Today on GIVE, we reunited as a family after school having a nice free weekend. We heard from the organization StandWithUs, and learned about the history of the state of Israel, and how to spread the awareness of the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. We shared ideas about how we could each become involved spreading the truth about Israel and all that we’ve gone through to declare Israel a Jewish state. Following a yummy lunch in the OU center, we boarded the buses for a fun SCAVENGER HUNT!!! The busses arrived to the malcha mall, and each team was given a list of funny tasks to perform on camera, using props (or people) around the mall!! After running around the mall, and making the funniest videos, we arrived back at mevaseret for mincha and a delicious dinner! Following dinner, we had an excellent program about body image. First, we had a fashion show, and each team was assigned a certain individual to dress up as. Within minutes, each team used props and materials to create costumes to resemble the individual we were assigned! We then spoke about the importance of ones body image amongst society. 

Written by GIVEr: Tovah Blank

Today was the second day of volunteering at emunah. It was really exciting and fun when we were able  to recognize faces and the names of children we had previously formed friendships with. After davening and eating breakfast, we were able to play a few sports activities with the children and their instructor. We began with playing with tall wooden sticks, where we were all in a circle and had to try and catch each other’s sticks as we moved around. Then we played a fun exercise where there was string wrapped around a pair of people and we had to try and get out without using our hands. After that, we became guides or were guided by the children wearing a blindfold all throughout the property in afula. Then we came inside a cool room and played a really fun game of Chinese gaga, which was fun for all the kids, but especially us! After lunch, we arranged a small carnival for all the kids to participate in. Everyone was able to make an animal, flower, or whatever they wanted out of clay and also create a cup of sand art. Then we all went outside to play a really fun game of drip drip drop, which ended up turning into a huge waterfight between us and the kids, leaving most of us soaking wet! While all the kids had some free time to shower we were able to check out the nearby stores in afula, drink coffee and eat in aroma, and get candy!! To end off the night after dinner, we all played musical chairs, freeze dance, and “hamelech omer” (israeli Simon says). All the kids were super happy and having a blast and they didn’t want to leave when they had to go to bed. Once all the kids went o their rooms for the night, we walked to Ellin, who is a worker at emunah. She is so sweet and kind and made us all feel welcome and loved in her home. Ellin was able to answer some questions we had, as well as brief us on some of the histories of the kids we have grown to love and care for. We spent hours just chilling, talking, and reflecting on our amazing experience here at emunah. It’s truly inspiring to see children at such a young age with such positive and happy attitudes, despite their terrible backgrounds. For me, there was nothing more rewarding than engaging in conversations with the kids, helping them, or just making them smile. Coming to emunah has taught me to appreciate all that I have especially my family, because kids here would probably dream of a safe and loving family. I am so happy that I chose the chesed elective, and I can’t wait to create even more memories tomorrow!!

Written by GIVEr: Gabs Laskow Yesterday was an awesome beginning to our electives week!! We started our day off at mevaseret packing our lunches and saying bye to our amazing friends. After an awesome and exaughsting night of yom ncsy we now slept on the 3 hour bus ride to our first hike. When we arrived, our hiking tour guide pulled out her little “friend” which was a terrifying orange snake, and a few people held it. We soon started our hike which was very nice. It wasn’t too long and there was nice shade. We helped each other get through the rough patches which I thought was beautiful. We stopped for water and our guide played a little game with us where she pulled out unclear pictures and we had to guess the image. We continued on our wandeful hike till we reached a steep and rocky hill. All of us did an amazing job and got through it pretty quickly as we reached a water pool. Personally I relaxed and sat on a rock with a friend -the one and only amazing Esti Zulberg. Almost everyone else went into the water and had a very exciting and fun time. We finished up and hiked back to the bus. When we arrived at the camping grounds we found a huge tent waiting for us with mattresses! It was much nicer than we expected, it was awesome!! Our night activity took place shortly afterward it was…. KAROKE!! There were strobe lights and we immediately started dancing. The dj told us to download the “application” to listen to the music we wanted. We all sang and screamed together for a while which was super fun! We showered and got in pajamas while listening to Rachel sing and play the guitar, she’s so good!!! We played a game called the code game which was super funny. After all this crazy excitement, I fell asleep?. This day was so much fun and it was a great bonding experience between everyone!

Written by GIVEr: Chani Israel

Yom NCSY

Where do I even begin to express how much fun I had at yom NCSY. From the moment we got off the bus, we showed everyone who we are with are ruach (“we r GIVErs”) so everyone would know that the party can start because NCSY GIVE has arrived. We then went to a BBQ where we had yummy Israeli food, and took pictures with our friends, capturing this amazing moment. Once I entered the arena where so many Jewish people came together. I knew this is where I wanted to be, with my NCSY family. All the NCSY programs coming together in unity, having so much compassion towards am yisrael was incredible to see. The NCSY national director introduced Yom NCSY. After the director spoke, our own Erin Stiebel spoke (“Erin Erin Stiebel!”). Additionally, Mrs. Fraenkel, one of the three mothers of the boys who were murdered last summer, spoke to us. She is a true inspiration to  Am Yisroel. Even though she lost her son, she still saw the good out of it. It was amazing to hear her describe how her nation and community came together during this difficult period and how she told us she would never live anywhere else but Israel even with all that she’s been through. When she came off the stage all I could say to her was “thank you, thank you so much.” Then we turned our heads towards the screen that played the videos of all the campers. Then the concert started with everyone singing and dancing. I’ve never sweat so much in my life.  I was dancing and singing with all my friends and making new friends with all the NCSYers. We had so much ruach! Thank you so much to David Cutler and to the whole NCSY staff (especially GIVE) for making this my Best.Summer.Ever

Written by GIVEr: Ilana Paskoff

We started off Tisha B’av with reading Aicha and the nighttime kinnos. Each advisor spoke about a kinna and brought beautiful insights and stories to each one to make them more meaningful. Then we went to a candle-lit room and spoke about the extermination of the Jews in the modern world and how the world is desensitized to the violence. Erin then told us to each write down on a piece of paper what our dreams and hopes are. What our talents are and the thinks we want to accomplish in life. Then all the advisors collected the papers. We weren’t so sure why they collected then. The next thing we know we see Erin put them in a bin and light the papers on fire. She was telling us to imagine how it must feel to lose everything you have in just a split second like many of our past ancestors did in tragedy. This was such a powerful program. I’ve never experienced anything like it.  We stayed up until late hours coming together and singing incredible zmiros outside. In the morning, we read and listened to more kinnos prepared by our advisors and then later on we went to the Kotel for mincha. It was such a meaningfull experience to be   davening with so many Jews to end this galus. After Tisha B’av ended, we broke our fast on yummy food in cinema city! Even though this was the most meaningful Tisha B’av I have ever experienced, I pray that this will be the last one we celebrate in mourning. We want Moshiach Now ☺️☺️!!

Weekend number three on GIVE was awesome!! On friday, we went to Ir Dovid. We got a tour of Ir Dovid and then got to explore the water tunnels!! It was such an adventure! As we walked through the tunnel we all sang songs in the dark and enjoyed the cold water on our feet! We then enjoyed a nice pizza lunch! Whats GIVE without pizza! For the last activity before shabbos, we went to Machane Yehudah (The Shuk). It was what all the girls have been waiting for! Everyone got time to walk around, buy candy and food, and even drink some refreshing Re:bar!

Finally, the holy shabbos began! Shabbos this week was very special because we were in Mevaseret! It felt as if we had a shabbos at home! Shabbos was so nice and relaxing. Now that we have been on GIVE for already almost 3 weeks we are super comfortable and close with one another! We sang, ate, played fun activities, learnt, and just chilled! That’s the best kind of shabbos there is!

Looking Forward to another meaningful and fun week!!

Written by GIVEr: Samantha Friedman