Hey It’s Sara,

Today on TJJ, we headed towards Tzvat at around 8:30am. We started off by learning how to write hebrew letters that we see in the Torah, and watching a video about the mezuzah, torah, and tefillin. We then continued our way to a cave where we sang our hearts out together and heard the echo of everyone’s voice. We went on a tour of Tzfat and visited the old holy shul’s and had Rabbi Lashak give a quick speech about how to live our lives with a purpose! We than had free time to explore Tzfat and the artist colony. Now it’s time too have an amazing shabbos!

Thank you! 

SHABBAT SHALOM! 

-Sara

Tjjbus11

Tjj BUS 11 Here we come.

Today on tjj bus 11 the kids went on a short but amazing hike to mount gilbon. The hike was hot and lead to a natural pool in its valley. during the next part of the day the kids went to a chocolate factory right after having amazing Falafel for lunch. the kids watched an amazing short film about the creation of the de Karina chocolate factory. Right after the kids went to go see how the chocolate was made by the chocolatiers. They then went into the chocolate tasting room where they were given 5 types of chocolates to try. After the kids enjoyed delicious chocolate they got to go into a room where they could make their own chocolate. The kids made wonderful chocolate and right after were given time to shop for chocolates made from the De Karine chocolatiers.

Following the chocolate factory the kids went to a lookout spot over the border of Syria. At the border the kids’ tour guide Daniel gave them a great speech about the conflict, as well as a story about a soldier in the IDF. All and all it was a great day for them and they experienced a different experience from our usual day where they saw a food side of Israeli culture.

This is my tjj blog post
Today’s day plan, according to previous NCSYers that went on TJJ, is the most fun days of the whole trip and I definitely think that I agree with this. We woke up at around 6:45 and headed to breakfast at 7:30. We’re currently staying at Karei Deshe, a hostel in Khirbet Minim. It was refreshing to hear all the birds and seeing the morning sun in the open courtyard so early when we were all still a little tired. After a morning תפילה program, we got on the bus and made our way to our first activity of the day; the Chatzbani water hike. It was difficult to walk through through the intense current and slippery rocks but everone was having fun together and cooling off in the water from the Israeli heat. We had a yummy lunch of shawarma in laffas and went to the Misgav Am lookout where we learned about Israel’s relations with other Middle Eastern countries. The next activity was water rafting on the Jordan River. Everyone had fun splashing around and flowing along with the current. We got soaked but it was 100% worth it. We’re driving now back to Karei Deshe for dinner and evening programs so I’m going to end this here 🙂 Thanks to NCSY for this great trip and a wonderful opportunity to be in my home country!

– Netta

Today the day started off fabulously by touring the De Karina chocolate factory. This consisted of a large tour of their fantastic factory with free samples and chocolate crafting. After the tour and during the long journey across Israel, there were many meaningful conversations about everything we learned in our tefillah chaburas. Easily the highlight of the day was riding camels with the Bedwin tribes. Eiran and Rabbi Yosef lead the teens in an expedition into the wild desert. They taught about life lessons and fascinating information about the stars that we were stargazing. This adventurous day ended by sleeping in the spacious tents along with other TJJ buses.

-Ross Gilman

Day 11, As we awoke in the holy land of Jerusalem we enjoyed the final breakfast together on the Shabbaton. We brought our pre-packed bags down to the reception and waited in anticipation to board the bus ready to reunite with our friends who went on the free weekend. After a much needed catch-up session and many toilet breaks we arrived at Kfar Kedem. We dressed in traditional gowns and head gear and learned the history of the very rocks we were sitting on. We then learned about the traditional cookery and were given the chance to make some bread over a fire. After much excitement and a lot of burnt bread we headed over to the stables. As we walked to the donkey riding demonstration we watched, most of us paying 100% attention, and then were all given the chance to ride around the local area and get to know our donkeys. As we neared the end of a long day of traveling we got on the coach for the final time with a new friend – the pidgin! After parading the pidgin up and down the bus we wrote a note and attached it to its foot. A short drive later we stopped to release the pidgin. The excitement died down and the bus couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel to watch the World Cup final! 

Charlotte morris

What an amazing way to end off the week!! Yesterday we woke up at 4 a.m. to a sunrise hike in Eilat. Although it was an early wake up that nobody wanted, It was the most beautiful experience to have and one view I will never forget. After the hike we went on a boat ride in Eilat where we jumped into the water off the boat and bonded about how salty the water was!! Later, we went banana boating and tubing. As we all tried hanging on as the boat pulled us, we shared many laughs and unforgettable moments together. I’m looking forward to the many more amazing days and memories.

– Liat Cohen

Hi! Today was such an amazing day in the Golan: we started off by driving up to Misgav Am, where we got to see the borders between Israel, Lebanon, and Syria all together. An IDF veteran who lives on the Kibbutz informed us about the rich history of the area and how incredibly unique it is, sprinkling in politically incorrect humor which made us laugh. Then we went on the Hatzbani Hike, which was a bit challenging but its spots with water made it super refreshing. Later we finished off by rafting for an hour on the Jordan River!! We got to finish off the day with a splash and I can’t wait to continue experiencing the Best. Summer. Ever!!!

-Sharona Moradi

Today on tjj we went hiking up a mountain and then we went rappelling down it. It was so much fun!! We then went to a water park as we called aqua kef. It was awesome, to go on all the huge water slides with the group. Our bus really bonded over being together, especially on the boat cruise in the Sea of Galilee. We had a crazy dance party on our boat ride. I’m so excited for the rest of the trip, and all the amazing things in store!!

-Jayden Kupferman