IBME Week #5

IBME had a great time up North during Week Five!

On Thursday we had fun kayaking down the Jordan River in Kfar Blum, and then had time to scout out the shops and art studios of Tzfat.  On Thursday evening the Haber famiy joined us in the Ron Hotel, and in "Ttzfat spirit" following dinner we had the opportunity to learn about Kabbalat Shabbat with Rabbi Haber.

On Friday we had a blast at the Manara Cliff - a mini-amusement park with rides, a cable car up to the top of the cliff overlooking the beautiful view, rappelling, bungee-trampolining and other fun activities!

Shabbat was quite uplifting and inspirational. Together we experienced the various communities Tzfat.  From Kabbalat Shabbat at the Breslov Bet Midrash, to the Ari Sefardi Synagogue on Shabbat morning, to the Abuhav Synagogue for Mincha, and the "Berav-Carelbach" shul for end of Shabbat singing and Havdalah.  Each one was an incredible tefilah experience.

On Sunday and Monday, we were fortunate to have MMY's esteemed teacher and tour guide, Rabbi Moshe Ben Baruch guide us in various spots in the Galil. The days' trips included walking through the town of Rosh Pina, strolling through the beautiful gardens of Kibbutz Lavi, hiking through through Tel Dan, and visiting excavations of ancient synagogues and communities of the Galil.  After long days of touring, we had time to relax in the cozy "tzimmerim" (cabins) of Moshav Tzipori.

On Tuesday we had some time to enjoy life on the Moshav, relaxing in the hammocks, playing in the backyard, and running through the sprinklers.  Making sure to find time for learning even during our week of touring, we were also treated to a shiur in Jewish history from our very own Ariella Gottesman. In the afternoon we visited the nearby ancient city of Tzipori.  We saw various excavations from the town, and had a blast dancing on the ancient Roman stage.

On Wednesday we had an early start and headed to Yerushalayim in order make the most of our last day together. We had a shiur by Rabbi Haber on topic of aliyah, and then had our final lunch together at "Muscat", the same restaurant we ate at on the first night of IBME five weeks ago. At lunch, everyone had an opportunity to speak to the group and share thoughts upon the conclusion of the program. Later in the afternoon we had time to shop in the Old City and made our final visit to the Kotel. While in the Old City, our madrichot presented us with a copy of Rav Kook's Orot HaTeshuva as a way to take Torat Eretz Yisrael home at the finish of IBME

Later that night, in our IBME garb, we journeyed to the airport- happy to have shared in such an amazing summer experience, but saddened that it was coming to an end.  Although the literal experience of the summer has ended, we are confident that it will live on forever in the special friendships we have developed.