Dear Parents of NCSY TJJ Bus 4

I can’t believe that more than half of TJJ is already over – the past week has flown by in a blur. Thus far, it has been such an exciting and inspirational journey that I know will continue for many years post TJJ. Just for some naches, you should know that your kids are unbelievable. Each and every one of them is unique and has gained and given this summer in the most amazing ways. You should be really proud! (I am!)

As you know, your kids are enjoying a well earned, relaxing free weekend. Thankfully, everyone arrived at their host locations without any problems, and are gearing up for a chilled shabbat with family and friends. The NCSYers that are taking advantage of the TJJ shabbaton are also getting an opportunity to meet up with NCSYers from all the other TJJ busses, and so far, everyone is having a great time enjoying the sights and sounds of pre-Shabbat Jerusalem.

This past week has been a roller coster of programs, places and events. Most excitingly (for me) was my wife (Aliza) and daughter (Ayelet) joining the trip last Friday. (For those of you wondering who the really cute baby is in the pictures, that’s Ayelet 🙂

Here’s a short recap of the past week:

We began the week with our final day and hike in the Golan area (Nachal Betzet). The time we spend up north was instrumental in forming TJJ Bus 4 into a family, and I believe, without exception, that every teen on the program has excelled in making friends, socializing and building life long connections, as well as cultivating a love of the land of Israel.

Our day traveling south featured a visit to developing communities in the desert that were previously destroyed at various stages in the past 60 years. Your kids learned about the pioneering vision of the men and women that readily moved from the comforts of their homes in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to settle the harshest areas of the county, and succeeded in making the desert bloom.

This past Tuesday was Tisha B’Av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. TJJ Bus 4 commemorated the day with a series of programs and sessions that captured the spirit of the day. We read the Megillah of Eicha (Lamentations) together, and the TJJ advisors each presented a part of Jewish history, from the destruction of the Temple, through to the Holocaust, and modern day terrorism is Israel. As hard as Tisha B’Av is every year, by spending it with your kids on TJJ, I can’t help feel a sense of inspiration and hope. The knowledge that these Jewish teens in American public schools are passionate about Israel and the continuation of the Jewish people is simply uplifting… And we’ve already started planning ways to ensure that they stay involved! (Get ready for shabbatons, reunions, fun outings and next summer!)

We concluded Tisha B’Av at the Western Wall with thousands of other Jews from all walks of life, and joining in a huge singing circle with hundreds of NCSY summer program participants from all of the other summer programs. We broke our fasts at Anna Ticho House, a beautiful restaurant in Jerusalem before making our way back to Kibbutz Ein Tzurim.

Wednesday and Thursday were spend learning about the history of the State of Israel and giving back to it. We visited the Hall of Independence (where the state was declared), Rabin Square (where Yitchak Rabin was tragically assassinated) and the Museum of the Palmach (the first soldiers of the State of Israel.)

On Thursday we spent the morning picking tomatoes for Leket Israel – a volunteer organization that supplies food for underprivileged Israeli families. Thereafter, we toured thought the Blind Museum – a journey through a series of rooms and environments all in complete darkness, with a blind tour guide! Just before we dropped your kids off for the free weekend, we visited Save A Child’s Heart – an organization that brings children with heart disorders to Israel for surgery. There we played music for the children, and entertained them while learning to appreciate the value of good health.

All in all, it’s been an amazing week, and I can’t wait for the next phase of the program: The Desert and Eilat. I’ll give you a sneak preview: Starting on Sunday we’ll be traveling all the way down south, making some awesome stops along the way, including The Armored Corps Museum, Bar Kochva’s Caves, The place where David fought Goliath, sleeping in the Bedouin tents, and rappelling in the great Ramon crater.

Get ready for another incredible week on NCSY TJJ Bus 4 – your kids certainly are!

Wishing you a beautiful and relaxing shabbat,

Rabbi Rael

PS. As always, if you need to get in touch, you can always email me at rael@jsu.org

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