As the Director of Education and Israel Programs for Memphis Jewish Federation, one of my responsibilities is working on the itineraries of our community missions. When I read in Gems in Israel last winter that Jessye Norman would be performing in Caesaria as part of the Israel Opera Festival while our mission would be taking place in June 2000, I immediately jumped at the possibility of including the concert in our trip.

We were travelling in the North at that point and after a full day of sightseeing, we had a wonderful dairy dinner in Nahalal before heading to Caesaria. The night was spectacular -- cool and clear as Israel always is in June. The mission participants were awestruck to sit in the Roman amphitheatre, hearing the whisper of the Mediterranean as a backdrop to the orchestra accompanying Ms. Norman. It was a wonderful concert, world-class performance by all standards, but the beauty of the location made it the highlight of the mission for many of our 75 travellers.

Thanks to Gems for giving the heads-up about the Opera Festival so that tickets could be reserved months in advance for the sold-out house!