Bus 1297: First Impressions of Israel

Hi  parents!  My  name  is  Andrew  and I'm  a second  year  writing  to  you about what we've been up to in Israel. On our first day, after a ten hour plane ride and scrumptious airline food, we walked around Tel Aviv, and we did team building activities to strengthen our Kehillah, which means community.  We  then continued  on  to  independence  hall,  in  which we learned about the history of Israel. Shortly after, we stopped in the 4000 year old city of Jaffa and had the chance to overlook the Jaffa Port. The day finished with a new years eve party for every birthright trip currently in Israel.

On day two, we explored the Old City of Jerusalem.  We saw the room where  Jesus  had  his  Last  Supper,  learned  about  the  long  (very  long) history of the  city,  and prayed  at the Kotel,  also known  as the Western Wall. We enjoyed our time at the Western Wall so much that we couldn't bear to leave ­ even while being pelted with hail!  That day we also went to  an Israeli mall to learn more  about the  culture  and  eat shawarma! On the  eve  of  our  second  night  we  began  our  shabbat  celebration  with prayers  and dinner  at  the  hotel  with  our  friends  from  the  other  buses. Yesterday, we continued our shabbat celebration by sleeping all day! We then went to another mall (apparently Israelis love malls) to enjoy dinner and eat more shawarma!!

We are having so much fun (which is why I haven't called, mom) and are learning so much.
Byyyyyyeeeeeeeeee

Andrew  Seigel,  Avi  Montanez,  and  Spencer Rubin  and  the rest  of  bus 1297

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