Saturday, July 16, 2011

Summer fun

I know I have been so busy, like all NFTY summers. But I want to take a second to write that I am having one of the most amazing summers with incredible kids and a knock-out staff. I feel like I (and my staff) are really helping these kids to be more of the amazing selves that they are and I am really proud of the job we're doing here.

Here is to a strong last 9 days of NFTY Summer 2011!!!!!!!

Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Shakshuka updates

Group Shakshuka is doing well. One of our kids is sick though, so I stayed behind today to be with her.  I have some extra time, so I thought some updates would be appropriate.

I had a day off yesterday and I went to Beer Sheva. Roi and I took a four hour nap, I did laundry, and we went to a really nice dinner together. It was a perfect day really. I had to leave Beer Sheva really early for Jerusalem in the morning, but everything was fine and there was even a seat on the bus from where I got on.  It was a good sign for a good day. We went through the City of David tunnels and then went to the Kotel. The kids really had a great day. It's really emotional for a lot of them to be there for the first time, and I am really happy to be a part of this experience for them.

Never too many group shots

Our girls

Some of our boys together at the wall.

Since it was the 4th of July we got sparkles for our kids. It was a huge success! They really loved them.  Pictures to come! =) I hope everyone had a great holiday! 

Friday, July 01, 2011

Europe, birthday, and Israel!

I have been very busy since June 14th, the last post. I had NFTY in Israel orientation, met my campers, went to Europe (Prague, Krakow, and Warsaw) flew back to Israel, and camped for three night in the Arava, the southern desert in Israel.

It's been an amazing two weeks and has felt like a year. Working for NFTY is the most exhausting and most rewarding job someone could have.

I have a snippet for the parents:

My group is incredible. They are a mixed group from all over the US. They have more spirit, sass, and enthusiasm than I can explain.  They can all count to 100 and say short sentences in Hebrew. I feel like we jumped into Israel feet first. After the kids started singing after the plane landed, they haven't stopped! Yesterday we went to Jaffo to see the historical entrance to our homeland and all the participants picked Hebrew names to be called on the whole trip.  They are really embracing their heritage, religion, and Hebrew.  

Our group name is Shakshuka, a famous Israeli/Arabic food. The group was challenged to make a song for our group.  They split into small groups for the competition, you can watch the two final championship songs. The kids were absolutely amazing. We were blown away by the performances. Not only their excitement, but their use of Hebrew, and their references to Israeli cultural.

Group Shakshuka is definitely one of a kind and I am looking forward to our next few days in the Arava desert to really see them bound and continue to blossom.