Almost daily, we enjoyed the good company of other senior couples in many ways. Here are some examples of a few positive interactions.
We lunched at the Opera Tower & fountain -- very modern, both inside and out. (We also ate there with Melissa & Dan on Tues. 4/16/11.)
O 
On the same street was another modern hotel with a rooftop swimming pool.
On a girls' day out on 9/2/11, these beach babes returned to Tel Aviv. The beach almost looked like Oahu's Diamondhead in Hawaii. Marilyn said it was the closest she felt to our own Big Corona beach.
These guys were braving the surf with their long paddles. It looked like fun, so Arlene went out to get a better look.
She got blasted by the waves. But she made it back -- with a smile.
They all seemed to have a good time -- even without their guys.
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Dining out.
Jim Kearl. This VP at BYU approved and assigned each service volunteer. He has overseen all aspects of the JC over the past 20 years.
At least twice per year, he came to coordinate all JC functions and interviewed seniors. In Dec. '10, he treated us to dinner at the Courtyard (a converted water plant next to the Super Deal grocery store). He also assured us then that we would not be transferred to Galilee.
On 5/3/11, Jim and Eran Hayet met us at the Oasis. We were allowed to attend the Humanitarian Conf. in Jordan, starting the next day. But BYU later separated from the Church due to some differences in Humanitarian Services.
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The Ohmans and we shared some special occasions -- like Marilyn's birthday on 5/13/11 and the Ohmans 45th anniversary on 6/3/11 -- both at the Cardo restaurant in East Jerusalem's Legacy Hotel. We circled it many times before finding their new parking lot. The inside was nicer than the outside.
Closer to the JC, we often joined them at Aroma and the Burger Bar -- both on the Hebrew University campus at French Hill.
We also ate at Karma in Ein Kerem and at the Israel Museum before Israel Philharmonic concerts -- sometimes with the Weinsteins.
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Neomi and Gil Weinstein hosted us for some sumptious dinners -- including on 2/4/12 a welcome to the Squires and a farewell for the Ohmans and us.
As they have done for at least 10 years, Judy and Stew Telman developed close friendships and hosted dinners for JC service couples. In Dec. '10 and on 8/5/11 they served us delicious dinners at their Mevaserat Zion home. [L-R, past us, were Chapmans, Telmans, Weinsteins and Ohmans.]
On 1/13/12 we all returned for a New Years feast. Each time, Judy sang a blessing on the meal before slicing her delicioius challah bread. (Gil happily removed his necktie.)
We were enchanted with this painting -- reminding us of our own children & grandchildren when small. Stew's T-shirt said it all, "The older I get, the better I was." (I often felt that way in my 72nd year.)
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Dining In. On 6/24/11, all three service couples + the Weinsteins treated our friend Judy Telman to a surprise party on her 80th birthday. Now it was our turn to serve them!
The Ohmans hosted it on their patio. Marilyn cooked most of the food. Salmon never tasted better, with Orzo pasta & stuffed tomatoes. Shari did stuffed-mushroom apetizers, Christine brought the drinks.
Neomi brought two great pies. One honored Judy's birthday -- No. 40 x 2 !
In June 2012, Judy & Stew celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary! As needed, they happily helped with hosting at JC concerts. Honestly, we had no nicer non-JC friends!
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On Christmas Day, Sat. 12/25/10, after Sacrament Mtg., we and the Ohmans (& our Palestinian R.S. Pres. Sahar Qumsiyeh) prepared and served a feast to 3 caregivers from Moldova and the Philippines. They leave their children and come here to serve aged Jews. This was their day to be served!
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After Andy & Janet Skinner arrived on 9/8/11, we hosted them & all senior couples at our apt. 206 for a customized pasta bar on 9/12/11. It was similar to Ritanga in Tel Aviv, where we ate while getting visas to Jordan.
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We also enjoyed hosting each other, then playing games -- like "Hand & Foot." On 8/24/11 (in the large Ohman apt.), each of us was paired as couples -- and each won one round!
Farewells and Departures.
The Jacksons. On 7/13/11 we dined with them at the Lebanese Restaurant in Abu Ghosh (en route to Tel Aviv). On 7/20/11 we all took them to dinner at a German Colony restaurant. 
Then on 7/26/11 Marilyn was put in charge of table arrangements for their farewell dinner. She did her usual elegant best.
All seniors, faculty & spouses plus many staff came to honor them -- including Ghalib (over finances) and Mohammed (over custodial).
Jim Kearl and District Pres. Gary Player were even there.
Other wives and students all appreciated them.
Finally, they said goodbye -- before resuming their medical practices at Gunnison, Utah.
The Ohmans. The JC threw its usual farewell dinner for Mike & Shari on 2/2/12. Eran had me give the tribute to Mike and Neomi gave one to Shari. They left two weeks before we did.
Our Departure. On Friday 2/17/12 we moved upstairs to Apt. #501 so that #206 could be prepared for the Schafers. It was smaller--but the bed was larger.
On Sunday 2/26/12, some Ansari family members came to bid us farewell at the JC.
Our JC Farewell Dinner was held our last night -- Wed. 2/29/12. All faculty & senior couples and many JC staff & leaders came to send us off.
Kent & Nancy Jackson were in high spirits. Tarek Safadi (head of security) had a black belt in karate -- but was always in good humor. Kent became a good faculty friend.
In a brief program, some students sang to us (including Sterling May & Amanda Greer with Marcie Price, Piano). Neomi Weinstein (curator and concert scheduler extraordinaire) also paid supreme tributes to Marilyn -- richly deserved.
Then Eran Hayet (JC Director) paid more tributes to both of us. Tawfic Alawi (Assoc. Dir.) was brief but earnest. They were the heart & soul of JC leadership.
Malak Sharaf (Office Mgr.) and Mona Hamuri (Tawfic's Admin. Asst.) were great supports -- with unfailing good cheer. Other 7th Level friends sent regrets: Nino Zohar (Eran's Admin. Asst. & my Hebrew translator) and Ghalib Nubani (Financial Accountant), whose son got married the next day.
The Squires & Schafers seemed very compatible together.
We truly enjoyed our 6 months with the Chapmans. Soon after we left, they were also released for family business reasons at home.
Finally, Marilyn's two oldest Young Women (Rachel & Hannah) added to her joy.
To top off our last day and night, Marilyn had her first organ lesson ever -- on the JC organ! In the end, she was working both the hand keys and foot pedals!
What a great way to conclude our Holy Land experience!
We will always feel like this:
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