Forgetting Your Fears Through Song

By Talia Granick, NFTY in Israel Participant, Bus 2

If I had to think of every moment from this trip and pick out my favorite moment, it wouldn’t be the desert, or Jerusalem, it wouldn’t even be seeing my friends for the first time in a year, it would be singing with them. As we hiked up the enormous, rocky Mountains in the Negev desert, I was terrified. I found myself at the back going slower than a lot of the other people on the trip at many points. It was difficult to enjoy the view and the experience while being petrified at the same time. The one thing that brought me comfort was when I was able to sing at the top of my lungs with the friends I’ve had and will have for a lifetime. Singing has a way of stripping everyone of their differences and bringing them all together to be one. It’s a way to forget all of things that scare us and bother us, and just focus on being together and enjoying each others company. This trend of singing during different activities continued throughout the rest of the trip. Whether it be the water caves in Jerusalem or just hanging out around the hostels, singing is always a good idea.

The Blessing over the Children of Israel on Shabbat. 

The Blessing over the Children of Israel on Shabbat.  יְבָרֶכְךָ יְיָ וְיִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ. יָאֵר יְיָ פָּנָיו אֵלֶֽיךָ וִיחֻנֶּֽךָּ. יִשָּׂא יְיָ פָּנָיו אֵלֶֽיךָ, וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם. Y'varechecha Adonai v'yish'm'recha. Ya-er Adonai panav eilecha vichuneka. Yisa Adonai panav...

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Last Shabbat in Israel

Last Shabbat in Israel

Dear Families of Yallah! Israel, As we arrive at our last Shabbat in Israel, it feels like time has flown by. On the one hand, it seems like the days have sped past, while on the other, even last Sunday feels far away given the wealth of experiences we've packed into...

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A Journey of Heart and History

A Journey of Heart and History

Written by Ben Plancey, Yallah! 2024 Participant The past couple of days have been both serious and fun. Yesterday, we visited a hospital home called “Save a Child’s Heart,” where we learned about the help the organization provides to children from all over the world...

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