Day 1: July 7, 2011
Shalom! After over 40 Americans struggled through a 9.5 hour flight, we were overjoyed to have finally arrived in our Promise Land: Israel. We lethargically settled into the quaint Kibbutz situated near the Golan Heights and perked up with "get-to-know-you" games and a scenic hike overseeing the Sea of Galilee. Our knowledgeable, Shorashim guides provided us with historic background of each and every area we paused at; especially at a remarkable cave that served as a brief respite. The hike down in the setting desert sun proved to be almost as difficult as the hike up Arbel. Dinner was traditional and delicious falafel (our first falafel experience of the trip!) from a small restaurant on the way home to the Kibbutz. We concluded our exhausting yet thrilling first full day with one last name-game activity to further get-to- know our fellow Shorashim participants and then went back to our rooms to get a necessary good night's sleep in preparation for Day 2 and overcome our jetlag.

