While in Israel we are all GROWing in our davening. Each morning the boys are ready earlier than they need to be and in Yerushalayim they joined a minyan a few minutes from the hotel. It was very special for the Kohanim on our trip. Chaim and Sruli had the merit to participate in Birkat Kohanim on Thursday and Sunday. In the Diaspora we receive this blessing on holidays. In Israel it occurs on a daily basis. Our Bar Mitzvah boys, Ezra, Mendel and Shmarya received Aliyot to the Torah.
The girls on the trip are continuing their GROW davening with Morah Kosofsky and Mrs. O just like they do in school. Each morning they meet together and reflect on their trip talking about how they are Grateful, what they Recognize, where they feel at One and their Wants for the trip. It is so beautiful to hear. Each day we take turns being Chazanit. So far Rivka Kulek, Gabi Gesin Miri Helfen and Chana Volovik have taken advantage of being a Chazanit in Israel.
Each student received a mincha/maariv to use during the day. We can be seen davening all over Israel in the afternoon. Much tehilim is davened as we visit the holy sites and burial sites of Tzadikim.
Part of the goal of the trip is to GROW in our connection to Hashem. Our focus on davening is just one way that this is accomplished. We are very proud of how the students are davening and coming on time to davening. It is such a pleasure to watch the students GROW in their tefilot while being in the Holy Land.