Weekly Updates

Shalom Chaverim!!!

I have now been in Israel for over a week and am starting to get adjusted to life here in Yerushalayim on USY High. It has been a very busy week full of fun, friends and learning.

Last Wednesday we went on our first tiyul and spent a night in the Negev desert. On the way we stopped at a place called Tel Gezer which is a hill made up of layers upon layers of ancient civilizations with such a rich history. It was so incredible to stand on land that our people stood on so long ago and learn about their life there. We saw a gate that King Saul walked through and it is just so amazing to touch the same ground so many years later.

When we finally arrived at the Bedouin tent we went camel and donkey riding which was a very fun experience. For those of you who don't know when camels stand up they stand up with their back legs first so the way up was a little scary but after that it was a great ride. The Bedouins played music for us, made us coffee, tea and delicious meals. They are known for their hospitality and definitely made our stay there memorable. In fact, it even rained while we were there which is very rare in the desert. The next morning we went on a hike at a place called Machtesh Gadol. A Machtesh is a landform like a crater unique to Israel. It was a long hike but when we arrived at the top it was beautiful and worth the trek.

After our overnight outside of Yerushalayim we headed back home, and yes, it truly felt as though I was going home. Something unique about USY High is that Yerushalayim becomes not only our spiritual home but our physical home as well. Then we had a night on the town as we headed to the mall. Some friends of mine from Kiryat Gat who I met at Camp CHUSY met me there which was a great treat. The mall was very busy and we learned all about the latest styles in Israel.

Finally it was Friday and time to get ready for Shabbat!!! Shabbat was absolutely breathtaking. On Friday night we went to a synagogue called Shira Chadasha which is egalitarian modern orthodox. That means that there is a mechitza but women can lead services. The service was truly one of a kind. There was so much ruach (spirit) and so much kavanah (intent) in the prayers that sent shivers down my spine. We headed back to the chava (the village in which we are staying) for some dinner, songs and a Tu B'Shevat seder. On Shabbos we had a choice of which synagogue to go to and I went to an orthodox one called Shir Chadash. This was too a service full of singing and sprit that I really enjoyed. The rest of the day I took a much needed nap and on Motzei Shabbat (after Shabbat) I went out to dinner with my Rabbi who was visiting from Chicago.

Sunday it was back to school!! Our secular classes officially began as did homework but also a lot of free time to spend with friends and relax. It was nice to begin my routine and get into the swing of living here in Israel.

Today was our tiyul day meaning in the morning we had classes and then went on a trip. We drove to a place outside of Jerusalem called Sataf which was an agricultural nature walk with a deep history dating back to the period of the Judges in the Tanach. We walked through a water tunnel which was narrow and dark and eventually reached an opening. This was used as the water source because water dripped through the mountain and the mountain cleansed it to make it fresh. When we arrived at the back we turned off our flashlights and listened to the sound of the water dripping. It was so natural and beautiful to hear the sound of the water, the very source of life dripping while all else was silent. We ended in the dark singing "Hinei Ma Tov U'Manayim" for it was truly meaningful to be together as a group of friends in such a natural place. On our way out our leader hid on the side of the tunnel and scared us all so we were not to happy but it was pretty funny!

That's it for now but as you can tell we have been doing incredible things and taking in all that Israel has to offer. While our schedule includes academics, it enhances the feeling of actually living here. In addition, when we go to a place we learn so much about its history and meaning to complete the experience.

I would love to talk to anybody about USY High and being in Israel right now so feel free to email me!

B'Ahavat Tzion,

Shoshie Sprague,
2004 USY Israel Affairs Committee