As part of a trip to Israel organized by CJP and NFTY, 27 teenagers from the Boston area congregations of Temple Israel, Temple Isaiah and Beth Elohim spent the week of February 14th-22nd visiting Israel. The visit included a Shabbat visit to Congregation Or Hadash in Haifa between February 19th and February 21st.

The youngsters, accompanied by Rabbi David Wilfond of Beth Elohim, Lesley Litman, Temple Educator of Temple Israel, and Emily Gill, Temple Educator of Temple Isaiah, arrived at Or Hadash in Haifa on Thursday evening, where they were greeted by the Israeli youngsters who would be hosting them for Shabbat. At a congregational reception, everyone was treated to a festive meal at which the American teens met their host families.

For a few of the American and Israeli youngsters, this visit was somewhat of a reunion, as the Israelis had been the guests of the Americans during the first ever Or Hadash Youth Mission to the Boston area last Pessach.

On Friday morning the American and Israeli teens paid a visit to the Leo Baeck School in Haifa, after which they boarded a bus for a tour of the Druse Village Daliyat El Karmil, Druse hospitality and lunch.

In the late afternoon they returned to Haifa to rest and prepare for Shabbat.

After Kabbalat Shabbat services at Or Hadash, everyone went to their host’s homes for Shabbat dinner. Later in the evening they all returned to Or Hadash for group activities which included a folk dancing workshop, lessons in drum beating and a film illustrating American-Israeli relations.

After Shacharit services and Aliya L’Torah at Or Hadash it was back on to the bus for a trip to Zippori National Park for a day of joint activities and lunch in the outdoors. The evening was spent resting and preparing for the return trip to the United States.

Adar 5764 - March 2004