On The Sea of Galilee

Author: Esther Lerner Carrico

Edited by Michael Weiss

One of our trip highlights was a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee where in the New Testament Jesus spent time with his disciples teaching the poor to fish and feed their families. The vessel we boarded was designed to have some visual features of the much smaller boats in the time of Jesus. Of course, we did have an engine which Is beyond the imagination of the people of that time, along with all the safety equipment and wonderful sound system, but then again we are from Ocean Reef. All of our travel group were elated to be in this sacred spot on a glorious day together. We took our seats and marveled at the gorgeous scenery HH surrounding us on the lake which was understood to be the sea because of its expanse. But in fact, it is a freshwater lake in which there was an abundance of fish both now and in Jesus’ time.

We began our trip Bob led us with a prayer honoring our blessed day and giving thanks to God. Our group is of mixed faith, but one thing is certain: we all have faith in the goodness of God. As we began to depart from land, the American flag was hoisted up the mast and we proudly broke into song with the Star-Spangled Banner. How lovely to honor our beloved country in Israel, its best ally in the world.

Some of us took photos proudly holding up the Israeli flag. Our Christian friends took communion onboard the Noah (fitting name for our boat). Then the unexpected happened, The Hava Nagila music began and we joyfully taught our friends and danced the hora elated in circles as we glided through the Sea of Galilee where Judeo-Christian values were created. Oh the joy!