Today provided an opportunity for a much needed day of rest. We were able to sleep in for the first time in a long time and spend the early afternoon enjoying the company of our fellow group members. Unsurprisingly, not everyone made it to breakfast. They missed out on some soggy pancakes and leftover stuffed peppers from the prior night, but they also missed out on the shining presences of their companions.
The afternoon consisted of various discussion groups. One of them was "Love Stories in the Torah," led by one of our group leaders Ivan. It was an interesting topic that shed light on an often neglected part of the Torah; the small stories that make it seem more like literature and less like a religious text. We learned about love between man and woman, man and man, father and son, and love of a man for horses (and women).
After a short break, we all gathered to witness two B'nai Mitzvot of two absolutely wonderful girls. We threw candy and lifted both in their chairs. It was a truly magical experience when they gave inspiring promises of commitment to the Jewish faith. Following this, all the birthright groups came together to share an enchanting Havdalla service. Being in the company of our fellow travelers was a surreal bonding experience that transcended the bounds of common human emotion.
At night we took over the city. We all went out for a warm family dinner celebrating our strengthened ties and the end of our second Shabbat. Fully recharged, with fresh falafel in our bellies and new resolve in our hearts, we set out for a night on the town to celebrate the B'nai Mitzvot. Because it was only about 9:30 at night, there was not a single Israeli in sight- the American birthright groups were forced to unite to make the bar feel right.
Blog by:
Daniel Drew
Nathaniel Weiner
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