Rest of our "vacation" week

Hi,

After Gadna we went to a beduin tent. They always have amazing food there and I'm so glad we went there after the army. We all slept in a tent with a mechitza down the middle. In the morning we left to continue our journey down to Eilat. Before we reached Eilat we stopped to do a beautiful hike where we were able to see four countries. It was truly beautiful.

After we spend the whole afternoon in Eilat. My friends and I went banana boating and walked around the streets. We later went to a Kibbutz called Keturah. We stayed there until after Shabbat. On Friday we took a short break from Keturah to go Snorkeling and see the beautiful sea life in Eilat. Saturday night we enjoyed a nice 5 hour ride back to our school =)

GADNA

Hello,

Gadna was a fake army training camp. All I have to say about it is that it was an amazing experience. I luckily went into it with that mindset, because too many people were taking it too seriously and getting very upset about the conditions in the army. I truly enjoyed it and thought it was a great way to earn respect for Israeli soldiers. We learned how to crawl, run from a grenade, and shoot a M16. We also learned why it's so important to respect your uniform and how much effort went into being able to wear those uniforms. Here are some pictures from the week.

Alyssa

ps. We also went to a real air force base because my counselors dad is a pilot and her brother is a navigator.

hello

Hi

This week was very nice. Not many trips, and a lot of school. We concluded the week with a lovely shabbat in Tzfat. Tomorrow we are off to GADNA. It's an army training camp where we pretend like we are going into the israeli army. On Wednesday we are traveling even more south into the Negev where we are sleeping in a Bedouin tent. We finish our long week with snorkeling and Shabbat on a Kibbutz in Eilat. At the Kibbutz there is a date tree which an archeologist is growing from the dates seeds they found from the time of Bar Kochbah.

I'll let you know how it was in a week.

Shavoah Tov,

Alyssa

The Last Week

Last week we had a movie night with all of the kids on our trip. It was nice to go out as a grade and we all had a great time. Before the movie we had some time to get ice cream and walk around the mall.

We also went on a trip last but I wasn't allowed to go on the hike. Instead I stayed on the bus with a few other friends. Our bus driver made us lunch that was excellent.

On Friday we went to Yad Vashem, Jerusalems Holocaust museum. Although I have been a few times I always enjoy going there. This year I went with much more knowledge of the history behind the holocaust and WWII which made the experience so much nicer.

Over the weekend I stayed with my friends in a place very close to Tel Aviv. It was really fun, we went sailing but I got a little case of nausea. Oh well it was still fun anyways.

HELLO FROM THE HOLY LAND

Hello,

Sorry for not writing for a while. In the past week I have spent a lot of time with my parents. It was fun to see friends and family who I might not have been able to see had my parents not been there. The other day we went to my Aunt Pepi and Uncle Ervin's house. It was good to see them and I love spending time with both of them. Last night we went to dinner with our friends the Ashkelony's. Dinner was great and we intend to visit them this weekend at their house.

Enjoy,

Alyssa

Matisyahu Concert

Yesterday I went to a Matisyahu concert with my grade. He was so good! I'm so glad that I was able to see him in concert. Our tickets were for the standing area, but in Israel that is better than sitting. We were right in front of him. Matisyahu also went on the Alexander Muss High School program, so we all got shirts from our school that say, " just like us Matisyahu went on Muss"

Last Week

Hi,

Sorry for not writing for a while. Since I last wrote, my parents arrived safely in Israel, we spent the weekend together in Jerusalem, and finished off the weekend with Family in Efrat. Thursday night before I saw my parents my grade took a trip to the mall and went bowling. It was fun to finally get away from the school and do something unrelated to our classes. Tonight we are going to the Matisyahu concert in Jerusalem. I'll let you know how it is.

Enjoy,

Alyssa

shabbat and Yom kippur

Hi,

This weekend we spent Shabbat on campus. It was nice to relax and have nothing to do. It was the first time I've slept more than 6 or 7 hours in a day. Sunday morning we went to Jerusalem after having class and spent the night there for the holiday. I fell asleep early on Sunday and ended up sleeping for 12 and a half hours =) . I thought that Yom Kippur would be a lot nicer in Jerusalem. It was cool to be there but I wish I had a different thought of what the day would be like. Also I wish that I had an assigned shul to be in and that I could have made sure I was only there but instead we wandered around a lot which was nice too. Today we went to Tzfat. It was really nice there. There are lots of nice shops around and it was nice to finally see a store. We never have time to shop.

Thats all for now. We have school until friday afternoon. My parents are leaving Boston tomorrow to come visit!! =)

Bar Kochbah caves and Tzippori

Hi

This week we went on a trip on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday we went into two caves. They were both very cool. The second we had to find our own way out. It ended up that to get out you had to crawl backwards while laying on your back. It was sooo hard. Most people didn't think they would fit, but with a little help from friends everyone got out. Yesterday we went to two different places as well. The first one I don't really remember because I was tired but the second one we went to, was Tzippori. There we saw the old Mosaics of the Roman times and put on plays in the big outdoor theater. Today and tomorrow we have class, and then are staying on campus for Shabbat. Sunday morning we have class and then are departing for Jerusalem for Yom Kippur. If I don't write for a while it's because I'm guessing no one wants to hear about classes =)

Enjoy

Rosh Hashana

This weekend I went to Efrat to spend the holiday with my family. It was so nice! On Friday night we ate a

Rosh Hashana

This weekend I went to Efrat to spend the holiday with my family. It was so nice! On Friday night we ate at my cousin Harvey's house. There were 28 people there. The food was great and it was nice to be with the whole family. I even met some new cousins. Saturday lunch I went to my cousin Sheldon's house. The food was excellent. Saturday night I went to my cousin Jerry's house, and Sunday lunch I went to my cousin Marla's. The weekend was so nice and it was great to spend time with my family.

Alyssa

JERUSALEM and MASADA

Hi,

Sorry for not writing in a while. On Wednesday we went to Jerusalem. To tell you the truth I'm not exactly sure what we did. I was so exhausted and I had already been to many of the places we visited. On Wednesday we went to Masada. We woke up at 4 in the morning and climbed it from the very bottom to the top. We watched the sun rise and stayed on top of the mountain for 5 hours. Then we climbed all the way down the mountain and went to Lunch near the dead sea. Later we went into the dead sea. I wasn't sure I wanted to go in past my ankles because I've been twice before and once you've gone in once thats enough.

Weekend and Cliff Walk

Hi,

This weekend I went to Jerusalem again, but this time to spend the weekend with my Great Aunt and her Husband. I had such a nice time. My cousin came and surprised me and stayed for Shabbat. We had many delicious meals which was a nice change from some of the food we get at our school. I really enjoyed being with my aunt and listening to all the stories she know about our family. On Saturday my cousin and I went for a walk to his friends house. We walked for close to four hours and we walked about 6 and a half miles.

Now going back to Massachusetts. On Sunday was the ALS walk. I would like to thank everyone who sponsored me. With everyones help I raised close to $5000.

Thanks again!

Alyssa

Gilboa and Sataf

Hi,

Sorry for not writing. Tuesday and Wednesday were so packed. On Tuesday we climbed down Mount Gilboa. It was definitely the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life. Here is a picture of how the mountain looks. It is very tall, and we were hiking down it for three hours. We also walked around the top of the mountain for a while. After the hike we went to a natural stream of water. It was gorgeous. At the end of the day we went to Jerusalem to stay the night. While we were there we sang songs on Mount Scopus and there we starting singing Yerushalaim shell Zahav. Some people heard us singing and they came over to listen to us. It turns out that they were from a church in Germany, and they knew a few Hebrew songs so we sang together. It was really special. On Wednesday we went on another hike. We also went to Eer David and walked through David tunnel which is filled with water.

Enjoy,

Alyssa

Gilboa and Sataf

Hi,

Sorry for not writing.

SHABBAT IN JERUSALEM

This past Shabbat we spent our time in Jerusalem. It was so beautiful there. I don't think I've ever been there when it was so warm. We started shabbat by singing together at the hostel we were staying at, and then we walked together to the Kotel. For many people it was their first time in Jerusalem and at the Kotel and it was so special to see the amazing connection they had there. On Saturday morning I went to a chabad shul will a few friends. It made me feel at home to be able to use the same siddur in Jerusalem that I use at my Chabad Shuls in boston. The service was very lively and moving. Attached is a picture of the window that was right next to my bed at the hostel we stayed at in Jerusalem. Saturday night we did Havdalla on a beautiful balcony the overlooked Jerusalem. I couldn't take a picture because the flash ruined the lights. I took a video which I will attach later. Enjoy!

Weekend in JErusalem

This past Shabbat we spent our time in Jerusalem. It was so beautiful there. I don't think I've ever been there when it was so warm. We started shabbat by singing together at the hostel we were staying at, and then we walked together to the Kotel. For many people it was their first time in Jerusalem and at the Kotel and it was so special to see the amazing connection they had with the

Room

Hi Everyone,

Here are some pictures of my room. The single bed is mine and then there are also two bunk beds. One is empty because we only have four people in our room. Sorry the room is such a mess. We've almost finally completely moved in. Today we have classes until 1230 and then we are going to Jerusalem for Shabbat.

Enjoy

Tel Gezer

Hi,

Yesterday we all traveled to Tel Gezer. It really hot but gorgeous. There was a beautiful sight when we got to the top. The hike took a long time but once we were heading back it started to get much cooler. When we came back we had dinner and then walked around the town. The town is very small and most people don't speak English but that's ok because it's good practice to try and speak to them in Hebrew.

Keep in touch,

Alyssa

pictures from departure

Hi

Here are the promised pictures from the departure. Enjoy.

Today has been good. I'm still tired but I'll get over that soon hopefully.

Tomorrow we are going to Gezer.

Alyssa

airplane

Hi,

We are in Israel. All is good. I like my room a lot. We haven't done much yet. Going to sleep in an hour or two. Will write more when more has happened. Here is a picture from the airport. My mom has the pictures from the departure so I'll have to put a few of those up later.

Alyssa

airplane

Hi,

We are in Israel. All is good. I like my room a lot. We haven't done much yet. Going to sleep in an

JFK

Hi Everyone,

We are in the airport now just about to board the plane. If you called and I didn't get a chance to talk to you I'm sorry. It's been a hectic day. Feel free to email me and I will answer when I get to Israel.

Always,

Alyssa

Contact

Hi,

I will be staying at the Alexander Muss School in Hod Hasharon, close to Tel Aviv.

We will be traveling quite a bit but will be there for the majority of our time. My number while I'm in Israel will be:

011972503163784 (If you are calling from America)

&

0503163784 ( If you are calling from Israel)

I also have a skype account which I will be on regularly so that I can talk to people without the long distance charges. My skype name is alyssabick. As always I will have my regular email address alyssa.bickoff@gmail.com and my school email address 11abickoff@gannacademy.org

I will let you know more information as the date gets closer.

Hi

Hi Everyone,

I will be keeping a blog while I am in Israel and I wanted to give you the address of this site so you can follow what I will be doing if you'd like. I can't promise that I will write everyday, but I will try to write at least once a week. I will also upload pictures so you can see where I've been. Enjoy!