Our second Shabbat in Israel...could our trip really be almost over? We have done so much in such a short time. It has been wonderful seeing our students and the Kadimah students getting along so well and becoming friends.
The students were able to sleep in this morning until 8:15, breakfast at 8:45 and then at 9:15 we divided into three groups and walked to three different synagogues, giving the students their choice of varied Shabbat prayer experiences (a Chabad congregation, the Agron Conservative Synagogue, and the Great Synagogue of Jerusalem with its orthodox men's choir).
After lunch the students had a great afternoon at a nearby Jerusalem park, playing ball, frisbee, talking, snacking, relaxing and socializing.
Our guide, Maor, gathered us together and we thought back over our past 12 days and all that we did, saw, learned and felt. Everyone shared a meaningful moment and then Maor expressed his gratitude to our students for a great trip. Unfortunately, today was his last day with us, since he has to be at the University tomorrow for his studies. Our students also thanked him and we gave him a card and a gift.
After dinner we had a havdalah service and then walked two blocks Ben Yehudah Street, where we did some more shopping at the many gift shops and souvenir shops that line the streets. Hopefully everyone found the gifts and items that they wanted to take home. When we walked back to our hotel at 11, the streets were still full of people and everyone in our group was energized from a great day and evening.
No comments:
Post a Comment