The old city

The kids spontaneously started singing Yerushalyim Shel Zahav. It was incredible.

We finally got the kids working for us!

Words cannot describe our trip so here we go...

Biblical supper cooked by your kids (so make them work when they get home!)

We're Back!

We have internet again!  Mazel Tov!

So much has happened in the last two days. Here we go...

We went to Ben Gurion's hut, saw his library, his famous black rimmed glasses and comfy slippers. Did you know he drank a kuch much everyday?

We had a nice lunch.

On Saturday night we had a touching havdalah ceremony in a cave followed by a once in a lifetime moonlit hike. Here's the review...

Jonah A. dark, fun, bumpy
Alex G. cool, unusual, exciting
Miriam dark, challenging, fun
Taylor tired, really cool
Zoe incredible, breath taking, memorable
Hannah tiring, fun, challenging
Jamie amazing, tiring, beautiful
Emma exciting, educational, amusing
Alex M. unique, tiring, special

Toni fun, special

Jenn M. amusing, exciting, special
Jessica different, frightening, unique
Jennifer B. exciting, adventurous, fun
Olivia exciting, fun, challenging
Amanda C. special, memorable, amazing
Maddie scary, fun, tiring
Alyssa fun, dark, exciting
Benji magnificent, majestic, memorable
Adam tiring but memorable
Elijah dark, scary, fun
Oli scary, tiring, exciting
Jonah R. mentally tiring, amazing
Max fun
Sam hikey, dark, memorable
Justin dark, stupendous, amazing
Shira dark, amusing, funny
Alex B. dark, fun, memorable
Jeremie muddy, magical, narrow
David dark, mysterious, thrilling
Emily fun, rocky, narrow
Lauren dark, narrow, fun
Amanda E. memorable, mysterious, interesting
Sydney dirty, beautiful, fascinating
Eric stupendous, awesome, cold
Aaron dark, rocky, exciting
Ron dangerous, dark, open space
Jeremy dark, fun, extraordinary

We had roasted leaves as a midnight snack.

Yesterday was wall-to-wall Israeli fun! Camel rides in a sand storm, a walk up Masada, our bar/bat mitzvot ceremonies on top of the biggest rock in the world, a float in the dead sea and a party at Afik. Enough said!

We arrived at Nes Harim last night and the kids had no trouble falling asleep. Today we went to see the devastation of the Carmel in the morning and then spent the afternoon learning the ancient art of paper cutting with the local expert.

More tomorrow if we have internet. Please comment below so we know you're out there reading.

Josie and Eden

Shabbat in Sdeh Boker

Last night we had a magnificent shabbat service overlooking the Ein Ovdat canyon. The kids sang shabbat songs and it was awesome as the sun set to the sound of their voices.

After dinner the kids tried their best to stay awake during our evening activity but Yuval, our tour guide, cut it short and they all had a good night's sleep.

This morning we let the kids sleep in until 8 and then we headed down into the canyon for the most amazing hike. It was an unbelievable day and the kids were troopers. They really loved every minute.

The kids had a few hours off this afternoon for shabbat and filled their time playing hide and seek. Not an ipod to be seen.

We ended the day with a visit to the snake zoo (Eden and Josie sacrificed the outing so they could send these pictures home to you) and we are so excited to embark on a beautiful moonlight hike for havdalah.

Hopefully we'll have internet at our next stop and we will upload more pictures.

The kids are truly amazing and we are so proud of each and every one.

We have wifi!! We have wifi!!

The trip has been amazing and the kids are incredible. We had a second visit with Afik school this morning and then a sensational hike in Ein Ovdat.

There are many more pictures to come (go see the link that was emailed earlier) but shabbat is almost here and they are shutting us down for the duration.... actually G-d is shutting us down. I also have to come up with some other adjectives for all of the fantastic, fantastic activities... which may take some time.

Shabbat shalom
Josie (for a shabbat-showering Dr. H)

This is a sample post

The packing is stressing me out. The bathing suit shopping isn't helping.

That is all.