Day 28 - Stand with Us, High Jump and Azrieli Mall
Today was such a fun day! First we woke up at a 7am wake up which for IST is sort of a sleep in as we normally wake at 6 or 6.30. We had a great breakfast at Ramat Rachel which is always good they have cinnamon rolls and chocolate cake with sauce, delicious fruit and vegetables and toast. Everything you could ask for. Yum!
Next was very pleasant as we didn't have to rush and get everyone on the bus as the next activity came to the hotel instead of us going to the activity. We all sat in a hall and listened to 4 very different people and there perspectives on Israel. First was a mother who explained the way she keeps her family safe and protected. Next was another lady who basically summed up 3000 years of history in 1 hour which was pretty cool. She explained the complexities of the relationship of the Jewish and Palestinian conflict, providing us with insightful information.They both had powerpoints and were funny and entertaining to watch. We next had our third speaker a Palestinian man. He told us about his life and the struggles living during war and the second intifada. He explained the complexities of having to go through checkpoints without his family, and how in the past they had been humiliated by Israeli soldiers. It was very interesting to see this from his side and for us as Jewish teens visiting Israel, hearing about life from a different perspective was very interesting. Now if you were like me and wanted to hear more from this man you would stay back and listen to people asking question once the talk was over. IT WAS AMAZING! To stand in Israel and here a Palestinian man debate with 3 Jewish Israelis (some of our Madrichim) back and forth about Israel and Palestine was a sight to see! As people from the Middle East they were talking very fast and it was hard to keep up but we got the hang of what they were saying and trying to express. Very interesting.
Next was a bit of lunch and finally our last talk. This man had a different approach and tried to grab our attention by making lots of jokes. I believe he was very informative in getting his point about Israel across and what Israel really means to us. All the kids were falling out of there seats laughing.
Finally, the fun begins! We got on the bus and we next went to IJump. It was so incredible. They had so many trampolines all over the floor and some of them had a net at the top so you could jump on the floor and shoot basket balls There was also a dodgeball area which was much more challenging but just as much fun. There were giant pools filled with foam squares where kids were doing flips and jumps into them which was so much fun.
Next after the fun time at IJump we went to Azraeli Shopping Centre where we could go buy dinner. We can also go shopping if we wanted to Zara, Mango or HnM! I personally went shopping, which is one of my favourite things to do! Then after an 1 hour and 30 minutes, we left to drive all the way back to Jerusalem to Ramat Rachel where curfew was 11,O'clock.
I had a really great day as it was equally educational and fun! I have enjoyed my time on IST, meeting new people, making new friends & my love for Israel grows day by day. I am very thankful this opportunity.
By Bradi
