Kulanu Mishpacha – Update 1

by Rachelle Paskovatyi

On our fourth day with the Kulanu Mishacha program in Israel we went to a Tiyul in Yerushalyim. We met up with the everyone at the gate of Yafo and Rav Kimche, our tour guide and trip leader, gave us a brief overview of what we would be doing in Yerushalayim and talked about how we need to continue on a dream and how Yerushalayim is a dream coming true. Rav Kimche then started by walking through the gate of Yafo with us and showing us the places where pesukim of תנ׳ך where written in stones and then put into parts of the old city. One pause that really stood out was the pasuk from Zechariah 8:4 “men and women in their old age will sit in the streets of Yerushalayim, each with a cane in their hand because of their age”. Rav Kimche then went on to tell us that this is proof that everything will be good in Yerushalayim and that people will be able to live to a very old age. Israel is currently number 11 among the life expectancy in the world. People in Israel live up to around 82 years on average! Our group then continued to daven at the Kotel, on our way down we got some red bracelets and then went through the security checkpoint to get to the kotel. The kotel itself is a very emotional place and we felt like we have a closer bond with Hashem while we are there. When we were finished davening we took a couple of pictures there and we saw an engagement on the balconies of one of the yeshivas; it was such a cool thing to see including seeing all the fireworks going off. When we were done at the kotel we had a very amazing exploration tour of the underground part of the kotel. Our tour guide told us all the history behind what had happened with the Beit hamikdash, and how it finally got to just being the small part of the western wall that we see today. After the brief overview, we were taken through the tunnels to see for ourselves just a big part of the kotel and how deep it actually goes. After our exciting trip at the kotel, the girls went with Yael Pessin our Shlica to Harova where Yael had a surprise waiting for us, Morah Tanya Halevi! And she taught us a very important lesson PRT – Positive Real Love. Don’t come in as if you’re going to change the world, come in as if you’re going to change yourself.

 

Kulanu Mishpacha – Update 2

by Shmuli Cagen

One of the  most amazing things that happened is that when I came to Israel is how welcoming my host family has been. They care about me and treat me like a son. I feel so at home with my host family and have really enjoyed having an older brother. Before arriving, I was so nervous to meet the family I would be living with for a month. I was relieved right away when I met them since they are English speaking. My “siblings” follow and play sports like I do. It has also been a cool experience to live with a large family (they are a family of 10!). The school the family attends is walking distance and I’ve enjoyed walking to school in the morning. Seeing how warm and caring this family has been really makes me feel so comfortable. I know they’ll welcome me back next time I visit Israel. I have been in the country for less than two weeks, but already could see myself living here one day!

 

Kulanu Mishpacha – Update 3

by Ora Lacob

Coming to Israel was a life changing experience for me, for so many different reasons. Ulpana in Toronto and my school here, Rosh Tzurim, are very different. The most notable first difference is in tefillah. At Ulpana, we daven all together in one room, led by a chazanit. Here, everyone davens alone – and we are also allowed to daven outside. Davening outside while in Israel, I have felt a deeper connection and focus during my tefillot. Another difference is the strictness with attendance. Here, you have to show up for class, otherwise you will suffer the natural consequence of not knowing the material and failing. This independence helps the girls develop into more mature people, since they know that the only person they would be harming by skipping class is themselves, as opposed to somebody issuing a consequence.I have also noticed the strong sense of community between the girls. When we came from Toronto, they welcomed us with open arms and made us feel like we were also part of this special “family.” The girls all help each other and look out for one another, not just to be nice or polite, but because they actually care about every individual classmate. Hopefully, when I return to Ulpanat Orot, I will remember these traits from the girls at Rosh Tzurim and will be able to pass them on to the girls in Toronto.

Kulanu Mishpacha – Update 4

by Daniella Konert

Being on an Israeli Shabbaton with my amazing Israeli class was an incredible experience that I will never forget. Something that really stood out to me from the Shabbaton was that it took place in the school and everyone got mattresses on the floor and all slept together in one room. The reason this stood out to me was because this gave everyone in the class a real chance to bond and really get to be together for the Shabbat.

Another thing that stood out to me from the Shabbaton was that it was just a Shabbaton for the Grade. In my Israeli school they have one Shabbaton a year for the whole school and they have multiple other Shabbatons throughout the year for the Grade. I found this very special because it gives you a real chance to get to know everyone in your grade and really have a chance to bond with them multiple times throughout the year. I think this concept really allows you to make real amazing friendships and have a connection with your class from high school for the rest of your life.

The last thing that really stood out to me from the Shabbaton was that the grade had the responsibility of making most of the food. Each girl was assigned something to make like potatoes or challah for the whole class. I think this concept shows the girls a sense of responsibility and also a sense of usefulness and pride from helping make the Shabbaton great!

I am so happy and grateful that I had the opportunity to experience such an amazing Shabbaton and get to know my absolutely incredible Israeli class! I am going to miss them all so much!

For all those Grade 10s next year that are thinking of maybe going…. DO IT!! I promise that you won’t regret it!

Kulanu Mishpacha – Update 5

by Chaim Sitnik

Imagine a boy. His face redder than a tomato. Sweat all over his body. He is breathing heavily. He is tired. Just wants to go home. His “real” home, with his family. “Almost there,” says his friend, whom he only met one week ago. His new friend helps him up and pushes him to just go on a little bit more. As he climbs over a large boulder, he sees his new class. Everyone sees him and starts cheering. “Chaim, Chaim, Chaim,” they shout as he jumps onto the ground. They clap. As the teacher comes to give him a handshake, he realizes that he does not feel that tired anymore. He knows he can finish this, at least to the top of the mountain.

The tiyul was tough at first. Everything seemed negative. I had none of my old friends. None of my family. I had not been sleeping well. I was sore. My arms ached, my legs hurt, my knee was bruised, and I had more mosquito bites than I could count. But I pushed through it. It all seemed to go away when I focused on the other things like my new friends, the amazing sights, and the great accomplishment I would be achieving. The support from everyone pushed me to do something I would have never thought I would have done, at least not on my own. It gave me the strength to climb mountains. And for that I am thankful.