Kotel | Shorashim - Israel with Israelis

This has was a powerful moment as we have gone our entire lives seeing pictures of the holy city. Now we were finally here.

When Hatikvah flowed triumphantly from the speakers, the emotions were raw and powerful and we rose to our feet as one. Achdout – literally "unity" in Hebrew, but translating to a more powerful sentiment than our word conveys – is a contagion that has infected our whole group. 

Hebrew word of the day: Ad Matai which translates to "until when"

After our final meal at Kibbutz Afiq, we boarded the bus and headed to the holy city of Tzfat. Tzfat is one of four holy cities in Israel alongside Hebron, Tiberius, and Jerusalem. Tzfat is a beautiful city full of lively art and Jewish mysticism called Kabbalah.

he most meaningful moment of the day was being able to touch and write a note at the Western Wall, and it was touching to see others showing their emotions and allowing themselves to be vulnerable together.

From their we traveled to Jerusalem Beach (still in Tel Aviv, contrary to its moniker), where we spent an hour and a half wading in the gorgeous, crystal-clear Mediterranean. Then we explored the shuk marketplace for lunch, before boarding the bus and heading for the nation's capital.