ODT (Outdoor Training) team building activity

Netanel teaching about history atop Haas Promenade

More ODT activites

ODT activity where they were blindfolded trying to find a balloon

We are finishing up on our time in Jerusalem and will be heading to the Negev tomorrow. On Sunday we woke up and took a short bus ride to Haas Promenade, another Jerusalem outlook, and discussed the history and why Jerusalem has been such an important city throughout history.  Then we took a bus ride to the City of David, an archeological site that is uncovering the original city of Jerusalem to learn some of the history and explore the ruins some.  We also had a chance to travel through Hezekiah’s water tunnels, which the kids along with us really enjoyed.  The tunnel took about 15 minutes to walk through and was pitch black, stomping through almost knee high water.  After returning to the hostel for some lunch and a little rest, we watched Operation Thunderbolt, a film about the Israeli commando raid in the 1970’s to rescue hostages taken from an airplane hijacking.  We followed the movie with a discussion in which we not only discussed Israel’s responsibilities to Jews around the world, but also their own connection to the Jewish people. Following the movie we headed over to a nearby park to do some outdoor training activities to strengthen the group dynamic.  There the kids had a blast running around, working together and enjoying the beautiful weather.  At the park we had a BBQ, which was delicious; who would have thought hummus on a hamburger could be so good!  Back at the hostel we talked about journeys and their personal Jewish journey on this trip. 

Southern Wall excavation visit

outside the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem

Today we visited another archeological site in the morning, this time looking at the ruins of the Southern Wall excavations of the Second Temple.  There we learned more about the city’s history and witnessed numerous Bar and Bat Mitzvahs that were taking place among the old stones of the Second Temple.  We then explored the Jewish Quarter of the old city, first getting lunch where the kids enjoyed falafel and shwarma for the first time in Israel.   Then we split into groups to compete in a scavenger hunt where the kids ran around the Jewish Quarter finding not only hidden treasures, but also learning about the history of the city and its ancient buildings.  Upon returning to the hostel Yitzhak, the head of Keshet came by to talk briefly with the kids about the trip so far and their experiences in Poland.  After some rest time we headed out to the Time Elevator, a simulated ride that told the history of Jerusalem to the present day.  We are headed off to the Negev tomorrow and will be there for two nights.  We will post again the end of this week after our time in the desert.

Amanda & Noah