Sababa

We awoke early, still tired from the jet lag and lack of sleep, made our respective ways to the kibbutz dining hall for a traditional Israeli breakfast: salad, peppers, olives, sour cream, egg-omelette, hard-boiled eggs, breakfast cereals, jams, nutella and breads. YUM!

On the agenda for the day was a trip to the Golan Heights. There we were able to hike together in the Zavitan, seeing remnants of roman architecture, beautiful rivers, streams and mine fields! After which we stopped in the village of Katsrin for lunch, then headed back to the kibbutz.

We returned to the kibbutz, freshened up and had a lovely and lengthy shabbat service (WE WERE STARVING!). We ate dinner enthusiastically, having survived the great hunger developed by the days activities. After dinner we played a game, wherein some of us earned lasting nicknames: Ju-Ju Beans Jacob, Sam Salmon and Jordan Jalapeno to name a few! It was a long and savage game, but eventually the game was completed through cunning and laughter. We were finally given our first chance to unwind and what better way than a joyous evening of dancing and merry-making?!

Saturday was rather quiet (thank the old gods AND the new!), all things considered. We spent the day at the kibbutz. Resting, engaging in sports and activities, and doing a bit of soul searching. Asking ourselves individually and as groups: “what is important to being Jewish?”. There were a myriad of answers, and much controversy. However, we finally rested our cases with one another and ended the sabbath in peace and tranquility. But this wouldn't last long, for the next day would be our most aggressive travel agenda to date!