Na'ale 9th Grade 2025

Daily Updates

List of 9 items.

June 4

Logan:
To mark our final day in Israel, we started off revisiting the Kotel. It was surreal and unbelievable that we had the opportunity to go to the Kotel twice and without the Shavuot crowds. After that, we went to the City of David, where we explored underground tunnels from ancient times used to transport water. Even though we got extremely wet, we had a lot of fun. Following that, we visited Machane Yehuda, a souk (שוק) with many restaurants, jewelers, and souvenir stores. For our last program on Na’ale, we went to Pantry Packers, where we packed food for food-insecure families across Israel. With our hard work, we were able to pack enough for approximately 500 families. We concluded our last day in Israel by having a reflection at a park with a viewpoint of the Old City and shared a final dinner together before heading to Ben Gurion and flying back to New Jersey.
June 3

Theo:
We lit candles to begin Shavuot and took a group photo dressed for the holiday. After our group tefillah, we joined a Beit Midrash learning session where students led discussions on various Torah topics. Some of us stayed up all night learning, while others got some rest before waking early for our sunrise walk to the Kotel. We prayed in both the egalitarian and traditional sections, then returned for breakfast and rest. In the afternoon, we enjoyed a relaxing time at the park following a festive holiday lunch.
June 2

Shira and Rebecca:
Today we went on a historical walk through Yaffo. While walking through the old city, three students took on the personas of famous individuals connected to Yaffo. They read small blurbs about Theodor Herzl, Golda Meir, and Jonah from the Bible, while the rest of us tried to guess who they were. We had such a great time walking through the flea market and Shuk HaCarmel—eating and buying wonderful things. We also had a very surreal experience at Hostage Square, seeing firsthand the ongoing impact of October 7th. That evening, we drove back and arrived safely in Jerusalem, excited for our all-night Shavuot learning and a special morning at the Kotel.
June 1

Ami and Anabelle:
Today was a very fun and relaxing day! We started off by walking to North Central Synagogue for Shabbat morning services. Then we had family visiting time or time to relax. Later in the afternoon we walked to the beach and had so much fun! Then to end the day we walked to the Tel Aviv Port and enjoyed amazing ice cream and walking around!
May 30

Emily:
Today was one of our most relaxing days so far. We had one main focus, unlike any of the other days. We visited the Novomeisky Visitor Center, where we learned how the Dead Sea functions—how evaporation works and how minerals are extracted and distributed around the world. Then, we headed to the actual Dead Sea! We had so much fun floating on our backs and stomachs and covering ourselves in mineral-rich mud. Afterward, we drove to Jerusalem, where we spent the evening enjoying family time or learning new dance moves. Overall, today was an eye-opening experience that allowed us to dive deep into one of Israel’s most unique and long-lasting natural wonders.
May 29

Eloise and Noa:
Today was one of our favorite days so far. We got up early and then split into groups—some of us biked around the kibbutz and visited the medjool date orchard, while others baked cookies using solar ovens! Later, we had a really meaningful discussion about kibbutz values and what it’s like to live in such a close-knit community. After lunch and some free time, we hiked through the desert to the stunning Nachal Kassui sand dunes. Davening Mincha in the middle of the sand was so special, and then we ran and rolled down the dunes. We ended the day with a delicious BBQ and swimming. The evening closed with many of us bonding and sharing how much we enjoyed the day.
May 28

Theo and Leo:
Today was so much fun. We started off with a cool hike at Timna National Park, climbing ladders and exploring caves—it felt like a real adventure. The views were amazing, and eating lunch by the lake felt like a picnic in the desert. Solomon’s Pillars were really beautiful, with incredible rock formations shaped by erosion. The short hike to where we prayed Mincha was just the right length. Later, we went to the beach in Eilat, and swimming felt so good after hiking in the heat! After that, we walked along the tayelet (boardwalk) and got dinner with friends, which was super fun!
May 27

Dani and Marlo:

The past two days have been so exciting. From the moment we landed in Israel, we’ve been on the move—starting with the archaeological dig at Beit Guvrin. It was so much fun exploring caves and discovering bones, charcoal, and pottery. We've really enjoyed spending time together as a grade. A highlight has definitely been meeting our madrichim—Yuval, Itai, and Shakked.

After lunch, we drove down to Kibbutz Keturah, where we had great food and learned about this unique community. On the way, we stopped at Mitzpeh Ramon and took in the breathtaking view of the crater, where Noah led us in Mincha.
May 26

Anabelle:

I just wanted to say a few things before we leave. First, I want to thank all the staff here and those waiting for us in Israel. I especially want to thank our parents—we couldn’t be here without them. We’re about to begin a trip we’ve all been looking forward to for so long, and I wanted to share a few things I’m excited about, which I know many of you are too. From Tel Aviv to the Dead Sea and Eilat, there’s so much to look forward to. Visiting Jerusalem will be especially meaningful—it’s a place we've learned about for years, and now we finally get to experience it together. I’m so excited that the day is finally here. Let’s support one another and create memories that will last forever.