Comments Off on Climbing and Snorkeling We did laundry today! Followed by breakfast at the hotel and a morning at Top 94, an etgar (challenge course)-like building full of various rock walls and other elements. After Top 94, we went to a mall and wandered around while eating lunch.
Next on our itinerary was a coral snorkeling experience which was so cool. And Alina (our first-aid/security guard) said that there are even more impressive reefs farther south in the Red Sea. Wow!
After some much-needed showers, we all went out to dinner and hanging out around a nearby mall. Tomorrow we’re going to a kibbutz for an environmental program.
Comments Off on Heading South Today we started at the Ben Gurion Institute to learn more about the Negev and its culture, we did an escape room, and then had a discussion about Israeli vs American Jews.
After that we went on a hike to see a tomb of the prime minster who did a lot for Israel, and after that we went to an Israeli’s house to have a home cooked lunch, which was amazing.
After lunch we went we went on a jeep ride through the desert to see Makhtesh Ramon. After jeeping, we drove towards the hotel and stopped at a gas station to get snacks for the 3-hour ride. Once we reached the hotel, we had an hour of rest and then went to a mall/boardwalk to get dinner and do a little bit of shopping.
Comments Off on A Great First Week We made it to our first Shabbat in Israel!
We’ve been through a lot in only a few short days. We had a long flight and a day of shepherding sheep and goats (#goatgang #sheepsquad), we trekked through Hezekiah’s tunnel (fun) and visited the Western Wall (moving), we have talked to many Israelis about life here, including Haredi and Modern Orthodox and a settler, as well as a Palestinian man living in the West Bank who showed us Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity.
Much shuking and bargaining has occurred as well and that has been lots of fun.
The last 24 hours have been a bit more serious as we had a long discussion about the impact of the Holocaust and anti-Semitism today, and this morning we spent several hours in Yad Vashem.
Shabbat was also a new experience as we were hosted by two Jerusalem families in their homes and got to experience a more intimate Shabbat evening than we do at camp.
We can’t wait to share all about next week’s adventures! Eilat and the Negev here we come!
Comments Off on A Day of Different Viewpoints This morning we came together to have a panel discussion with four Israeli citizens representing different denominations of Judaism. They shared their experiences and thoughts on education, politics, religions, and Israel as a whole.
After the panel, we journeyed into the Old City to visit the Muslim and Christian quarters. In the Christian quarter, we visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where Jesus was embalmed and buried. We walked through the open marketplace in the Muslim quarter and practiced our bargaining skills.
– Yael
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After touring the Muslim quarter, our group split up for lunch. My group worked out a deal for a family style meal. We had falafel and pita w/lots of yummy dips. So good!!
Next, we met up, changed into modest outfits at the tomb of David, and got on the bus headed to Bethlehem. Our tour guide Samir showed us the Church of the Nativity, followed by a short walk to a shepherding field and a discussion on his experiences with Israeli infringement on life in the West Bank.
Next, we went to the settlement of Tekoa. Shaul, a Jewish settler, led us to a beautiful spot in his neighborhood overlooking the canyons separating Israel and Jordan. There he told us his story and what he thinks of the conflict.
Comments Off on The Old City The day started with a nice breakfast and a tour of Jerusalem’s Jewish Quarter. For lunch, we walked around and chose from a few stores. Then we traveled through Hezekiah’s tunnel which, while fun, was a bit small for some of our taller participants.
Next was the Western Wall, the Kotel. Some people wrapped tefillin while others chose not to. It was interesting to hear people talk about what they felt when they were at the wall.
After a walk back to the hotel for some swimming and showers, we walked to First Station — a small plaza with various shops and restaurants, as well as live music. After celebrating Elena’s birthday and a bit more time hanging out at the First Station, it was time for bed.
Tomorrow will be a bit of a later start and includes our trip to Bethlehem.
Comments Off on Arriving in Israel After a very rainy morning in the Poconos, we all made it to JFK Airport and onto the plane. The flight was wholly uneventful, but when we arrived in Tel Aviv we got to meet our Israeli staff and visit Neot Kedumim, a biblical nature preserve featuring over 100 species of plants that were all mentioned in the bible. Joanna, our guide at the preserve, showed us how to open almonds and introduced us to two other edible plants in the area.
We also got to experience what it was like to be a shepherd as we attempted to move several sheep and goats from one side of a clearing to another. #sheepsquad #goatgang
After lunch and ice cream, we went to Canada Park to do some team building. After showing off our team work abilities, we got the go ahead to drive to our hotel. After dinner we went over our plan for tomorrow, which includes visiting the Kotel and seeing the sights in Jerusalem.
Until next time….
(And don’t forget to check out photos on our Instagram feed!)
