Switzerland 2009
- 10 Days in Dreamland!
Last month, (in May 2009) 32 "Friends for Health" children, accompanied by 23 volunteers and medical staff, enjoyed a 10-day dream vacation in Switzerland.
The trip was able to happen thanks to the initiative and untiring efforts of Mrs. Henia Breslauer, the Chairperson of "Kav LaChaim" in Switzerland.
To see the complete photo gallery
Day 1 - Tuesday, May 5
The children are now on their way to Zurich Airport. After an emotional farewell to their parents, the Swiss Ambassador to Israel came to wish them well at the airport and gave each child a gift of a baseball cap sporting the Swiss emblem, a map of Switzerland and a block of writing paper decorated with a Swiss logo.
A special EL AL team, headed by Mrs. Hila Kumelfeld, accompanied the children to the plane and ensured that everything went smoothly. The "Rafaelo' restaurant hosted the group for a rare feast serving them almost anything they wanted! Many thanks to the Airport Authority's Union for sponsoring this.
19:35 Israel Time (18:35 in Switzerland):
"Friends" camp has just landed! The flight was very calm and relaxed and the pilot and crew welcomed the kids and wished them a pleasant flight and an enjoyable trip. During the flight, the children enjoyed a hot meal, watched a fun film and heard explanations of the landmarks in between Israel and Switzerland. In another hour or so, we'll be embarking a modern bus to our hotel.
22:45: Unbelievable! What a luxurious bus – two floors with a suite of bathrooms, a fridge, bar and room for the wheelchairs too! You don't see this kind of thing in Israel. The driver was patiently waiting for our lively yet tired group as we left the airport.
24:00: "We're almost there. The shadows of the mountains and the flash of lights look as though the hills have broken out in a dance in our honor. The children, volunteers and all the staff are singing away. I thought for a moment that we'd just woken up but who could sleep with all the adrenalin flowing and the awesome feeling of joy filling the bus with unbounded energy? One of the kids said to me just now – smiling from cheek to cheek – that his eyes hurt. I didn't understand him because the expression on his face told a different story. Then he told me he'd been rubbing his eyes for half an hour just to make sure he wasn't dreaming! "And I cried too…"
Day 2 – Wednesday, May 6 – Lucerne
06:30: Everyone is still asleep. Only the chef is up and slaving away at the menu. We'll be on our way in another two hours. When we got here last night, there was food on the table within half an hour, even for those with special dietary requirements. The children were tired but overjoyed to be here and they grabbed a bite and went quickly to their rooms. After all, they have a long day ahead of them today
…
09:00: The staff and the doctor decided to let the kids sleep in a bit. When they woke up they were greeted by the stunning landscape of Switzerland shining through their windows. As one of the girls said, "it's like living in a postcard!"
Today we're going to be visiting Lucerne, a major city. We'll visit the Transport Museum and then see a 3-D movie. After a tour of the city, the Chabad Rabbi in Lucerne will come and speak to us.
12:00: Here we are, after an entertaining and fascinating tour of Lucerne with Henia. We drove along the length of Lake Lucerne, passing the ancient Lucerne Bridge and we stopped at the Transport Museum. The children wanted a group photo… so they got one! The area here is just so beautiful – lawns, open space, and the clear, clean air that only Switzerland can provide.
Transport Museum – a view from above
15:10: At this very moment we are walking around the museum. There's a flight simulator here and the kids are having a great time at every exhibit. They can even stage 'accidents' in another fun simulator…
Near Ducks Square at the entrance to Old Lucerne
17:50: After lunch and a tour of the Science Museum we're now in the center of Lucerne, Ducks Square. It's a lovely day and soon we're going to see the famous wooden bridge. The children are eating… chocolate!
19:10: It's amazing! Here we are sitting near the fountain with its famous duck figures. Opposite us is the 500-year old wooden bridge that we just crossed a few minutes ago. The square is full of couples and tourists. We really are in a painting!
The locals and the tourists are a bit shocked at our joyful group that just doesn't stop singing and dancing with the wheelchairs wherever we go! Now we're on our way to continue the trip and meet the Chabad Rabbi of Lucerne, Rabbi Chaim Druckman.
By Lucerne's famous wooden bridge
21:30: It's hard to believe we've only been here 24 hours! We've already done so much! We're on our way back to the hotel now – a 90-minute journey – but with these guys, even a 5-hour trip will pass quickly!
Henia tells us that this is only the beginning, and that tomorrow we're off to the Titlis, that mountain with the 3,600m ice palace! Love from everyone. Thank G-d the kids are all fine and the doctor says how can they not feel great in such surroundings! The truth is he's right. Good night!
Day 3 – Thursday, May 7 – The Titlis
08:30: A new day. We're in the dining room and the weather outside is beautiful. The children are happy, the atmosphere euphoric, the doctor makes his morning rounds and everyone's fine. Morning prayers are about to finish and then we have a journey of just over two hours to the Titlis. We'll get there about 1-ish. As some delightful aromas began wafting their way out of the kitchen, Moshe our chef tells us that it's lunch. Which we'll eat at a height of 3,600m! There are huge picnic baskets here that will keep the food warm till lunchtime.
14:45: We are now sitting in the first cable car about to climb to 1850 meters! This is so steep it's scary to look down! Excitement here is breaking all records! We'll be in this car for about 20 minutes until we get to the first station when we'll switch to the second cable car. There are two kids with two escorts in each car. Must go now 'cus we've stopped. Awesome!
We've conquered the Titlis!
Taken from my cable car. If you look carefully you can see some kids in the other car.
15:00: We're on the top of the world – 10,000 ft. above sea level. What a feeling!
Listen carefully to the menu: potato soup, grilled chicken, rice in bean sprout sauce, steamed vegetables, sausages, hamburgers, tehina, hummus, green salad, pickles, tea, black coffee. You won't understand if you're not here!
We've conquered the Titlis!
Group leader Mrs. Henia Breslauer enjoying another moment of elation at the peak of the Titlis.
You can see the snow in the background
The sign says: "Titlis, Switzerland, 10,000 feet above sea level.
Making lunch on top of the Titlis
I've got to write again. Here we are, "Friends for Health", 55 children and escorts from Israel absolutely overjoyed and elated. I have no more superlatives left to describe the feeling! Here we are, sitting on top of the world, eating a delicious hot meal, and I don't think anyone in their wildest dreams imagined this scene! Cut out the picture and frame it… but don't forget, we're inside! The children are constantly smiling and it's amazing. I'm no doctor but this must be the best medicine there is!
23:15: Back at the hotel. Exhausted. On the way back, one of the girls told the bus that this was the first time in her life she'd been in the snow! And then six other kids said the same thing! Wow! The first time at the highest, most beautiful most wonderful… well, not everyone is as lucky as we are. Now we're eating again, and the volunteers have arranged to go and prepare the activities for Shabbat once all the kids are in bed. It's gonna be a super Shabbat!
Good night to you all at home. Tomorrow, G-dwilling, we'll be out at the Dolphinarium and maybe even some ice skiing…
Day 4 – Friday, May 8 –
Giant Slide, Dolphinarium and the Zoo
08:00: Another quiet night, with the last of the volunteers dropping off only about two hours ago! They were busy planning and preparing all the activities for Shabbat, including a premiere performance of a new show featuring the staff and a star guest! And after a marathon discussion about the phones incapable of accepting Israeli dialing cards, we prepared a sign. Original, no?
The kids don't want to call home anyway! They say to tell you all that they feel great thank G-d. But we won't give up and we'll make sure they all do phone home.
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Here's our driver, Mr. Adolf Yatzik, who has already learnt to say "Shalom Yisrael", "Haverim" and more. Kind, polite, happy and makes sure we're all happy too. Itzik Lebel, well, you all know him, and our awesome doctor, Dr. Michael, Head of Pediatric ER at Tel Hashomer. The kids just need to look at him and they're healthy! |
Respect please! Moshe the chef, Kitchen Manager, with his assistant team – two of Henia's friends from the Swiss Jewish community who came to help prepare Shabbat. |
11:30: What a day we have in store! We've just arrived at the park and Henia says there's a 700m slide – H-E-L-PPPP! But that's not all. After this we're going on to a huge Dolphinarium to watch a spectacular dolphin show and then it's the zoo. Yes, the dream continues for real! I'm sorry to keep saying it, but that's the feeling here… all the time!
14:00: I have no breath left! What a place! SO MUCH FUN! We sat in special, open cable cars – SO SCARY… we climbed up and up, so high that the people on the ground looked like dots… and then, we sat on mats in a steel tunnel and began sliding down the mountain! Woooooooooooowwwwww! Anyone who hasn't done this should take a flight over here right now! You race down the tunnel turning sharp corners at such a speed - in 6 minutes flat! What an awesome once-in-a-lifetime thrill!
15:00: The children are having a great time in the theme park here and even the cows and sheep have stopped to enjoy the "Friends for Health" singing and dancing show, something a little out of the ordinary in these heavenly pastoral surroundings. The chef has laid out a wonderful lunch here and with the beautiful weather everything is just cool…
17:00: In about two hours time it'll be Shabbat in Israel. Here it comes in only at 20:30. "The Dream Shabbat" in our picturesque hotel will be enhanced as usual – like all "Friends" Shabbatot, with great food, singing, dancing, well-prepared programming and an electric atmosphere…
Before we left Israel we made sure we had all the props and equipment we needed; hours upon hours of rehearsals… we're going to be welcoming the Shabbat with singing and dancing. The kitchen staff have been slaving all day with volunteers from the Jewish community here, and the meals will be enriched with surprises and prizes, quizzes and songs. Oh, and we'll also try and regain our strength for the week ahead…
In the morning after coffee and cake we'll have a special prayer service in which the children above bar mitzvah age will be called to the Torah reading. We'll have a traditional Shabbat lunch with tcholent and all the extras followed by more fun and games and the all-awaited play! We'll relax in the afternoon with stories about Switzerland and finish off with the Third Meal and a moving Havdala ceremony, signifying the end of Shabbat at around 23:00 Israel time!
So a healthy and happy Shabbat Shalom from wonderful Switzerland!
Day 5 – Saturday Night, May 9
23:00: What an awesome Shabbat! Yes, I'm going to say it again… it really was a "Dream Shabbat"! The play was about a poor child from a small village who had a dream to be someone great and everyone told him he had no chance; he was better off being a coal miner and forgetting his dreams. But he persisted and ultimately achieved his dream.
The children talked about their own dreams and we were all very moved, especially when one girl told us that her dream was to speak to her father and have him understand her immediately. There was such an open atmosphere between both children and staff that everyone felt comfortable in sharing their dreams and it was a very emotional session.
And the conclusion was of course "never give up" on your hopes and dreams, and eventually you'll win.
This Shabbat experience will remain with the kids for a long time. And more songs and dance after Shabbat too!
Tomorrow we're off to one of the biggest amusement parks in the world – Europa Park – which is located on the Germany-France-Switzerland border triangle.
Wishing you all a Shavua Tov back home…
Day 6 – Sunday, May 10 – Europa Park
09:30: Early rise this morning and we're already on our way on the long journey to the Swiss-German-French border and Europa Park. It's going to be another exciting day…
10:30: Still on the way. We've just stopped at the German border and Henia took all the passports to the control post. We're using the time to get out and stretch a bit. The roads here are so wide and the tunnels! So many tunnels! We've just driven through one that was 16 km long! Cars are overtaking us at crazy speeds. Great weather for park-ing!
We passed over the River Rhine and saw a memorial to the millions killed in the Holocaust. And here we are, a wonderful example of continuity and kindness and consideration for every human being irrespective of race or religion.
12:30: Here we are! And just so you won't worry, we took a quick group picture at the entrance to the park… and now fun, fun, fun!
18:15: This is the ultimate extreme experience! Giant rides divided into countries (Israel is missing): a giant wheel, racing cars, 360-degree trains, 3-D adventures, up-and-away carousels…. Cars driving through the 'countries' while displaying astounding exhibits… stunning shows with dozens of actors… boats sailing along canals surrounded by figures in traditional dress… a cable car in a huge building containing fairy tale performances… in short, simply unforgettable! The kids are just having a wild time and they don't stop smiling and laughing!
Day 7 – Monday, May 11
– A Visit to Berne, the City of Bears
and Lag BaOmer Celebrations
08:00: Good morning! I hardly slept. After we came back from the park last night, pumped up with adrenalin from all the candies and soaking wet after being caught in a sudden downpour, we decided to plan a fancy dress party! And so instead of going to bed, we found ourselves at 2 in the morning still in the activity room, with the chef and Henia already up preparing today's menu!
This morning we're going to visit the Israeli Ambassador in Switzerland in Berne, city of bears and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We'll visit the old city and then go hit the largest canyon in Europe. Everyone is just great and no one wants this to end…
11:00: We're on the way to Berne and I've just remembered an amazing thing that happened last night. Ziv the cutey, who spends most of his time sitting in his wheelchair and finds it very hard to get up, suddenly decided he was going to climb the stairs by himself. Miracle #2: Ben, who hadn't even left the chair until now, also decided to get out and walk around a little with his escort's help. Both of them marched around the hotel, chairless! You can't believe what happiness does for these kids! Their joy is our joy…AMAZING!!!!!!
15:00: At last we're at the Israeli Ambassador's house, Mr. Ilan Alger. Somewhere they speak Hebrew! The Ambassador and his family gave us a warm welcome and told us we'd arrived at an "Israeli island in Switzerland." He hosts us in his yard and his staff ask after each and every kid. The Ambassador tells us that relations between Israel and Switzerland are currently a bit tense because Switzerland recently hosted the President of Iran. But… Israel receives a lot of support and large donations from Switzerland, despite the fact that it's only a small country.
One of the children asked the Ambassador how he got his job and how one can attain such a position. He replied that when he was younger he began his diplomatic career in Africa and gradually proved his worth. He emphasized that it is important to stick to your goals, to want something badly enough to persistently try and fulfill your dreams.
15:30: After all the speeches, the Israeli Ambassador to Switzerland, Mr. Ilan Alger, received our certificate of honor. Now we're in the Embassy and enjoying real Israeli food – falafel, burekas, Baklawa, hummus and chips… as much as we can eat! The hospitality is wonderful and the kids are overjoyed. Although it was raining all the way here, it stopped just as we got here so the Ambassador could host us outside in the yard. By the way, he sends regards!
18:00: Wintry weather has hit the land. Our cool driver took us through the alleys of Berne so we can see the Old City from the bus windows. We saw the ancient clock, the lovely square and the stunning river that flows down below. We drove over the bridge and we heard a fascinating explanation from Henia about the great fire of Berne, and more…
Here! Now we're at the huge canyon, but I must go; they want me to help…
23:30: For the first time in history, a Lag BaOmer bonfire in our hotel –
Einsieden Pfadgihus, Switzerland! We gathered at the little amphitheater in the yard, collected some wood and lit the fire…
The chef brought us kratuchkas (potatoes), sausages, salads and more. We sang Lag BaOmer songs and the festivities are deafening. Even the surrounding mountains are joining in with the singing and drumming…
Day 8 – Tuesday, May 12 – The Zurich Experience
08:30: Another awesome night! Bonfire songs and stories till the early hours. For some of the kids there was the added excitement of this being their first-ever bonfire experience!
No respite today either; we're off to tour Switzerland's main city – Zurich. We'll be hosted by the Noam School, the local Jewish community's school. From there we'll travel by electric trains (that's the public transport here) to the lake, set sail, and come back to a Lag BaOmer Parade led by the local
Chabad finishing with the central event full of singers and performances.
Henia with two of the teaching staff from the Noam School
12:30: Now we're at a park at the foot of Lake Zurich. While we arrived on the bus, Grades 5-6 from the Noam School were sailing here from the other end of the city. The children, both religious and not, know Hebrew quite well from their Jewish Studies in school. The principal, Michael Goldberg, came with them too and told them they were going to meet a very special group of Israeli children. After a short introduction, the kids are getting ready for a special outdoor lunch hosted by the school. This place is so beautiful! A shimmering lake bordered by snow-topped mountains… And what a treat to find other Jewish children who understand what we're saying! The chemistry has been instant and everyone is on a high!
15:30: We're off sailing on a luxury cruiser around Zurich together with the local children, still singing happily away. We conduct an official "candy exchange" giving the Swiss kids treats from Israel and receiving Swiss candies and chocolate in return. The children also swapped addresses with their Swiss peers and promised to write through our website too.
17:30: What a sight! A huge flock of ducks and white swans swimming freely around the lake! On our way to central Zurich
!
21:30: Phew! Another jam-packed day of fun-filled excitement! After a sumptuous giant sausage barbecue, we wandered around Zurich's main street to buy mementoes to take home. At least something small and symbolic. In the meantime, Jews are appearing from all over the city to participate in the traditional Chabad Lag BaOmer Parade: music bands, balloons, prizes and hundreds of children marching side by side with the "Friends for Health" crew – religious, non-religious, Hassidim, Swiss… unbelievable! I don't think anyone is going to want to leave in two days time…
Day 9 – Wednesday, May 13 – Rhine Falls and Watches
09:00: Another bright morning after another late, late night! As we were sitting and talking in the bus back last night, recreating all the wonderful days we've had here so far, I discovered what I already knew, and have felt for many years – what these trips do for these special kids. There are kids here who arrived very quiet, introverted, exhausted and worn out from their difficult daily routines, and now, after 8 days here, they have undergone a simply astonishing transformation.
You won't even recognize them! Elation, joy, communication, understanding, better physical capabilities, morale, a feeling of real satisfaction, understanding just how important this camp is, just how much it helps these children and no less, ourselves the staff. This dream is beyond self-fulfillment – it contributes to the health of those who need it right now in a very tangible way.
And to the dear parents at home. Tomorrow, when you see your children again, you won't believe just how right I am. With lots of love, Itzik Lebel.
10:15: In a few minutes we'll be on our way to the last day of our dream trip to stunning Switzerland and we're off to the roaring Rhine Falls. From there on to the city of watches and an early return to the hotel for the final farewell dinner and party.
11:45: Wow! You have no idea how awesome this is! Even as we got off the bus we felt the power and the tremendous noise of the gushing water and we're nowhere near it! You can't see such power in pictures. It's indescribable! These falls are 300m wide. There are boats which take visitors very close and we'll be going there too very soon. Look at the kids! They're so excited and absolutely overjoyed! They're all wearing lifejackets and the atmosphere is electric. Even the other tourists are joining in our fun. How I wish I could magically wish you here so you can feel this energy!
19:00: We've just got back. Yes, we got as close as we could to the falls but the water is so strong it just pushed us back enough so we could feel the spray! We couldn't hear ourselves speak – one boy said he felt like a crumb in a bottle of water being shaken up and down at frightening speed!
We ate our last lunch in Switzerland and when I told that to the kids they just cried – whether from the excitement of knowing they will be seeing you in a few hours or from the sadness of leaving, I don't know but it's probably a mixture of both. How fast time flies! 10 days!
Schaffhausen, the city of clocks and watches, where the first famous Swiss timepieces were made. The city is just beautiful (just like all Switzerland – is there another word for beauty?) – 100's of years old and as clean as the natal ward in a hospital. And if we're talking about hygiene, did you know that after every meal here, our garbage selection squad – yes, you read right – spent hours separating the plastic from the paper from the glass from the cardboard… go figure out the Swiss!
At any rate, after all that, now we really do have some work on our hands – to get things in order, organized, clean, wash, pack and put everything back where it's supposed to be. After all, we are Israelis and we did manage to create a little chaos in the Swiss order!
Day 10 – Thursday, May 14 – Returning Home
06:30: Early rise. Now there's no denying it. It's the last day. We want more! We'll be on our way to the airport in another hour or so. Last night's party was fantastic! Henia and her friends from the community brought guitars, an organ and oozes of joy and laughter. They heard the Israeli songs all over Switzerland!
The evening overflowed with compliments on this amazing trip, so masterfully directed by Henia. Kudos to Itzik, the National Service girls, the volunteers and of course your wonderful wonderful children who are the ones who really made this trip.
10:00: Exhausted but very, very happy, we're on our way to the airport. The volunteers, most of whom hardly slept at all, have already crashed out on the bus and I think it's going to be near-impossible to wake them up. But this is the time to say a huge THANK YOU for all the effort, the dedication, the giving, the generosity, the selflessness, the soul, the joy, the responsibility, the patience, the mutual support and encouragement and the total devotion to the children having the best trip of their lives! Each child, with all their differences, simply had the time of their lives! May we bless the staff with the traditional blessing: "May the Almighty pay their wages and remove all illness, heal their bodies and forgive their mistakes, and may He send blessing and success to all they do." Amen.
11:25: The Duty Free is far too expensive!
13:50: Take-off from Zurich airport…. NOW! Please turn off your cell phones. Bye! Hugs, kisses and lots and lots of love!
18:00: Here we are back home! A last group photo from an absolutely unforgettable experience!
