVERY TO YOUR HOME OR OFFICE D O SUMMERS OFF 20% Good at any of our 9 locations. Your entire dry cleaning and laundry order! For those who have never gone to Israel, Hudec shared her experience, saying, “I fell in love with the land and the people of Israel.” Incoming orders only. Not valid on alterations, households, storage or with any other offer. Expires 2-28-15. 9-30-15. A Leader for More an a Century - Since 1881 to be exact. 50 Beachwood Buzz n September 2015