July 31 - August 15
Thursday July 31 - was our offical rest day. But even on our rest days we have a ton of fun. Late inthe day we went go-karting on an amazing track. The boys had an amazing time. Congratulation to Edmond Tawil for having the fastest lap. And to Ralph Sutton and Ralph Franco for winning second and third places.
Friday August 1 - the boys has a day of sports and leagues.
Shabbat August 2 - A big Hazak U'Baruch to Ruby CHehebar and Ray Adjmi for their insoiring Divrei Torah at the Shabbat table.
Sunday August 3 - found us on our way to Eilat. On the way we stoped at Nachal Tamar. We enjoyed climbing down this wadi. We had to use ropes and ladders to get down.
Monday August 4 - We enjoyed hiking the RED CANYON in the morning. After a short rest we spent the evening and night at King City and indoor attraction. We had a great time.
Tuesday August 5 - we saw a sight that insipired us all. First we saw all the different colors in the mountains due to the different metals there. We also saw Amudei Amram was a awsome sight. The boys enjoyed finding blue and green stones to make jewelry with. We then went to a flimingo observation point and enjoyed watching this gracefull bird. The day was not over yet, After lunch we took a cruise on the Red Sea on the famouse Zorba. An old majestic boat. We had a great time jumping off the boat and swimming in the water. The day was not over. After washing up and dinner we spent two hours on the Tayelet in Eilat. Can a day be fuller than this.
Wednesday August 6 - We had a very early wake and were on the beach by 8:30. The guys had a great time tubing, banana boating, paddle boating, kayaking, snorkaling and some even went jet skiing. All on the Red Sea with the Red Mountains surrounding. On our way back to Jerusalem we stopped at the Dead Sea. We had a great time shmearing mud all over letting it dry and then rinsing it off in the sea. they were amazed at their floating ability.
Thursday August 7 - First we went to a luner park called SUPERLAND in Rishon Letzion. We enjoyed a whole bunch of rides. After we traveled to Holon were we had bar far the best experiance of the summer. We visited the BLIND MESUME. We entered a world of total darkness. We experienced a buying in the shuk, crossing a street, taking a boat ride, being in a kitchen, a music room all in total darkness. We even purchesed food from the cafeteria in total darkness and had a talk with our guids who were themselves blind. Wow what an experience.Congrats to Isaac Ashkenazi for winning Musical Chairs.
Friday August 8 - To start getting in the mood of Tisha Bav and the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash we visited Yad Veshem Holocaust Museum. We saw a modern day destruction and were able to feel and see the great destruction that was in Europe and applied that to the destruction of our holy temple. We then went to Har Hamenuchot in Jerusalem to visit the grave of our Chief Rabbi Hacham Baruch Ben Haim z"tl.
Sunday August 10 - Tisha Bav. After a late start and a long Tefilah we set up for the boys two Movies on the Holocaust. They were able to choose between resting or watching the movies. After the fast and an excellent dinner we sat down to a fun movie to get us back into the spirit of camp.
Monday August 11 - The day started off with us volunteering for chessed at the biggest soup kitchen in Israel. We Helped move Packages and worked in the kitchen. the boys then ate lunch and had their last run at Malcha Mall. After the Mall we prayed Mincha at the Kotel. After dinner at our base the boys packed for our overnight at the Bedouin.
Tuesday August 12 - We started our day early so the boys could spend their last time at their most favorite place Geoula. We then boarded the buses and headed to Bar Kochva Caves. With flashlights in hand we crawled through the tight underground caves that Bar Kochva and his men hid in. It was a real experience. After a two hour bus drive we pulled up to the bedouin tent. We rode camels drank some tea and coffee and learnt about the bedouins, bedouin style. After an authentic bedouin dinner we made a campfire were we sang songs and told personal stories about ourselves or our families that showed courage or inspiration. It was a moving experience for all.
Wednesday August 13 - We woke up at 4 in the morning and enjoyed tea and cookies. After a short bus drive to the foot of Masada we trekked up to the top in the dark so we could pray Shacharit with the sunrise. At exactly 6:10 we went to the edge and saw the sun come above the horizon. It was an amazing site. The boys took pictures and this awesome site. After a short tour of Masada and a long trek down the snake path we ate breakfast and the guest house at the foot of Masada. We then went to Ein Gedi and hiked Nachal Arugot the longer of the two rivers that flow through Ein Gedi. The boys loved sliding down the natural water slide and jumping of the rock into a deep pool of water. The dead sea was our next stop. The boys again enjoyed relaxing by the dead sea while Avi set up a delicious BBQ for lunch. We then headed back to our base in Jerusalem for a good shower and rest. That night we packed.
Thursday August 14 - Our last day. We started off with Teffilah with a perfect attendance all on time. We then cleaned the dorm and finished packing our last minute things. We boarded the bus and headed for the last time to Ben Yehuda street for last minute souviners. We arranged to eat lunch and the Famous Cafe Rimon at Ben Yehuda Street. The food was sooooo good and just did not stop coming. After we ate our fill each and every boy got up to speak about his summer and experiences. It was heart warming to hear how the boys felt about the summer. Some boys could not finish speaking since they were all choked up with emotions. The boys all agreed that if their parents agree they would want to extend the trip one more week. After lunch we walked for the last time to Machane Yehuda where the boys were able to buy candy and other food products for their family and friends at home. We then went to the Kotel for the last time to pray Mincha and Arbit. That last tefilla at the kotel is something that will not be forgotten. We then headed back to the base were we loaded the buses with our luggage and headed to the airport for an uneventful flight home.
Friday August 15 - We arrived at Hathaway Shul SAFE and SOUND.
