Dear Families of Yallah! Israel Bus 1 & Bus 2,
Time sure flies when you are having fun! This week the participants split off from their regular groups for four unique days during their Chavaya experiences. Many hiked from the Sea of Galilee to the Mediterranean on the famous hike of “Sea to Sea” and another large group engaged in Tikun Olam opportunities in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. We also had two groups of teens learn about the values of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) and its place in Israeli society during Gadna, basic Army Training in the Galilee, and Sar-el, where they volunteered on an IDF base at Tel Hashomer. Coming back together on Wednesday, it was great hearing the different groups share these unique experiences with each other.
Since reconvening as one bus, we have been exploring Jewish Roots in the Galilee. We visited one of the most beautiful mosaics in all of Israel in the city of Tzippori, where we learned about the creation of the Mishna, when the Jews in Israel were a minority living under the Roman Empire. While on the site we discussed the experience of holding on to Jewish Identity as a minority in the modern world. Lastly today, as we closed out the week before Shabbat, we went to Tzfat, the city of Kabbalah, and learned about Jewish mysticism and the creation of Kabbalat Shabbat, an outdoor spiritual experience by the sages of Tzfat in the 16th century.
With this extra layer of understanding of Shabbat, we look forward to celebrating tonight as a community in the pastoral village of Pekiin in the higher Galilee. We will read in this week’s Torah portion as we conclude the book of numbers, the travel log of the Tribes of Israel in their Journey to become one people. During our own journey throughout the land, we always remember that it is not only a personal journey but a communal one of exploration and discoveries of who we are and who we want to become.
Shabbat Shalom,
The Yallah! Israel Team
