BACK IN THE USA

We awoke at 3:00 am this morning (Israel is 7 hours ahead of us), and landed at Dulles at abt 6:30 this evening.  All good.  My most memorable time was visiting Masada, the mountain fortress where 900 Jewish men, women and children took their own lives, to avoid becoming Roman slaves, at the time of the Jewish revolt of 70 A.D.  My most significant observation is the very high education level of Israelis, their high culture - most secular, and their innovation and creativity.  70% of the world's venture capital is today at work in Israel in medicine, bio research, chip tech and high-yield agribusiness. TRUE CAPITALISTS.  My saddest awareness is the extreme orthodoxy of conservative Judaism, and not unlike other faiths, attempt to shut out all other influence and knowledge; man can not co-exist and prosper if we are not willing to understand one another.  My greatest joy was watching my mother experience the many Christian sites that are at the bedrock of her faith.  Mission accomplished. 5-7-11