The second day on NCSY GIVE started off on an incredible high as we hiked down the edge of Har Arbel. Singing and dancing, the girls had a chance to overlook the breathtaking view of the lower Galilee. The guides were so impressed with the girls piercer branch and positive attitude while hiking down the huge mountain. Afterwords we cooled down in tap macholet as the girls purchased ice cream. Then we made our way to the ever of the Rambam. Miriam, our assistant director, explained to the girls a little bit about his history and philosophy. Following mincha we had lunch and continued to tour the Rambam center. The tour guide played a few games with the girls as he brought the Torah to life. Soon we’ll be going back to the hotel to get ready for Shabbos kodesh! We will be spending Shabbos up in the Galil, NCSY GIVE is looking forward to spending an inspirational and wonderful first Shabbos together! Shabbat Shalom!

Our first day started with an exciting water hike in Majrase. The beautiful greenery around our refreshing hike was only one wonder of the Galil we experienced today. After our hike we made our way to a park in The Katzrin village in the Golan Heights. We had a delicious lunch consisting of schwarma, pita, and Israeli salad! We then made our way into the ancient village where advisors put on skits to teach lessons that Talmudic personalities had said themselves, while we were sitting in some of their original houses. We walked through ruins of an ancient shul where a scribe met us and displayed to the girls his incredible calligraphy. After learning about our ancient history we stopped at a local grocery store to pick up some snacks! Ending the day with our first chaburah, the buzz around the GIVE girls were that they can’t wait for more to come! We had an Israeli stye dinner with an icebreaker and a fun “bedazzle your Fanny” (our fanny packs of course) night activity. Thursday nights Rabbi Felberman, the honoray GIVE rabbi, will be kicking off our first mishmar of GIVE 2014! Looking forward to a wonderful Shabbos up in the north!

After taking of from JFK on time GIVE arrived to Ben Gurion around five thirty. The clapping as the pilot landed the plane started us off on our exciting adventure! We are all looking forward to a fantastic summer in Israel! We had a delicious dinner in Tveria and settled in the Galil for the night.

This is the day that you get to meet your new GIVE family!

Make sure you have the flashmob down pat! Eretz Yisroel won’t know what hit them!

See you later tonight!

Love,

Your NCSY GIVE Staff

Hi! I’m Erin Stiebel and I’m super psyched for yet another awesome summer on NCSY GIVE! This will be my 10th summer working for NCSY Summer Programs and my 6th summer serving as the Director of GIVE. Woah. Time flies when you’re trying to bring back the fanny pack!

I’m originally from Silver Spring, MD, but spent several years in NY while attending Stern College and pursuing my Masters in Business and Jewish Education. I recently relocated to Detroit, MI, where I live with my husband David, who was the first official male member of the NCSY GIVE family, and our delicious little boy, Alexander, both of whom will be joining us this summer! We are the proud owners of a hot pink Hello Kitty microwave and a car that is older than most of you. I am always overcome with emotion when we greet a Nefesh B’Nefesh flight, welcoming home all of those brave, dedicated and admirable individuals, choosing to build and raise their families in our homeland.  

Can’t wait to meet everyone and begin another summer of inspiration, perspiration and an insanely awesome obsession with Hashem!