Update from Israel
This is the email I sent out to the parents of our 12th grade students. Rather than recreating the message I thought I'd just copy it.
Dear Schechter Community:
Shavua tov from Hod HaSharon! It is a pleasure greeting you from Israel after another wonderful weekend. The energy of the students is incredible. After hearing the wonderfully positive reports from Dr. Spiegel, Rabbi Pell, and Mr. Medwed, I must admit that I was excited to join the group this week -- they haven't disappointed!
Diana and I joined the kids just prior to Shabbat in Ein Gedi. The mood was upbeat as we welcomed the Sabbath Queen. Kabbalat Shabbat, full of spirit and dancing, was spent outside overlooking the Dead Sea. Shmuel Bowman, our scholar-in-residence, spoke of the Chassidic tradition that Shabbat carries its own colors and encouraged us to locate the special hues among the various streams of pink and purple in the sky as the sun descended. After Ma'ariv and dinner, we reconvened to discuss the beautiful diversity in our heritage.
Yesterday morning we davened Shacharit, had a wonderful lunch, and then the kids were given the option to go on a nature hike through the mountains and waterfalls nearby or to relax. About a quarter of the group chose the first option and bathed a little in the sun while enjoying the fresh water streams found in the hills. In the late afternoon, many of the students joined Shmuel for a fascinating discussion on the hidden meanings behind a favorite children's book -- The Giving Tree. We discussed the difference between taking and receiving and analyzed the book from a Jewish perspective.
After dinner and havdallah we boarded the bus and made our way back to Hod HaSharon, by way of Jerusalem to pick up the kids who had joined the Bi-Cultural contingent for Shabbat.
Today was an early rise as we got ourselves dirty reliving the Bar Kochba Rebellion, the darkest time in our history next to the Shoah. Tuvia and Aubrey led the group on a magical expedition through the very caves our forefathers used to fight the Roman Empire nearly 1900 years ago. After crawling on our hands and knees through some very tight spots, we came upon a large enough space for all of us to sit together. We chanted niggunim, marveling in the acoustic brilliance of the caves. Aubrey's group got particularly muddy, as you'll see from the pictures!
We stopped at a local mart for a hearty lunch of cold cuts and headed straight for the amphitheatre where many of our ancestors met their ultimate demise. The kids were incredibly engaged as we discussed the heroism of leaders like Rabbi Akiva and they spoke about the things in their lives worth fighting for. After davening Mincha we got back on the bus and came home to Hod HaSharon. The bus was nearly silent as most of the group caught up on some sleep.
Diana and I just got back from town and as I write these words, most of the group is out enjoying falafel, shwarma, or another local treat. We saw a few kids buy some bins and other organizing tools for their dorm rooms as they're starting to really get settled in here, their home for the next month and a half. In just a couple of days I have witnessed such beauty in our children. The way they commit themselves to the group and to this land is uplifting. I am able to see students who have known each other for years kindle new friendships -- you should be very proud.
I am excited for the upcoming week and will keep you posted on the events here from Eretz Yisrael!
B'shalom,
Heath
Dear Schechter Community:
Shavua tov from Hod HaSharon! It is a pleasure greeting you from Israel after another wonderful weekend. The energy of the students is incredible. After hearing the wonderfully positive reports from Dr. Spiegel, Rabbi Pell, and Mr. Medwed, I must admit that I was excited to join the group this week -- they haven't disappointed!
Diana and I joined the kids just prior to Shabbat in Ein Gedi. The mood was upbeat as we welcomed the Sabbath Queen. Kabbalat Shabbat, full of spirit and dancing, was spent outside overlooking the Dead Sea. Shmuel Bowman, our scholar-in-residence, spoke of the Chassidic tradition that Shabbat carries its own colors and encouraged us to locate the special hues among the various streams of pink and purple in the sky as the sun descended. After Ma'ariv and dinner, we reconvened to discuss the beautiful diversity in our heritage.
Yesterday morning we davened Shacharit, had a wonderful lunch, and then the kids were given the option to go on a nature hike through the mountains and waterfalls nearby or to relax. About a quarter of the group chose the first option and bathed a little in the sun while enjoying the fresh water streams found in the hills. In the late afternoon, many of the students joined Shmuel for a fascinating discussion on the hidden meanings behind a favorite children's book -- The Giving Tree. We discussed the difference between taking and receiving and analyzed the book from a Jewish perspective.
After dinner and havdallah we boarded the bus and made our way back to Hod HaSharon, by way of Jerusalem to pick up the kids who had joined the Bi-Cultural contingent for Shabbat.
Today was an early rise as we got ourselves dirty reliving the Bar Kochba Rebellion, the darkest time in our history next to the Shoah. Tuvia and Aubrey led the group on a magical expedition through the very caves our forefathers used to fight the Roman Empire nearly 1900 years ago. After crawling on our hands and knees through some very tight spots, we came upon a large enough space for all of us to sit together. We chanted niggunim, marveling in the acoustic brilliance of the caves. Aubrey's group got particularly muddy, as you'll see from the pictures!
We stopped at a local mart for a hearty lunch of cold cuts and headed straight for the amphitheatre where many of our ancestors met their ultimate demise. The kids were incredibly engaged as we discussed the heroism of leaders like Rabbi Akiva and they spoke about the things in their lives worth fighting for. After davening Mincha we got back on the bus and came home to Hod HaSharon. The bus was nearly silent as most of the group caught up on some sleep.
Diana and I just got back from town and as I write these words, most of the group is out enjoying falafel, shwarma, or another local treat. We saw a few kids buy some bins and other organizing tools for their dorm rooms as they're starting to really get settled in here, their home for the next month and a half. In just a couple of days I have witnessed such beauty in our children. The way they commit themselves to the group and to this land is uplifting. I am able to see students who have known each other for years kindle new friendships -- you should be very proud.
I am excited for the upcoming week and will keep you posted on the events here from Eretz Yisrael!
B'shalom,
Heath
Labels: Israel
posted by gwheathie | 1:58 PM
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