We loaded the bus for a hike in the mountains and after a "quick 40-minutes*," we arrived.  For a bunch of mostly Midwestern kids, the mountains in northern Israel were impressive and beautiful. 

"Everyone had something insightful to contribute, each idea unique and successful in expanding each of our horizons and making us feel more like a family."

A guide led us through the exhibits, and a lot of us watched the videos from survivors of the Holocaust. We each reacted to the experience in a different way, but we all thought it was incredibly powerful.
 

The last two days were extremely meaningful to many people in the group including myself. Our second day in Tel Aviv consisted of a visit to Independence Hall and a view of the exact room Israel was declared a state in 1948. A lot of emotions came with this tour of Independence Hall because so much went into the declaration of this state and also our speaker was very informative of the event. I can say on behalf of the group we all left feeling very proud and glad to be Jewish, leaving with the goal of making a positive influence over our peers.

After a meaningful morning, we went to the shuk (market) on Ben Yehuda street and got a taste of the busy environment right before Shabbat. We sampled Israeli pastries, drank fresh squeezed juice and picked up souvenirs.

Shabbat was a much needed day of rest for everybody on the trip. In the morning, we learned about the history of Kibbutz Shomrat and received a tour around the area. After, most of the people on the trip spent their free time at the local pool for swimming and sunbathing.

We spent Shabbat reflecting on the week we have had and forming an even stronger community among our group. Ww engaged in great discussion about our Jewish journeys and identities.

Pictures are worth a thousand words!

So much to see and do and so little time! I do not think I have ever experienced a busier week than my first week on this trip. It has been fast-paced, but an amazing adventure and learning experience so far and we are only half way through the trip.

Bus 683, dressed to impress. gathered outside to get in the spirit of the the night and take the spiffiest of our group photos thus far.