Dear NCSY SUMMER TJJ BUS 11 Parents,

Monday was one of the most powerful days we have had this far on TJJ. The day was filled with opportunities to connect to our history, tragedy and provide a most meaningful context for the 9th of Av, the saddest day in the Jewish Calendar year.

We began the day at Mount Herzl cemetery. Learning about the builders and visionaries of the state like Theodore Herzl, Golda Meir and Yitzchak Rabin was truly informative to the TJJers of how each one uniquely added to the state that we have today.

We then moved to a section dedicated to those who came from the Holocaust as long survivors of the war who put their lives on the line and died in 1948 fighting for a Jewish State.  Their dedication and unwavering drive to do whatever it would take for the sake of the entire Jewish nation even after losing everything in the Holocaust was truly inspiring.  

The next two stops were brought you a much more personal level as we visited the memorial for the terror victims and went to the grave of Yehoshua Friedberg hy”d who was an alumnus of Herzaliya high School in Montreal. At the terror victims memorial, our tour guide told a story of personal loss as she lost a friend a year and a half ago, and then asked all the teens to walk by the plaques of names and choose one to keep in mind for the next bit. At Yehoshua’s grave we had one of his best friends and partners from the army, Ari Fuld, speak and address the teens. His message there and which was continued by our medic as he told stories of his own friends that were buried on the mountain top was that we may grieve the loss but recognize what these beautiful people provided for us in the land and freedom that we have.  Be proud of who we are and what we the Jewish people and Israel represent wherever we go!

After lunch, we then visited Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. Framing the visit to focus on the individuals and their stories rather than the collective had a tremendous impact on how the teens appreciated and understood the messages of Yad Vashem.

After each visit the students had the opportunity to reflect in writing what they felt, what they were taking with them from these places and what message can they transmit outwardly to friends and family. 

Such an intense day culminated with the customs and programming for the 9th of Av that began in the evening. In our last meal of bread and eggs, I discussed the mood and format of the day as well as the customs.  We continued with a powerful program including stories, inspiration as well as a reading of the book of Lamentations so the teens could appreciate better the messages of this very difficult but important day. 

Tisha Bav programming will continue through Tuesday evening. 

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