On Friday we went to the salad trail where we picked cucumbers and tomatoes. We learned how vegetables are grown without using pesticides. We also let homing pigeons go, which was cool because we had the chance to hold a live pigeon and see it return to its’ home. Even though the temperature was higher than we would have wanted, it was still a really cool place and we all had a lot of fun, and the vegetables were really delicious. We came back to the hotel and had Mitchell’s awesome learning program, which taught us that you can make an impact on the world at any age. We then got ready for our last shabbos together. During circle time on Friday night, Matitya was the star and successfully completed Dovid’s memory challenge. The next day we had our last shabbos lunch on Yad B’ Yad. During lunch, each table was instructed to plan a skit making fun of the counsellors that were assigned to that table. The skits were really funny and spot on, specifically the one making fun of Danielle. Lunch was followed by menucha, a counselor trivia game led by group 4, and shalashudis. We then came together for an emotional kumsitz in which participants and staff got up in between songs to reflect on their summer and their experience on Yad B’Yad. Everyone that spoke, spoke beautifully and many people were brought to tears. Specifically, when Tzvi spoke about his best friend from high school who passed away, it really inspired people. After shabbas, we played a game of glow in the dark capture the flag and the boys were victorious, most likely because they cheated. We ended off the night with pizza from big apple, which was many peoples highlight of the night. Overall, it was a bittersweet weekend because we all got to spend time together, but it was our last shabbos b’yachad. We are really sad to be ending our journey together. We made so many memories and new friends and we don’t want to say goodbye. We are happy that we were able to have such an amazing time on Yad B’Yad and it made a huge impact on our lives. #inclusion.

Love your friends,

Michal Rosenfeld and Sharona Fiskus

See more pictures here.