Jerusalem

We are finally back from what was an incredible trip to Jerusalem. Please read about some of the many highlights of the week:

Yad Vashem

We found the exhibits at Yad Vashem to be very sad. After the exhibits, we we were directed to a pavilion where we were able to look out onto Jerusalem. After learning about the horrors that the Jews went through, we had a new found appreciation for our land.

Har Herzl
We continued on to Har Herzl where we heard stories about some of our leaders whose dreams and efforts contributed to Israel becoming its own state.


Ben Yehuda Street
Later that night, we got to walk around Ben Yehuda Street. We met up with some of our former teachers and parents!

Kotel Tunnels

We got a much better understanding of where the Beit Hamikdash stood through the models we saw and from actually walking through the tunnels. We saw a rock that was so long, we needed to use 9 of us to measure it. We also bumped into some old HAFTR friends there.

Chazon Yeshayahu: Soup Kitchen

We all worked really hard peeling hundreds of potatoes. Although it was hard work, it felt good to do it because we knew we were doing a mitzvah.

Rabbi Yonah Metzger, Chief Rabbi of Israel

One of the biggest highlights of the trip was getting to meet with the Chief Rabbi of Israel. We shared our experiences with him and he gave us blessings. It was a very special visit.

Out to Dinner
A special thanks to Mr. Scharf for the delicious dinner. It was very much enjoyed and appreciated!







City of David
We learned a lot of history as we walked through the City of David and as we went through the excavations. Later we got to look for artifacts such as pottery, glass, and coins from different periods in history. Ilan even found an ancient coin. We also had a good time enacting a king getting anointed into his kingdom.














Bowling
After a long day of a lot of learning, we chilled out bowling (and dancing!)













Ammunition Hill




Mini-Israel
We had a fun time looking at all the miniature versions of Israel's famous landmarks.









Latrun
We really enjoyed learning about the tanks that are used in the Israeli army, but especially appreciated climbing onto the tanks.







Soreq Cave
We loved exploring through the caves and analyzing the stalactites and stalagmites.



Chevron
Visiting the graves of our forefathers and mothers, and davening Mincha by Ma'arat Hamachpela was a very special experience for us. Ephraim got a special treat when his relatives came to meet us.














Walking around Yerahalayim on Erev Shabbat
We made sure to do lots of shopping and also had a great time seeing some siblings.






After spending a beautiful shabbat in the Old City, we are back at Shluchot resting, recovering and getting back to work!