Reflections of Our Trip to Israel 2/17/13-2/28/13

Two and 1/2 weeks have passed since the Adat Ari El delegation was in Israel.
At our "reflection meeting" on Thursday, March 14th, the students were asked what the "school twinning" trip/program has done for them, and/or what is the main thing they are taking away from the experience.
Here are their responses:

1. Sydney- "It was great seeing the places that we always learned about and saw pictures of in books. Also, there are people across the world that are my age that I am now very good friends with and will continue to be forever".

2. Lior- "I had such a fun and different experience than when I visit Israel with my family! I made a lot of new friends!"

3. Emmanuelle- "I've been to Israel many times but, it was very interesting to see how people live this time, to go to school and to realize that we (the kids) are very much alike".

4. Elizabeth- "I feel like I am more independent now and able to do things without my parents: like paying for myself and walking to school.  I am happy that I did not loose anything on the trip!"

5. Emma- "I thought it was very fun to get to know different people and to find out how nice they are! I am going to continue the relationship".

6. Arielle- "I am going again to Israel this Tuesday with my family...I am going to visit Nitzanim, but it won't be the same as going with my friends and doing things for myself."

7. Mika- "I got to experience new experiences with my Adat friends that I will never be able to do again. We got very close and really got to know each other. My host Danielle and I have such a close connection....she's a lot like me!"

8. Caitlyn- "I felt more independent in Israel. I met a lot of people and I am going to keep the experience in my memory forever".

9. Adi- "I wouldn't mind moving to Israel.... because now, I have friends and I feel comfortable there!"

10. Talia- "It was a cool experience. I had only been to Israel with my family and did not do these experiences/go to many of the places before. I had an awesome time with my host Tamar!"

11. Jake- "I found out that Itai (my host) and I are very similar. He lived in England and America and loves sports and playing the piano (just like me).  We're both picky eaters but we ate; we're a "perfect match".

12. Sol- "I was on a trip with a lot of my Adat friends and I know that won't happen again. It was a lot of fun....especially climbing the tanks at Latrun, and floating for my first time in the Dead Sea".

Visiting Jerusalem

Adat students perform at Nitzanim

 

We hope you enjoyed our Israel trip almost as much as we did!
Stay tuned to next year!
Robin Solomon

Our Two Day Trip To The Negev

On our bus ride home from the south, the students were asked: "what was your favorite part of the two day trip?" Here are their responses:

1. Elizabeth-"The camel ride because the Dead Sea was really really nice but it was cold and can burn if you touch it and then your eyes...you have to be very cautious!"

2. Caitlyn-"Both the camel ride and the Dead Sea because they both were big experiences that you can't do everytwhere!"

3. Arielle-"The camel ride and the Dead Sea because I liked the camel I was on because it didn't sneeze or poop on me; the Dead Sea because I was with my friends, we ate popsicles and laid in the sun."

4. Emmanuelle-"The camels because I was expecting it to be worse and it was fun!"

5. Sydney-"Ein Gedi because it was fun going in the water with all my clothes!"

6. Emma-"Floating in the Dead Sea because I've never done it before!"

7. Mika-"Bedouin tent because it was fun to see how to live as a Bedouin!"

8. Talia-"Bedouin tent because it was really, really cool and the meatballs were yummy!"

9. Lior-"The Dead Sea because I've never been in it and it was a fun experience!"

10. Adi-"Ein Gedi because I got wet and it was refreshing!"

11. Jake-"Camel ride because "George" (which I had to inform Jake was actually Georgette) was the best camel in the world".

12. Sol-"Camel ride because it was real fun and I had a bumpy camel to ride on!"

HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THE BLOG! SEE YOU ON THURSDAY!
L'HITRAOT!

"My Favorite Part Of The Trip Thus Far"

Following last night's Megillah reading, the students were asked what was their favorite part of the "School Twinning" trip thus far.

Here are their responses:
1. Sol-"My visit to the Shuk Ha Carmel".
2. Talia-"Being with my friends".
3. Elizabeth-"A playground that we played at".
4. Emmanuelle-"Going to the mall with the girls".
5. Lior-"Visiting Latrun".
6. Sydney-"The Purim celebrations".
7. Mika-"The Jerusalem trip".
8. Jake-"Trip to Jerusalem".
9. Adi-"Seeing my family".
10. Caitlyn-"The Jerusalem trip".
11. Emma-"Purimon at the Scouts".
We imagine Arielle would say being with my host!

Shana and I are looking forward to hearing their thoughts about the Negev trip!
Todah,
Robin

Our first blog-"How do I feel being in Israel?"

This morning during the Yoman Massa, sharing time, Shana and I asked the students, "how do you feel being in Israel?
Here are the responses:
1. Mika-"I still don't feel like I'm in Israel; it's like a dream!"
2. Talia-"I missed Israel so much.....since I didn't sleep on the plane I feel like I'm dreaming!"
3. Emmanuelle-"It takes a while to adjust to being in Israel. It's exciting!"
4. Arielle-"I still feel like I'm in America. Israel looks different to me from 11/2 years ago!"
5. Emma- "It feels amazing, because I was never here before!"
6. Sydney-"It feels free and independent because we walked to the supermarket alone!"
7. Elizabeth-"It feels really different, sort of weird. Kids are more independent and alot safer. Charging things are different. I really don't believe I'm here!"
8. Sol-"It feels heartwarming because everyone is very nice!"
9. Jake-"It feels fine and awesome!"
10. Caitlyn-"It's a journey of a lifetime with all of your friends and you should do the best you can because you are doing this with all your friends!"
11. Adi-"We traveled half way across the world but I didn't feel it. Everyone is nice. Last night we walked home!"
12. Lior-"I've been waiting to go to Israel because I missed my buddy and I wanted to see my Israeli family!

The overall consensus was that the students loved walking to the market and school by themselves!!!
Please check out the blog tomorrow following our trip to Jerusalem!
Layla tov,
Robin

2013 Adat Delegation to Israel

On Sunday, February 17, 2013, 12 students and 2 teachers from Adat Ari El Day School will travel to Israel for ten days. The delegation will visit Adat’s sister school, Nitzanim in Tel Aviv (Ramat Aviv), as part of the Jewish Federation’s Los Angeles-Tel Aviv School Twinning Program.

The 12 students are:

Sol Madar

Jake Goldberg

Emma Raizman

Elizabeth Foreman

Emmanuelle Avrahami

Lior Tal

Talia Rubinstein

Arielle Moalem

Sydney Gottlieb

Mika Haziza

Adi Arbiv

Caitlyn Dienstag

The 2 teachers are:

Shana Dienstag

Robin Solomon

Check out this blog daily and experience Israel with us!