Shavua Tov (“good week”)!

It has been warm up here in Chakuk Balev. Most days have been getting up to the upper 90’s, so we have been grateful for any chance to be in air conditioning! Aside from the heat, this Shabbat has been truly beautiful and inspirational. We started off by coming together as a group and welcoming Shabbat in with melodic Kabbalat Shabbat followed by words of introduction by our director, Rabbi Gershie Meisel. Maariv (the evening prayer) followed and then we happily proceeded to the cafeteria/ chadar ochel for dinner, the first meal of the 3 Shabbat meals. After a delcious dinner we made our way to the lounge where our advisors prepared an entertaining ice breaker, which asked each TJJ-er to state his/her name, where they are from, their first AIM screename, and if they could be any musical instrument what would it be and why. Many of the responses were very clever and we all benefitted in the activity to further our group bonding. Rabbi Yehuda Polstein (bus’ educational director) then started the evening’s Oneg Shabbat- “Shabbat enjoyment”, where we learned a niggun (a wordless song used to infuse the soul with spirituality) and heard a story. After the oneg, we all enjoyed a nice long sleep. Most of us, except those of us who are still battling jet-lagg, thoroughly appreciated the 11 am wake-up on Shabbat morning. When we finally peeled ourselves from bed, we made our way back to the chadar ochel/ cafeteria to indulge in the second meal of Shabbat- lunch! Shortly after lunch, we reconvened in the lounge where we partook in a session run by Rabbi Yehuda and our adviors on Jewish Identity. The bus was divided into smaller groups to meet with advisors to discuss how we could ensure that Judaism was not lost and what actions should be taken to make this ideal a reality. We briefly discussed each group’s conclusions and then enjoyed a nice 3 hr menucha- “rest/break”. Some of us played soccer or read or played cards, while others went back to sleep. At 6 pm, we met on the grassy- area of the kibbutz and did improv games with Rabbi Yehuda. Laughs were non-stop. Following the games, we started the third and final meal of Shabbat- Seuda Shlishit. It was a simple and light meal to tie us over until our Melalve Malka, which we enjoyed after Shabbat. We ended our first shabbat by learning two new songs, “Tov Lehodot” as well as “V’ha’er” followed by a havdala with guitar accompaniment. All in all it was a very beautiful and meaningful first shabbat. Let’s hope subsequent shabbats are equally good, if not BETTER! 

Tonight the bus enjoyed shopping and pizza in Teveria, a city located on the Sea of Galilee (The Kinneret) which is just 30 minutes away from the kibbutz.

Tomorrow we head to Tzfat! Stay tuned!