Israel Pilgrimage,
Group #1

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

Sunday, July 23rd:
The energetic and fun USYers from Group 1 reunited after Free Weekend. After lunch, they went to Ein Yael, an active museum, where they made mosaics and pita. In the evening they had a discussion with Jules Gutin, Director of USY, on the topic of being Jewish.

Monday, July 24th:
Group 1 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 had a discussion with Jules Gutin, Director of USY, about Jewish identity.

    

    

Tuesday, July 25th:
Group 1 began their day at Yad Lakashish, a workshop where elderly people work together to make beautiful art pieces. They then went to the Jewish Quarter of the Old City and went shopping in the Cardo. After lunch, they had a brief explanation of Jerusalem, and walked through the cobblestone streets of the Jewish Quarter. This evening they went to the Israel Museum, where they had a formal tour, including an explanation of a model of Jerusalem during the Second Temple Period. Tonight they are watching a movie!

    

    

    

    

Wednesday, July 26th:
After tfillot with the Rabbinical Assembly delegation this morning, two of the USYers spoke infront of the rabbinic delegation about their summers in Israel. Group 1 then went to volunteer for Table to Table, an organization that collects thousands of meals, dairy products and tons of fruits and vegetables and distributes this food to organizations that operate soup kitchens, food pantries, meals on wheels programs, after-school initiatives, programs for seniors and homeless shelters. They then went to Machon Ayalon , a museum exhibiting ammunition since 1948. Tonight they had a chance to buy Naot sandals and Steve's Packs backpacks and wallets at the Fuchsberg center, before having drama games!

    

    

    

    

Thursday, July 27th:
Group 1 had a spirited tfillot this morning with Jules Gutin, the Director of USY. They then prepared for their day tomorrow, in which they are going to run fun stations for kids from the North who are living in tents right now. After lunch and some shopping, they went to the Latrun Museum, where they learned about many of the tanks that have been used in Israel's wars. Tonight they heard about USY's Nativ Leadership Program, for post-high school students. They then had a talent show.

Friday, July 28th:
Group 1 spent their final Friday in Israel in Nitzanim. They had the unique opportunity to go to a tent city that has been set up there for thousands of people who fled the north of the country. There, they set up arts and crafts stations, face painting, and games to play with the kids. After doing such a big mitzvah, they went to the beach to go swimming and just have fun! This afternoon they returned to Jerusalem to prepare for their final Shabbat together. Tonight they davened Kabbalat Shabbat as a group overlooking the Old City, and tomorrow they will have a meaningful and relaxing Shabbat in Yerushalayim.