Dear NCSY TJJ Lion Pride,

Greetings from the lowest place on Earth!!!!!

Thursday and Friday were quite the eventful days for the TJJ Lion Pride!!

We kicked off Thursday with a visit to the Arabel Cliff. There were learned about how the Golan was conquered during the six day war. Then we had a great time donkey riding and making pita at Kfar Kedem! Our afternoon was spent saying goodbye to the Golan as we drove to Ein Gedi for Shabbat.

The Lion pride had an EARLY start this morning (4:00!!!!!) so that we could fit all of our amazing plans into one jam packed day! We arrived at Masada (around 4:30!!!!) so that we could have ample time hike to its top and see the sunrise over the holy land. We then had plenty of time to pray, enjoy breakfast and learn about Masada’s origins and why it is a major symbol of Israeli resislance, all while beating the worst of the desert heat.

By the time we were ready to leave Masada everyone was melting! We went straight for the Dead Sea, the lowest elevation on planet earth, in order to cool off. Everyone had a great time floating and gathering minerals and mud. You could say we turned the Dead Sea into our very own lazy river!

After the Dead Sea we returned to our Hotel in Ein Gedi to prepare for shabbat! Everyone is so excited to spend our second shabbat together!

Best,
Rabbi Chaim

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