Today we went on one of the only water hikes in all of Israel. We got to, and I mean this quite literally; walk through over 2 kilometers of water in our bathers! Following which we had scrumptious sandwiches under a beautiful Israeli bridge. We then went to an extraordinary viewpoint, located on a former army base, which fascinatingly enough the Iron Dome is there every so often. On the way back to Tzvas Ir HaKodesh we stopped at the holy resting place of the Rebbes brother; Yisrael Aryre Leib.
Simcha Friedman LIVE!!!
Mivtza Torah is one of the many ongoing programs we have at YKTH, aside for the special grand trip those that do the Mivtza receive, we also get uniquw events such as the one we had tonight, and delicious Israeli style Laffas filled with Shnizel and salads. After the event the world renowned performer and singer Simcha Friedman with the popular Yosef Chaim band, joined us above the central Sta’’m center for a truly unbelievable concert. They had set up a huge stage, powerful speakers and incredible lights. Some of our very own talented bochurim joined Simcha on stage, singing together. The energy was electric, over 100 chevra strong dancing together with a tremendous amount of chayus.
kumzitz
This past Wednesday night, we had a moving and hartzike band meet us on the Safrus center rooftop. We started with delicious subway bouget salami, turkey, hummus and all the good stuff stuffed in our sandwiches together with some solid refreshing cold drinks. Afterward we crowded around these professional Chassidishe kumzizters, and sang the night away, it was another memorable evening in YKTH
Color War!!!
It all started in the middle of our second sports activity, a
massive Israeli tractor with an even more Israeli driver rolled right up, into the
center of our football field. All the bochurim gathered around asking him to leave,
but he said he had strict orders to be here, even the director came out to help but
to no avail. Suddenly we got showered by a plethora of water balloons,
we looked up and saw the staff all on the roof of the 4 story yeshiva complex,
shouting and singing color war. The generals and captains were chosen, teams divided, and the fun began. First were these hilarious skits, followed by team time
with loads if farbaisen. The jobs were split up and a select group from each team
spent the night up preparing the song and play– or at least trying to prepare. When we awoke on the morning we found the zal plastered with signs
containing information of great importence and intelligence. Throughout the day
we had a whole array of deiffrent competions such as basketball, hockey, baking,
photography, game show, acting and singing.
Visting day, Midrachov outing and swimmming
The Midrachov, home to the famous Naot shoe store, and some of Israel’s finest cafes, delis and shops. This Sunday YKTH walked down there and spent a solid 4 hours buying, eating and touring. The store owners were extremely accommodating by even offering special discounted prices for the bochurim. We then had YKTH time, follwed by a geshmake swim in the newly built state-of-the-art swimming pool.
Motzei Shabbos, Melava Malka,
It was Motzei Shabbos, which meant that it is finally time for the long awaited grand staff vs. camper All-star Basketball game. The top 10 bochurim were voted in by the rest of camp, along with the other esteemed positions such as coach, referee, janitor and even game magnet. Right at the start the bochurim were in the lead, however as the game progressed the staff caught up, eventually even surpassing the bochurim, ultimately winning the game 23 to 9! Melava Malka was then served, freshly baked steaming pizza with mouthwatering chocolate pudding, what a treat. The head counselor showed a video of the week in review, followed by benching and a gute voch.
Israeli naval base, Winery, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai
At YKTH we are sometimes privy to places and things that are normally off limits for the general public. Fortunately for us today was one of those times; the second in command in the Israeli navy, personally invited us to the central Naval operations base for Israel, located right off the Chaifa shores. We got to see humongous battleships, where at any given time is home to 60 officers ready to defend us - their dear brothers and sisters. Israel’s submarines were then shown to us, along with special permission to walk atop its conning tower. It was then off to the well-known Galil Winery, beginning with the opportunity to taste 3 unique types of dry wine, followed by a grand tour of the Galils impressive wine production, from the vineyard all the way to the bottle. As memorabilia, we were given a glass wine cup with the Galil logo. On the way back to Yeshiva we stopped in Meron and visted the holy resting place of the Rashbi, we davend mincha and said Tehillim at the Kever. Back at Yeshiva we went to Mikva, called home, got into our bikdei Shabos and had some delicious hot Kugel, all ready in unison to greet the Shabbos Malka.
Tubing,biking...
What an action packed day we had at YKTH. Bait Hillel biking was just totally exhilarating, we biked through the hot Israel terrain, reaching a romantic forest with a gorgeous stream flowing right through. As well as, lovely natural overgrowth, which formed incredible tunnel like paths that we got to bike on. 4 miles later and all shivitzed up, we headed for water tubing. Prepared for us were these massive flotation mattress tubs, 8 jumped on at a time, connected to a speed boat, we practically flew across the Kinnert waters. We then went to an Olympic size swimming pool followed by a delicious BBQ.
Tisha B'Av in YKTH
It was a very sad and mournful 24 hours in YKTH. Being that we are in Eretz Yisroel, the very land that the Beis Hamikdash stood for hundreds of years, our Tisha B'Av took on a whole new light and meaning. With tears streaming down the eyes of many bochurim we sat down on the cold tiled floor, for bread & eggs dipped in ashes. We then convened in the central multi-purpose room for Marriv and Eicha, led by HaRav Meir Shlomo Gordon - distinguished Baal Koireh at 770 Eastern Pkwy A.K.A Chabad Headquarters. The next morning we Davend a heartfelt Shachris followed by Kinus and Eicha, then watched highly educational historical documentaries on Israel and the Holocaust. After a good nap and plenty of YKTH time, we put on Tefflin for Mincha, watched a Video of the Rebbe then davend Marriv. And so after much davening we were certain Hashem accepted all our Teffilos, and we’re finnaly ready for a serious Break-fast. We filled our hungry stomaches with Bagels, lox, cream cheese, salads, pastas, delicious gourmet home fries, tuna without tartare and yummy egg salad. After our WHOLESOME AND HEARTY meal, we said Kiddush Levana and danced through the night in great celebration.
Grand C-Bochur lunch event
Throughout the entire summer, staff at YKTH run a Mivtza called C-Bocher, encouraging the Bochurim to add in their Chasidishkeit and Hiskashrus to the Rebbe. As an incentive we receive personalized memorabilia as well as grand events. This past Monday we had one of the events, lunch atop a gorgeous rooftop overlooking the beautiful Tzfas landscape, we enjoyed crepes, salads, pasta and ice cream. Thank you dedicated YKTH staff!