Program Updates

A week has now passed since the girls arrived and there is such good feeling, that I feel as if I have known them for a lot longer.

Their first day's tiyul was last Friday, the day after their arrival, and took place at Ir David, the City of David (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_David) , where the youngsters learned about Jerusalem at the time of the First Temple . They walked in water through the Hezekiah's Tunnel which had been in use in those days.  They then went forward in history to the time of the Second Temple, witnessing archeological finds at the Southern Section of the Kotel (http://ilmuseums.com/museum_eng.asp?id=177).

They called in Shabbat at the Kotel, joining the thousands who were gathered there for Kabalat Shabbat, which was surely a meaningful and inspiring experience.  On Shabbat, the girls continued to learn about Jerusalem, whilst touring both the Old City and the new neighborhoods outside the Old City.

On Motzei Shabbat, we travelled to the Ulpana at Kfar Saba, which is to be their home during their period here in Israel, and were given a very enthusiastic and warm welcome by the girls who are resident there.  Their studies during the week have been most successful and we were happy to meet the teachers who will be teaching them during the next month.  The integration between the resident girls and our girls has been first-class, with many new friendships already having been formed.

The girls have spent a few hours doing voluntary work, which involved the preparation of meals for needy people.  They enjoyed this work and it gave them a sense of purposefulness. We plan on their doing such voluntary work once a week.

We have just finished Yom Ha'zicaron, Remembrance Day, and the memories that they will take home with them of today's activities and their activities tomorrow on Yom Ha'atzmaut , Israel 's 60th birthday, will, no doubt, be of very special significance for them.  Today, they joined the City of Kfar Saba for their annual Yom Ha'zicaron ceremony at an army cemetery.  They heard prayers and speeches from many important people, like members of Israel 's Knesset,the Chief Rabbi of Kfar Saba and the Mayor of the town. Today also, we were joined by a special guest from Chicago, Rav Matanky, who is part of the March of the Living group which is at present visiting Israel and also by  Dovi Paritsky, who is the General Director of  "Yeladim- Netivot", the organization which is organizing this programme.  A most meaningful meeting  took place today between the girls and Mr. Weinberg, who is the bereaved father of Col. Dror Weinberg, who was killed in Hebron by terrorists a few years ago. Mr.Weinberg shared his memories with us and showed us a movie, and we were all most deeply moved and touched by his sad story.( http://www.israel-mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/Memorial/2002/2/Col+Dror+Weinberg.htm)

I'll, of course, be sending you details of the celebrations of the girls tonights and tomorrow, Yom Ha'atzmaut, at their ulpana and details of the rest of their programme will given you in frequent updates.

If you have queries or comments, please don't hesitate to phone the cell phones of the madrichot, Abigail or Adi, whose numbers are:052-5167526

Wishing you a Chag Sameach and hope you enjoy the pictures.