I would like to thank you for all your help coordinating the wonderful opportunity I had exploring the Beit Shean region and learning about its strategic and scientific importance. I will always treasure the total experience – the audio from the birds; the visual from Mt. Gilboa, the fish ponds, the bumble bees, Yam Kinneret, Peace Hill, the bird banding, the archeological sites… and thank you for taking me to Kever Rambam so I could daven mincha there.

The total experience was quite complete as it focused on science, people, history, geography, and culture. I am wondering how it can be transformed into economically viable tours of the region. I also, at this point in Cleveland, would like to get a feel for the whole Cleveland – Beit Shean Partnership – who is doing what and how we can better work together.

The “matzav” (situation) in Israel seems to tense as lots of political decisions have to be made so soon. I pray that the right decisions are made. I think back to the holes in the water tower; wouldn’t it be wonderful if all these types of holes become nests for barnyard owls, that this truly beautiful migratory crossroads become a place of peace where people can thrive and mature and share the vast natural resources of the land.