Day 6 - Shabbat

Day 6 - Shabbat: 

After a relaxing Friday going around the shuk that you have already read about, we set off in the pouring rain to the kotel. When we got there we realised that the weather was too severe to even do kabbalat Shabbat outside so instead we prayed in what seemed at the time a small cramped room but turned out to be a splendid forum of enlightenment and spirituality. At first we prayed via the siddur but to increase the holiness and spirituality we danced together and showed our true emotions to bring in the shabbat in a way that we had never experienced before.

After the amazing davening we ate dinner in the yeshiva "Netiv Aryeh" so we therefore could experience the way yeshivas bring in shabbat. After that there was one of the most memorable and influential moments of the trip so far. We all sat in a circle and expressed fully what we thought were the best qualities of everyone else. This was five hours of pure bliss, emotion, secrecy and passion. This was the first time we all felt this and it will always stay in our memories for ever.

After the contemplating discussion we started the long and raining trek to our hotel from the kotel. The one hour journey towards the hotel, flew by because we had the time to talk about our true feelings with both our old and new friends. To our relief we were able to get a long and useful sleep.

On shabbat morning there was no real wake up and we came down in drips and drabs to shul. The service was spilt up into many parts giving many people, who may not have had the chance to do so, the opportunity to participate. For the rest of shabbat we spent most of the time relaxing and spending time with each other and enjoying various sessions and discussions with the leaders. We learned that shabbat is a time that is not a chore but a time that can increase our enjoyment and relationships with each other without the distractions of normal life.

We concluded the day with a havdala service that involved singing and rejoicing will all five communities coming together as one.

After havdallah, we went to the shopping mall for supper and some free time, before returning to have another inspirational sikkum and discussion.

To finish this account we would like to mention how the shabbat we experienced transformed our views on shabbat forever because we realised that the time we spend not watching tv or whatever else one can do on shabbat can be used to our immediate pleasure by spending time with our friends and family.

  

By Hugo Davidson & Jack Green

DAY 3 & 4

Thursday: 

Our blog today, is written in memory of Rabbi Levene's grandmother, who unfortunately passed away last night (Thursday) at great sadness to all of us, and we all wish him and all his family a long life.


We started our day off, boys in Yeshiva, and girls in Sem. For me, Yeshiva was an interesting and eye-opening experience. Before I went I had the thought that Yeshiva would be a large, un-homely building, with old men sitting in cold rooms just studying Torah. It was quite different. The "Shapell's" Yeshiva was a welcoming building, warm and lovely, and the Beit Hamidrash was a buzzing and vibrant place. We were sent out with Chavrutah (study partners) and we learnt about giving the benefit of the doubt and what to do in different situations. Afterwards we were given an inspirational talk by a Rabbi then who was one of the best speakers I have ever heard.


On the other hand the girls went to Moriah a seminary in the centre of jerusalem. We started by a one on one session with a girl who was similar to ourselves. We discussed many relevant topics Such as justice, sincerity and truth. It was particularly amazing how all we had in common was a mutual belief in Judaism, which immediately gave us each a strong connection whith the girls. After an hour's conversation and numerous debates, we moved somewhere else and had a talk by the head of guidance, whose name was Bracha. Her talk was very moving and reassuring although the tiredness of some of the girls managed to get to the better of them! Overall visiting the Sem was surprisingly fun and managed open many of our eyes.


Then, after an emotional goodbye to one of the nicest men I've ever met, Rabbi Marc Levene, (who is the HGS Tribe Rabbi) we set off to the Old City. Amidst the pouring balls of rain, we were sent out to find lunch. After exploring and eating, we set off into our individual groups. We went to the Davidson Centre which showed us the 'now and then' model of the Second Temple and the Western Wall. After learning about all of it, we actually went to the walls to see what they actually looked like, and it was completely synonymous with what we had just seen. We went climbing on the rocks that had been displaced from the temple, and we had a great time. We then did the serious stuff, and went to the wall to daven Minchah in our separate sexes which was an emotional experience for everyone. Wet and depleted, we went to a cafe for a hot chocolate, and a discussion about the day so far. From there we went to eat shwarma and falafel. For me, the highlight of the day came next. The Kotel Tunnels were an incredible feat of engineering, and an amazing look at the different stages of the wall, and we managed to get to the very bottom of the first and original wall. The climax of the day was praying at the holy of holies, where I can safely say everyone felt a connection.


To lighten up the day, we went bowling which was very entertaining and a fitting end to a great day.

Friday:


In the morning, we took the coach into the desert in order to meet some israeli soldiers. This was important for them as they do not understand the respect and gratitude that we have for them. It is the Israeli Defense Forces that made sure that we were able to be here to have the opportunity of a memorable experience in Israel. Next was the shuk, here in Jerusalem. We had a laugh, practicing our haggling skills(thanks mum) and coming back to the hotel with book, nuts, fruit, trousers, ugly hats(ed) and a fish's head.............

At the hotel being forced to wash for shabbat we headed to a yeshiva right outside the kotel. Being able to pray and dine there was a true one off experience. After the song and jokes at Friday Night dinner. The 'High-Stead' crew went off to reflect how we felt in a cozy room and heard the heaven open just outside. We spent 4 hours just talking, it was indescribable. With even the stronger ones shedding a tear. As 3am loomed we finally achieved the life changing tribe experience before the trip was even finished. We walked back to the hotel through a big storm with our clothes soaking, shoes wet, and nobody in sight. It was so tranquil. None of us could even care if our shoes were wet. We were on such a high.

By Dan Hilton & Joseph

Day 2

Day 2: 

On the 2nd day of our Tribe Israel journey, we began the ascent towards becoming better jews and gaining further understanding of Israel. This was accomplished by visiting King Herrod's aqueduct in Caesarea to learn about Israel's unique history and how Judaism is the culture that remains today and ancient Rome is now history.

Next we experienced a powerful and life-changing team-building course where we learnt a lot about ourselves and each others' strengths and how they can be implemented into our lives. We learnt about Israel and what it means to Israelis today and how their connection to Israel as Jews is so strong.

Afterwards, we went to the dialogue in the dark museum where we attempted to comprehend how difficult life is for blind people and how privileged we are that simple everyday necessities are easily accomplished by us whereas for them, these are their biggest daily challenges. However, we will always remember the spiritual  words of the tour guide Reut, that blind people are the same as us. This translates as any people other than ourselves, perhaps a different race or nationality, and we must treat them as we would like to be treated.       

By Samuel Gotleib, David Fattal and Edward Greenwall-Cohen


Please note: The blogs are written by participants and therefore the views expressed are not necessarily those of tribe's. 

Welcome to L2L Jerusalem Experience 2012 Blog!

Hello and welcome to the Learn2Lead Jerusalem Experience 2012 blog!

In a few days time your children and their leaders will be embarking upon a fantastic journey of self-discovery centred around the holy city of Jerusalem. Each day, one or two of the participants will blog about our experiences and emotions of they day so you can all keep up-to-date with the group. Don't be worried if you don't receive a blog every single day, if we have a particularly late night we will blog twice the next day to make up for it. Feel free to forward onto family and friends.

I'm really looking forward to seeing you all at 9:30am, Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue on Monday morning.

Have a great weekend, 

Ronen

Welcome to L2L Jerusalem Experience 2012 Blog!

Hello and welcome to the Learn2Lead Jerusalem Experience 2012 blog!

In a few days time your children and their leaders will be embarking upon a fantastic journey of self-discovery centred around the holy city of Jerusalem. Each day, one or two of the participants will blog about our experiences and emotions of they day so you can all keep up-to-date with the group. Don't be worried if you don't receive a blog every single day, if we have a particularly late night we will blog twice the next day to make up for it. Feel free to forward onto family and friends.

I'm really looking forward to seeing you all at 9:30am, Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue on Monday morning.

Have a great weekend, 

Ronen