Gamla, of all places

This morning I got a call from an old friend of mine. I've been good friends with him since my yeshiva days, and since then we took different, yet similar routes in life.

I, you know, moved up to the Golan. And he became a rabbi and moved out to lead a congregation in Omaha, Nebraska. The obvious connection (and there are more) is that we've both take the off-beaten path.

But even with the ocean and a healthy portion of the American heartland separating us, we've remained close. So, he calls me this morning to tell me that he's in Israel leading a mission and his group is on its way to Gamla.

Gamla!

For most people, Gamla holds the distinction of being the home of Israel's largest waterfall (a 160 foot beaut) and, strikingly, a large group of birds of prey, including Griffon vultures. To others it is ancient capital of the Golan, until the Romans conquered it in 68 CE.

But for me, it is also the closest place to my home -- and that’s including other villages!