Day 21: Tuesday 1st August 2017

We embarked upon a voyage to explore the underground crevices of the Kotel, with Noam to guide us through the heat of Jerusalem. We were given a chance to say a few prayers at the closest point to the holy of holies, which was especially powerful for us as Jews considering the significance of the Temple which we mourn the loss of on this day of Tisha B'av. 

We were then given the opportunity to do our own private Tefillah by the Kotel. 

On return to our hotel, we had 2 hours to rest and regain strength fpr those fasting, before watching an emotional Holocaust film called Denial. Next, we discussed the importance of Tisha B'av and the meaning of it to us personally with Rabbi Gideon Sylvester, who surprisingly had connections to almost all of our families!!! 

After reflecting on the importance of the day, we pilgrimaged to the Kotel to soak up the post fast atmosphere and  to break the fast with well deserved snacks. On arrival, we were overwhelmed by the huge amount of Jews who were at considerably the most spiritual place for our nation. We ventured forth to (m)eat the cravings in our stomachs with mouthwatering foods. This was the end to a relaxing, yet eventful and mind-opening day.

By Kezia Blakeley and Ella Hyman

Day 20: Monday 31st July 2017

We started off today by going to shalva, a organisation that helps families with children who have special needs or disabilities. We received a tour of the building as well as learning about the organisation works and why it was created. The creators son became blind and deaf due to a faulty injection, they wanted to help people the way they were helped, so created shalva. 

After this insightful experience, we headed to the old city and went on a tour of the Jewish section. Here, we learnt about the life the Jewish people at the time of the Temple and saw the beautiful sites and learnt about their purpose. 

We were given money to get our own lunch, so many of us either got pizza or pasta. 

The famous and magnificent Hurva synagogue (which has been rebuilt 4 times) was our next stop. We learnt about the history of the synagogue and then were lucky enough to go to the kotel again. 

Due to it being tisha ba'av tonight,  we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the fast. After eating, we headed to the tayelet,  a viewpoint overlooking the whole of Jerusalem and talked about all the devastating stories that connect to Tisha Ba'av.

By Mia Solomon

Day 19: Sunday 30th July 2017

After starting our morning with a hearty breakfast, Yuri, our bus driver, whisked us off to the Haas promenade. Once there, we found the 'I am Jerusalem' program which took place in a video simulator. We learned about Jerusalem's history and its connection to different faiths.

We then walked to the Tower of David, which is in the Old City. We learned a bit about the history of the tower and then had a scavenger hunt. Competitive game faces on! We all had fun despite the many times we climbed up staircases before realising it was the wrong staircase.

After this, it was time for our favourite part of day - lunch.

Following this we went to the Hezkiah and David water tunnels in which we had to walk through confined spaces. The constant singing and ruach heightened the mood apart from the occasional screams of people being scared by others.

Just a quick walk from the caves was the kotel, but before we visited the wall we learned about what the temple was like 2 thousand years ago! We all donned our virtual reality headsets and we were transported!! It was amazing. After that surreal experience we were able to better appreciate the wall and had a moving time praying. 

It was then back to the hotel for supper and visitors! Just after the visitors left, Luis, our madrich, had a friend who serves in the IDF come to the hotel. He works with lone soldiers and has a very interesting story. We all asked him questions and then retired to bed.

By Jonathan Philips and Talya Masters

Day 18: Shabbat 29th July 2017

First and foremost I must note that we woke up at 11 today. By far the best / only good nights sleep we have gotten so far. Following Shacharit, we did an activity  where we had to place different Jewish values in order of priorities. This caused a lot of debate and excitement and was very thought provoking.  

It was then time for lunch followed by an hour of free time. This was in preparation for a 2 hour "stroll" through the old city that Noam, our wonderful tour guide, took us on. No one really wanted to go as we were still half asleep, but he then surprised us by taking us to visit his mum's house. Food and drinks had been prepared for us and she told us funny stories about Noam's childhood. She inspired us all with her hospitality and kindness to others. After a quick toilet break we continued on our "stroll". 

As soon as we got back we had the opportunity to have a Q&A with Rabbi Shaw, our guest for Shabbat. We discussed important issues such as suicide, life after death and marrying out. This was an amazing experience as we were able to ask any questions we wanted without any judgment. One of the reasons that Tribe is such an amazing youth movement is due to the difference of opinions of it's chanichim (participants). Everyone had a different view on the topic and we all respected each other's thoughts. 

After a quick dinner we had our final Havdallah. We heard stories of Russian Jews who had never had the opportunity to practice Shabbat and who dreamed of seeing the kotel.  It was an emotional time as everyone knew that this was our last Shabbat together on tour. We have all grown so close during the past three weeks. 

Once Havdalla was over we got ready to go to Ben yehuda. It was fun to see so many other youth groups from all over the world. We even managed to meet people that we had previously shared hostels with. There was an amazing atmosphere and everyone could just hang out with friends. 

Today showed the polarity of tribe. We went from discussing serious topics to dancing in the streets.

by Ellie Turner

Day 17: Friday 28th July 2017

We had a bright and early - 8 am - start to go to Har Hertzl. (Israels military cemetery)  After arriving we went to see Hertzl's Grave. We found that it was very simplistic but beautiful none the less; an Israeli flag either side, the tombstone completely plain and black with only Hertzl's name written on it, and the whole thing entirely surrounded by a brightly circle of flowers. Our tour guide Noam told us the story of Hertzl's childhood and his vision for the future State of Israel.

 

We then proceeded to the soldiers cemetery, filled with the graves of thousands of deceased IDF soldiers. Noam (our tour guide) started with the story of Yoni Netanyahu, and how he courageously died saving Jews during the Antebi rescue mission in Uganda. He was the only soldier killed in the mission and he was the commander. This mission is now commonly referred to as 'Miftza Yonatan' or 'Yonatan's Mission' as he chose to take on the mission. Noam continued to tell us the story of his friend in the IDF who saved his life when he wanted to escape from the army. He died. Tears were shed and hugs were given. It was an emotional experience for all. We were amazed to see that all of the graves were identical and everyone who dies for this amazing country is equal, weather they are a commander or at the lowest rank of private.

After departing the cemetery we went on to the Machaneh Yehuda market where we had lunch, after which many of us went to look for clothes (Israelis) as well as presents for our family and friends back home. It was amazing to see the vast number of people and the beautiful, brightly coloured clothes, spices and products.

After this we returned to the hotel for a good Pre-Shabbat shluf, as well as a shower and a clean set of Shabbat clothes. At around 5 o'clock we all came down for Shabbat photos and a fun activity with Rabbi Shaw and his children. We then took the bus to the Kotel and welcomed Shabbat in, for the last time on Tribe Tour. We sang songs on the rooftop of the Aish building overlooking the Kotel and saw the other youth groups singing and dancing below. It was a truly amazing and heart warming experience that we all enjoyed sharing together. We then walked back to the hotel and bumped into our American friends, so we all walked back together. Finally we arrived back at the hotel and we all celebrated the fact that we got to sleep till 11 the following morning. It was a great ending to a great day.

Thank You Tribe Tour 2017 for another fabulous day in Israel!

By Nadav Grunberg

Day 16: Thursday 27th July 2017

Today began with an early start followed by a much needed bus ride (nap time!), to Tel Aviv's biggest shul, a truly beautiful building. 

Following this we went to a high tech museum. We experienced Israel's latest innovations such as a machine that converts air into water, the nicest water we've had in Israel yet!

After lunch we visited Yad Vashem, which gave us a deeper insight into the horrors faced during the Holocaust and a greater appreciation for having Israel today. 

We then expended our energy on a short hike through the Sataf Hills followed by some chill out time and dinner at Malcha mall.

We were all excited to end the day at the Jerusalem Gold Hotel, greeted by our clean washing and fresh sheets.

By Eliana Glazer

Day 15: Wednesday 26th July 2017

With such a jam-packed schedule, any opportunity for a lie in must be taken very seriously. Today was not the case.

After an early(ish) start to the day, we arrived at Machon Ayalon - an underground factory in which 2 1/4 million bullets were produced to fund the efforts of the fighters in the War of Independence. Despite the constant watch of the British, who controlled the area at the time,  a top secret underground plant was constructed whilst life on the Kibbutz, situated above, continued as usual.

There were two entrances to the secret annex camouflaged by a laundrette at one end of the factory and a bakery at the other. Above the Ayalon Institute, the Kibbutzim Hill area gave every impression of being a regular kibbutz with living quarters, a communal dining hall, a chicken coop and the like. This is amazing to think as one would imagine that the noise from the underground testing range, along with the constant clanking of the manufacturing machines would outweigh the sounds of the thriving community above.

Following this, we made our way to the Children's Museum for the 'Invitation to Silence' programme. Having been split into smaller groups, we were taken around various activities. Kitted out with noise-cancelling headphones and led by guides who are themselves deaf, we were able to experience a silent world, gaining some understanding of the life of a deaf person.

Through all the wild hand gestures and the impromptu hula hooping charades, this museum was an amazing opportunity.

Last on the itinerary was the Independence Hall. Here, we learnt about the establishment of Tel Aviv and the state of Israel. It was really interesting for us as youth of today and made us appreciate what we take for granted today.

It was then time to return to the kibbutz for an anticipated (mostly by the madrichim) relatively early night!

By Talya Masters