GRAND TRIP DAY #5/GRAND BANQUET

Sunday morning for the first time in YKTH history we went to the Blind Museum in Cholon.  Our guide is blind and the whole museum is pitch black, so we got to understand to some extent what it means to be blind, it was a very thought provoking and awakening part of our trip. Our final stop was Kfar Chabad, we saw the 770 replica, kehos and got a tour of the Rober leather factory. At 6 pm it was time for the Grand YKTH 5777 Gala Banquet, set up in a nice kefar Chabad hall we had an enjoyable full course dinner. Certain bochurim who excelled for different things throughout the summer were recognized and rewarded, Mivtza Torah bochurim got personalized leather bound siddurim and the YKTH director presented  every staff member a beautiful gift.

 

Click here for pics.

GRAND TRIP DAY #3/4

After davenig Friday morning, we had a great country style breakfast catered by our hosts at Mitzpe Rimon. Our first destination was Masada; we hiked the back of the mountain arriving at the top where our guide Gili explained the rich and sad history of the place. After saying a bye to Gili - the YKTH tour guide, we took the cable carts down and headed to the Yam Hamelach. It was such a cool experience floating in the salty sea, all of us then took much needed showers to remove all the salty salt. Finally it was time for the highlight of the grand trip; Shabbos in chevron, before entering chevron we boarded special bullet proof buses for the safety of our journey. In Chevron we strayed at the Gutnick center, a 2 minute walk from Meoras Hamachpaila. Friday night we davend by the Meorah, also having a really nice Seder Niggunim. That nights Shabbos meal was leibidik, we were in chevron and it was YKTH’s last Friday night, So we farbreinged and sang the night away. Shabbos morning we all said Tehillim at the Mehora, learnt chassidus on the grass with danishes and Shoko besakit and then davend Shachris. After the Seudah, Rabbi Mordy Hellinger one of the shluchim to Chevron took us on an amazing tour. He showed us the Avrham Avinu shul, where Shalhevet a’’h was killed, the Kevarim of Rus and Yishai and even the kever of Rebbetzien Menucha Rachel. We then went to the home of Chevrons head Shaliach Rabbi Danny Cohen, he spoke to us about his shlichus and we sang niggunim together. After Marriv and Havdala we went back to the Arad Guesthouse for Melave Malke and good night’s sleep.

Click here for pics.

GRAND TRIP DAY #2

One of the special rewards that the bochurim who learnt Mivtza Torah recive, is a Scuba diving trip. So 5AM Thursday morning while all were still fast asleep 37 bochurim made their way to the buses for the trip. We made a minyan shachris on the bus, and shortly thereafter arrived and the beautiful waters of Chaifa. The black scuba suit was fun trying to get on, each bochur had his own personal scuba trainer. 6 meters down for 25 minutes was awesome, we got to see the amazing underwater world of sea creatures. We then met up with the rest of camp on a cruise ship, docked in the middle of the sea. On board the 3 floored ship there was a Jacuzzi, extension water slide moon bounce and a trampoline. While on the ship speed boats were constantly pulling up and taking shifts tubing and parasailing. In the midst of all the fun, a small boat showed up with a delivery of hot fresh pizza. Eventually we came back to the dock and went onto to the busses, we arrived 10 minutes later at camel back riding and ropes course. What a blast we had, the ropes course included a 50 foot high bungee jump and we literally got to ride the camels in the hot desert just like our ancestors. That night we went to Mitzpe Rimon where we had a delicious BBQ followed by a bonfire and Kumzitz.

Click here for pics.

GRAND TRIP DAY#1

Early Wednesday morning YKTH arose, davend, ate breakfast and set out to what was going to be an incredible once in a life time trip. We drove 3 hours until we reached the famous Yad Vashem Holocaust museum, after a pita falafel lunch we split into 3 groups, each with our own tour guide we began the tour. First we saw a memorial for the one and a half millon children who were brutally murdered, after which we entered the museum. It was an emotionally life changing experience, aside for acquiring a much better understanding of what many of our  family’s suffered through, it also gave a profound appreciation for who we are and what we have the power to achieve. We then went to a gorgeous view point for mincha followed by scrumptious subs. For the night we stayed in Arad at a lovely and spacious Youth guesthouse, after playing the mother/father camper game we davend marriv and went to bed.

Sunday in YKTH

Sunday, laser tag, krav maga and pizza

This afternoon we had some serious in - house fun. A Krav Maga trained professional came, and showed us some basic moves on how to fend off a knife attack as well as other very useful and important information.  We also had laser tag, holding heavy machine like guns and helmets we ran around the campus playing 3 rounds of different competitions. For dinner we walked down to the Tzvas pizza shop for some nice hot pizza.

Click here for pics.

Water hike, Armybase viewpoint, Kever Yisroel Arye Leib

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.  

Click here for pics.

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

Click here for pics.

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. 

Click here for pics.

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.

Click here for pics.

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.

 

Click here for pics.

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.

Click here for pics.

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.

 

Click here for pics.

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.

Click here for photos

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!

Click here for pics. 

Amuka and Hike

Sunday late afternoon as the sun began to set, YKTH set out on what was going to be a memorable hike. Rabbi Menachem Benshimon an esteemed Teacher at Yeshivas Tzeirei Hashluchim throughout the year, guided us on the infamous path to Amuka. Climbing over fences and wires we finally reached the holy resting site of the great Rabbi Yonasan ben Uziel. Many come there daily to daven for all types of brochos primarily shidduchim. It was such a wonderful zechus that we made it there. 

Click here for pics.

Mivtzoim and Kever Arizal

This past Friday morning YKTH split up into 5 groups, each going to a different part of the Holy Land, from Kirat Shemone to chatzar, with Teffilin in our hands we conqured the roads, shops and kiosks of Israel. All together we were able to lay Tefflin with over 40 Yidden!! Afterwards we gathered at the famous Tzvas cemetery, went to the Arizals Mikva and then davend at his Kever. What was so special and unique was the thousends of yidden we got to see, all there in honor of the Yartzeit of the Arizal. At camp we got ready for Shabbos with some fabulous hot farbeisen followed by Mincha, Seder niggunim, Kabbolas Shabbos and a delicous Friday night Shabbos meal and Farbrengens.

Click here for pics.

Former Arab Muslim- terrorist hunter speaks

Tonight Hay Av, we had a jaw dropping, stomach churning, emotional and life altering evening, where we all experienced a complete paradigm shift. Rabbi Avraham Sinai came and spoke to us about his incredible childhood and young adult life. Born in Lebanon to a religious Shia Muslim family, his brothers being in the Lebanese army created a great quarrel between them and their fellow Muslims, leading to the 13 brothers defending continuous attacks from the newly established Hezbollah terrorist organization. He then befriended an Israeli soldier-after the soldier delivered his child thereby making a deep bond with Israel in general, to the extent that he informed the Israelis before every Hezbollah attack. Eventually he was captured, terrible things then happened including them doing horrible and unimaginable torture sessions as well as killing his baby with boiling hot gasoline. One year later they let him go, he then became one of Israel’s top Arab spies, himself killing numerous threats to Israel including planting a bomb right outside the home of Hassan Nasrallah. In 2000 he moved to Tzfas and after a few years become a Ger Tzedek, all in all the bochurim were impacted tremendously and very inspired. 

Click here for pics.

Exploring the old city of Tzfas

This past Wednesday we put on our hiking gear and ran through the gorgeous and scenic city of
Tzfas, making our way to the famous and historical old city. Rabbi Marzel, Shilach to the Tzemach Tzedek shul greeted us warmly and shared the incredible background of the shul. Next was Glass blowing, we got to see how they make beautiful glass Mezuzos and L'chaim cups. Then tour guide Areye guided us through the nooks and crannies of the mountains, hills and valleys. He showed the spectacular Tzfas Art Gallery, displaying thousands of painting, portraits and photos. Finally it was Dinner time we platzed onto a spacious plaza located in the heart of the old city, scrumptious hot pizza was then served.      

Click here for more pics.

Safrus Night!!

High up in the Tzfas hills stands a magnificent gold stone structure, housing a state of the art Safrus facility. Tuesday night YKTH made it there. The first thing we did was climb atop a technologically advanced transitory bleachers, traveling around an incredible 4-D presentation. Afterwards the chief Sofer gave us the unique opportunity to write our own names on real authentic parchment with kosher ink and quill! Lastly we had a spectacular game show, testing our knowledge in what we had just learnt regarding Teffiln, Sefer Torah and Mezuzos. It was an educational experience par excellence, A groisen dank YKTH!!

Click here for pics.