A deep meaning in "Shabbat Shalom"
The security and safety of our students on the Hasbara Fellowships program is our top priority. Any time the group is out of the classroom, (tours, trips, museum), we have a security guard and medic accompanying us at all times. In addition, there is a security guard on duty at the womens hotel and at the mens residence. We are updating the students on the events as soon as they happen.
Over the past 10 days, Hasbara Fellows have been learning how to fight for Israel on their campuses. We often used the analogy of being on the frontlines, promoting Israel and combating anti-Israel propaganda and we pray for the safety of the real soliders on the real frontlines.
With the recent events that have struck our nation, we stand even stronger in solidarity and this Shabbat was a clear reflection of that. It was difficult to spend Shabbat not knowing what was happening in our country, but we had each other and grew exponentially close.
Our Shabbat experience started in a beautiful courtyard where Canadians Anders Nurman and Aaron Krongold rocked out a sold out concert. They played such hits as Oseh Shalom, David Melech, and Hinei Matov while throwing in some goldies like Let it Be and Hey Jude. As we started dancing they played Am Yisrael Chai which in English means "The People of Israel Live", and it struck a real emotional chord within the group.
The women then proceeded to a candle lighting session on the balcony of Aish Hatorah. They sang and danced and welcomed in the Sabbath. The men went down to the Western Wall for a Kabbalat Shabbat and a whole lot of singing and dancing. By the end, we were all "Nye Nyed" out.
Dinner was held at the Aish Grand Dining Hall where Chef Hershel treated us to a meal made for kings. The spirit and energy of the group soared even higher with more singing and dancing. Hasbara students Raffi Tehranian and Elle Talent spoke to the group about their experiences on Hasbara Fellowships and what being Jewish meant to them. I have to admit, I get emotional when students get to speak and they really got us all choked up.
Saturday morning the students went to host families for a home cooked meal. After the meals many of us learned about an incredible phenomenon, the Shabbat nap.
Later in the day we all got together to do a schmooze session. We discussed questions regarding the value of life, and the difference between love and infatuation. The students showed an incredibly insightful side as they debated the issues with rigor and passion.
The final furlong of Shabbat included Third Meal, where we had guest speaker Scott Mathias deliver a class about pleasure. Shabbat was capped off with a marathon style Havdalla with more dancing than those all night dance offs they had in the 50's. It was an fitting end to a Shabbat that we will never forget.
Tomorrow we are off to Gush Etzion and Efrat for our second last day of learning. Stay tuned for a plethora of pictures upon our return.
Over the past 10 days, Hasbara Fellows have been learning how to fight for Israel on their campuses. We often used the analogy of being on the frontlines, promoting Israel and combating anti-Israel propaganda and we pray for the safety of the real soliders on the real frontlines.
With the recent events that have struck our nation, we stand even stronger in solidarity and this Shabbat was a clear reflection of that. It was difficult to spend Shabbat not knowing what was happening in our country, but we had each other and grew exponentially close.
Our Shabbat experience started in a beautiful courtyard where Canadians Anders Nurman and Aaron Krongold rocked out a sold out concert. They played such hits as Oseh Shalom, David Melech, and Hinei Matov while throwing in some goldies like Let it Be and Hey Jude. As we started dancing they played Am Yisrael Chai which in English means "The People of Israel Live", and it struck a real emotional chord within the group.
The women then proceeded to a candle lighting session on the balcony of Aish Hatorah. They sang and danced and welcomed in the Sabbath. The men went down to the Western Wall for a Kabbalat Shabbat and a whole lot of singing and dancing. By the end, we were all "Nye Nyed" out.
Dinner was held at the Aish Grand Dining Hall where Chef Hershel treated us to a meal made for kings. The spirit and energy of the group soared even higher with more singing and dancing. Hasbara students Raffi Tehranian and Elle Talent spoke to the group about their experiences on Hasbara Fellowships and what being Jewish meant to them. I have to admit, I get emotional when students get to speak and they really got us all choked up.
Saturday morning the students went to host families for a home cooked meal. After the meals many of us learned about an incredible phenomenon, the Shabbat nap.
Later in the day we all got together to do a schmooze session. We discussed questions regarding the value of life, and the difference between love and infatuation. The students showed an incredibly insightful side as they debated the issues with rigor and passion.
The final furlong of Shabbat included Third Meal, where we had guest speaker Scott Mathias deliver a class about pleasure. Shabbat was capped off with a marathon style Havdalla with more dancing than those all night dance offs they had in the 50's. It was an fitting end to a Shabbat that we will never forget.
Tomorrow we are off to Gush Etzion and Efrat for our second last day of learning. Stay tuned for a plethora of pictures upon our return.
posted by Hasbara Fellowships @ 1:05 PM
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