Leaving Tiberias 1/7

Today was our last breakfast at the Moriah Gardens, and it was unappetizing as ever. I did however eat a real fig for the first time and it was unfortunetly the most delicious breakfast choice out of the four tables of food.

Then we boarded the bus to travel to the holy city of Jerusalem. I had the privilege of again sitting next to my bus buddy Dan, our very own Jolly Green Giant (minus the green). On our travels the guys discovered a billboard of Carmen Electra and somehow managed to relate it to helping disabled children ride horses. Then Rabbi Leib decided to re-craft the artist story from yesterday about taking 1's and subtracting zero's and adding 1 to get 8 all in his screechy pubescent voice, and Rushona related all four of the holy cities to the four elements from Captain Planet.

After a long ride filled with talks about every TV show in the universe, wearrived at a monestary where we pow-wowed on cold limestone rocks to have a Torah chat. Next we traveled through the Drew Village. In case you were wondering the Drews have a secret religion that their own people don't even know. Next we traveled to Neve Michael a safe home for over 200 children, and had recess with them. They're definetly 100 times better then us at every sport. One child took someone's camera and started taking pictures and posing people together for prom like pictures, the employee told us that that child rarely participates so he wishes that we would come help everyday. We watched a movie about two graduates from the program. We then ate and watched the children do Krav Maga, or play the drums. They were definetly excited to have suce a large audience.

We left the home and arrived at the beautiful city of Jerusalem. We met up with a bunch of other Birthright groups and had Challah & Wine before entering the city. We also participated in the fastest Horah of my life. We said the "Shechiyanu" on Mount Scopus overlooking the city to celebrate our first time in Jerusalem. Then we arrived at our hotel and travelled to Ben Yehuda Street for dinner. I ate at "Holy Bagels" and they were delicious (coming from a New Yorker's point of view) We had a great day all around, and we are excited for the next few days in one of the holiest cities in the world.

Shalom Everyone,
Ilana Shapiro