Israel Pilgrimage,
Group #4

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

Sunday, July 16th:
Group 4 had a fantastic Shabbat in Poriyah as they spent time with their friends from Group 1. Group 4 returned to Jerusalem last night. Due to the current situation, the group's itinerary will be different for the rest of the week. Today, Group 4 went to the Jewish Quarter and visited the Kotel for their first time this summer. They had a chance to pray and put notes in the Wall that so many of them had heard and learned about for many years. From there they went to Neot Kedumim, a biblical park, where they did a leadership seminar. For dinner they went to the Harel Mall outside of Jerusalem, where among other choices, they could eat Kosher McDonalds!

    

    

Monday, July 17th:
Group 4 left Jerusalem today for Yerucham, a development town in the south. They ate lunch and went rappelling off the side of Machtesh Ramon, a crater in Israel's Negev. After each USYer had the chance to rappel, the group had a discussion about this natural phenomenon and why it is unique to Israel. From there they drove to the only alpaca farm in Israel, full of these furry animals that greatly resemble the llama. Afterwards, they drove back to Yerucham where they ate dinner and had a relatively early night in anticipation of a sunrise hike in the morning.

    

    

    

Tuesday, July 18th:
Group 4 had an early morning as they hiked in Nahal Snapir. They then collected colorful sand in bottles to get a better sense of the wonders of the desert. After lunch they went to the Air Force Museum where they learned about and saw many of the airplanes used to defend Israel over the past 58 years. This evening they relaxed in a spa in Yerucham.

    

    

    

    

    

Wednesday, July 19th:
Group 4 woke up this morning and hiked at Nachal Safit and then after breakfast they had a few hours to rest. In the afternoon they planted lettuce for the people who lived in Gush Katif prior to last summer's Disengagement. This evening they hung out in the mall in Beer Sheva to shop and eat dinner. And tonight they will face off Group 1 in 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.