This past Friday was a very memorable day in Israel for everyone on Bus 2. On this day we learned a lot about the history and culture of our homeland, and got to experience it first hand. We started the day with an early wake up and an amazing breakfast. From there we loaded the bullet proof bus, and departed to chevron – the ancient and spiritual site where Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Adam, and Eve were buried. Upon arrival, we put together a minyan and began to pray shacharit. Personally, I have been trying hard to attend all the prayers I can in my time in Israel, but this was the moment when I felt a genuine connection with myself, my friends, and god. Many of my friends felt similar connections. From chevron, we stopped for lunch and had delicious felafel before continuing on the road to Gush Etzion. Here we saw an insightful film about how settlers came to Gush Etzion, and despite the violence going on were able to make lives for themselves. Before going back to our beautiful hotel for Shabbat preparation, we visited one of the shooks in Jerusalem – Machane Yehuda. This was an eye opening experience to us, because very few of us have been in an environment like this. Here we discovered more about the Israeli culture and how many people live their everyday lives. When I look back at my unbelievable TJJ experiences, this past Friday will definitely be one of my top memories.

Jacob Levy