Today was a day of connecting. Whether it was connecting with yourself in a yoga session or finally feeling connected to Judaism by taking that next step as a Bar Mitzvah. And why not? We spent the first few days getting to know each other: Shorashim, building the roots that are connected to the growing tree that is this new Shorashim family. This trip can only get better and deeper in the land that connects all of us to our Jewish roots.

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

Let me tell you, that mix did not disappoint. Delicious! 

After lunch, we had a fascinating activity and discussion about Jewish values.

We spent our morning hiking in the Golan Heights, swimming in a freshwater spring, and taking in the beautiful views of the vast desert.

Suddenly a wonderful feeling came over my heart and a smile across my face when I remembered I was in Israel.

This is a once in a lifetime experience and I wouldn't want to have it with anyone else but you, bus 460. It's been five days and you already mean the world to me.

The conversations were intriguing and it was eye opening to hear other participants' perspectives.

Bar took us to an amazing rooftop with a view of the old city and the Western Wall.

For some of us, this was our first Shabbat experience.