Shalom! . . . and. . . Shalom!

At Ben-Gurion Airport:  Sad to be leaving, but excited to see everyone soon! 

The welcoming committee at KBA: 

Stay tuned for our final reflections . . . 

Coral and Craters

Sunday, May 11 - Blog by Sidra Isenberg  

Today we had the privilege of going snorkeling in the Red Sea, in the wonderful port city of Eilat. We were given life jackets, goggles, and a snorkel mask. We snorkeled through the beautiful reefs, and saw coral and brightly colored fish. It was awesome to see that one of the greatest coral reefs in the world is located in Israel, our country. 

After snorkeling we went to the new Ice Mall, which had an ice skating rink smack in the middle of it. The mall had two floors, with shops all around in a circle. We got to shop around, get lunch, and enjoy the Israeli shops. 




Next we headed north from Eilat to Mitzpe Ramon, where we rode Jeeps around Machtesh Ramon (the Ramon Crater). We rode the Jeeps on the rocky roads through the Machtesh, a unique geological land-form, and we stopped to learn about the history of the Machtesh and the Negev. It was incredible to see the desert, and all of its ancient history piled into 2/3 of Israel. 

Finally we made it to Ashkelon, for our last night in Israel.  We got some "flower chocolates" to wish our moms a Happy Mother's Day!  See you soon... 

Sugary Shabbat

What a wonderful Shabbat on Kibbutz Keturah! 

Daniel celebrated his birthday . . . 

. . . and after Shabbat we went to Yotvata for ice cream!  

Shavua tov! 

Sun in the South

Today we woke up really early to climb Masada. When we arrived at the top, we toured around learning about the Roman Era, when the Jews rebelled against the Romans following the destruction of the second Temple.  A group of zealots held out against the Romans in the old fortress on Masada, though they would end up killing themselves instead of facing an almost certain future defeat. To end the tour we went to the far edge of the mountain and yelled word by word "Am Yisrael Chai", and we could hear the words being echoed back to us far in the distance. This was like the fallen Jewish soldiers calling back to us from heaven. It was really cool to experience.

We climbed Masada! 

From there we went east to En Gedi, and some of us went in the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. (Due to the heavy rains from the winter season, there was flooding and road closures that caused some timing issues, so not all of us could go in, but I was able to). What makes the Dead Sea unique is its minerals and high amounts of salt (the average ocean is 3% salt, the Dead Sea is 33% salt). Because of this, the minerals in the sea give you the ability to float without trying, plus you can find out if you have cuts and where they are, because it will burn there! It was a very unique (and burning) experience. After that we took the long bus ride to Kibbutz Keturah, our next hotel, to welcome the next Shabbat.

- Andrew 

Caves and Camels

The first thing we did today (after Tefillot, where KBA students were the Torah readers), was to visit a unique exhibit at the children's museum in Holon.  There we learned the life of being blind and deaf, through interactive exhibits called "Dialogue in the Dark" and "Invitation to Silence."  They emphasized that blind people can do pretty much everything that we can, and live similar lives.  Getting around in the pitch black--through mock markets, streets, and even ordering actual food at a food counter--was challenging but fun.  

Next we took a drive to an archeological dig that uncovered artifacts from the time of the Maccabees.  We participated in an ongoing excavation, in a cave under a "tel" with many layers, and we found pieces of pottery and animal bones from thousands of years ago.  

Archeological dig at Beit Guvrin

Finally we went to the Negev to see how Bedouins live. There we rode camels and had a Beduin dinner, and relaxed in the tents.  And that was our day!

               

-Jacob 

Mitzvot, Machines and Munitions

After taking the opportunity to do Tefillot on the beach, we began our day's touring with a mitzvah - by picking potatoes that go to underprivileged families. It was all part of an organization called Leket. The organization makes sure that people pick vegetables before they rot so they can be used for those in Israel who are in need. 

The morning continued at the science garden at the Weizmann Institute. There were many interesting machines which were interactive:  one created a mini tornado inside a tube when you twisted a handle fast enough,  another could create different sizes of bubbles, and a third had two connected swings that enabled one person to swing without trying.  

During the afternoon, we went to Machon Ayalon, outside of Tel Aviv, where there once was a bullet factory. It was used during the War of Independence to make ammunition and weapons. They had to do it in secret because the British did not want to be making more bullets and weapons. It was even a secret from the people who lived on the Kibbutz.  They had a washing machine and a bakery on the premises in order to cover the noise of the many loud ammunition machines. 

This evening we had a night out at the mall in Tel Aviv, where some people visited with family, and tomorrow we head south. 
-Daniel 

Silence for Sirens . . . and Silly String for Celebrating

On Monday during Yom HaZikaron we went to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum. We toured Yad VaShem and saw the world's biggest Holocaust archives. At the archives in Yad Vashem, they had 4.5 Million names out of the 6 Million Jews in the Holocaust. After that we went outside and stood in silence for the Yom HaZikaron siren. I thought that the siren was very interesting because the siren goes off in all of Israel. I also found it interesting that everyone in Israel had a relative or friend that died in the IDF. After that we went to the children's memorial, which was in a dark environment. 

Looking out over Yad Vashem

After Yad Vashem, we went to Har Herzl and saw the military cemetery and we also saw the cemetery for the men, women, and children that died in terrorist attacks. When we left Har Herzl we went to an army training session where we separated into groups to go with commanders that were in the Israeli army. The army training was challenging, but it was fun.

When we got back to the hotel we were able to get ready to go to Ben Yehudah street. At Ben Yehudah street, we celebrated Yom HaAtzmaut. Yom HaAtzmaut was crazy on Ben Yehudah street - people were dancing, running around, and spraying each other with either shaving cream or silly string. Andrew and I had fun spraying everyone with silly string. We had a great time at Ben Yehudah street.  Plus Rabbi Michah surprised us as we were finishing the celebration on Ben Yehudah.  It was a fun celebration of Yom Haatzmaut (and Cinco de Mayo!), and after we talked with Rabbi Michah we finally went back to the hotel. 
-Joshua

Moving from Shabbat to Shopping, and from Sadness to Celebration

Back on Shabbat day, we were given the option of 5 different synagogues to attend in Jerusalem: two Orthodox, one Reform, a Conservative, and the Kotel. The one I attended was a Reform one.  I enjoyed it; it seemed to go much more quickly then a typical American service but still manages to get a similar amount of prayers in.

From there we walked to a park to eat lunch and then back to the hotel to chill until around right before dinner, where we went back to the park. There we met Israeli high school/college students to compare our lives with theirs.  Following that was dinner and then shopping on Ben Yehuda Street, a 4 block long walking-only road in downtown Jerusalem which is practically an enormous bar-mitzvah celebration that never ends. This is by far the best area in Jerusalem!

The next day we went to Yad Lekashesh, a place for the elderly where they make artwork while providing them with meals and shelter. I particularly like this place because it is different from these types of places in America for the reason that they focus on creating artwork to raise money to support their guests. Then we went under Jerusalem into an underground water tunnel that we could walk through. The water tunnel was built for military use under King David's rule. From there we had dinner and once the sun set, it was Yom Hazikaron, the day of mourning for the soldiers who have fallen in combat or terror attacks. We went to a ceremony in a Jerusalem neighborhood which had a choir singing sad songs and we heard the country-wide siren which signals a moment of silence for the soldiers. This definitely proves the powerful feeling that is created in Israel to commemorate their heroes. This ends the emotional day, but the tables will completely turn soon, as we get ready for Yom Haatzmaut. Very soon...

- Andrew

Yom Hazikaron - A Moving Memorial

By Ari Kantor

Well, what can I say.  
There is so much I can say about the experience up till now. For example, I can certainly write about how I made a lot of friends;  I can write about the exciting hike; I can even write about the spiritual experience on Friday night in the heart of Jerusalem.

But at this time, I'm not going to write about any of those things. Less than an hour ago, we had watched a short film about Michael Levin. He was a lone soldier from the Philadelphia area who joined Tzahal because of his passion for the land of Israel, and sadly was killed in combat.  

Like any of my classmates, I had originally thought that it would just be a history video after which we could chill in our rooms. But by the end of the movie, I realized that there had already been passionate feelings inside of me and everyone else. Now, they had just been woken up. I really wish I can explain the feeling, but I can't. I can't call it depression because I am not exactly sad. I can't say I'm happy because I can't quite smile.  I know I can say I feel obligated to write this down because right now, this story is all that matters.  The powerful story in the video is causing one line to repeat in my head: "Even in his death, Michael Levin had shined a light in the hearts of many."  Watching the film about his heroism was an inspiring way to enter Yom Hazikaron.  In addition, we had the opportunity to attend a tekes (ceremony) and I was honored to be the KBA representative along with students from the different youth movements who placed a wreath as part of the ceremony.  

Mishnah and Mosaics

Today we traveled to Tzippori, where were prayed and heard the story of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi. Tzippori is the place where Rabbi Yehuda compiled the Mishnah in the 2nd century.  We also got to see a 5th century Roman amphitheater and synagogue.  On one of the synagogue's mosaic floors, the Zodiac signs were on the floor. We learned about why they were there, and why they would be in a synagogue. We learned about how a Jew from then and now could participate in the culture of the country, while being Jewish at the  same time.

Then we traveled to Isufia, an 80% Druze community, to have lunch and learn about the Druze. The lunch was delicious, and learning about the Druze was extremely interesting.  

We are thrilled to be on our way to Yerushalayim for our first Shabbat and shop in Machaneh Yehudah (the shuk)!
-By Sidra Isenberg

What a week with our friends from JBHA and Silver!

Pre-Shabbat 

Hard Hikes and Falafel with Friends

Thursday, May 1st

By Sidra Isenberg

First thing in the morning, we drove to the Golan Heights, which overlooked both Israel and Syria. We learned about the importance of the Golan to Israel and the Six Day War.  It was incredible to see how close the countries were, and how easy it would be for Syria to bomb or attack Israel if they were at war.  

Old army outposts on Mt. Bental in Golan 

Next, we went to De Karina, the chocolate factory at Kibbutz Ein Zivan. We watched a video of how the factory got started, saw the inside of the factory, and had our own chocolate seminar, where we made little truffles and a chocolate bar.  Then we got to shop in the De Karina boutique, where they had everything from little chocolate "Mount Hermons" to milkshakes. After the chocolate factory, we traveled to Katzrin, where we had a choice of where to go for lunch. Some people got their first falafel in Israel, and others got some Israeli fast food from a restaurant. 

Falafel time!

After lunch, we went on our afternoon hike at Nahal Gilaboun, where we hiked through rivers, mountains, and rocks. The three hour hike was incredibly hard, but it was worth it when we got to see the beautiful waterfalls and mountains. We got to swim in the freezing cold river, and then we drove to dinner at Havat Gilaboun restaurant with a few soldiers. We gave them our assorted Philadelphia gifts, and got to talk to them about life in the Israeli army.   

Hiking in the Galil

News from the North

Yesterday we landed in Israel.  After leaving the airport we took a short ride to eat breakfast at a local park. We went to a goat farm near the Golan Heights in the north of Israel. There we could see three different borders of countries; Israel, Lebanon, Syria. We made salad and focaccia, and learned how to make cheese. We ate all of this delicious food for lunch. After we went to Kibbutz Nir David to swim in a natural pool, playing challenge activities and keeping cool in the hot weather. After that we finally went back to the hotel to end the day.

Today we went to the "mystical" city of Tzfat. We met with an artist that paints pictures inspired by the Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism). We toured around Tzfat and looked at the famous art there.  

Next we journeyed to Kibbutz Misgav Am (one of two most northern communities in Israel and one of the highest) where we saw borders of Syria and Lebanon. In my opinion the most interesting part of the day was being able to see the borders of the different countries.  At the Kibbutz we were 20 feet from the border of Lebanon.  And lastly - we went rafting in the Jordan River!

-Jacob Singer 

Nesi'ah Tovah!

At the end of the day on Friday, the whole school gathered to give a special send-off to Kitah Het.  (The students depart early on Monday morning.) Kitah Zayin students shared personalized letters that they wrote; Kitah Alef received kudos for the cards with tzedakah that they had given the 8th graders to bring to Israel; and each 8th grader received their own travel-size Siddur Sim Shalom.  

 

Shalom from Kitah Dalet 

L'hitraot - We will miss you!   

Stay tuned for the students' blog posts below over the coming weeks. . . 

Kitah Alef in the Israel spirit 

7th Graders say farewell to Kitah Het 

Student Reflections and Trip Summaries

During the trip, students will share reflections on their experiences in written journal entries, which will be posted here on a daily basis.  Check back for regular updates!