Category Archive: Uncategorized

  1. Faces Of Israel — Diversity Near the Galilee

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    What a fun and busy day we had! After devouring breakfast (#1) at the Kibbutz, we drove to Mt. Carmel to meet up with Arab Israeli teens for an activity-filled day. We were welcomed with an opening ceremony consisting of a customary flag raising and traditional Arab dance, followed by breakfast #2, a hearty crepe filled with either chocolate spread or labneh. The crepes were MASSIVE, but that didn’t stop us from devouring couple while mingling with the Arab teens. Two of our favorite activities were repelling off of Mt. Carmel while looking at the beautiful view, and having a traditional Arab wedding with traditional outfits, dancing, and even a fresh shave for the groom! We had some discussions around our own traditions and how they are both similar and different from our Arab peers. Nearing the end of our visit, we rejoiced in a couple songs, Wavin’ Flag and “Kum Ba Yah” being some favorites. A well awaited air-conditioned bus ride on the way to have a traditional Druze dinner and learn about their culture was much appreciated by everyone on this hot day. Through some valid grub and a hearty informational session, learning about a culture new to us all, we were ready to pass out. On the bumpy ride home, the group partook in some electric aseyfah and even our bus driver got into it (while making sure we got back safely as always). Approaching bedtime, we relaxed on the Kibbutz, catching up with friends we haven’t seen in a while and are looking forward to a fun day tomorrow!

    Signing Off,

    Leo N., Zane, Evan, and the rest of Havaya Israel 2023

  2. Crossroads of the Mediterranean

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    After getting settled in our hotel last night, we had a great first full day in Israel! Our day started out with breakfast in the hotel on the Sea of Galilee followed by a bus ride to the Rosh Hanikra Grattos on the Mediterranean Sea. We took a fun (and a little scary!) cable car ride down to the water and walked through the tunnels created by sea action while enjoying beautiful views of the Mediterranean. We then headed to the old city of Akko and had our first “pizur lunch” or free lunch. Teens walked around the shuk in Akko and got to pick what they wanted for lunch, while practicing ordering in Hebrew with a lot of pointing and nodding. Some favorites from today were hummus, falafel, shawarma, and a whole lot of fun desserts. After lunch, we had an audio tour of the Akko Crusader Hall, seeing cool paintings, sculptures and tunnels from the time of the crusaders. We ended the afternoon on Achziv Beach on the Mediterranean, enjoying the sunshine and swimming in the cool water. Back at the hotel we ate dinner, got to know each other a little more through ice breakers and prepared for our day tomorrow with Arab Israeli Scouts. 

    Until tomorrow,

    Havaya Israel 2023

  3. Last night in Israel

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    We had a late last night for us (that’s why this is posted a tad late) we started our day with our final breakfast at the kibbutz. We all gathered by the bus and got in a circle to wish the best bus driver Happy Birthday. We did it camp style and Yossi was so overjoyed.  We then loaded everything on the bus to start our journey towards Jerusalem where is all began.

    Our first stop was a water activity, basically 3 natural pools, with refreshing cool water. We enjoyed a nice picnic style lunch with either a hamburger, schnitzel, or sausage. Then we had out long bus ride but luckily had a snack/coffee and bathroom break in the middle. We arrived to Prima Park in Jerusalem and some of us just had instant dejavú especially with us rooming on the same floor as the first week! We enjoyed one last hotel dinner and headed out to the Kotel Tunnels. With such an amazing tour guide Yossi (an amazing name) it was a real meaningful and cool experience.

    We arrived to the hotel and it was already late but we had to do some last night activities. Started with paper plate awards, and ended with warm and fuzzies. We all wrote nice notes to each other but we won’t be getting our envelope with them until the airport and we’re on our separate ways. Eventually after all that the PCR guy came and we all were able to get tested. We have a full day of schedule today so the trips not quite over but you could say there have been a handful of tears already. Truly for us all this has been such an amazing experience and we’re sad it has to come to an end. We’ll have one more blog for you all to come!

  4. A day of conversation

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    We started the day with a typical breakfast, we left from Kibbutz Gadot and headed to an ecological village called Klil. We had delicious smoothies and learned about composting and how to slow down global warming.

    Afterwards, we went to Kibbutz Ga’aton which is known for their amazing dance company. We watched part of the dance rehearsal and spoke to two of the dancers. Asked lots of questions and learned a lot about the culture of dance especially in this kibbutz.

    After a lovely pizur lunch at a mall, we went to the Alma Center and talked with Ibrahim who works there. We discussed all about the Israel and Palestine conflict. Asked good questions and had a good discussion with him and learned about what the Alma center does. We then returned to the kibbutz for a lovely dinner and night of soccer!

  5. A day of teamwork

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    We started the day off with our usual early breakfast in the kibbutz. Then we headed on the bus to go to a puzzle room in Tzfat. There, we had to prove that a man named Jonathan had rightful ownership of his apartment. We were successful and completed all 10 clues of the puzzle. 

    Our next activity was at Kibbutz Sasa to visit their ice cream factory. Their ice cream was thick and very delicious. We all got to choose two scoops from a variety of flavours. Next, at the same kibbutz, we had an improv workshop. Our group had a fun time dancing and acting to our heart’s content.

    Finally, as our last activity of the day, we had an evening boat ride at the Sea of Galilee accompanied by music. With our own personal dj Isaac. Not only was the view stunning, but we had a fun time dancing to familiar tunes on the boat before returning to shore. We ended our evening with dinner at the kibbutz which was delicious as usual.

  6. Rafting day

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    We started our day with breakfast at the kibbutz and then got on the bus. We went to the overlook of the Sea of Galilee and took some photos. We did a fun activity to express the main water sources in Israel. Then we went to the overlook of Mount Betal and learned about the Syrian/Israeli relations. We then ate lunch, which was a choice between a burger place and an Asian place. We all loved it and we’re so full afterwards.

    Which was just great since we then went to the river and went rafting. We had 4 boats or 5 people and it was a lot of fun. There was some intense racing going on but it was all playful and a great workouts A couple people fell out of their rafts, but it was so much fun to splash around in the river.

    We ended our day with dinner at the kibbutz and an Israel version of Shabbat Unplugged a day late. We had a handful of acts and everyone really supported each other and it was a great end to an amazing day. It’s sad to think the trip is slowly coming to an end but we’ve all made amazing memories that will last a life time. And we will never forget all the cute cats we’ve seen especially one we named Shadow at the Kibbutz.

  7. A relaxing day

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    We started our Shabbat off with an optional breakfast and a mandatory morning service. Thanks to Gabe Segar he recorded himself singing and playing the guitar to all the tunes. We all loved getting to sing and stumble through our favorite camp tunes. Our 2 friends Gili and Phoenix  even taught us two new songs.

    We then enjoyed a nice lunch at the kibbutz. Afterwards we had loads of free time until dinner where we swam in the pool, played some frisbee, enjoyed then petting zoo worked on art projects and of course ate some ice cream.

    After dinner, we participated in a drumming workshop with our new friend Guy. We learned about percussion instruments from all over the globe. After this workshop, most of us headed off to finish the night by watching Dirty Dancing. It’s crazy to think this was our last Shabbat but we’re looking forward for the last week to come and soak in all the fun.

  8. Our final Friday night

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    This morning, we all got up extremely early to get ready for an archeological dig! It took up most of our morning and we found some awesome things, including coins and the handle of a pot. We wrapped our morning/early noon with a schnitzel sandwich  picnic  lunch.

    After lunch, we returned to the kibbutz for a relaxing second half of the day! We swam, played frisbee and got ready for our last Shabbat in Israel! We had a lovely camp style Kabbalat Shabbat on the lawn in front of our rooms! We said Kiddush and Motzi before we ate a delicious dinner. We then did a camp style Birkhat Hamazon, followed by some Rikud and Shira and a calm Shabbas night! Up until some of us decided to play an intense 4v4 soccer game. We’re looking forward to a relaxing Shabbat day tomorrow and a great last week ahead.

  9. The views

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    We left Haifa early this morning to head to the ancient Crusader city of Akko where we saw both crusader and Ottoman architecture. We walked through the crusader fortress, crawled through tunnels, and climbed to the top of the city walls. We then had lunch and shopping time in the market before we left the old city.

    We then stopped in the new city to talk to an Arab man named Mohamed Fahili about his experience in Akko and how he had opened a Jewish-Arab community center. We all had lots of questions and it was an impactful experience.

    Back on the bus to head to Rosh Hanikra, where we took the cable cars down, saw the beautiful Grottos, learned about the geological formation and got to see the boarder of Lebanon. We went back on the bus for our 1 hr ride to Kibbutz Gadot where we will be spending our last Shabbat and mostly the remainder of our trip. The final stop Jerusalem where it all began just for 1 night.

  10. Good food day

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    This morning, we took a trip to Beit Gefen, an organization in Haifa that explores Arab-Jewish relations in Israel. We talked about their art installments and then went on a food tasting tour. We were so stuffed by the end we barely had room for dessert! (Barely…)

    We then went to a scenic lookout over the top of Haifa before heading to our hike. We took pictures and really just took in the view of the beautiful city. At our hike, we got to walk over a swinging bridge which was as amazing as it was terrifying!

    We then headed to dinner at a Druze village called Isfia where we learned as much as we could about the secret religion before eating the most amazing food. We arrived back to the hotel and played some evening basketball. It was funny we were playing in the dark with a small light and then another group came and flipped a switch and all the lights came on, we all laughed and kept playing. Then to the rooms where we headed to bed after our long day.