Israel Pilgrimage,
Group #1

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

Sunday, July 16th:
Group 1 had a fantastic Shabbat in Poriyah as they spent time with their friends from Group 4. Due to the current situation in the north of Israel, Group 1 returned to Jerusalem last night and will have a different itinerary for the rest of the week. Today they went to the Sataf Spring, right outside Jerusalem, and got their feet wet in this water cave. They spent the afternoon and early evening at a mall in Mevasseret Tzion that boasts one of the Kosher McDonalds! Tonight the group is very excited to go to a movie theater to see Pirates of the Carribean!

Monday, July 17th:
Group 1 left Jerusalem this morning for Yerucham, a development town in the south of Israel. They went on some walking tours of the town before lunch, and then volunteered packing vegetables in the afternoon. This food will go to displaced families from last summer's Disengagement from Gush Katif. Tonight they group watched a movie and went to sleep relatively early in anticipation of a sunrise hike tomorrow morning.

Tuesday, July 18th:
Group 1 spent a fun day in Yerucham! They woke up very early and went on an early morning hike in Nahal Gov. They then had breakfast and had some nap time. In the afternoon they went on a fun safari ride through the desert. Tonight they ate dinner and did an evening activity.

Wednesday, July 19th:
Group 1 began the day splashing around in a swimming pool in Yerucham. They then went to volunteer for the second-hand shop where they painted a wall on the outside of the building. In the afternoon they collected colorful sand from the desert and put it in bottles to decorate their rooms when they get home. Tonight after dinner they are facing off against Group 4 in a game of Family Feud!

    

    

    

    

Thursday, July 20th:
The group was excited to participate in the much-anticipated USY Event of the summer. All eleven 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. During the event, a group of educators from the Boston Jewish community came to visit our kids and were impressed by their enthusiasm and ruach. Following a delicious barbeque, everyone traveled back to Jerusalem and gathered in Hinom Valley, under the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, for the Jewish Agency's Extravaganza! They joined 4000 youth from all over the world including South America, Russia, South Africa, the UK, and of course, the biggest delegation, from the US. They were greeted by the chairman of the Jewish Agency and watched the performance by leading Israeli bands. The USYers danced the night away and enjoyed being altogether for one night of the summer. Click here to download a slideshow of the event!

    

    

    

Friday, July 21st:
Friday morning, many USYers went to their host families for Shabbat. The kids who are spending Shabbat together in Jerusalem, spent the day at a water park. Friday night they davened together and Shabbat morning they will have options to go to different local synagogues. After Shabbat, all the USYers in Jerusalem will have a Disco, a movie, and food at the Fuchsberg Center! We wish you all a Shabbat Shalom.