Final Reflections from Israel
Posted on 04/30/2012 @ 02:30 PM
Internet has been very difficult. Thanks you for your patience with these updates.
Hello Everyone!
The past few days included a "march" from the center of Jerusalem to the Western Wall, a mega event show for all the March of the Living delegations, a trip to the Carmel Mountains to visit area schools and communities and a wonderful Shabbat observance at the Western Wall and creative service at a nearby park.
Shabbat morning offered options, such as services at a Yeshiva, services in the hotel, a walking tour of a Jewish neighborhood and a few discussion groups.
The following are some recent quotes from the teens:
"I will never forget singing Hatikvah with 15,000 other people in Auschwitz, then transitioning to yelling it with thousands of other teens in Israel. We are the pro-Israel future. It's incredible that so many students took the time to participate in MOTL. Thanks to BBYO for giving me this opportunity". - Lila Greenberg
"I am too overwhelmed with emotions - I cannot formulate words." - Marni Jacobson
"Seeing the sea of blue and white made me remember why I need to remember the six million." - Leslie Palans
"Tonight, I sang Hatikvah like it was my national anthem." - Matthew Bernstein
"Seeing so many people passionate about the State of Israel and Judaism made me proud to be a Jew." - Maddie Breen
"Always and forever, we will never forget." - Alex Brodsky
"Walking up to the Kotel with three of my friends was a very special moment for me. When we reached the wall we touched it and said the Shehechianu together. I finally feel the family of Israel." - Ilana Woronoff
"Dear Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, Mona and Grandpa Bob, Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to experience the March of the Living. I'm so amazed by Israel and can't wait to share everything I've learned with you guys." - Jamie Leigh Lepper
"No matter the language everyone speaks, everyone comes together through prayer." - Zoe Stanley
Photos from Israel
Posted on 04/27/2012 @ 10:30 AM
We're excited to be able to share a few pictures here on the blog to go along with the stories and reflections of our teens. To see more pictures, please visit our Smugmug page.
Join us LIVE!
Posted on 04/25/2012 @ 10:30 PM
Dear Families and Guests of March of the Living,
We are happy to provide you with an opportunity to watch two events that will be taking place tomorrow as part of the March of the Living experience.
Below are details on how to view these events live simultaneously with your teens in Israel.
Western Wall Event On Israel's 64th Independence Day (April 26, 2012) at 2:30 pm (Israel time), you will be able to join your teens as they reach the Western Wall for the emotional ceremony marking the end of their march in Jerusalem.
Access the event at http://www.thekotel.org/marchoftheliving/
A moving film about the liberation of Jerusalem during the Six Day War will be broadcast before the ceremony.
After the film, there will be a live broadcast of the ceremony- a festive prayer service at the Western Wall. During the film, you will be able to send notes online which will be printed, and then during the ceremony, Western Wall ushers will place them between the ancient stones of the Western Wall.
Mega Event
The teens will also participate in a Mega Event in Latrun later in the afternoon. You will also be able to view this event live at http://www.motl.org/MOL-2012.htm
Remember Israel is seven hours ahead of the Eastern time. This means that some of you will be up rather early to enjoy this LIVE experience and we do not want you to miss it.
The BBYO Passport Team
Celebrating Independence
Posted on 04/25/2012 @ 09:30 PM
Chag Sameach Everyone!
The past 24 hours went from a day of mourning for Israelis who died in wars and through terrorism to a night of joy and merriment.
We attended a special memorial program last night at the Latrun army base to hear stories of men and women who lost their lives from their actual family members. It was a truly touching memorial and one that brought the reality to us of what Israelis have endured and how precious life is, and to cherish every moment we have with those we love and care about.
The memorial day observance continued with an interesting tour of Ammunition Hill, the site of Israel's Six Day War of 1967, a brief visit to Yad Vashem to learn about Israel's depiction of the Holocaust, and a somber visit to Har Herzl, the national cemetery for fallen soldiers and dignitaries.
We returned to our hotel a couple of hours ago from one of the most exciting nights of the trip - celebrating Israel's Independence! The streets were packed with wall to wall Israelis and visitors, all cheering and dancing in the streets. The teens loaded up on Falafel, Schnitzel and Shawarma and managed to frequent every vendor and Judaica store.
It was fun seeing all the goodies they purchased and hearing about the great foods they tasted.
Tomorrow, we will visit the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem. All of the March of the Living delegations will participate in a second "march" from Safra Square to the Western Wall.
I look forward to sharing all the details with you tomorrow. Reminder photos from the group are posted online at http://bbyopassport.smugmug.com/ and we expect to post many more photos on Friday before Shabbat.
B'Shalom
Sherrie
Arrival in Israel
Posted on 04/24/2012 @ 09:30 PM
Hello Everyone!
We have had a difficult time with Internet connections since leaving Poland. We appreciate your patience as the problem is now resolved.
Our group is doing great. The teens continue to amaze me with their passion for learning and their display of Jewish pride.
Since my last update, we have had a packed couple of days. Beginning with our trip to Majdanek on Sunday, the reality of the Holocaust took on a new meaning for all of us. This extermination camp is right in the center of the town of Lublin and it was the one camp that was not hidden in secrecy or subterfuge. The fact that it is exactly as it was when liberated and can be up and running within 48 hours made the visit all the more horrific.
"Walking through Majdanek, I was overwhelmed with emotion. After lighting memorial candles at the dome of ashes and observing a moment of silence with my friends, and then walking through the crematorium, still in tact, I wasn't sure exactly what to feel, but I know that I have never felt more proud to be a Jew and walk out of a concentration camp being able to express my love for Judaism freely." - Marni Jacobson (Frankel Jewish Academy)
The teens from Bus 2 led the group in a solemn memorial ceremony at the foot of the mausoleum of ashes. To conclude, each teen was given paper to write their feelings on one side and their hope for the future on the other side - all to be placed in the Western Wall in Israel.
"Stepping into Israel after a life changing week in Poland was not only a breath of fresh air but a feeling of being home. The simplicity of smelling Israeli chocolate or falafel and the sound of Hebrew in all directions reminds me why I love this country so much. I'm eager to continue this journey as I learn more about my heritage, the history that surrounds me, and the culture of such an incredible country." -Jessica Kocen (Richmond, Virginia)
"My heart is filled with joy; my eyes are filled with tears. Each time I look at the teens, knowing what they take home from this trip will remain with them forever and that they are a strong link to the past and to the future of the Jewish people." - Trudy Album, Survivor
We celebrated our arrival in Israel yesterday with a morning breakfast on the Palmachin Beach. Joining together in a Shechechiyanu by the water, everyone rejoiced in our shared experience of coming out of the darkness of Poland and into the light of Israel.
Later, we toured the Ayalon Institute which was a secret bullet factory operating during the British Mandate, when the British ruled Palestine. The factory was vital in Israel's War of Independence. As a special treat, we all had some shopping time and opportunities for authentic Israeli food - a great first day in Israel.
An early morning hike up Masada got everyone revved up and then floating in the Dead Sea reconfirmed their appreciation of life and freedom.
I will be in touch later tonight with another update!
B'Shalom,
Sherrie
Comments
Leave a Comment