SH-25-86's blog

We're finally back in the United States, jet-lagged and sorely missing our new Israeli "achim v'achot," and the bonds formed between all the participants. I think everyone can say that they walked away from Taglit-Birthright Israel with not only a new family, but new perspectives on Judaism and Israel. From the Golan to Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to the desert, we now know what our guide Michal meant when she said "Welcome home" in the beginning of the trip. Reunions are already being planned!

Today we started off our day waking up in Jeruslem and we had a day in front of us. Our first stop of the day was Har Herzl which is Israel's version of Arlington Semitary in Washington D.C. It was a experience where some of Israli solider friends shared stories and experince of people they knew.
After a morning with lots of sorrow we then went to Ben Yehuda for lunch and shopping. It was a amazing view where I got to barter and walk around a awesome energy in the streeet. The food as usuall was amazing with my shurama.

Shalom!
Today was the eagerly awaited climb to Masada. After sleeping in the Bedouin tent last night, we awoke at 4:45am and then departed for the mountains. The day got off to an unsettling start as we were lucky enough to be present for a rainy morning in the desert. As Michal pointed out, this was indeed special given the infrequency of such weather in this area.

Day Six Re-Cap: An emotional tour through Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum and memorial in Jerusalem; a drive south through the stunning Negev Desert, a visit to Ben Gurion's grave at Sde Boker; a magical night of fun at Kibbutz Mashabei Sade and celebrating soldier Amir's birthday.

Day Seven:
Hey readers,

After a fun night out in Tel Aviv, we began day five. The sleepiness did not deter us, since we finally got to see sunshine for the first time in the trip which made everyone just a little bit happier. Our first stop was Independencee Hall, where the State of Israel was declared in 1948. After a great movie about the background (with an awesome soundtrack) the tour guide sat us down in Independence Hall and gave us a riveting speech about the moments leading up to the Declaration of Independence.

We awoke to rainy weather--what the group learned was "happy" weather for the Israelis who feel the effects of the water shortage problems in Israel--and headed to Tzfat from Kibbutz Afik. The group wandered the cobblestone streets of the city, taking in the architecture and the beautiful stone and blue motif. After seeing a synagogue, we met up with Avraham, an olim who moved to Tzfat to pursue his passions: art and Kabbalah, and combining the two.

After getting to sleep in, we started the morning out with a leisurely coffee and cake in the dining hall of the Kibbutz. Because of Shabbat we had a lighter day than usual, but still many activities. After assembling all our rain gear, we began a tour of the Kibbutz Afik, exploring our own kibbutz, and learning the history of other ones in Israel. The tour ended with some nice weather which supplemented the breathtaking view of the Kinneret and grassland surrounding it.

Day 1 and 2: