Desert Survival Experience

On Sunday morning, we met at our designated locations in Tel Aviv, Modi'in, and Jerusalem following our free Shabbat, and we headed toward the Negev Desert. Upon arrival, we met the guides for our 24-hour Desert Survival Experience and began our first hike. We divided into three small groups to cook lunch together in a competitive atmosphere. We cleaned up lunch and spent the next couple of hours hiking through the Negev until we reached our campsite, where tents were already up, sleeping bags and mattress pads awaited us, and our guides had prepared a delicious, hearty meal. We had an evening activity in which each person had private, personal space in the desert to reflect and contemplate the vastness of our surroundings. We roasted marshmallows and sang songs around a bonfire. Some students headed to tents, while others preferred to sleep under the stars.

This morning, we arose bright and early at 5:45 a.m. in order to begin and complete our hike before the hottest part of the day. The conclusion of today's hike was an exciting rappelling experience. Our guides provided a closure activity for our Desert Survival Experience; we headed to the bus and a delicious lunch in Ein Gedi.

We arrived in Jerusalem by mid-afternoon, giving everyone time to take much-needed showers and get some rest. Tonight, we heard a lecture given by a scholar and specialist in Middle Eastern studies and Arabic from Ben-Gurion University, who presented historical information, including the origins of Hezbollah and Hamas.

This evening, a doctor came to Beit Shmuel to meet with a number of students who had a variety of ailments. Rest assured that we are taking good care of everyone! Tomorrow, we have a full day planned in Tel Aviv. Look for the next post on Wednesday night, as we will not return to Jerusalem until very late on Tuesday.