Day 12: Sunday 23rd July 2017

Our second Sunday in Israel began with an exciting session of rappelling off the side of a cliff in Machtesh Ramon. 

 

We then embarked upon a journey across the crater in a Jeep! The ride was very fun as the men driving the jeep made sure to use the rockiest route which created relative chaos for all passengers. During the ride, we stopped off at several nature sites within the crater, such as a high cliff point and a small stream, where we also ate deliciously juicy watermelon. We even saw two gazelles!

After the Jeep session we made our way to a small park area within Mitzpe Ramon. There we ate lunch before we tried our hand in archery and creating pretty jar patterns with different coloured sand.

We then got on the coach and drove a short distance to the Ilan Ramon Visitors centre. We learned about Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli NASA astronaut who, in 2003, was sent in to space on the Colombia, which fell apart during entry into the atmosphere and killed all 7 crew members. The presentation was very emotional and taught us a lot about space travel. The second part of the experience was about craters and the natural aspects of Machtesh Ramon. It included an awesome 3D demonstration on the formation of craters and a video on the wildlife living in the crater.

After we got back to the hostel we decided to have a movie night! The film we chose was Wonder Woman. We watched half of it, but then realised we were all far too tired from the activities of the day to continue, so we all went back to our rooms, packed our bags and went to sleep.

By Rachel Peck

Day 11: Shabbat 22nd July 2017

After preparing for Shabbat, we welcomed it in as a community with a service full of Ruach and excitement. Friday night dinner filled with chicken and potatoes caused quite a buzz amongst us and after an elaborate meal, we entered an ethical debate on different aspects of our daily lives such as the difference of doing perfect actions with bad intentions and doing bad actions with good intentions which we went to bed reflecting on.

 Once awoken from our well deserved sleep, we attended davening and then kiddush. Next we played many fun, shabbat-friendly games including truth or dare with mentos and finding five things we all have in common. 

After lunch we did a Tribe activity on improvements within our separate communities with Gaby who joined us with her family for Shabbat and runs the Tribe Israel office. 

Leading on, we split into two groups to have an interesting discussion on either the trade off with Gilad Shalit for 1027 prisoners who were charged for terrorist crimes, or the issue of self image and who perceives someone as a bad person. This made us all think and reflect on how this affects our lives as the youth of today and what we could do to improve the way in which people are stereotyped massively.

A rocky hike was next, where we made our way to the top of a beautiful viewing point. Some of us made our way to a nearby Sephardi shul for Minchah to experience other local communities. 

Once we all arrived back together, we sat in a circle and had a spiritual sing-song, storytelling session as Shabbat left us which then lead onto Havdalah which was so emotional and amazing to be able to spend it with such fantastic people.

We then changed into slightly warmer clothes to prepare for an intense and competitive version of capture the flag which ended up with pizza and chips. What a great end to a great day!!!

By Kezia Blakeley

Day 10: Friday 21st July 2017

Whilst camping last night, we sat around the bonfire and had inspirational and meaningful conversation about Judaism and general ideas, for example capital punishment.

After an early start in the morning we set off to the Kibbutz Keturah where we ate breakfast. We had a tour around the kibbutz. 

This was really interesting as we learned a lot about what it is like to live on the kibbutz, the people that live there and their solar and algae field systems. Later, we headed to the 'Ice Cream Factory' where we stopped off to shop and for some lunch (with ice cream)!

After lunch, we headed to the Chai Bar Yotvata- Nature Reserve. This was really fun as we got to see different animals living in this particular climate.

Later on, we headed to another youth hostel in Mitzpe Ramon. We got changed and ready for Shabbat!

By Katie Kritz

Day 9: Thursday 20th July 2017

Happy Birthday Ella!


Today we were lucky enough to have a late wake up due to our jam-packed day yesterday. After breakfast and Tefillah, we loaded our suitcases onto the coach.

We walked down to the sea front for our first activity - snorkeling.

Following a guide, we could see hundreds of fish that were a huge range of colours and sizes.

After this we made our way to the ICE Mall where we spent an hour and a half walking in and out of shops, arcades and Cafe Aroma.On the coach to Kibbutz Ketura we met our newest member of our tour- Peaches or Gecko (name still being discussed)- to replace Grizzlie Bizlie who we unfortunately lost (don't tell UJIA!)

We then went to the Kibbutz and enjoyed their swimming pool. After racing, performing water aerobics and playing other games we met Erez; the man with a mission to take us camping under the stars.

We climbed up and down the sand dunes of the Negev before coming to a stop. For dinner the group baked lafas and chose from a selection of toppings. We then enjoyed a sing-song, a campfire and a DMC (deep meaningful conversation) under the light of the stars before going to sleep on the sand.

And that is today's amazing experience!

By Emma Taylor

Day 8: Wednesday 19th July 2017

After an incredible night at the Bedouin Tents, our group was woken up at the unearthly hour of 4am. At the time we did not appreciate whoever 's idea it was (we are teenagers after all). There was certainly a sense of bleary-eyed excitement at the campsite as the group traveled on to Masada where we would hike up and, if we felt so inclined back down the mountain. Whilst our ruach (spirit) was underwhelming at the base of the mountain, it gradually heightened with our own altitude.

At the summit we stood and watched in awe as the sun rose between the mountains facing Masada, and our lack of sleep suddenly seemed unimportant and was forgotten.

From the summit there was the option to take a cable car back down or to hike.  I chose the hike.  It was a long and winding track and was slightly terrifying as a couple of us slipped around a bit. Happily any injury was avoided and when we arrived at the base of the mountain, red - faced and breathless, we were all disproportionately proud of ourselves. To cap it all we were also treated to a delicious breakfast and industrial quantities of iced coffee.

After our early morning trip we traveled to Ein Gedi where we saw some of the most stunning waterfalls in the natural world. However, we did not just admire their beauty, we also enjoyed messing around and splashing one another in the cool and refreshing water, a welcome change from the 39°C heat. No peace for us though.  Equipped as we were with marine-corps levels of fitness enjoyed by so many of NW London’s teenage Jewry, we were also presented with the opportunity to push ourselves in the hike to one of the highest parts of the waterfall. It was worth it.

Amazed by how early it still was we all piled into the coach to make our way down to the Dead Sea. Nearly all of us ventured into the very hot water, and then promptly ran out again. It stings, but we all enjoyed the experience.

After all of this, a satisfying lunch of hot dogs followed by a 3 hour coach journey to Eliat. Where we relaxed and enjoyed an evening filled with thought - provoking discussions.

By Isabelle Oakland

Day 7: Tuesday 18th July 2017

Hello from the holy land (also known to me as the most beautiful country in the world and my home) !!

First I would like to say that I know I speak for everyone when we say we miss all of our families but we are having SO much fun and there isn't one moment any of us would change for the world so far!

Today we started off with a lovely little nap on the coach and then went to Pitchun Lev where we were spoken to about the poor side of Israel and the less fortunate families who can't really afford what we can and so we all volunteered in different ways; some of us packed onions some peeled some cabbages and we all fixed up some boxes for packing it all. 

 

After a lovely lunch, we were spoken to by two army police officers and even though their outlook on the army wasn't all positive, we still learnt how important it is to help out your country and that loyalty to your home is beyond important. We also heard from Moshe, the manager of the packing company who was all smiles and had a heart full of love for Israel and its people which was truly inspiring to see how much he wants to help the less fortunate. I  personally am touched by how much they do for people who are in a sticky situation and would love to help out more in the Israeli community whenever I get the opportunity to.

Next was a coexistence activity, a very interesting part of the day where we got to speak to some Israeli Arabic teenagers who were around our age. We spoke of the conflict and how they feel about it and just about random things teenagers do that we have in common. Besides religion, we all agreed on the same topics and had the same opinions on politics and how the world is growing and how it is now- it was possibly the most interesting conversation I've had so far on tour! 

After that we went to the Bedouin Hospitality place and rode on some very friendly camels (big up Luis for falling off) and then had some lovely tea and coffee while learning all about the Bedouin culture and how they live their lives in complete and utter peace.

So, as our long day came to an end of telling scary stories by the campfire and singing some songs we all hit the hay in our Bedouin tents and had a good old rest before the chaos and early start of tomorrow!

Sending love to everyone, Libi Fine x

Day6: Monday 17th July 2017

Today's activities began with our second water hike. The group navigated its way through the various terrains before arriving back at the coach where some of us indulged in the first Aroma ice coffee of Tribe Tour! 

We then moved on to lunch, which was delicious pizza cooked in an oven right by the stream we would later raft upon. 

The rafting was very fun and exciting, and was a lovely way to start the afternoon. 

           After boarding the coach, we made our way to De Karina Chocolate Boutique, where we were lucky enough to be able to not only watch a chocolatier make chocolate flakes, but make our very own chocolate! 

    

Our final activity of the day was a tour and an authentic dinner at a Druze village. We got to see one of the oldest synagogues and meet the last remaining Jewish resident - an 85 year old woman with a very moving testimony.

By Ariella Simons