Program Updates

Well, two weeks are now behind us and, B"H, everything is fine and the girls are having a wonderful time.

I hope you are hearing good reports from your daughters, with whom I know you are in touch from time to time.

I would like to update you as regards changes in our programme for next Shabbat (23/24 May), which is referred to in our schedule as "Shabbat
Roommates".  I would just like to mention that, strictly speaking, our girls and the girls of the Ulpana are not roommates, since the Ulpana decided, for practical reasons, to have the two groups sleeping separately.  This has not, however, prevented very strong friendships from being formed amongst the two groups, who have enjoyable get-togethers every evening, in addition to which we have invited some of the Ulpana youngsters to join us on our tiyulim.  As regards the Shabbat under discussion,  our original plan was for your daughters to spend Shabbat as guests of the Ulpana resident girls and/or other Israeli friends at their homes.   It was thought that after three weeks of living together at the Ulpana, it would be a good idea for our girls to get to know their new friends at home, thus strengthening their already strong ties.  I do recommend this option but I was approached, a few days ago, by your daughters with a request for the schedule to be changed from "Shabbat Roommates" to a free Shabbat, namely that any girl who wishes will stay with her family or friends of the family. Formally the Shabbat will remain "Shabbat Roommates", but I am happy that the girls will have the option of being guests of their new friends/roommates, as originally planned, or for it to be a free Shabbat.

As regards the girls who choose the latter, I would like you to give me exact details no later that Monday, 19 May, as to where the girls will be - addresses and telephone nos. - so we can make the appropriate arrangements.  The weekend will start on Friday, May 23 at 12 midday till Sunday morning, and we
will arrange transportation as necessary.

Now to the rest of the update.  I described the activities of the girls on Yom Ha'Zikaron in my last update. As to the eve of Yom Ha'Atzmaut, I am sure you have heard from your daughters about how marvellous it was. There was an immensely joyous and happy atmosphere, with our girls and the Ulpana girls singing and dancing for many hours - an experience they will remember, I'm certain, for the rest of their lives.  On Yom Ha'Atzmaut itself, we went on a tiyul, following in the footsteps of the soldiers who fought in 1947-8 to secure the way to Jerusalem, visiting the sites of the battles which were fought – a truly memorable and instructive experience.


We spent the  following Shabbat with the Gush Katif evacuees.  We were at Nitzan, which is a new village which has the largest concentration of evacuees.  We met the families there who showed us films and related their sad stories.

Our girls got together with evacuee youngsters of similar ages, who underwent the traumatic experience of being expelled from their homes three years ago.  It was a very special experience for our daughters.

On Motzaei Shabbat, the girls returned to the Ulpana and the following week was devoted to their studies.  We are looking forward to two days of tiyulim tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, which will be followed by a Shabbat at the Ulpana.

Please find attached ten more pictures.  Both of the madrichot and I myself will be happy to hear from you any time you feel like being in touch.

http://english.katif.net/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burma_Road_%28Israel%29
http://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%93%D7%A8%D7%9A_%D7%91%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%9E%D7%94_%28%D7%99%D7%A9%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%9C%29
http://www.arcm-latrun.org.il/english/index_e.htm