Tel Aviv

Submitted by editor_2245 on Tue, 05/24/2016 - 10:46

We began today by visiting arguably one of the most important sites in the State of Israel, Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum. Upon arrival, we were greeted by Shoshana, an official museum tour guide, who led us on a truly humbling three hour tour of the museum. Following the completion of the tour, we had a group discussion overlooking Jerusalem about each of our personal experiences in this museum. Everyone had a different take away from the experience, but one thing was clear, we must never forget the atrocities that occurred.

Submitted by editor_2245 on Tue, 05/24/2016 - 10:16

Then we all linked arms and walked with our eyes closed to a lookout just above the wall. On the count of three, we all opened our eyes and saw the wall for the first time all together. It was a very powerful moment. We walked down to the wall carrying our little notes or prayers to put in the wall. The boys all went to one side and the girls the other. Many of the guys wore tefillin, most for the first time, as they stood and prayed at the holiest site in Judaism. We took some pictures and discussed this powerful emotional and religious experience as we headed back to the hotel for dinner.

Submitted by editor_2245 on Mon, 05/23/2016 - 11:20

All together this experience has been incredibly rewarding whether we are traveling to Tel Aviv by bus or hiking our way down to a natural spring. My only wish is for the days to go by slower! We cant wait to see whats in store for tomorrow!

Submitted by editor_2245 on Mon, 05/23/2016 - 10:24

We spent the entire day in the beautiful city of Tel Aviv! Our group was inspired by the quote: "If you will it, it is no dream" - Theodore Herzl

Submitted by editor_2245 on Fri, 05/20/2016 - 10:32

Our first stop in Tel-Aviv was Independence Hall, the location of Israel's independence signing in 1948. We watched a brief film describing the context of the signing as well as its implications for Israel. We then joined another birthright group, as we gathered in the room where the signing took place to listen to a speaker elaborate on the knowledge we gained from the earlier video. I was taken aback by the passion the speaker had for Israel, and it was apparent she was an expert on all things Israel. The session ended with us listening to the iteration of the Israeli national anthem that was sang during the signing in 1948; this was truly a moving experience for the group.

Submitted by lauren_2 on Mon, 05/16/2016 - 17:29

Today was a very busy day for all of us on bus 818! Not only did we have a lot to see, but we traveled through Israel's two largest and most iconic cities, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem!

Submitted by lauren_2 on Sun, 05/15/2016 - 23:51

We drove a "short forty minutes" to our next destination; the ancient and spiritual city of Tzfat. After a short tour of the city and an explanation of Kabbalah, mystical Judasim, we entered a synagogue that was hundreds of years old to see its beauty and very different style from a traditional synagogue that we are used to in the United States. The beauty and history that was shown to us in this place of worship was both inspiring and breath-taking.

Submitted by editor_2245 on Mon, 01/11/2016 - 17:21

In the middle of Tel Aviv where the city is very much alive and thriving Israel lost one of its most important, beloved, and decisive prime ministers. We interviewed people who were his soldiers, people who heard the gunshots, and others who were all touched by his death in some way.

Submitted by editor_2245 on Thu, 01/07/2016 - 11:18

After breakfast we went to Independence Hall, the place where Israel’s Declaration of Independence was signed. We learned about the history of Tel Aviv, how the city arose from the desert just one hundred years ago.

Submitted by editor_2245 on Wed, 01/06/2016 - 07:41

We touched the same wall our ancestors had practiced their faith and where the Jewish people will still continue to exercise their religious freedom. Some felt a connection and some did not, but either way it will be one of the memorable experiences collected on the Birthright trip.