A very special and meaningful day for me would hands down be the day we went to the famous San Diego Zoo, then started the fast (Tisha B’av). The day started off amazing! We got to the San Diego Zoo, got split into groups and explored the zoo. My group went to see the monkeys, lions, elephants and more! It was one of the coolest things ever! We even got to see a panda! Then when we got back to the hotel, got ready, ate our dinner and final meal before the fast (eggs and ashes), and then started fasting. We started the fast by saying Maariv and reading Eicha and afterwards the whole Yad B’Yad came into a circle and starting singing slow songs. During our slow Shira, I felt a stronger connection to G-d, myself, the fast day and my new extended family. It was a day I will never forget.

Miriam Weiss