November 7, 2012
Two-time super bowl winner, Jason Elam, who holds the NFL record for the longest field-goal in history, and Tom Doyle who is known for his books and his educational initiatives to connect teach Christians about Israel, arrived in Israel on November 6th. Their first stop was – naturally – the City of Ariel!
The two were joined by over 20 participants, most making their first trip to Israel. For Tom and Jason this visit has become something of a tradition, but every time is special with something new to discover about Ariel.
The group began their tour with a visit to the Ariel Regional Center for the Performing Arts where they got some background on what it means to be in Ariel – the bridge between Biblical Prophecy and Modern Israel. Then it was time to visit the Ariel Industrial Park where they received an up close and personal tour of coexistence in action.
Then it was time to visit the bustling Ariel National Leadership Development Center where volunteers from JH Israel explained why it was important for them to partner with Israel through the City of Ariel. They also observed visiting groups as they developed their leadership skills on the rope courses.
From there it was time to visit Ariel’s Holocaust and Heroism Memorial Museum, run by Holocaust survivors and museum curators Irena and Kuba. The group received a warm welcome from the couple – with special hugs for Tom and Jason, who Irena remembers fondly from their previous visits. Here the group was moved by Kuba’s personal Holocaust story and stunned by the many artifacts collected by the couple, who seek to instill remembrance in future generations.
Then it was time for a driving tour through Ariel before the group had to say goodbye….for this time.
American Friends of Ariel thanks Tom and Jason for their growing relationship with Ariel. We hope to see them back here very soon.