Sunday, May 13, 2012
21 Iyar 5772 
Cardin students, Rabbi Seltzer, and Mr. Creeger were all ready to go on Sunday! 

Departure pic 1 
Departure pic 2 
Departure pic 3 

Bon voyage!

Monday, May 14, 2012
22 Iyar 5772
Shalom from Israel! We have safely landed and spent our first day together. After the long, hot flight, we landed in Tel-Aviv/Yafo and from there met our Madrichim...they are amazing. Our main tour guide was in USY and it really gave me the amazing opportunity to talk about USY and how he came to Israel. We started our day in Mei Kedem, an ancient Roman aqueduct, where we walked through dark water tunnels where the water went up to my belly button! We all made it through safely with us helping each other get through and encouraging one another. After that we went to Zicron Yaacov for a little tour and lunch. Almost all of us went to this amazing little gelato place called Aldo. We also were able to walk around and experience the culture. After a long bus ride across the state, we made it to the Kineret where we relaxed and napped on the beach. We then got back on the bus and headed towards Poriah Youth Hostel where we are staying for the next two nights. The view here is unbelievable. For my first day for my first time in Israel, it has definitely been an amazing one! We are all very excited for our day tomorrow and will update you soon!
- Marisa Rubin '13 
 
Zicron Yaacov playground   
Catching some rays at the Kineret
Sunset at the hostel in Poriah
Exhaustion  
On the bus and ready to go 

Tuesday, May 15, 2012
23 Iyar 5772
Hello from Israel. Day 2 was a lot of fun. We went to the Hula Valley and took a biking tour. We saw lots of different types of birds and learned it has the the second amount of migratory birds in the world with 500 to 700 million a year. We also saw water buffalo and wild hogs. It was a fun bike ride. After lunch we went to the talmudic village in Katzrin. There we learned about making olive oil and the oven of Achnai. We also discussed teachings from Perka Avot in what was once the beit kaneset. After that we went to the Golan Hights and learned about the history of Israel and Syria's conflicts and where it stands today. It was really interesting to learn to see the cease fire line and look into Syria. It was another amazing day and we had so much fun.
- Nora Salzberg '12

Biking bird sanctuary   
Katrin olive press  
Golan Heights   
Ancient synagogue   
Youth hostel dinner  

Wednesday, May 16, 2012
24 Iyar 5772
We had such a busy and exciting day today. We started off the day leaving our beautiful hostel on Mount Poriya. We then traveled to Tzvat to learn about the history and culture of the town. We saw two different synagogues. We also went to the Safed Candle shop where we learned how they make their beautiful candles. We then were able to walk around the city to look at the beautiful artwork in the shops and buy gifts. After Tzvat we went to the Jordan River to eat lunch and then took a raft ride down the river. The river was a nice cool down from a hot day. My team finished in a close second to Rabbi Seltzer's team. We all had a huge splashing war. Rabbi Seltzer was very proud of his team for winning. After we dried off, we got on the bus to travel to Jerusalem. Before making it to our hotel, we stopped at a lookout and got our first look at the old city, which was very beautiful. We then made it to our hotel to shower and relax before heading to Ben Yehuda street for dinner and shopping. This was my second time being in Jerusalem, but it is still amazing to be here. It is even more meaningful to me being here for the second time because I am older and I am more connected to my Judaism. I am so excited for the rest of our time in Israel and I am looking forward to the next exciting activities.
- Kate Scher '12

Tzafat  
Tzafat shopping     
Synagogue Ha Ari 1  
Synagogue Ha Ari 2   
Mt. Scopus  

Thursday, May 17, 2012
25 Iyar 5772
Today we had late start to the day. We went to Gush Etzion which is across the green line in the west bank. We went to a settlement and saw a memorial. Then we went on a hike. The hike was supposed to be where Abraham walked to Jerusalem. Next we went to the tank meusem. We got to see a special ceremony going on for the IDF. After that we went back to the hotel to relax before going to Ben Yehuda at night. We are looking forward to an exciting day tomorrow and then Shabbat.
- Adina Golob '12

Hiking Derech Ha'Avot   
View of Derech Ha'Avot  
Sunny Derech Ha'Avot  
Roman Mile Marker   
Latrun   
Ancient Mikveh   
Armed Corps Museum