Hi!! I’m Yakira, and I feel so honoured to spend the summer with all of you! Born and raised in Toronto, the warmth of YBY (I think it’s a combo of the Israeli heat and that friendship/ inclusive glow) is what gets me through our cold Canadian winters and what keeps bringing me back to YBY! A bit more about me; I went to Ulpana for high school, spent a year and a half at Sha’alvim for Women and then, while my heart remained in Israel, the rest of me returned home to study psychology at York University. During that time, I spent two fun-filled years working for Toronto Yachad and I currently work for the Yachad Informal Education department! Yad B’Yad holds a very special place in my heart and I can’t wait for us to experience its magic through the friendship, ruach, holiness, and heat. A few of my itinerary highlights- kayaking in the Kineret, kumzitzing at the Kotel, kooking (chocolate making) in Katzrin and an endless supply of shoko basakit. SO ready for the contagious energy and amazing times that I know our Yad B’Yad trip will be full of! See you soon Trip 2!!!