Day 1 - Aimee
Living in such unprecedented times of the Covid pandemic, who would have thought that in 2022, we would be given the incredible opportunity that is IST. Still it cannot be real. As we arrived at the airport, we were surrounded by families, teachers and 132 friends. This is what it means to be Jewish. Whilst we were singing the Anthems and saying our goodbyes, all the parents wanted to do was smother their children with love, but all we wanted to do was run through the airport and get onto our first flight. Already the bonding had begun, we all huddled round, playing games and chatting.
The first plane ride was a vibe, it flew by and soon enough we found ourselves facing the daunting 14 hour flight. Breakfast was served at 3am and the plane food was delicious…seriously. After a lot of sore legs, excuses to walk around, hours of sleep and disturbing a plane full of people, we survived the 14 hour flight. Landing in Abu Dhabi everyone was exhausted. We were all crammed into a bus which we caught to the aeroplane, and before we knew it, the last flight finally arrived, it was such an experience being with the entire year on a charter flight. It was very hectic but we all bonded!! We did a countdown to landing, the entire plane was cheering and screaming, some people even shed a few tears.
Touching down in the Holy Land, everyone burst into songs and cheers. This is what it means to be Jewish. As we landed at the airport, IST became more of a reality. After long lines of checking in and PCR testing, we sprinted onto our buses. Our madrachim all introduced themselves and told stories about the Holy Land. First we went to get yet another PCR test and brought some snacks for the bus ride. We then went to a beautiful picnic spot in the forest, where there was delicious wood fired pizza. The bus took us on a very long trip to the old city. As we were approaching the Kotel there was an electric energy, everyone was dancing and singing down to the Kotel. Memories we will remember for a lifetime.
Before getting to the Kotel I coincidentally bumped into my cousin from South Africa, who I haven’t seen for 3 years - what are the chances of meeting him within the first few hours of landing in Israel?! Only in Israel…this is what it means to be Jewish. It was so special to see him in the Holy Land. When we arrived at the Kotel everyone formed a Chet and all the people who had never been to Israel before were blind folded, and as they took down their blindfolds they were filled with shock and excitement. Singing and dancing continued. This is what it means to be Jewish.
Already this is an experience we will never forget. The girls and boys spilt up to write notes and pray. As we got closer to the Kotel, all the noise faded into silence, everything was peaceful. We all wrote notes and tucked them into the crevasses in the Western Wall. Returning to the Holy Land (especially the Kotel) evokes memories and connections to the Jewish people and our history. This is what it means to be Jewish.
After the emotional and enlightening experience at the Kotel with the whole year group. We went on another quick trip to our dinner place. The food was incredible, we got a true taste of Israel. The room filled with exciting chatter and endless laughter, the entire year group immediately felt a distinct connection to each other, our homeland and Judaism.
We finally went to our stunning hotel and found out our room partners. Everyone was extremely tired and as our heads hit the pillow we were deep in slumber. The preparation leading up to IST was frightening for most people and no one knew what to expect, but after the first day everything exceeded expectations. IST has already been a trip we will never forget. I truely saw how our year can come together and connected on just the first day. We are all so so lucky to have this incredible opportunity with such an amazing year group, Madrichim and teachers.
