Dinner

Our last dinner was at Beit Ticho. The students surprised me with a great T-shirt. They explained why they chose that shirt for me. I explained to them that although it started as a personal dream, it could not have come to fruition without the support of many people in our Buffalo community.
Now, upon our return, the students will become shlichei- tzibur. They will share their experience with our community and families back home.
So stay tuned!

Mt. Hertzel

After Yad Vashem we went to see Hertzel's gravesite . We also went to see the military cemetery on Mt Hertzel . Here we were introduced to individuals who gave their life in the battles for Israel's survival . Our guide Miriam shared personal stories about her friends who were buried there. It was very moving.
We learned about the Hebrew word damim which means both money and blood. It was very relevant to us because we learned that in the diaspora, in out home of Buffalo New York, we give damim, money to support Israel. This in the form of donations and by visiting Israel. At the cemetery we saw the other meaning of damim....

Our last day

We started at Yad Vashem- the Holocaust museum . Our guide was very good. The final message was simple-each one of us can create or destroy a world with our words and deeds. The way we treat each individual in our life is an opportunity to create or destroy a whole world.

Saturday night on Ben Yehudah St

More shopping..
We were surprised with a visit from Miri Kutas. She was a Kadimah teacher and her children are Kadimah alumnai!

Friday evening

We went to have Friday night service at the Kotel. There were soo many people!
There was lots of dancing on both sides. It was amazing to see the very orthodox, soldiers, secular and lots of tourists dancing together.

Shabbat

We got to sleep in a little.. Some of us went to the Orthodox,Reform or Conservative synagogue. We met back at the hotel for lunch. We rested and played some games. Later in the afternoon we went to the park. Galit Buchbinder and her family met us there. Her son, Eitam was a Kadimah student before they returned to Israel 6 years ago .

Meeting Sandy Rossen

We met mrs. Rossen daughter -Sandy and family. They came to visit us at the hotel and brought us lots of junk. We heard about Kadimah and about a number of our parents who are Kadimah alumni.
Meanwhile , Mr. Zz calls every day to see how we are doing!!