Day 28 - Coming Home

Our flight leaves today at 12:30 pm for Toronto. See you all soon!

Day 27 - Latrun, Ammunition Hill, Southern Wall Excavation, Closing Banquet

Today we visited the Army museum in Laturn. After, we went to Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem and learned about the struggle and battle for Jerusalem. After, we visited the incredible excavations at the Southern Wall of the Temple. Later that evening, we had our final closing ceremonies at the Simcha Hall in the Aish HaTorah complex, which overlooks the Western Wall. After, we visited the Western Wall for one last time this month, and promised to be back soon!

Day 26 - Final Class, YOM NCSY

We finished our English course today! Mazal Tov! Later in the evening, we went to YOM NCSY, where all NCSY summer programs converged for great food, a rocking concert, and a night of inspiration!

Day 25- Shabbat in the Old City, Mamilla, and the Rova

Singing at Havdalla

Working on English homework

We had an amazing and inspirational final Shabbat in the Old City of Jerusalem. We stayed at the Sephardic Center, which is about a 4 minute walk from the Kotel! Over Shabbat, we enjoyed hearing from and learning with Rabbi Black. For Seuda Shlishet, we ate in the home of Rabbi Eli Deustch in the Old City. For Havdalah, we went up to the rooftops and had enjoyed the Havdallah service led by Rabbi Black, with much singing and dancing. After Shabbat, we went to the outdoor mall directly outside the Old City walls, Mamilla. Some of us went to the shops located in the Old City square, the Rova. It was a great way to spend our final Shabbat in Jerusalem!

Day 24 -Masada, Dead Sea, Ein Gedi, Jerusalem

Sunrise on Masada

Davening Shacharit at Masada

Splashing around at Ein Gedi

Before Shabbat in the Old City

Lighting Shabbat Candles

We got up early to make it to Masada in time for sunrise. The view was fantastic, and the weather isn't to bad that early in the morning. We learned about the history behind Masada and rode the cable cars down. We had breakfast there, and departed to the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea never ceases to amaze; we floated around and had a great time. After, we went to Ein Gedi. We took the short hike to the water pools and enjoyed the refreshing cool water. We then drove back to Jerusalem for the final Shabbat!

Day 23 - Class, Kibbutz Lotan, Kfar Hanokdim Bedouin Tents

Moshe and a Lotan kibbutz member

Camel loading can be scary!

Gilad enjoying the camel

Josh, Zack, Richard, Sam, and Victoria enjoying a Bedouin style meal

Taylor, Deborah, Marc, and Netanya at the tents

After class, we departed Eilat. We visted Kibbutz Lotan, an eco-friendly kibbutz. It was interesting to see how the kibbutz strives to live as harmoniously as possible with the environment. In the evening, we arrived at Kfar Hanokdim for our Bedouin tent experience. The camel rides were alot of fun! After, we were ate our dinner Bedouin style, in our tent and on the floor. We then learned about Bedouin culture and music from a Bedouin presenter. We were served sweet tea and bitter coffee as part of the cultural experience. We had a great time!

Day 22 - Red Canyon, Water Sports, and Class

Moshe demonstrates the proper way to wear snorkeling gear

Zack demonstrates the proper way to feed Shua

On top of a rock in the Red Canyon

Today we went on the unique and beautiful Red Canyon hike. The weather was great and the view was fantastic! After, we spent some more time on the beach- they boys went snorkeling and the girls went banana boating. After, we had class until dinner. We spent some time at night doing homework and some of us returned to the boardwalk again. It was a great day!

Day 21 - Kassui sand dunes, Eilat, water sports

Walking up to the dunes

Rolling down the dunes!

Night out at the water front and mall in Eilat

In the morning, we awoke in the crater quite early, as we had slept out under the stars the night before; as soon as it was light outside, we were up! We had breakfast and immediately traveled to the Kassui sand dunes. The dunes are interesting- the sand is super fine, almost dust like. We had a great time running and rolling down the dunes; we got really dusty doing so! We stopped off at the ice cream factory in Yutvata for their world famous and fantastically tasty ice cream. After, we traveled to Eilat and went right to the water - it was so clear and refreshing! The boys went banana boating and the girls went snorkeling! We returned to the hotel for dinner, and after we spent a couple of hours at the mall and boardwalk in Eilat.

Day 20 - Class and BaMidbar Desert Experience

Class in Mizpeh Ramon

the sun setting in the crater

Preparing dinner

football in the crater

Today we had class at the Club Ramon hotel in Mizpeh Ramon. After the full day, we spent the night in the Ramon Crater. We played some games, prepared our own dinner, and sat down to a hearty meal. At the night, the temperature was great! We barely needed our sweatshirts, and everyone slept out in sleeping bags under the stars. Many of us saw shooting stars! It was a full moon; so the area, despite being remote, was well lit. It was really fun!

Day 19 - Rappelling, Ramon Crater, Class

The Camel Rock

Ibex

Getting ready to descend

Today we rappelled down the Ramon Crater. For many of us, this was our first time rappelling - it was a lot of fun! After, we hiked around the rim of the Crater, and ascended the Camel Rock for a fantastic view. At the hotel, we had dinner and a short class.