I have been back in Jerusalem for the past two weeks. I have been getting up to speed in terms of my learning and living here. The most interesting experience so far was a trip to the holy city of Hevron and the Ma’arat HaMachpelah ["Cave of the Patriarchs"], where according to our tradition, Adam and Chava, Avraham, Sarah, Yitzchak, Rivka, Ya’akov, and Leah are buried. A good portion of the Darche Noam students and Rebbeim came on the Tiyul, where we had a chance to pray at this sanctified site. Afterwards, we experienced a video/interactive presentation nearby about the history of the Gush Etzion area and the tremendous Mesirat Nefesh [self-sacrifice] that took place among the early settlers in defending the land both before the establishment of the State of Israel and afterwards.

Photos (including full-size originals) can be viewed and downloaded here.

I am returning to Vancouver for the summer at the beginning of next week. I realize that I have been remiss in updating the blog as of late. I am currently re-evaluating the purpose and form of this site.

Wishing you a great summer!