Waking up in ארץ ישראל at approximately 7:30 AM, excited to start our 1st full day in the chosen מדינה, all the participants awoke and quickly dressed in order to be on time for davening (a time when one can connect to God.) After an inspiring, impactful Tefilah, we headed over to an abundant Israeli breakfast at our hotel, Kfar Giladi. As all Israeli breakfasts go, it included a wide array of cheeses, such as Bulgarian cheese, cottage cheese, hard cheese, American cheese (#plottiwst), labaneh, and many others. After we applied our sunscreen, put on our hats, and filled up our water bottles we were headed for a fun filled day!
Yad B’Yad T2 then journeyed to the wonderful Kineret for an epic team building experience. 6 groups, endless rope, and abundance of wood, and a lot of cheering later… everyone succeeded in building their own raft that floated in the water that we then used for a competition! Of course, no YBY activity would have taken place without loud screaming and food; so yes, we did also have lunch there. Before we left, we played some “Here comes “(insert name)” riding on a donkey” to get pumped up for what the rest of the day held for us. We then headed to the buses ready to experience: Donkey Riding. Upon arriving to the donkey riding place, we changed into old robes and head covers that were reminiscent of the 1800’s in the Holy Land. We rode donkeys, made our own pita bread, and learned how donkeys were used to make flour… their legs were attached to tools that separated the wheat and chaff.
After this educational experience that connected us to our Israeli roots, we enjoyed a scrumptious dinner that consisted of chicken kabobs, rice, pita, hummus, tahini, and of course, Israeli salad. Needless to say, it was truly Geshmak.
Following tefillat mincha, the most important korban in the times of the beis, our great staff brought us to Superpharm, the largest pharmacy chain in the Eretz, consisting of 160 stores throughout the land. There were bought snacks, water, and toiletries. When returning to the hotel, we all gathered for an exciting lip sync battle. In this night activity, we sang songs with our peers and cheered them on!
As exhausted as we were when the program ended, we were not able to rest until davening Tefillat Maariv. After our stomachs filled with food, our neshamot with tefillah, and our brain with memories, we happily went to curfew for a new day to come. We never stop thinking about tomorrow, for it will be better than before! Todah Rabah and Chazak U’Bracha Likulam (Thank you, and may everyone be strong and blessed!)
Malka Kalminesky and Sarina Kofman