Saying goodbye to our Israeli friends

The delegates and Nitzanim families met at school prior to the airport. Everyone was hugging, kissing and crying as we said shalom u'lihitraot! We boarded our bus and headed for the airport at 9 p.m. The airport was very busy but our students were troopers!
The El Al staff were impressed with our group. One of the stewards actually told me that ours was the best group of students he has seen thus far!!! What can I say, the students slept!
Welcome home and todah to everyone!

Two day trip to the south of Israel

Our trip to the south of Israel was a blast! We began by riding camels in the desert. The students loved eating and sleeping in the Bedouin tent."Ayze kef!" Thursday morning we followed the Roman path up to the top of Masada. We took the cable car down and then traveled to Ein Gedi. Many of the students jumped into the water fully dressed! Our day culminated with visiting/swimming in the Dead Sea and smearing mud all over!

Robin and Julie having dinner with Nitzanim teachers

Adat Ari El and Nitzanim students meet Titus in the year 70 C.E.

Adat boys and their new friends

Family trip day to the north

Today's trip up north to Mount Gilboa was very picturesque. We learned the name for the wild flower:"kalanit" that grows abundantly throughout the mountain. We saw this beautiful flower in red, white and purple blooming along the trail. Adults and children had fun trudging through the mud, finding caterpillars and photographing the beautiful landscape!

The Adat delegation truly enjoying visiting a moshav where we learned about and witnessed up close the robotic milking of cows. 15 cows/hour are milked with this high tech process!

Free Day/Megillah reading

Today was a free day for the families. Some students got together and went to the mall, others visited with their Israeli family, while others relaxed at home. Julie and I visited the Tel Aviv Museum and then strolled back to our hotel along Dizengoff Street. We all met at Tiferet Shalom Synagogue for the full Megillah reading. We drowned out Haman's name Israeli style!
Tomorrow is another free day. Some students will visit with their Israeli family while others will be with their host family. Let's hope the weather permits the students to get outside and enjoy the view! Stay tuned for more of our exciting journey!

Purim in Tel Aviv

As you may have noticed Haim, our esteemed P.E teacher, visitid us in Tel Aviv. Haim came to Nitzanim this morning in time for the Purim celebration. The students of Nitzanim came to school, in fantastic costumes....I now have some new ideas! The school was transformed into a Purim Yarid and everyone participated! Following the school day, the students went off with their families, met for bowling and a great time at Max Brenner! Some students devoured chocolate crepes, others had ice cream, straight chocolate and some actually ate a regular meal! Tomorrow is another day....let's pray for sunshine!

Our day in Jerusalem

We could not have chosen better weather or a more picture perfect day! The scenery today was beautiful and of course the history was magical!

We began the day in the modern city of Jerusalem and then completed our day at the Kotel. Walking down the steps to the Kotel Emma remarked, "we are seeing the places that we have always learned/read about in school"! The delegates received paper to write a note and then the boys went with the security guard to the men's side and the girls joined Julie and I on the women's side.It was a very spiritual moment for us all!
Stay tuned and make sure to check out the pictures that were emailed!

Adat Ari El and Nitzanim School

On February 21st, the 2010 Adat delegation will travel to Tel Aviv (Ramat Aviv) Israel for two weeks. The delegation is very excited to begin this wonderful journey. Please make sure to check this blog and stay updated on our experiences!