Friday was amazing. None of us have ever felt cooler than when we were riding on those donkeys at Kfar Kedem dressed up as our ancient ancient ancestors. Our couture outfits included robes complete with rope belts, as well as of course white shmatas to keep the sun off of our heads. After riding on the donkeys (who were surprisingly pretty chill) we made our own pita bread and sat down for a meal of pita and all the toppings as well as shakshuka and of course water. Lots of water. Afterwards we travelled to a supermarket! There we bought snacks for Shabbat and impressed the cashiers with our newly taught Hebrew by Tzvi (our tour guide) then we went back to our hotel where we prepped for Shabbat and took some awesome pre Shabbat pictures. We welcomed in Shabbat outside, taking in the view. Shabbat theme this week was TANACH, and all of us were separated into different Shevatim and sat accordingly. At dinner we were all given a challenge to perform during the meal, and Carrie admitted to running the YBYmemes instagram (But is it really her???). We ended the night with a circle time and curfew at 11:31. I know, crazy. We followed davening with a dvar Torah by Elisheva Hermann about Moshe rabeinu, as well as an inspiring learning program written by Yaacov describing the importance of the individual. Next we had lunch separated by specific events in tanach, and each group prepared a charade portraying different stories in Tanach. Lunch was followed by another circle time which included a dvar Torah, this one by Mishah Aryeh. Then we had some Menucha time which included optional Chabura’s lead by our amazing staff. Afterwards, attendance group 5 led a game of Torah themed Coke and Pepsi for all of us which led us into seudah shlishit where Tehilla Chamoulian gave another dvar Torah, and we all came together to end Shabbat in song. After Shabbos we had an awesome glow in the dark dodgeball night activity led by our very own Rafi Margolies! No better way to end a night than pizza and dodgeball!
– Shifra Dimbert, Mia Weinblut and Carrie Ebbin