DIY Little Passports: Israel

Our last stop on the World Explorer Club this year is a place I definitely wanted to learn about, especially at Christmastime. Welcome to Israel! I was super emotional reading and writing about Israel just because the area is so full of rich and heartbreaking history for the three biggest religions in the world.

In This Package

Since this is the last package of the year, it includes a dreidel for Hanukkah and an olive wood Christmas ornament for Christmas. I wish I had thought to put something for Ramadan as well! I had watched several films and had been thinking about all the conflict and misunderstanding for the people who live here, and how Israel was even formed. Can’t we all just love each other and get along? Many of the books I chose to include support this ideal (not quite reflective of reality) because I want my Explorer to approach the history and people with hope, understanding, and a loving attitude.

This package had lots of really cool picture books that my bookworm breezed through, and I didn’t get to check all of them like I usually do!

Receiving the Mail

Nothing like leaving a project to the last minute! I finally sat down to finish typing the letter and put this package together the last day of the month. Our tree is still up, so we may still be able to hang up and enjoy the olive wood crèche ornament even though it’s passed Christmas. We happened to watch Fiddler on the Roof today as a family for the first time, which was neat because it showed some of the Jewish traditions.

Cost Breakdown

• Postage Stamps: Included with initial package
• Library Books & Movie: FREE
• Dreidel: $5.85
• Ornament: $7.95

Total Cost: $13.80

How It’s Going

L decided she wanted her ornament with her instead of with the other Christmas tree ornaments, although she did let it hang on the tree for a few days. We had a salad for dinner with real pomegranate arils, Kalamata olives, fresh mint and herbs, and quinoa inspired by the flavors of Israel. There are so many other places we wanted to explore, perhaps we’ll be able to do a “bonus” round for the Philippines. For now, L’s letter said she would always be a part of the World Explorer Club and to keep being herself!