“Am Echad, Shiur Echad,” we sang in unison as we sailed across the Kineret to end our first fun-filled Thursday of Yad B’Yad. 

After a meaningful Shacharit and amazing-smelling breakfast, we boarded the buses. First, we went Jeeping through the Golan Heights. Even though it was bumpy, the views were incredible! We even climbed on an Israeli tank! Following our pizza lunch, we learned about and acted out Parshat Balak, this week’s parsha in America. (Because of when we traveled, this Shabbos, we will be skipping to Parshat Pinchas.) The next stop was Chocolatier De Karina. It was even better than Willy Wanka’s Chocolate Factory! We watched chocolate bars being made and sampled different chocolates. Then, we became the bakers and designed our own delicious treats. 

Finally, we had a dance party on a boat cruise across the Kineret. Even though it was cold and windy outside, the love and warmth of our group filled the boat. As we sang Hebrew songs and looked around to our gorgeous land, we felt closer to Hashem. We thought about what it means for the Jews to have the State of Israel and for us to be able to travel throughout the country on Yad B’Yad. As we, quite literally, held hand in hand, we felt a connection with one another. We are each different – we live in different places and each face different challenges, but we are all part of Am Yisrael and are all in our home, Eretz Yisrael. For the first time, we felt united as one group and we knew that the friends will make in the next four weeks will become our friends for life!

Love,

Rachel Sigal and Rebecca Massel <3