The Gesherot are in Israel!
After a crazy start to our trip (our flights were delayed many times), I am happy to say that the girls are having a great time.
We had a lovely shabbat on Kibbutz Yahel and the girls led Friday night services. Saturday night we took a cruise on the Red Sea and Sunday we spent the day snorkeling and swimming in Eilat.
Monday we took a tour of Kibbutz Lotan, an environmentally friendly and fully cooperative kibbutz. Later that day, the kids went on a camel trek and spent the night in bedouin tents. Today (Tuesday) we hiked Masada at sunrise and took a tour of the ruins. We then went swimming in the springs of Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea and headed to Jerusalem where we stayed for the next three days.
Yesterday we spent the day touring the old city of Jerusalem. We walked through underground water tunnels, toured the City of David, trekked through tunnels underneath the Western Wall, and prayed at the Kotel. While we were at Schechter, the girls ran an Israeli program and built their own Kotel for the campers to put their prayers in. We took the campers prayers with us and put them into the real Kotel yesterday. Many of the girls felt a spiritual connection at the Wall and some even burst into tears. Our Schechter family prayed together and sang the shecheyanu for those who were visiting the Western Wall for the first time.
Today we are doing a service project, and archaeological dig, and exploring more tunnels. I will keep you updated on our amazing adventures!
Rosie French, Gesher Israel Trip Staff
