Iris Ricks: Giving the Gift of Israel
/"My love affair with Israel began in 1986 when my then boyfriend and now husband took our children to Israel for the first time. We had the time of our lives--and after the kids went to bed, were engaged at the bar at the Dan Tel Aviv. We will celebrate our 30th anniversary in November!
I have returned to Israel 8 times since then and am getting ready to make my 10th visit next month. I love the beauty and diversity of the land, the intelligence, ingenuity and spirit of the people and, of course, the food.
Israel is my spiritual homeland and I am aware of this on a daily basis. On a recent trip to Eastern Europe, just as we were leaving the crematorium at Majdanek, we saw a bunch of Israeli soldiers who were being honored for their service. After the horror of the war and what we had seen at the camp, our hearts were warmed by the sight of these soldiers and their representation of the state of Israel. We also attended a Yom Ha'Atzmaut celebration while in Budapest with about 17 Israelis and were entertained by Moshe and Shuli Dayan from Akko, Israel. There is a special feeling I get with anything or anyone related to Israel.
When my friend Jan Goldstein asked me almost four years if I would like to work with her for Amiel Tours, I didn’t have to think twice. To me, this is not work; it is a privilege to arrange trips to Israel. A trip to Israel is the greatest gift you can give to yourself or to someone else."
