Today is May 21, 2013 -
The group had a lovely Shabbat together. Today the group left Florence for Pisa. They arrived in the town and saw one of the wonders of the world… the Leaning Tower of Pisa! They visited a Jewish cemetery at the entrance to Pisa. They then drove to Rome. Once they arrived in the city, they took a bus tour around Rome. After dinner at the Yotvata kosher restaurant, the group checked into their hotel.
After an exciting Shabbat spent learning about the Masorti Jewish community in Prague, the group toured the Jewish quarter of Prague. They visited the Maizel & the Pinkas Synagogues, the old cemetery and the Jewish burial society building. They continued to the Old-New (Alteneu) Synagogue, where the story of the Golem was invented. Later they continued on to the Spanish Synagogue. After some free time and lunch in the area, the group walked to the Castle District and enjoyed the gorgeous castles. They then walked down the Mala Strana to the famous Charles Bridge, where there is an exquisite view and artists selling their work. They visited the John Lennon wall, formerly an ordinary historic wall in Prague, but since the 1980s people have filled it with John Lennon-inspired graffiti and pieces of lyrics from Beatles songs. After dinner, the group went back to the hotel for subgroups.
Today, Bus C made their way to Wisconsin. The group spent part of the day at the Mt. Olympus Water and theme park where they splashed around in the pools, rode waterslides and roller coasters and hung out. Later, Bus C picked up a few things for their Superhero themed Shabbat. They then arrived at the camp they will be staying at this weekend, got a quick rest, and cleaned up. Later, they will come together dressed in their finest clothes for their first Shabbat as a group. Bus C had a fantastic week and, although many of them did not know each other before the week began, they are beginning to feel like a family. Shabbat Shalom!
Today Bus D made the trip to Montana. On the way they studied about this week’s torah portion in pairs. In the afternoon, the stopped off for a picnic and played Frisbee. On the continuation of their ride, the group had a sing-along as one of their staff played songs on the guitar. When they arrived, the group stopped at a local supermarket to pick up some things for their Wild Wild West themed Shabbat. The group had a great week and are excited for some rest and relaxation this Shabbat. Shabbat Shalom!
This morning Bus E woke up and davened a very spirited shacharit service. They then began the drive to Syracuse. On the way they stopped at the Yankee Candle factory where they smelled all different kinds of candles, made their own and picked some up as gifts. The group then played a round of mini golf and splashed around in a water maze. Later, they went shopping to pick up a few things for their “Boys versus Girls” themed Shabbat. Bus E had a fantastic week and, although many of them did not know each other before the week began, they are truly beginning to feel like a family. Shabbat Shalom!
Today Mission Mitzvah put their Mitzvah Clown training to use as they visited the Memphis Jewish Home dressed as clowns to help brighten the day of the residents there. At the Jewish Home they made balloon animals and sang and danced with the residents. It was a very meaningful experience for the wheelniks and the residents were overjoyed that students came to spend some time with them. Later, Bus H visited the National Civil Rights Museum and learned about the origins and history of one of the most powerful and important movements in American history. In the afternoon they went shopping for various treats for the weekend. After picking up some things for their Blues themed Shabbat, Bus H will check into their hotel, get a quick rest, clean up and come together dressed in their finest clothes for their first Shabbat together. Shabbat Shalom!
The group visited Platform 17 memorial at Grunewald railway station, the place where the deportations of the Berlin Jews took place and then started their long ride to Prague, where they will spend Shabbat. Their next stop was at Wannsee Conference villa, where senior officials of the Nazi regime, held a meeting on 20 January 1942 and agreed to implement the “final solution.” Later they took a long bus ride to Prague. Once in Prague they headed to the hotel to prepare for Shabbat. Tonight they will have their own minyan for Kabbalat Shabbat at the High Synagogue in the old Jewish town area. Tomorrow they will join the Rabbi Hoffberg from the Masorti (Conservative) community for services at the high Synagogue. The group is thrilled to be spending their first Shabbat together in Prague. Shabbat Shalom!
Copyright © 2013 United Synagogue Youth.
All rights reserved.
USY and Kadima are programs of the
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism