Israel Pilgrimage,
Group #6

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

Sunday, July 17th:
After a restful Shabbat, Group 6 woke up before the sun this morning, to climb the “snake path” up to the top of Masada. Although tired when they reached the top, the group davened a beautiful Shacharit after sunrise, and then had a tour of the ruins at the top. After hiking down the mountain, they ate breakfast, and then drove to Ein Gedi, where they had a nice walk to a waterfall, and then swam in the Dead Sea. This afternoon they will return to the Agron Youth Hostel for another extraordinary week in Jerusalem.

    

    

Monday, July 18th:
Group 6 spent the day with Danny Siegel learning about tzedakah work in Israel. They went to the home of the Rabbanit Kapach, known for her decades of helping other in Yemen and Jerusalem. Together, the group organized and neatened up the huge warehouse where she keeps all the things she collects to give out to those in need. Such things include wedding dresses, school supplies, and clothing. In the afternoon, they participated in an activity on tzedakah, and tonight they are having fun at a concert on Ben Yehudah Street.

Tuesday, July 19th:
Group 6 spent the day learning about what Pilgrimage calls “New Jerusalem,” which follows the line that divided the city of Jerusalem until 1967. They went to Ammunition Hill, where they walked through the trenches that used to be part of a Jordanian bunker that was the center of battle in 1967. They viewed the entire city from the Tayelet, and then went to Mount Herzl where they visited the graves of the founders of Zionism and most of the prime ministers of Israel. They concluded their visit at the military cemetery. Tonight they are doing a boys and girls night with the staff!

Wednesday, July 20th:
Group 6 began their day early at the Archaeological Dig Seminar where they dug to try and find artifacts from the Second Temple period. They then drove to Kibbutz Beit Guvrin where they ate lunch and swam in the pool. This evening, they met with Jules Gutin, the Director of USY, and discussed Jewish identity.

Thursday, July 21st:
The group was exciting to participate in the much-anticipated USY Event of the summer. All twelve groups met up in Ya’ar Ben Shemen and participated in six stations where they had to show teamwork and dedication, and build upon the strong friendships that they have created. Each group showed their pride by uniting behind banners, t-shirts, cheers, and songs. Following a delicious barbeque, everyone traveled back to Jerusalem and gathered in a beautiful amphitheater overlooking the city of Jerusalem. There, 446 pilgrims, 15 parents, and a few others, were welcomed by Jules Gutin, the Director of USY, David Keren, Director of USY Israel Programs, and Shamai Kainan, a member of the executive board of JNF. There was also a special dedication to Danny Siegel for his 30 years of dedication to teaching USYers about tzedaka. The a capella group from Group 8 sang an opening song, and then Reva L’Sheva came on and gave a great concert to celebrate being in Israel. The USYers danced the night away and enjoyed being altogether for one night of the summer.

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

Friday, July 22nd:
This morning, the group woke up in Jerusalem and departed for free weekend. They were excited to be seeing family and friends, and have a bit of time to relax from a tiring week. Shabbat Shalom!