Dear Yallah! Israel Families,
This week we visited some awe-inspiring places. We learned about Jewish mysticism and the creation of Kabbalat Shabbat as an outdoor mystical experience by the sages of Tzfat in the 16th century. We went rafting in the Jordan River and enjoyed water sports in the Sea of Galilee. We looked out to Syria from a top of a volcano, and toured Tel Aviv where we told the story of the first modern Hebrew city and the foundation of the state of Israel.
Perhaps more meaningful than all these amazing places, was the opportunity to meet new friends. This week we had a group of Israeli teens join for a week. The American participants had the opportunity to spend time learning alongside them and building relationships. Some highlights included meeting with Druze people on Mount Carmel and with Yasmin, a Palestinian woman, who hosted us for lunch in the Ein Rafa Village.
After a jam-packed week, we are looking forward to celebrating our last Shabbat together. This Shabbat we start the book of Deuteronomy with the words of Moses, before entering the Promised Land as one people after a long journey in the desert. As our time comes to a close and we are getting ready to say goodbye, we hope that the participants can take all that they have learned and experienced and treasure those memories. All of this is part of the process of developing a deep connection with Israel.
Soon enough, you will hear your teens’ stories about their adventures, what this country means to them, and how they want to stay connected in the future.
We hope they feel they’ve found a home away from home and have found inspiration to take them into the next chapters of becoming a young adult.
Shabbat Shalom
The Yallah! Israel team.
