All Okay At Ramat Shapira Youth Hostel

After the group arrived back at the youth hostel tonight in Israel, there was a siren that went off in the larger community that surrounds the hostel near Jerusalem. Shortly after the siren sounded the leadership staff was informed by the Cheder Matzav (security situation room) that the siren was a false alarm and the area was safe and secure.

While the situation near Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank has escalated since the group arrived last week, we have received security clearance each day from the program provider and the situation room with whom we work closely. Our tour guides will continue to receive this clearance before anyone leaves the hostel everyday.

We will make changes to the itinerary if necessary and I will do my best to keep you informed through out the rest of their journey. 

Thank you,
Jeremy

Onto Jerusalem and the Old City

Today the group traveled from the hostel for the first time as a group, to the Old City of Jerusalem.

The theme of the day was Jewish Values and of course the history of the city. They passed into the old city through the Zion Gate and into the Jewish quarter of the city. Then, it was onto the Cardo, an excavated Roman built street. 

Each bus then had the chance to visit the Hurva synagogue. Built in the 18th century, it has been over time one of the most important Ashkenazi synogogues in Jerusalem. The building has been destroyed and rebuilt more than one time. The last time it was destroyed was 1948 during the Arab-Israeli war. They also visited the old city walls from the time of Isaiah. 

In the afternoon they walked to the Kotel (western wall). From there, MBI met Julian, the mazkir (world director) of Habonim Dror's world wide movement. He's also a tour guide. He took them to see the southern walls of the ancient temple. They also visited a digitized 3d model of the temple as it was 2000 years ago. They closed the day with a tekes (ceremony). The presenters at the tekes reflected on what they saw today and what they got out of it. 

Bus 1 at the Western Wall. 

Bus 2...

And bus 3

Saturday in Jerusalem

Today MBI continued celebrating Shabbat in Jerusalem. They opened the day by getting to know their new kvutzot better (each bus is organized into two kvutzot|groups). Thn they participated in special Shabbat chuggim (interest groups).

One of the really awesome chuggim was photography:

After lunch, we got into our kvutzot to discuss how kupa works on MBI and how we want to use kupa to shape MBI into a great experience for all.

Then we headed out of the hostel for a little more sight-seeing and to learn more about Jerusalem's landmarks and history. 

This is Alon, one of our tour guides from Hanoar Haoved (Habonim's sister movement in Israel), going over Jerusalem's complexities and providing an update on the current situation in Israel:

Lastly, they headed back to the hostel for dinner, havdallah, and musicale (a musical talent show). Here's Tali, from Habonim Dror Australia, leading Bus 1 through Jerusalem:

Tomorrow we're going to the Old City and the Kotel for the first time!

MBI Orientation Begins

All of the MBI chanichim (participants) are finally all together in Israel. At 7:00 am 

They spent the rest of the day getting to know each other and their madrichim (counselors). Before beginning Kabbalat Shabbat they enjoyed mishpachot, an MBI Friday evening tradition. During this time of the week they have the chance to sit with all of the chanichim from their home Machaneh (camp) and share with each other how their week was. It's a great time for them to check in about the week that was, chat about home and to be around only farmiliar faces. 

Then, they welcomed in their first Shabbat together in Israel!

Here are the participants during mishpachot...

The Moshava chanichim...

Miriam chanichim...

The Na'aleh chanichim...

And those from Gilboa.

The Galil chanichim...

And Gesher...

And of course Tavor.

All of MBI in Israel!

Our friends from Chicago, Detroit, and Cleveland have finally landed! After missing their connection due to the storm, our last ten MBI participants landed in Israel at 7AM local time. They were super excited (and super relieved) to finally be in Israel!

Check in again soon for more updates about the first full day of MBI.

American Group Arrives In Israel!

The American group landed in Israel a couple hours ago. They are currently on their way to the hostel!

Also, the participants from Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland just took off from Newark airport a few minutes ago and are on their way to meet their chevre in Israel. 

The Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland participants just after arriving in New York this morning. They should be in Israel by 7:00 am tomorrow morning. 

Canadians Arrive! Americans on their way!!

The Canadian group has arrived in Israel and is on their way to the Hostel in Kiryat Moriah.

Here they are just about to board the bus...

After delays and some cancelations, of the connecting flights to JFK, the American group finally went through security together and boarded their flight for Israel. They are scheduled to arrive at 5:55 pm tomorrow. 

Just before the American group left for their gate and departure.

Last but certainly not least, the MBI traveler's flights from Chicago, Cleveland and Detroit were canceled today and they were unable to make the flight tonight out of JFK, but are scheduled to fly out of Newark airport tomorrow afternoon and arrive in Israel on Friday morning. 

Stay tuned for more updates...