Tubing,biking...

  

 

 

What an action packed day we had at YKTH. Bait Hillel biking was just totally exhilarating, we biked through the hot Israel terrain, reaching a romantic forest with a gorgeous stream flowing right through. As well as, lovely natural overgrowth, which formed incredible tunnel like paths that we got to bike on. 4 miles later and all shivitzed up, we headed for water tubing. Prepared for us were these massive flotation mattress tubs, 8 jumped on at a time, connected to a speed boat, we practically flew across the Kinnert waters. We then went to an Olympic size swimming pool followed by a delicious BBQ.

 

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Tisha B'Av in YKTH

It was a very sad and mournful 24 hours in YKTH. Being that we are in Eretz Yisroel, the very land that the Beis Hamikdash stood for hundreds of years, our Tisha B'Av took on a whole new light and meaning. With tears streaming down the eyes of many bochurim we sat down on the cold tiled floor, for bread & eggs dipped in ashes. We then convened in the central multi-purpose room for Marriv and Eicha, led by HaRav Meir Shlomo Gordon - distinguished Baal Koireh at 770 Eastern Pkwy A.K.A Chabad Headquarters. The next morning we Davend a heartfelt Shachris followed by Kinus and Eicha, then watched highly educational historical documentaries on Israel and the Holocaust. After a good nap and plenty of YKTH time, we put on Tefflin for Mincha, watched a Video of the Rebbe then davend Marriv. And so after much davening we were certain Hashem accepted all our Teffilos, and we’re finnaly ready for a serious Break-fast. We filled our hungry stomaches with Bagels, lox, cream cheese, salads, pastas, delicious gourmet home fries, tuna without tartare and yummy egg salad. After our WHOLESOME AND HEARTY meal, we said Kiddush Levana and danced through the night in great celebration.

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Grand C-Bochur lunch event

Throughout the entire summer, staff at YKTH run a Mivtza called C-Bocher, encouraging the Bochurim to add in their Chasidishkeit and Hiskashrus to the Rebbe. As an incentive we receive personalized memorabilia as well as grand events. This past Monday we had one of the events, lunch atop a gorgeous rooftop overlooking the beautiful Tzfas landscape, we enjoyed crepes, salads, pasta and ice cream. Thank you dedicated YKTH staff!

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Amuka and Hike

Sunday late afternoon as the sun began to set, YKTH set out on what was going to be a memorable hike. Rabbi Menachem Benshimon an esteemed Teacher at Yeshivas Tzeirei Hashluchim throughout the year, guided us on the infamous path to Amuka. Climbing over fences and wires we finally reached the holy resting site of the great Rabbi Yonasan ben Uziel. Many come there daily to daven for all types of brochos primarily shidduchim. It was such a wonderful zechus that we made it there. 

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Mivtzoim and Kever Arizal

This past Friday morning YKTH split up into 5 groups, each going to a different part of the Holy Land, from Kirat Shemone to chatzar, with Teffilin in our hands we conqured the roads, shops and kiosks of Israel. All together we were able to lay Tefflin with over 40 Yidden!! Afterwards we gathered at the famous Tzvas cemetery, went to the Arizals Mikva and then davend at his Kever. What was so special and unique was the thousends of yidden we got to see, all there in honor of the Yartzeit of the Arizal. At camp we got ready for Shabbos with some fabulous hot farbeisen followed by Mincha, Seder niggunim, Kabbolas Shabbos and a delicous Friday night Shabbos meal and Farbrengens.

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Former Arab Muslim- terrorist hunter speaks

Tonight Hay Av, we had a jaw dropping, stomach churning, emotional and life altering evening, where we all experienced a complete paradigm shift. Rabbi Avraham Sinai came and spoke to us about his incredible childhood and young adult life. Born in Lebanon to a religious Shia Muslim family, his brothers being in the Lebanese army created a great quarrel between them and their fellow Muslims, leading to the 13 brothers defending continuous attacks from the newly established Hezbollah terrorist organization. He then befriended an Israeli soldier-after the soldier delivered his child thereby making a deep bond with Israel in general, to the extent that he informed the Israelis before every Hezbollah attack. Eventually he was captured, terrible things then happened including them doing horrible and unimaginable torture sessions as well as killing his baby with boiling hot gasoline. One year later they let him go, he then became one of Israel’s top Arab spies, himself killing numerous threats to Israel including planting a bomb right outside the home of Hassan Nasrallah. In 2000 he moved to Tzfas and after a few years become a Ger Tzedek, all in all the bochurim were impacted tremendously and very inspired. 

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Exploring the old city of Tzfas

This past Wednesday we put on our hiking gear and ran through the gorgeous and scenic city of
Tzfas, making our way to the famous and historical old city. Rabbi Marzel, Shilach to the Tzemach Tzedek shul greeted us warmly and shared the incredible background of the shul. Next was Glass blowing, we got to see how they make beautiful glass Mezuzos and L'chaim cups. Then tour guide Areye guided us through the nooks and crannies of the mountains, hills and valleys. He showed the spectacular Tzfas Art Gallery, displaying thousands of painting, portraits and photos. Finally it was Dinner time we platzed onto a spacious plaza located in the heart of the old city, scrumptious hot pizza was then served.      

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Safrus Night!!

High up in the Tzfas hills stands a magnificent gold stone structure, housing a state of the art Safrus facility. Tuesday night YKTH made it there. The first thing we did was climb atop a technologically advanced transitory bleachers, traveling around an incredible 4-D presentation. Afterwards the chief Sofer gave us the unique opportunity to write our own names on real authentic parchment with kosher ink and quill! Lastly we had a spectacular game show, testing our knowledge in what we had just learnt regarding Teffiln, Sefer Torah and Mezuzos. It was an educational experience par excellence, A groisen dank YKTH!!

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Grand Yerushalaim Shabbaton Day #3/4 5777

After a very uplifting and rousing Shabbos we davend Marriv at the Kosel Hama'aravi, followed by a gorgeous YKTH group photo right in front of the Kosel. Gili our tour guide then took us on a jaw-dropping tour atop the walls of the old city of Yerushalaim, ending at Shaar Tzion. For Melava Malka; it was hot, tasty and fresh pizza on the Diaspra rooftop, after benching and Krias shema we retired for the night. 

Bright and early Sunday morning after davening Shachris, we got to go into the tunnels beneath the Kosel and Arab quarter, together with our brilliant tour guide Shlomo we had the great zechus of saying Tehillim at the closest possible place to the Kodesh Hakodoshim, followed by mouthwatering and delectable pita falafel sandwiches. With Gili on board we headed to Ammunition Hill, beginning with an awe inspiring presentation on its rich and moving history. Outside we were then able to go through the actual trenches and bunkers, where the Israelis fought the Jordanians! The next place we went really shook us to the core - Pantry Packers. We learnt what it meant to help those that are less fortunate than us, for 2 hours straight we filled, sealed and packed food for the poor and needy of Eretz Yisroel. After Mincha it was time for another culture shock; the Geula neighborhood. Jews of all shapes and sizes bustling about its hectic streets, - it is an amazing sight. For dinner we each got to go to the eatery of our choice, and then went shopping for gifts for family and friends ;).

Marriv was davend in the beautiful 770 replica in Ramat Shlomo. Our magnificent 4 day journey was coming to an end, as we got onto to the busses and headed back to camp. 2 hours later a symphony of snoring bochurim pulled up to Hagdud Hashlishi 5, Tzvas Israel, miraculously we all made it up to bed and immediately fell into a deep deep sleep. Thank you YKTH for an unforgettable and memorable trip!

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Grand Yerushalaim Shabbaton Day #2 5777

Early morning on Erev Shabbos Kodesh, YKTH is ready to rumble. After trekking down to the old city of Yerushalim for Mikva, we davend Shacharis and ate a delicious breakfast. The excitement was palpable as we walked down the steep and windy road to Ir Dovid. When we arrived we were graciously greeted by our tour guide Yehuda, who so eloquently explained the rich history of the old Davidic city. He also told us about the fascinating excavations and archeological findings that were taking place right in front of our eyes. The most awesome part of it all was when we entered the incredible water tunnels of Chizkiyahu HaMelech. While holding flashlights and getting soaked in the tunnel waters we sang and danced our way through. We then hiked back up to the Diaspora Yeshiva, dried off and to the Machene Yehuda shuk we went. It was a total blast bargaining with the Israeli  shopkeepers followed by a real shuk style lunch. Back down Yaffa street we went while demonstrating to all, the real YKTH spirit. After preparing for Shabbos it was time for the  extreme highlight of our trip, Friday night at the Kosel HaMaravi. Dressed in our Shabbos clothes, we walked down the streets of the old city until we reached the Kosel, one can definitely feel the intense energy and emotion gushing through the veins, as many of the bochrim kissed the Kosel for the first time, as the Freediker Rebbe famously did in 1929. It was now time for Seder Niggunim, all 103 members of YKTH sat around, right in the center of the Kosel plaza. As thousands of yidden of all types looked on, we began singing Tzama lecha nafshi, slowly but surely the others joined in until YKTH lit the divine flames in which all were engulfed, it was truly a unprecedented site to behold. 

At the Shabbos seuda that night in the Diaspora hall, Rabbi Chaim Kaplan head shliach to Tzvas spoke to us on how as Chabad chassidim we ought to view the Kosel. It was an inspiring and meaningful Friday night, chassidishe Farbrengens followed the seuda as many took on special hachlotos in honour of the occasion. We then said krias shema, lied down and went to sleep, good shabbos YKTH.

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