Israel | Local

THA grads blend fun, spirituality on Israel trip

The group made its first visit and shehecheyanu (blessing for new experiences) at the Kotel on Wednesday, May 9, and returned to the Western Wall for a pre-sunset Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday, May 11. (Courtesy Tucson Hebrew Academy)
Hiking in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve included a dip in the David waterfalls and springs, in the Judean Mountains on the shores of the Dead Sea. (Courtesy of Tucson Hebrew Academy)

Tucson Hebrew Academy eighth graders enjoyed the annual graduation trip to Israel, May 6-17. Highlights included an archeological dig at Beit Guvrin and Bar Kochva Caves, and a Bedouin experience with a drum circle and desert tent sleepover in Kfar HaNokdim, along with the requisite camel ride. Unique on this journey was that two boys celebrated becoming b’nai mitzvah, Martin Weich and Ben Meyer. Two days were spent at Kibbutz Yad Mordechai in Hof Ashkelon with members of the Partnership2Gether twinning program. Students met their counterparts face-to-face and stayed overnight with them in their homes. Rabbi Billy Lewkowicz also celebrated his 60th birthday on the trip.

The group made its first visit and shehecheyanu (blessing for new experiences) at the Kotel on Wednesday, May 9, and returned to the Western Wall for a pre-sunset Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday, May 11. (Courtesy Tucson Hebrew Academy)