Last day!

Last day!! Today was a great last day, it started out with some classes, along with a bit free time and a nice meaty dinner at the end. During Free time Jenni and I got fish and chips and we didn't finish it, so some lady that was hungry took it. I was glad that someone finished the food, I hate wasting food. Tonight's dinner was incredible, so much food with a slideshow at the end. This has been an amazing experience, I've learned a lot, seen a lot, and thought a lot. I could not have asked for a better group to go on this trip with. We all bonded well and we were provided a great staff. Now comes a great summer, full of adventures and memories. Bring it on summer 2013!

June 3rd

Today the boys and girls split up. Girls went to a seminary and the boys went to yeshiva. It was a nice change to learn from only women. Afterwards we went Ner L'elef where we heard a women speak about her past and the anti semitism she faced and what it means to have a soul. She made me more of Zionist with the story she told and the videos we watched when we were with her. Following that we went to Shalva a place for kids that have special needs. It was beautiful and they have done a great job with the kids. Not much happened after, a bit more shopping got some food and that's it. I can definitely say that I'm exhausted! Good night friends. 

Busy day

Today was a packed day! It started out with a couple classes at Aish, one about why bad things happen to good people.. Which we don't know why, there is no direct answer. The next class was on spirituality taught by a surfer hassidic dude. After the classes we headed to chevron where we toured and visited Sarah, Abraham, and other biblical figures tombs. From there we went to the Koby Mandel Foundation. The foundation is organized for kids and families that have lost a family member in terrorist attacks and other incidents. The parents of Koby Mandel created the group after he died. We got to hear the story of Koby by his dad. It was really sad. Finally we got back and I went out with a few girls from the trip to get delicious sushi from a place here called Japanika. I've wanted sushi for a while so I was pretty excited to finally get some. Time for bed, lilah tov chaverim! 

Last Shabbos!

Shabbos! Oh wow Shabbos was amazing! It began last night at Aish Hatorah with a Hasidic surfer dude singing and creating a Shabbos atmosphere! Following that we went to the western wall where we sang with different groups and in the circle I saw a long lost friend Caty from Young Judaea! I was super happy when I saw her, I hope I could see here in the near future! Then we had our Shabbos dinner in the Aish building and everyone gave a toast, it was cute. Today we got up and went to a host family for lunch, it was great, I really liked the family we went to. Slept for quite a while and then went to third meal, followed by havdalah. Afterwards my roommate and I went cruising around Ben Yehudah. We bumped into another friend of mine from home, Fallon. I found out that she made Aliyah, it's crazy! She told me that she is coming back to BG in August and I hope she isn't lying, I miss her and we need to catch up! Now I'm back and heading to bed. Shavua tov lovely people! 

Preparing for Shabbos!

Here comes the last Shabbos of Israel 2.0, and what is better than celebrating Shabbos in Jerusalem? To me nothing. I am so thankful I got to come on this program and learn about Judaism and Israel. We are so lucky that we have Shabbos is a break from work and everything related to it, it is a time to focus on ourselves and who we are. It's time to spend with family and enjoy what you have and enjoy the life you have been given. This Shabbos I will be reflecting, eating, and thanking. I'll reflect on my life and where I'm at and where I'm going, I'll be eating yummy food that has been provided by amazing people. I'll be thanking everyone, especially gd for what I have received and for being there for me. I can't wait to turn off my electronics and focusing on what is happening in the moment. And so may all have a peaceful and restful Shabbos, I know I will!

Fun adventurous day

Today was amazing! We woke up, had a nice Bedouin breakfast and then we went camel riding! I was with my friend Samantha and we named our camel Timothy/ Timmy. It was super fun! Afterwards we went to the Dead Sea, most of the girls on the trip followed the madrichot and went to the women's section of the Dead Sea and we put on the mud and went into the water. It was a cool experience. Next we went ATVing! It was a bit scary! Thankfully I was with two girls that were confident in driving that vehicle. I didn't want to drive so I let one of them who really wanted to do it. Then we returned back to Jerusalem, learned a little bit about advocating for Israel, and then we finally checked in and went to our rooms. Unfortunately me and my roommate had door issues and we 

May 28, 29

May 28th and 29th. Yesterday  was mainly learning. There were different classes on discovery the one that stood out for me was the seven wonders of Judaism. At night I went out to dinner with my cousin Liott and her family. We went to a delicious restaurant. I met her baby Sofia for the first time and I got to see Eliyah who is now 3 1/2. It was absolutely great seeing them!

Today we started out with a couple classes and then headed to Sderot. Rockets have been firing there since the early 2000s but not nearly as much as they use to. The last rocket shot there was over 2 weeks ago. It was an eye opening experience. Now we are in Bedouin tents and staying the night with Bedouins, dinner was so delicious! 

Monday, May 27

May 27th, Today we went to the old city and took a few classes at the Aish Hatorah building. I enjoyed learning about the five levels of pleasure which are: physical, love, being good, creative power, and the transcendental. Next we went to the western wall, and I cried remembering the time I came after my Zaidie passed away and so it made me cry. It was definitely an emotional moment for me. Later on we toured the Aish building, it is gorgeous. Before our last lecture I ran into my brother Louis, it was really exciting. Lastly we went through a western wall tunnel tour, which I experienced before on year course. Tonight I went around Ben Yehuda with a friend and shopped/ ate a bit. That's all for this Monday.

Sunday, May 26th

May 26th Sunday, today was great we left Tiberius and went hiking in the Golan Heights it was very strenuous, but felt good. I told a few people that I have been on a three week hike and so one girl wanted to follow me because it sounded like I knew what I was doing but I am definitely not a pro at hiking I just love it, I want to hike in America if I get a chance. Afterwards we went to the golan heights winery, we saw how it was manufactured and we also got to taste it. i'm not usually a fan of wine, but it was delicious! Following the wine factory was a dormant volcano that was a battlefield site at one point. After that we went to  Our tour guides moshava. First stop was a little store where we got some snacks and the cashier and I talked and I found out he knew my friend from home Dana Vaisler his name I believe was ofir emuna. It was such a coincidence! Second/ last stop was his house. He told us about what it's like to live in nov (his moshava in the Golan) followed by him bringing out his pet snake. He related snakes to people and he had some of us play with it. The rabbi feared the snake and was brave enough to have the snake around his neck it was really funny, the snake did crazy things like put his tail in an ear. Lastly we picked mulberries from his tree in his backyard. They were delicious! We finished up and headed to Jerusalem now we are here and we will be most of the rest of the trip. Tonight we went for dinner, a few of us went to burgers bar and the rest went to Japanika. I went to burgers bar and got a delicious burger then came

back to the hotel, and now it is time for sleep. Good night out there!

Shabbos :)

Shabbos was interesting. It started off with services outside lead by Canadians who decided to have it dumbed down. The rabbis let us leave and we went to dinner, with our own services right after. During our services a staff of the hotel came and tried to kick us out but rabbi Daniel gave him a hand gesture that Israelis make when they want the person to wait. It was awesome! Saturday was a relaxing day mainly eating and sleeping, a regular Shabbos. We had an awesome havdalah with everyone standing in the circle and singing. Shabbos ended and we all went out to the boardwalk in Tiberius. There was dancing, drinking ( I barely drank), good conversations, and it was all around a good time, I even bumped into my neighbor from back home, who was on birthright.

Trip to Tzfat

Today was amazing! I went to Tzfat for the first time! It was absolutely gorgeous! We listen to hippie      Kabbalist and was very into Judaism and art. All of his artwork has deep Jewish meaning behind it and so I found something to buy from him and thankfully he gave out descriptions of his art to those who bought it. I am definitely going to read about the art before putting it up on the wall. Next we toured and learned a bit about Tzfat, followed by some shopping! I am so happy and lucky to be back in Israel and experiencing all of this again and also some for the first time. Shabbos is soon to begin and I cannot wait! Shabbat Shalom!

3rd day

Today started off up north where we visited the grave sites of Rabbi Akiva and the Ramchal. The rabbis on the trip gave short stories about both and what they stood for. Later on we were at a the kibbutz Misgav Am where we listened to extremist talk about Lebanon and Israel. He is a cotton farmer on the kibbutz and he made Aliyah in his early 20s. This was followed by a river rafting trip on the Jordan river. It was so much fun, I am finally conquering my fear of the water. Now doing anything extreme like canoeing and kayaking does not scare me as much. It was a great experience. Tomorrow is Shabbos and I am really excited! I miss celebrating Shabbat!

Crazy, weird day.....

Today started off really well. The day began in Holon, where we visited the deaf museum, we got to experience what it is like to be deaf, and how to talk with our whole body. It was a great experience and the leaders of the groups are actually deaf and very enthuastic about what they do. After that we headed to save a child's heart and we learned about this group that brings children in from different countries to help them receive specific care and to give these children in need heart procedures if possible. It was really interesting. Later on we traveled to the old city of Yafo and learned a bit of its history, followed by a little free time. Next we headed on over to Microsoft headquarters, we learned about what was created in Israel and what Microsoft has going on in the works. This all leads to tonight, which didn't go so great, but everything has its ups and downs. We all went to Tel Aviv and chilled and I just had an upset stomach, but I survived and came back to the hotel with a friend. Hopefully my stomach will be fine tomorrow and may the day go well. We're kayaking and I am a little worried, we'll see what happens. Good night, from Bat Yam. :)

First day!

I finally figured out how to use my blog from my itouch! Yes I'm back in Israel, but only for two quick weeks. It's 4:48 am here and I am definitely jet lagged! Onto the first day! Well it started in Chicago and then to Washington, D.C. And last stop New York! New York was probably the craziest, the wait for the luggage, finding the AirTran and then finding my group. The first group I accidentally walked up to was birthright and I figured that out pretty quickly. Anyways, the flight was long, but I did get some sleep. We arrived to Israel and our first area we go too is Bat Yam. Bat Yam!! I had no idea what the itinerary was, but to see Bat Yam again was crazy and still is, I'll be here till tomorrow I believe. This is where I started year course! I'm able to pin point places I know from when I lived here, maybe even find my old apartment! Well maybe not, who knows. We are in Bat Yam we have dinner, do some ice breakers and then most of us headed to the beach and we all hung out and chilled. It was a good first day, although I never thought I would be back here in Bat Yam. It brings back good memories. :)