Friday started off with a late wake up because of our late return from Yom NSCY. We then headed to Meron to Kever Rashbi and after an explanation of who exactly Rashbi was, we went and prayed at his Kever (gravesite). We then left Meron and traveled to Tzfat where we had lunch in a garden and mystical pre-shabbat ruach session. After all that, we returned back to the hotel to prepare for our first Shabbat in Israel!

We started Shabbat off with a beautiful Kabbalat Shabbat and a delicious Shabbat meal. After a beautiful night, full of energy, we went to sleep.

On Shabbos day, we were woken up and met with a beautiful Shabbat davening. After that, we had a delicious kiddush spread. We then had a very meaningful learning program led by Jacob Saks on Tzedakah in memory of a couple of participants friend’s mother who passed away last Shabbat. After lunch we enjoyed a long menucha (rest/ free time) period in which people learned, played games, basketball, and slept. Group 5 ended menucha with their very fun newly-wed game in which 2 people had to answer questions about their partner. We ended Shabbat meaningfully with a beautiful slow shira and a musical havdalah. The evening continued with a game of panic! We also had pizza and chocolate (from the factory) in preparation for the fast.
Noa Saltzman and Estee Mandil