Program Updates

UPDATE # 2

Shalom Parents,

Two weeks have elapsed and, as promised, here is my second update. It is hard to believe that only two weeks have gone by, since we have all grown to know one another so well that we feel as if we have been together for far longer than just two weeks.

It is a great pleasure for me to see the boys in the evenings studying with their Israeli fellow pupils on a one-to-one basis and to hear how the girls are becoming close friends with their Israeli fellow pupils and are enjoying having chats with their room-mates far into the nights.

On the first Friday, after touring the Old City of Jerusalem, the youngsters' first Shabbat (19th/20th September) was spent as a group at the kibbutz at Gush Etzion, which was our first group Shabbat. The entire group all got to know one another and also got to know the madrichim. My family and I joined them, and we had a wonderful Shabbat with the boys and girls. Being with the group and getting to know them that Shabbat, I feel able to predict that this visit to Israel will be a successful and joyful experience for your kids, B"H.

On Motzei Shabbat, the boys returned to their school for the first night of Slichot, whilst the girls visited a girls' seminar at Gush Etzion and spent the night there.

On the following week, we embarked on the first (out of eight) study weeks, where we intend combining secular with religious studies. Throughout the period, we'll be sending your kids to study at different yeshivot and seminars; the boys have alread studied at Yeshivat Hakotel and Yeshivat Hagush. As a general rule, the boys and girls are studying separately from the Israeli pupils, but nevertheless they are trying to mix as much as possible with one another during their free time and also whilst studying.

After the chagim, when things settle down into a routine, we'll have a weekly schedule which I'll be happy to send to you.

During the free time in their first week, your kids have have already undergone many experiences. The boys were present at a swearing-in ceremony for new soldiers at the Kotel, had a bonfire with their new Israeli friends, and even met with the Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Bakshi Doron. The girls visited Me'arat Hamachpelah in Hebron.

Unfortunately, that week, on Monday 22 September, a terrorist drove his car into a group of soldiers in Jerusalem and 17 soldiers were injured. B"H it could have been more serious since there were no fatalties, but, as you know, our group always has strict security measures.

Their second weekend, 26/27 September, both the boys and the girls spent the Shabbat with their schools and I was told how enjoyable it was for them all to mix and get to know better large numbers of Israeli kids. Just imagine hundreds of youngsters davening,singing and also dancing together - such a joyful experience.

On Rosh Hashana, the girls had free time and spent the chag with families, and the boys remained at their school where there was, of course, a specially festive and holy atmosphere.

The weekend is now approaching, which the girls will be spending at their school whilst the boys will be having their first free Shabbat.

Next week, we will be preparing for Yom Kippur and the boys and girls will be staying at their schools on Yom Kippur.

The Shabbat following Yom Kippur (10/11th October), the youngsters will be once again together for a group Shabbat, which they will be spending in my home yishuv, Peduel in the Shomron. 

During Succot, the group will be spending the first part of the chag in Jerusalem and the second part in the Golan. More details and pictures to follow.

Altogether, during the four and a half period, the youngsters have four free Shabbats, and the next one for both the boys and the girls will be Chol Hamoed, Succot, Thursday evening, 16 October till Sunday, 19 October. Please make sure that arrangements are made for the kids for that Shabbat, and, as usual, we'll be happy to help out if necessary.

The telephone nos. of the madrichim are:

Ryan (for the boys) 052 5346194 Ella and Michal (for the girls) 052 5520572

I myself and also the madrichim will be happy to assist you if, at any time, you need to talk to us.

I take this opportunity to wish you and your families Shanah Tovah and Gmar Chatima Tova