Jerusalem – Old City Day 

Esteemed Yad B’yad Parents, friends, families, pets, rabbis, principals, and administration: welcome to our blog post. At dinner tonight, some people were discussing at the table the highs and lows of the day. It was decided – unanimously – that the only low was sweating enough to fill a water bottle. Among the highs discussed were our learning programs, Kotel experiences, and kumzitz. Let’s fill you guys in a bit. We began by participating in learning groups at a tayelet overlooking Jerusalem in the morning as well as singing our hearts out as the excitement of being in Jerusalem. We then all headed to the old city, breaking up into attendance groups as we stopped for pizza and some schmoozing before heading to the Kotel. It was an inspiring experience for all – whether it was someone’s first, third, or fifteenth time at the Kotel. After an emotional mincha we headed up to machon hamikdash where we had the privilege to hear about the past Batei Hamikdash as well as see Kelim (utensils) that will God willing be used in the third Beis Hamikdash. The next high of our day was touring Ben Yehuda and eating more junk right before we had our fifth slice of pizza (as well as potatoes) of that day for dinner. Definitely the highest point of everyone’s day was not only driving into the Kotel complex (Yad B’yad has some special connections) but then having a major spontaneous kumzits while waiting to go into the Kotel tunnel tours. It was filled with so much ruach that surrounding strangers couldn’t help but join in (or take stalkerish videos). After walking through the tunnels and having some time in the place closest to the Kodesh Kedashim, we headed out to the Kotel for maariv. However, before we could begin the evening’s prayers we just had to have another kumzits YBY style. Sadly, the singing was eventually broken up in order to daven maariv, but after on the bus ride back to Ramat Rachel we had yet another dance party (with only accapela of course). The night ended with exhausted voices but with everyone on a spiritual high. Looking forward to more great times on YBY!

Peace, Love, Israel
J-, Farbie Girl, and Batman & Robin 
(Emily Farbowitz, Jodi Fishbein, and Robin Tassler)