Israel Handbell Festival – Day 4

Our first concert was tonight at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and it went really well!  There were about 500 people in the audience and they seemed very appreciative.   I will send the repertoire later this week when I have a bit more time.
The day, while long, was one of memorable moments: a visit to the traditional birth site of John the Baptist in the village of Ein Karem; a stop at a family run olive wood shop (this group can shop!) in Bethlehem; visits to the Church of the Nativity and The Shepherd’s Field; a quick stop for a bite to eat.

A few snapshots of the day:  crossing the border through the wall from Israel into Palestinian Territory to visit sites in Bethlehem; standing in a line for an hour and and half to visit the site of the birth of Christ; hearing the sound of a group of French Catholics singing music of Taize in one of the outdoor chapels at the Shepherd’s Field.

Tomorrow is another long, but rewarding, day.  I hope to download and post photos on Thursday….keep your fingers crossed!

Peace from Tel Aviv.