Goodbye YKTH 5785 😭

Dear YKTH Family,

It’s hard to put into words what this summer really was. YKTH wasn’t just a program—it became our home. Over these weeks we laughed together, learned together, Farbrenged late into the night, and built friendships that feel more like family.

Now that it’s over, it almost doesn’t feel real. We all wish it could go on, that these days would never end. But maybe that’s the beauty of it—because it was just one summer, it will stay with us forever.

Every memory, every moment, every hachlata—we’re taking it all with us. YKTH has ended, but what we gained here doesn’t go away. It’s inside of us now, part of who we are.

Thank you for making this summer so real, so alive, so unforgettable.

With love, Your YKTH Staff

YKTH 5785 - The Grandest Trip!! (Part 3)

On Monday, sadly our last day of YKTH 5785, we once again split into two groups for incredible experiences. The first group headed up the steps near the hotel to the edge of the crater—the third-largest erosion crater in the world—and went rappelling down about 150 feet of cliff. It was a true test of courage and facing your fears. Meanwhile, the second group got a taste of history, riding camels and feeling a connection to our Avos, returning to our roots in the most authentic way. After the first round, we swapped so everyone had the chance to experience both adventures.

Reunited, we enjoyed a delicious falafel lunch before heading up to Kfar Chabad for the final experiences of the summer. One group toured the Rober leather binding facility, with the opportunity to purchase special items, while the other visited 770, an exact replica of Beis Rabeinu in Crown Heights. Once both groups had experienced everything, we came together for the grand banquet—a spectacularly set-up hall filled with emotion, pride, and joy. Awards were handed out for sports, Talmud Hachodesh, Mivtza Torah achievements, and many more, celebrating the growth and accomplishments of the summer.

Finally, with hearts full of memories and a touch of bittersweetness, we boarded the buses for the last time and headed to the airport, bringing the experiences, lessons, and friendships of YKTH 5785 back to our homes and yeshivos. It was the perfect conclusion to an unforgettable summer—one that will stay with us forever.

YKTH 5785 - The Grandest Trip!! (Part 2)

Sunday morning started bright and early as we made our way down to Eilat for an action-packed day. Our first adventure was boarding a three-story cruise, complete with a jacuzzi and even a water slide from the second floor! From the deck, we could see four countries—Eretz Yisroel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Syria—and even spotted navy destroyers and a Dolphin-class submarine. To top it off, several speedboats came alongside to take us tubing, adding even more thrills to the morning.

After a quick snack, we split into two groups for more adventures. One bus headed to Top 94 for rock climbing, a ropes course, and adrenaline-pumping go-karting. The other bus went to “Manta” for scuba diving—where we saw some amazing things in the waters of the Yam Suf. Once both groups finished, we swapped so everyone had the chance to do both activities—no one missed out on a single moment of excitement.

After returning to our beautiful hotel in Mitzpeh Ramon, we enjoyed a delicious BBQ and then gathered around a bonfire for a deeply emotional kumzitz, complete with s’mores and singing.

As the night ended, we headed to bed, hearts full of memories, ready for the final day of YKTH 5785.

YKTH 5785 - The Grandest Trip!! (Part 1)

On Friday morning we set out bright and early, heading south for the start of our grand trip. Our first stop was the historic fortress of Massada, dating back to the times of the second Beis Hamikdash. There we davened Shacharis together, grabbed a quick breakfast, and then climbed the very ramp that the Romans once used to try and capture the Yidden above. Touring the fortress with our dear soldier Levi before heading back down the mountain on the cable cars.

From there we continued on to the Yam Hamelach, where everyone got to experience the incredible feeling of floating effortlessly in the salty waters. After rinsing off and enjoying a delicious lunch, we began our journey toward Chevron, Ir Hakodesh. On the way we stopped in Yatir to switch to armored buses, before finally arriving at our beautiful accommodations—just steps away from the Ma’aras Hamachpela.

Shabbos in Chevron was nothing short of unforgettable. We davened in the Ma’arah, shared inspiring and emotional Shabbos meals, and had a moving in-depth tour of Chevron led by shliach Rabbi Mordy Hellinger. Shabbos concluded with seder niggunim and heartfelt words from Chevron’s head shliach, Rabbi Danny Cohen.

Motzei Shabbos we packed up once again, switching back to our regular buses with the amazing Sayach and Nir. Our next stop: Mitzpeh Ramon, where we enjoyed hot pizza under the desert sky before turning in for the night—resting up for what promised to be perhaps the most exciting day in YKTH yet.

YKTH 5785 - Mivtza Elite Shuk Event

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Tuesday night marked the culmination of Mivtza Elite, the summer-long mivtza involving almost every bochur. The finale was celebrated with a spectacular Shuk-themed event, featuring corndogs, falafel, loaded fries, schnitzel, wings, and plenty of candy! The night also included the final merch drop of the summer—a beautiful YKTH x Elite hoodie, completing the Elite merch line. Additionally, the Hachlata program was launched—click here for more details.

YKTH 5785 - Midrachov & Sound Cave

Sunday started off like a regular day in YK, but after Mincha things took a turn for the exciting. We headed down to the hustle and bustle of the Midrachov, where each bochur was given money to buy his own lunch. Once everyone wrapped up their important shopping, we made our way to the famous Tzfas Sound Cave for a beautiful kumzitz together. Afterwards, we headed back up to yeshiva for supper and Seder Sichos.

YKTH 5785 - Chatzbani Water Hike & Har Chermonit

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On Friday, we went on the Chatzbani water hike with our dear tour guide Danny, trekking through refreshing waters that at times reached up to our waists—it was an incredible experience! Afterwards, we stopped under a bridge for a scrumptious lunch. From there, we continued to Har Chermonit—a former underground army base from the Six-Day and Yom Kippur Wars, now a breathtaking viewpoint overlooking the Syrian and Lebanese border, where we got to explore the underground barracks. We then headed back to Yeshiva to prepare for Shabbos.

YKTH 5785 - Color War!!!

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On Tuesday afternoon in Yeshivas Kayitz, Color War broke out!

This year’s theme was connected to the current war in Eretz Yisroel — and how its messages apply to each of us in our Avodah in this world. The bochurim were split into three teams:

Team Green – Le’Hashbis (To Destroy): representing the first step of every war — including our personal war with the Yetzer Hara.

Team Blue – Hisyashvus (To Conquer & Transform): showing how we can take the Yetzer Hara and animalistic traits and redirect them for the service of Hashem.

Team Red – Returning the Hostages: paralleling the ultimate goal of Shlichus — bringing back the “spiritual captives” to Yiddishkeit.

To bring out the depth and advantages of each theme, the teams were put to the test over the next day and a half with an incredible lineup of competitions. These included comedic skits, cooking challenges, creative photo editing, sports shootouts, Jeopardy games, a Mivtza Torah game show, songwriting, mission statement presentations, and plays.

Color War came to a close with “The Grand Farby” where each team presented their song and grammen. The event ended with everyone uniting together in heartfelt singing — both slow and lebedike niggunim — leaving a powerful impression on all.

YKTH 5785 - A Day In the Life...

A day in YKTH kicks off with wake-up, mikvah, and mezonos, followed by a lively Chassidus shiur where we’re diving into selected maamarim from the Frierdiker Rebbe. From there, the bochurim head straight into Shacharis and then a hearty breakfast to fuel the rest of the day.

The morning continues with Iyun, where we’re learning a specially adapted JLI curriculum tackling fascinating contemporary halachic scenarios. Then it’s on to Girsa, where we’re covering the third perek of Taanis together. After Mincha and a well-earned lunch break, the afternoon brings a highlight of the program: electives. Each bochur got to choose a topic that sparked his interest — from “Fact vs. Fiction,” to “The Origin of Chabad Minhagim,” and many other unique courses that our maggidei shiurim spent months preparing.

Once learning wraps up, it’s time for our action-packed sports program. This year’s excitement comes from the Kreizin League, where each team represents a different Chassidus — Belz, Boyan, Sadigura, and more — adding extra spirit and rivalry to the games.

After the energy of sports, we sit down to a scrumptious supper, followed by night seder and Maariv. Finally, the bochurim head to bed, ready to recharge for the next big day.

Because at the end of the day, one thing is clear: in YKTH, a “normal day” is really anything but normal.