Israel Pilgrimage,
Group #6

*The pictures below are links; clicking on them will take you to a larger version of that picture.

Saturday, July 2nd:
Group 6 had a wonderful first Shabbat together. They were in Madrid, where they davened the Kabbalat Shabbat service together in their hotel, and then went to the only kosher restaurant for dinner. The Shabbat committee of pilgrims beautifully decorated the room. After dinner the group sang Shabbat songs together. On Shabbat morning, the group helped bring spirit back to the Jewish community in Madrid when they went to the Sephardic synagogue and participated in services. After a tasty lunch at the kosher restaurant, the group learned about the Jewish community in Spain from a rabbi who came to visit them. The afternoon was spent singing, davening mincha, studying Pikei Avot in small groups, and with a meaningful seudah shlishit, followed by Havdallah.

Sunday, July 3rd:
Today, Group 6 spent the day in Toledo. They saw two synagogues, the second of which is the last working shul in Toledo. In the afternoon, the entire group had a whole discussion about Jewish identity in Spain and in the United States. They were eager to discuss the different Jewish identities that have existed throughout history in different countries. This afternoon, the group drove back to Madrid and went to the Prado Museum, where they were able to see great masterpieces of art. Tonight, they will stay in Madrid.

Monday, July 4th:
Happy July 4th to all of you! After a night of fun last night with a get-to-know-you activity and some dancing at a jazz club in Madrid, Group 6 had a formal tour of the city today. They visited the Palace and the Reina Sofia Museum where they saw art by Picasso and Dali. In the afternoon they enjoyed some free time in Madrid, where they had a chance to shop for those last minute souvenirs, and get a sense of modern life in Spain. This evening they will do an activity to wrap up their trip to Spain and focus on how this leads into going to Israel tomorrow. The group is bonded, healthy, and having a fabulous time. They are supportive on one another, and helpful to the goals of the entire trip.

Tuesday, July 5th:
The boisterous and excited Group 6 arrived safely in Israel this afternoon! They loaded the bus and drove to Jerusalem, where they first had a welcome ceremony at the neighborhood of Yemin Moshe, which overlooks the Old City walls. They sang Shehechayanu and had challah and wine to enter the city in the same way as Abraham in the Torah. Finally, they settled in at the gorgeous Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Judaism, where they will sleep and anxiously await their first day in Israel.

Wednesday, July 6th:
Group 6 woke up ready to start their trip in Israel! They spent a more relaxed day in orientation to learn about all that they would do for the next five weeks. They then explored the area around the base through walking tours of such neighborhoods as Katamon and Rechavia. Tonight they did a program about some of the political parties and the issues being raised at this time in the country. After dinner, they will do some of activities to get ready for their time in Israel.

    

    

Friday, July 8th:
Group 6 spent the first half of the day in the Jewish Quarter. First, they walked on the walls of the old city from the Jaffa Gate to the Zion Gate. They then went to the Kotel and had some time to put notes in the wall. In the Jewish Quarter itself, they went to see some of the synagogues, and enjoyed being in the city on Friday as people were preparing for Shabbat. Tonight, the group will split up and go to different synagogues in the area for Kabbalat Shabbat. And tomorrow they will daven as a group at the Agron Youth Hostel. Tomorrow night, they will go to a disco with Ramah Seminar!