Today we had a day of fun up north. Our first stop was rafting, where we all started out dry but ended up completely soaked. Our adventures of splashing, swimming, and enjoying good times with friends was definitely memorable!

After a delicious pizza lunch (with all sorts of fun toppings!), we made our way to the Naot Factory to buy our favorite Israeli sandals.

Our last stop was a very sweet treat! We went to the De Karina Chocolatier, where we learned how this delicious hand made chocolate is made. The best part was when we had the opportunity to create our own chocolaty creations!

Tomorrow we will begin our week of electives, where each GIVEr has the chance to spend a few hours for the next 3 days at the same chesed organization. This allows each GIVEr to build a relationship with the people and their particular chesed.

We had an incredible weekend and we’re looking forward to begin our week of electives!

Shabbos in Tzfat was a special experience. We welcomed in the Shabbos by singing Kabbalat Shabbat in a cave. It was a different way of welcoming Shabbos, althought it was dark we were able to welcome Shabbos with our full amount of energy. Shabbos day we had the opportunity to do a walking tour of the city and learn all about the history of the city. We went to the Breslov Chassidish shul for Mincha, it was an amazing experience. We got to see the way their sects of Judaism daven. We also went to the house of the writer of the Shulchan Aruch, Yoseph Karro. It was like seeing history come to life. We went back to the hotel to say goodbye to Shabbos. This week we extended Shabbos for 45 minutes! I can’t wait for another amazing week on GIVE!

Send some FRESH BAKED goodies to a GIVEr…for birthdays…or just because you miss them! They are also a great gift to bring to a shabbat host on the free weekend!

Go to www.gillisgoodies.com to place all orders.

When ordering be sure to say you were referred by NCSY so a portion from your order can go to benefit NCSY Summer Programs Scholarships.

Can’t wait to taste all those delicious goodies!

Tomorrow we will have the opportunity to make a carnival for the children of Sderot.

Earlier today, we planned our booths and bought all the supplies needed to ensure a successful carnival. After dinner, we heard from Noam Badin, a photojournalist who lives in Sderot. Unfortunately, many people are not aware of the terrible situation there. We learned about the constant fear they live in, and how they have been forced to adjust their lives to survive. We then prepared all of the posters and props for the carnival.

We can’t wait to have the privilege to bring extra simcha to the live’s of the children of Sderor tomorrow!

NCSY GIVE FLashmob is finally here!!!

I’ve experienced Tisha B’av at home, where I listened to Aicha, woke up late the next morning, took a nap, and counted the hours till the end. I’ve experienced Tisha B’av at my sleepaway camp, where I listened to Aicha and personal stories from fellow campers, woke up a bit earlier than usual the next morning, attended programming all over the campus, then came back to take a nap and count the hours till the end. This year, however, I experienced Tisha B’av in Eretz Yisrael, where I sang kinot with all new girls and advisors who have now become best friends to me and poured my heart out at the Kotel, surrounded by thousands of fellow Jews praying for the same thing.

I never thought just being in Israel for this Tish B’Av could make it all the more meaningful. Particularly seeing the Kotel, the only remaining part of the Beit Hamikdash that we have, that we so badly want to be rebuild, really made all the more difference because I could see that beautiful surviving fraction of what exactly I was praying for. I could connect so much more, as opposed to when I sit in my house on the cold tile floor or sit in camp in the middle of nowhere, Pennsylvania, trying to recall the destruction of something I can’t envision. I realized that when it comes down to it, this is our home, and you can feel that so much more when you are here. If our actions once led to its destruction, I truly believe our actions can bring about its rebuilding.

-Leah Scher, West Hempstead, NY

The girls of NCSY GIVE have a blast playing with the children at the absorption center!