Tanzania Mountain Journey Tests the Strength of Jewish Londoners and Israelis

By Tamar Runyan

Rabbi Dovid Katz, educational director of Chabad-Lubavitch of Hendon in London, and community member Dr. Itamar Shein pose for a picture in Tanzania’s famed Arusha National Park.

The night before his 14-hour hike up Mount Meru ñ a nearly 15,000-foot tall volcano in Tanzania’s scenic Arusha National Park ñ Dr. Itamar Shein couldn’t sleep.

“Is this altitude, attitude or just anxiety?” the Londoner wrote in his journal.

In the end, it didn’t matter. The general practitioner, who joined a group of 12 Jewish men from Great Britain and Israel for a trek through the African nation benefiting London’s Chabad-Lubavitch of Hendon, battled fatigue and the elements to successfully make it to the summit.

For Shein, a native of South Africa who now calls the English suburb of Hampstead Garden home, and the other participants, the climb capped off a week-long spiritual journey. When they reached the top, the nine who made it discussed their place in the world.

Article continued (Chabad.org News)