8th Grade Trip to Israel

We are all gathering together to start our trip - checking our luggage, getting our boarding passes, a few last announcements, photographs, farewell to our families, and we’re off! Everyone on the plane is too excited to be quiet and sleep despite Dr. Ben Ami’s best efforts! This plane ride was fun - being with friends trapped in our plane for twelve hours! Everyone is excited to go to Israel because it is a wonderful country and it is our country, the country that God promised us. Anyway we were left with four extra hours on the plane than scheduled because there was traffic. (just kidding - April Fool’s!) lt was so warm when we landed, not just the weather, but also the friendliness of the people. We were all very tired today our first day of the trip. We have learned about Israel our whole lives in school, and now we are finally here. All the Jewish people should live in Israel. After dinner we walked to Jaffa Gate to see the Old City as it is lit up at night. On our return to the hotel we celebrated Orli Alaev’s birthday with cake and snacks - a birthday in Israel she will never forget.

We woke up this morning with Dr. Ben Ami calling our rooms and greeting us with a Boker Tov. Today we walked to the Jaffa gate and David’s tower. There was a movie explaining why the Land of Israel has been important to all countries, religions, and people in the world throughout history who built, conquered, destroyed and rebuilt Jerusalem.. It described the many religions and cultures who conquered Jerusalem and left their mark here.

After lunch today we went to Hezekiah’s tunnel. It was so cool because everything was dark. Our feet and legs got wet because there was water in the tunnel. It had been built over two thousand years age to save the residents of Jerusalem by providing them water in a time of war.

Last night was a blast playing competitive games between the boys and the girls. We had to make a big maps of Israel out of our clothing, and find where different cities were located using a map.

Today we went on a really pretty hike . On the way we saw a memorial for JFK which was really cool. In the mountains there were beautiful views, flowers, and fun times. Some parts were scary, dangerous, and risk – taking, but it was altogether a great hike and I would do it again everyday if I could. The thing I liked the most was the hard part of climbing down rocky hills. The reason I liked this part was that we all helped each other out, and I think this brought our class closer.

Today we went to the Kotel tunnels. It was the very first time I had been there, and it was very interesting to see places from such ancient times. It was exciting to know that we were walking on the same roads that had been used since the time of the Romans. It was like we were reliving Jewish history. This trip is filled with many different parts of Jewish history and I am learning a lot. Today was a lot of fun and I am having a great time.

Today we learned that the Kotel goes down much deeper in the ground than the part which we see. The rock formation is different from the different periods of history that built up the wall. Going to the Kotel and putting a note in the Wall was a moving experience for me.

The most amazing part of today was seeing the Burnt House where we saw a movie about a family of Kohanim who were attacked by the Romans in the Second Temple period.

Archeologists found part of the house where they had lived. One of the girls tried to kill one of the Romans with a spear, and the spear is still there. This trip is so much fun and I’m glad I’m learning so much.

Today we went hiking on another walk but it was more like a stroll as compared to yesterday. We leaned about many different plants, as well as about the economy in earlier periods of history. One of my best friends on this trip is turning out to be our security guard Adi. She carries a rifle at all times, and I can practice talking to her in Hebrew about Israel.

This past Shabbat was our first Shabbat in Israel. Some people like me have never been to Israel and have never experienced a real traditional Israeli Shabbat. We went to the Kotel Friday night for Kabbalat Shabbat and witnessed many different styles of prayer. On Shabbat morning we walked to the Fuchsberg Center which is the main Conservative synagogue in Jerusalem and in Israel. There were students of the Conservative Yeshiva there who led the services. The Chazzan(ite) for Mussaf had a particularly beautiful voice. After lunch we toured the old Jerusalem neighborhoods nearby of Mishkenot Shaananim and Yemin Moshe where there were beautiful gardens. After our walk, some of the kids went to the park to play soccer. There were eight to nine people on each time and we had a great time playing with my own soccer ball (Is that why my team won?)! The day flowed on into Maarriv and Havdalah. This was altogether s special experience.

Today we went on an archeological dig. We met Sylvia, a real archeologist who explained about the site we work in. It was a real actual archeological site which we would help to excavate. Sylvia explained how most sites had remnants from different periods of history, and possibly human remains, so only real experts could work in there, but our site was all from one period of history, and had no human parts. We worked in a set of caves. Sylvia gave us tools and baskets. We dug up many incredible things including pieces of broken pottery from two thousand years ago including handles, rims of jars, bases, as well as animal bones.. Jordan even found a whole jar! We learned that there caves had been dug out to use their earth for bricks to build houses, and the remaining “caves” empty spaces became cellars for the people who lived above who were Edomites. When threatened with capture somebody filled in the caves - perhaps the conquering people, or perhaps the residents themselves. The answer lies in all the pieces which we were helping to dig. After digging we sifted through all the dirt and found even more artifacts hidden inside. Next, we went spelunking - cave exploring through a cave that has not been excavated yet. We passed underground through a series of caves lit up by candle light. We had to squeeze through narrow places sometimes. It was all so much fun and we will never forget it.

After the Archeological dig we drove for an hour and landed in the Negev, the Israeli desert. We stopped the bus and took a short hike to a fabulous view of the Negev from up high. We learned that the valley we were looking at below had actually originally been one of the highest points of the desert terrain, but due to a variety of geological and weather forces, it is now one of the lowest places. The wind was blowing strong in our faces.

Our stop for the night was a Bedouin tent. Upon arriving we went on a camel ride through the desert. Upon returning to the camp we received hospitality and an explanation of Bedouin customs and history. Someone played a drum to demonstrate the different rhythms that were used to deliver messages like time for coffee. We sat down on our knees for a traditional Bedouin dinner, and played some games. Tomorrow is Massada - a early 4 A.M. wake up so Good Night for now from the Negev desert of Israel.

Compiled by Julia Aminov, Jordan Ben-Haim, Max Frank, Sarah Goldstone, Ben Iskhakov, Itai Kassab, Daniella Mullakondov, Carly Nevis, Shenhav Shoshani, Yuval Sucov, Naomi Weinblatt

March 13 - March 29, 2007

scroll down for all the pictures

UP UP AND AWAY

Tuesday, March 13

Usually when I get on a plane I am bored. But this time I was with all my friends. It was really fun to get out of my seat and visit my friends in the back of the plane. We played cards to pass the time. Even though I was tired I hardly got any sleep.

I also enjoyed praying on the plane because all my friends were there together. The sun was rising while it was still dark on the plane, and it inspired me to pray more.

Ciara Sidell

Knowing that the plane ride was going to be the same amount of time as a day and a half of school did not sound great at first. But the time passed quickly talking to my friends. The notion of sleep was far from our minds, because we were all so excited, and trying to fall asleep was kind of hopeless. There were televisions in front of every seat that told us exactly where we were, how far we had flown, and the temperature outside, and how much longer the flight would be. Counting down the hours was fun.

Jessicca Leeman

THE KOTEL

Thursday, March 15

Today was a great experience. I got to see the Kotel and go into the Old City of Jerusalem. This is my first time to Israel and it’s already turning out to be a great experience.

Matthew Lehman

Today we went to the Kotel. It was my first time there in almost nine years. When you first look at the Kotel, it looks like a crumbling wall. But when you think you realize that this wall is ancient and still standing. And, not just that but people have died just to touch this wall.

Zeke Luger

This was my first time at the Kotel and I must really admit it was one of the most amazing events of my life seeing the wall finally after seeing so many pictures of it. When I stood in front of the Kotel I was amazed by the enormous stones and the immense amount of letters put in between the cracks. I put my letter in and I felt like a whole new person. After my letter was stuck I walked away, watching it carefully and smiled because I knew that whatever happened on the rest of the trip this would be the best experience of all.

Jason Eisner

IT’S SNOWING - IT’S POURING

Friday March 16

Yesterday was very snowy in Jerusalem. Everyone was very surprised that it was snowing because that rarely happens here. I was looking forward to the warmth of Israel but I guess I will have to wait until it gets warmer.

Leah Markowitz

…AND THE FOOD

Today we ate lunch in the Old City, We were allowed to eat in any Kosher restaurant as long as we met up with one another on time. I went to a falafel stand and had my very first shwarma. It was great. Despite yesterday’s weather our trip has been a pleasure.

Hailey Rosenberg

KABBALAT SHABBAT

Motzaei Shabbat - Saturday night March 17

On Friday night we davened at a small Chabad synagogue. I enjoyed the enthusiasm that was demonstrated by the congregants. They drummed and danced in circles for multiple prayers. It was interesting to see how much they looked forward to Shabbat. Although I though it was a good experience, I could not see myself doing it every week!

Matan Skolnik

SHABBAT MORNING PRAYERS

Shabbat in Jerusalem was really very special. We split up into groups and went to different synagogues in the neighborhood. My group took a long walk through the town in order to get to the Reform Temple which is really like a Conservative synagogue in America. The Shabbat service was really meaningful and special. The long walk really set a peaceful Shabbat atmosphere.

Rebecca Seidel

CAROBS IN THE RAIN

Yesterday on Shabbat we started to go on a walk in Jerusalem. We stopped to look at a carob tree. Our great guide Yareev explained how the measurement of “carats” in jewelry comes from the size of carob seeds, as well as the measurements of Israeli shoe sizes. After crossing the street it started to rain and we all ran under a tree. We returned to the hotel, and then the sun started to shine, Half the kids decided to continue on the walk. We walked to the flour mill that Moses Montefiore built, and the two communities that he established, Mishkenot Shaananim and Yemin Moshe. We walked past the King David Hotel and Yareev told us about its history. We passed by the French and American consulates.

Overall the walk in the rain was really fun even though we had to search for shelter when it really rained.

Hannah Kober

KOTEL TUNNELS

Monday, March 19

It was amazing to walk through the tunnels excavated near the Kotel, and to learn about different layers of rocks that make up the walls that were built by different rulers of Jerusalem during those times. Yareev, our guide, explained how we could date different parts of the wall. We learned how some rulers destroyed previous cities and built over them.

Send mail to scriptyone@aol.com with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2007 Solomon Schechter School of Queens

Send mail to scriptyone@aol.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2007 Solomon Schechter School of Queens