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.

YKTH 5785 - Yerushalayim Part 3.

On Sunday, we woke up bright and early, davened, and enjoyed a scrumptious breakfast. We then split into two groups: one went to Pantry Packers (a program run by Kolel Chabad where food packages are prepared for the needy) — a special opportunity for us to give back. The second group visited Yad Vashem, the world-renowned Holocaust museum. Afterward, the groups swapped so everyone experienced both.

Once both groups finished, we met up for a tasty falafel lunch. We then headed to Tel Aviv, where we enjoyed water skiing, tubing, and the floating jungle gym. Before supper, we had a spontaneous kumzitz together, which really uplifted the atmosphere. After that, we sat down to a delicious shawarma dinner. Finally, we returned to Tzfas for Maariv and a well-deserved rest, wrapping up an incredible four days.

YKTH 5785 - Yerushalayim Part 2.

On Friday, our first day in Yerushalayim proper, we visited Ir David, the original Yerushalayim. There, we toured what archaeologists believe was Dovid HaMelech’s palace, as well as the incredible water tunnel system dug in the days of Chizkiyahu HaMelech.

After finishing the tour, we took a bus to the shuk, where the bochurim received some money to buy lunch and had the chance to pick up anything else they needed. From there, we returned to our accommodations at Yeshivat HaTefutzot to prepare for what would be the most amazing and inspirational Shabbos ever—though not before stopping at the famous “I Love JLM” sign for a quick picture.

After getting ready for Shabbos, we all marched together to the Kosel HaMa’aravi for Mincha, followed by a beautiful seder niggunim and then Maariv. We then headed back to the yeshiva for a delightful Shabbos meal, complete with uplifting stories and heartfelt niggunim.

On Shabbos morning, we began with Chassidus at the yeshiva, and then walked together to the Kosel for Shacharis. Afterward, we enjoyed another Shabbos meal back at the yeshiva, highlighted by an inspiring talk from a soldier who was part of the very first battalion to enter Gaza after October 7th, sharing with us a glimpse of what it was like.

Following a short break, we set out on a tour of the Old City, which led us once again to the Kosel for Mincha, another moving seder niggunim, Maariv, and finally the beautiful YKTH family picture (stay tuned for that!).

We then returned to Yeshivat HaTefutzot for a special presentation by Yossi Bluming, a Lubavitcher commander in the IDF, who inspired us with stories from his experiences. Just when we thought the night was over, the staff surprised us with a late-night trip to the Rova in the Old City, where we enjoyed ice cream and other delicious treats. Only then did we finally head to bed, ready to recharge for the busy day ahead.

YKTH 5785 - Yerushalayim Part 1.

On Thursday, we began a powerful four-day trip to Central Eretz Yisroel. Our first stop was in Sderot, where we visited Chabad of Sderot Where we had a Pizza lunch and heard intense, firsthand accounts of the events of October 7th before Davening Mincha.

From there, we went to Mitzpeh Sderot, a lookout point with a clear view of the Gaza Strip, now lying in ruins. We then visited a haunting car cemetery, where the burned and destroyed vehicles from that tragic day remain — many with the memories of the Yidden who were inside them.

Our next stop was the Sderot municipality, where we watched a gripping video presentation about the October 7th attack on the Sderot police station, giving us a deeper understanding of the heroism and tragedy of that day.

We then traveled to Re’im, the site of the Nova music festival. There, we heard more about what had taken place, and then, with deep emotion, we sang Acheinu and Ani Maamin. In their memory, and with great kavod, we began a lebedike niggun — dancing for those who never got to finish their last dance.

We then continued even closer to Gaza, where we enjoyed an uplifting BBQ together with the brave soldiers currently fighting there. Dancing and singing with them was a powerful reminder of our shared strength and unity.

At the end of the day, we made our way to Yerushalayim, where we rested well, ready to take on the incredible days that lay ahead.

YKTH 5785 - Biking, Rambam & Aqua-Kef!!

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On Monday, we went biking in Moshav Beis Hilel, just a few hundred yards from the Lebanese border. After a scenic ride, we stopped for lunch, then continued to the Rambam’s kever for an inspirational visit. We davened Mincha there and even had a quick shiur on that day’s Rambam.

After that, we headed to AquaKef—an inflatable waterpark on the Kinneret in Teveria—where the bochurim had an amazing time. The outing ended with a scrumptious BBQ to top it all off.

When we arrived back at Yeshiva, we Davened Ma’ariv followed by a spontaneous Kumzitz right on the bassketball court — the perfect end to a packed YKTH Day!

YKTH 5785 - Tisha B'Av

On Motzei Shabbos, we marked Tisha B’Av with an inspirational reading of Eicha by Rabbi Chaim Kaplan, followed by Kinnus and a series of meaningful educational videos in Zal.

The next morning began with Shacharis, a quick trip to the supermarket, and more powerful video presentations. We then davened Mincha with tefillin, watched a moving Rebbe video, and ended the fast with Maariv, Havdalah, and a beautifully setup, scrumptious break-fast.

YKTH 5785 - Arizal, Safrus Presentation & Army Training!

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On Wednesday, the yeshiva split into two groups for an unforgettable day.

The first group began with a visit to the kever of the Rebbe’s brother, Reb Yisroel Aryeh Leib, followed by the Arizal’s kever in honor of his yartzeit. From there, they headed to Otzar HaSTaM, where they watched a fascinating presentation on the process of writing Sifrei Torah, Tefillin, and Mezuzos — and even got to try writing with a Kulmus (quill) on Klaf (parchment) themselves.

Meanwhile, the second group was off to a Tzahal combat training facility in the Upper Galil, where the bochurim went through intense physical training drills. The highlight was a massive outdoor airsoft arena, complete with buses, cars, and a full tunnel system — making for a thrilling and strategic game.

Afterward, the groups switched so that everyone had the chance to experience both tracks.

When we returned to yeshiva, the day didn’t end — instead, we gathered in small groups to learn a powerful sicha on this week’s parsha, bringing the day to a meaningful and uplifting close.

YKTH 5785 - The City Of Tzfas!

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On Monday, we spent the day exploring the magical streets of Tzfas. Along the way and throughout the day, the bochurim got many Yidden to put on tefillin — spreading light and chayus everywhere we went. Upon Arriving, We split into two groups — one began with a fascinating glass blowing presentation while the other went on a tour of the old city with the one and only Eyal, then we swapped. Eyal brought the stories and history of Tzfas to life in a way only he can. After the tour, everyone had time to grab dinner and hang out on the famous “midrachov”, before heading back to yeshiva for Maariv.

YKTH 5785 - Staff VS. Bochurim Basketball Game

Motzei Shabbos, after a beautiful Havdalah, we held a staff vs. bochurim basketball game. The game was intense from the start and led to a tie, sending it into a fast-paced overtime, with the bochurim eventually taking the victory. Everyone played hard and had a great time. While watching the game, we enjoyed a pizza Melaveh Malkah together — a great end to the week!

YKTH 5785 - Rafting & Kever Rashbi

On Friday, the bochurim kicked off the day with an exciting rafting trip down the Jordan River. It was full of energy, lots of paddling, and plenty of laughs along the way. After drying off, everyone sat down to enjoy lunch from Falafel HaTzarif — a Tzfas favorite that definitely lived up to its name.

We then headed to Meron, to Daven at the kever of Rashbi, followed by a spontaneous kumzitz right outside. After a packed and uplifting day, we made our way back to yeshiva to get ready for Shabbos.

YKTH 5785 - Tractoronim, Nachal Kadesh Hike & Swimming

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On Wednesday, the bochurim headed north for a full day of activity and inspiration. Upon arriving in Dishon, we split into two groups — half set out on an intense hike through Nachal Kadesh, a scenic trail with breathtaking views that included a glimpse of Lebanon. The other half geared up for an off-road “Tractoronim” ride through the nearby mountain paths. After a short break, the groups switched, giving everyone the chance to enjoy both experiences.

The day concluded back in Tzfas with a refreshing swim at a local facility, followed by a delicious BBQ enjoyed together on site — the perfect end to a packed day.