Today on GIVE nation, we experienced a heartwarming and life changing day. We started our day bright and early and headed to Hadassah Hospital for a medical clowning seminar. After learning how to to cheer up the sick patients, we began to enter their rooms and bring smiles to their faces. Even though some of the patients spoke different languages than us, we were able to tell that our presence made them happy. Not only did we give to the children, we received a life changing experience in return. Our last stop of the day was to dig for artifacts from the time of the second Beit Hamikdash. It was very fascinating to find pottery, glass and bones from such a long time ago. After an hour of sifting through mud, rocks and dirty water, we returned back to campus where we later baked cakes for the soldiers we are visiting in Pina Chama. Not only was today fun, but meaningful as well.

Zahava Graff.

Today, in honor of the 17th of תמוז, we were provided with a very spiritual experience. It began with an informative and inspiring presentation on the politics of Israel by Neil Lazarus. Next we played a thrilling game of escape the room, which further expanded our knowledge of the important day. While playing, we learned the value of teamwork which was required to crack the code. Afterwards, we headed to the kotel for an inspirational speech by Rabbi Nissel and then an emotional and spiritual kumzitz. To top it all off, we ended the day with an awesome night activity!
By Ilana Katz(NCSYer)

Today was inspirational, meaningful, and of course a lot of fun! First, we went to the Yad Vashem museum. It’s the holocaust museum in Jerusalem. We learned about the history of the holocaust and the horrors of what our ancestors had to endure. Then, we went to the Machon HaMikdash museum. The tour explained and showed us all the vessels that will possibly be in the 3rd beit hamikdash. After that, we had some free time in the old city and we got some souvenirs. Finally, we came home and after dinner we played Minute to Win it. We split up into 2 teams and and competed against each other in different challenges. Today was an awesome day, and I am excited to have many more memorable times at GIVE!

-Tali Gershov (NCSYer)

Yesterday Give Nation had the opportunity of visiting a day center for special needs adults. I really enjoyed it. I can connect to this the most because I have a younger brother with autism. I loved seeing how happy the special needs adults were when we walked In. After that we had lunch and walked around at the biblical zoo. I really enjoyed it because I’ve never been to a zoo In isreal! Next , we went rock climbing! I never knew rock climbing was a hobby of many Israelis! It was so much fun! After climbing, we went to the mall! Well.. who doesn’t like shopping!?? The mall is always great! We got to spend quality time with eachother there. Lastly, for our night activity, we played “see, run, paint״. At the end of the game, we had a massive paint war! This was one of the best times on give in the short days we have been here. Overall, yesterday was amazing and I look forward to a summer filled with amazing memories and inspiration!!
-Yakira Robinson (NCSYer from Chicago)

This past shabbos was the first shabbos on NCSY Give Nation. Friday night we created a big circler in the garden and started off with a little ice breaker. After the ice breaker we sang Kabbalas Shabbos together and danced around a little. It was so beautiful. After Kabbalas Shabbos we had our meal. Every week each “family” switches off setting up, serving and then clearing the table. it feels like a real family. It is so amazing that we have the opportunity to be inspired while meeting new people at the same time. Shabbos day we had an amazing lunch with an awesome dvar Torah. As Shabbos was leaving us, we had ebbing (slow shira). it was so nice to hear all the new voices singing. It was a way of uniting at the end of shabbos. Our first Shabbos on NCSY Give Nation was so fun and exciting.

-Dasi Bitton (NCSYer from Chicago)

Today we split up into two different groups to do our first chessed at Hod Yerushaliam (old age home). After that we went to The City of David and saw a quick video, and then made our way to the water tunnels. After drying up from the water tunnels we went to the shut where we got amazing food. After that we got ready to have a fantastic first shabbos. HAVE A GOOD SHABBOS!!!

-Shayna Feldman (NCSYer)

Journal Entry #1

Today was my first real experience at the Kotel. As a 16 year old who has been going to Zionistic schools since the age of 4, the idea of the Kotel has been a big aspect of my Judaism. However, today i did not learn a song about it, see a picture of it, or read a story about it. Today I actually got to see it in person. I got to feel the rush of emotion that comes with being so close to the Kotel, a piece of the Beit Hamikdash. I am so thankful for having this opportunity and being able to experience it with all the girls and advisors on give.

-Taliah Soleymani (NCSYer)