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.

Day 16 - Independence Hall, Azriely Towers

Crowded ride up to the top of the Towers.

Today we revisited the founding of modern Israel at Independence Hall in Tel Aviv. We sat in the very room from where David Ben Gurion declared the independence of the state in 1948! After, went to the top of the Azriely Towers for an incredible panoramic view of Tel Aviv. After, we departed for the free weekend.

Day 15 - Budakan, Beach, Ein Hod Artist Colony, and Deaf Museum

Grand Master Dashi shows us techniques

Zack takes on the Master

Ein Hod

At the beach

In the morning we received martial arts training in Judo from a seasoned Master (whose name still remains a mystery). It was fun to learn different self defense techniques, including how to fall, break a grip, and turning your opponents strength against them. After lunch, we went to Ein Hod Artist Colony to view the unique galleries there. After, we went to the beach is Caeseria to play soccer and get our feet wet. Later that evening, we experienced the Deaf Museum in Holon, where we were guided through a unique experience, and were given special headphone to simulate what it is like to be deaf. We were led through different exhibits by a deaf guide, and forced to interact as if we ourselves were deaf. It was a humbling and eye opening experience.

Day 14 - Tisha Bav

On Tisha Bav we went to the Holocaust Museum, Yad VaShem. This was an extremely powerful and meaningful program. We learned about the history that led up to the Holocaust, and about the intricate events that occurred during this terrible time in our history. After the tour, we split up to discuss the Kinnot, and watched the life story of one holocaust survivor and learned about his life and love story. As the fast ended later that evening, we felt like we had all gained tremendously from the events of the day.

Day 13 - Travel to Jerusalem for Tisha Bav, Mt. Herzl

Tisha Bav program on the rooftop.

The father of a fallen soldier shares his story.

At the grave of Michael Levine.

Today we traveled back to Jerusalem for Tisha Bav. We visited the Mt. Herzl Military Cemetary and reflected upon the many brave soldiers who have given their lives to protect the Jewish State and the Jewish People. At night, we had a Tisha Bav program, run by Rabbi Black, on a rooftop in the Old City of Jerusalem.