Great Grandma Ruth

Mommy always taught me that the best way to share emotions is by writing.  

Great Grandma Ruth, I feel so blessed to have grown up with Great Grandparents, and to have shared 22 years of my life with you. I have so many memories, you always smiled when we came in even when you weren't in the mood for company. The carpet in your apartment, just sitting on the couch not necessarily talking the whole time, but enjoying each others company. Looking at pictures with you, ordering Chinese and eating supper with you. NOT moving the chairs out of their indents, or the eggs out of place. I loved being able to take you to the doctor or to the beauty shop, showing off that I have a Great Grandma who always "wants to do things by herself". You always said what was on your mind- every time I put mousse in my hair you would tell me it looks like spaghetti- so I stopped moussing my hair. You never liked the color of my nails, or toe nails. Most importantly the weekly Friday phone calls. I looked forward to telling you what I have been doing, and updating you on my life. Grandma, you always cared, you remembered where I was and what I was doing. You knew what was going on in my life probably more than a lot of my friends. The phone calls weren't ever too long, but always enough to share stories and tell you that I love you. I told you I would come visit and show you pictures, and you would always ask when I am coming because you miss me and wish I was there.

I know you were 98 and ready to die, but I don't think I was ready for you to go. I still haven't told you about the rest of my trip. I always thought I would one day introduce my husband to you, it was kind of a dream I always had, and I haven't done that yet. Somehow in my mind you were ever lasting. You were going to be with me forever. At 98 so sharp, loving, caring, funny, understanding. I would tell all my friends about you, so proud to have a relationship with my 98 year old Great Grandmother. I am so lucky to have had such a good relationship with you without even living so close by.

 I wish I was there to say a proper good-bye. I thank Hashem for not making you suffer and I know you are happy now with Great Grandpa looking down at all your children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. I hope and pray that one day I will live to have such a life filled with nachat and family all around who love and care about me. You will always have a special place in my heart. You taught me a lot about the importance of family and keeping in touch and I thank you for caring so much every time we spoke! I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU. 

Love always, your #1 Great Granddaughter,  Malka B.

WINTER CAMP!

For the first time EVER in Bnei Akiva Cape Town history we got 50 kids on our Winter camp!!!
Usually there are about 10 kids from all grades and this time we succeeded in getting 50 kids just from grades 3-6, and 20 for the Winter Camp next week from grades 7-9.

I just wanted to share my excitement on how far we have come, Bnei Akiva really has grown since Shani and I arrived and hopefully it will keep growing.

These kids are really starting to be proud of being apart of such an amazing Youth movement and I think that this was an incredible way to end off my Shlichut in Cape Town.
 I am not leaving yet, but working with the Madrichim (counselors) who are so passionate about the movement and really building connections with these kids, I know I am leaving Bnei Akiva in good hands. 

This winter camp was a success for everyone. The kids had a blast, the parents are happy and most important the leaders of the movement are proud of what they are doing!
 

Group Photo!!

I <3 Bnei Akiva... written by one of the kids

Family trip

Dov, Nechama, Elysheva and I bought tickets for Mommy and Abba for their anniversary to come travel and visit me in South Africa. We had always planned to send them somewhere exotic for their 25 anniversary and this way we were able to kill two birds with one stone. A trip to the beautiful South Africa and then a visit with ME!!!
We surprised Elysheva as I am sure you all know with a ticket as well so she came along for the trip!!

Garden route

We had an amazing trip. I really enjoyed showing them around, my house, shul, the people, and just everything about were I have been living on my own for the past 10 months.
Although the weather wasn't 100% we dodged the rain drops and really had a great time. After being in Cape Town we started our big trip up whats called "The garden route". We drove from Cape Town along the coast to Port Elizabeth.
The drive is BEAUTIFUL, the animals, the scenery, and the mountains are breath taking.

We stopped along the way at different fun animal parks, beautiful scenic spots, pet cheetahs, tigers, monkeys, adopted a hippo, rode an elephant, saw baboons and ostriches on the side of the road, and really just had the best time!
The beauty that you experience here really is hard to explain. You have to experience it for yourself to understand.


We spent Shabbat with the Edelmans, and on Sunday drove to a game drive and saw lots of animals! We even saw a lion and a rhino, usually they are really hard to see so we got lucky!!!

I SPY A LION

I spy 2 rhinos

 After such an incredible trip it was a bit hard to say good-bye. It is very easy to forget how much I miss being home, being with family reminded me how much I really needed them around.

This trip was definitely one to remember and making memories like these with family is SO important, I really thank Hashem for such an amazing opportunity.

Cape Point

That way to Jerusalem

Petting a cheetah

The elephant ride

out in the middle of a game reserve

The waterfront (the harbor)

Cape Point

Cape Point

SKY DIVING!!!

It has always been a dream to sky dive, so my friends and I decided to finally go for it!!

One of the best experiences of my life. We got there a bit late because as usual, we decided last minute that we were going to jump and only found out that there is space for us an hour before. Unfortunately, because you have to pay in cash, and we were so rushed, I didn't know if I had enough money to get pictures taken of the actual jump. 
But still, I will have these memories in my head forever. Everyone else can see the before and after pictures :)

I didn't really have time to get nervous, we were the last jumpers of the day, so as soon as we got there, I signed a form that probably said something about if I die they won't take responsibility for me. I didn't even have time to read it.

We got geared up and went right to the plane. A teeny tiny "barf plane"(as we like to call it in my family) only 6 of us fit inside pretty much sitting on top of each other. Each of the guides chilled as the plane went up. One fell asleep, my guide was reading a book. They jump so many times a day it doesn't even affect them!
I warned my guide before we took off that he will probably be deaf by the end because I tend to scream loud.

The plane ride was about 20 minutes long, but because it all happened so fast, it didn't hit me that I was about to actually jump out of a plane.
We rose 3km (3000 meters, 9000 ft) in the air. 
2 minutes before the guides opened the door, my guide checked if I was 100% attached to him, I asked about 5 times if he was sure the parachute will open!

Then they opened the door. Shani jumped first and in that second she got sucked out of the plane I thought to myself:
"OH MY GOSH!!! I AM ABOUT TO JUMP OUT OF A PLANE!!"
I moved up to the edge, with my guide attached to me, and put my feet out of the plane, layed my head back on his shoulder like I was instructed and just like that I was free falling from the plane.

I was wearing goggles so I kept my eyes open and looked around! Just soaring through the sky.
Was an incredible feeling!! The fall was for about 35 seconds before the parachute opened, it truly was the most amazing feeling, just flying through the sky, and seeing the beauty from up above. 
As soon as the parachute opened I was kinda uncomfortable but the beauty, the mountains, the sea and just everything from a birds eye view was worth the pain!
I am a bit upset that I don't have any pictures from the jump itself, but the memory, the feeling of free falling, of looking down onto the world, is worth much more than the pictures! 

Definitely a dream come true :)

Getting geared up to jump

Making sure everything is secure

Getting excited...

In the plane..

AFTER THE CRAZY JUMP!!!

Zionist caravan

Right after Yom Ha'atzmaut, (Israel independence day) the Israeli mishlachat ( A group of 10 Israelis that are here like me working in Cape Town) left for what we call "the zionist caravan".
This was a week were we drove to different Jewish communities around the Eastern Cape and spoke about Israel. We prepared a presentation called 65 years of pride, which showed what Israel has accomplished in these 65 years.
We started in Port Elizabeth, drove 9 hours straight from Cape Town.We gave a presentation to the community at the Shul. In the morning we went to the Jewish school and ran an activity all about Israel for the 12 Jewish students.

It was very nice to be in PE with Sandra. I still can't get over how small the world is, both of us are originally from Lowell and somehow we ended up in South Africa!
After Shabbat in  PE we drove to East London. Gave our presentation to the remaining 20 Jews of the community, mostly over the age of 60. 

The next day before we left for Plettenberg Bay we spent the morning on a game drive. It is really incredible just driving and seeing so many animals out in the open, and driving through acres and acres of land. These game drives are almost the size of Israel or bigger.

I pet a baby lion, Was an amazing experience!
Our next stop was Plettenberg Bay, we gave our presentation at the shul, also to the remaining Jews of the community. We stayed at a beautiful bed and breakfast and had the morning to chill at the beach. BEAUTIFUL area.
In the afternoon we left for Oudtshoorn, our last destination and gave our presentation at someones house, there are not so many Jewish families left there so they all fit into the living room.
Most of the communities are dying down, not many Jews left. Still, to be there and spread our love and passion for Israel, and to see how much they care and love Israel was really an amazing experience.
The route we drove is called the garden route, the view was breath taking the whole way, and the amount of wild life on the side of the road, especially the baboons was incredible.
It was also nice to spend the time and go as a big group of Israelis! I think it was a powerful presentation and we really presented Israel the right way!
Definitely an experience I am going to remember forever!

So much to do so little time to do it

Time has been really hectic lately, we have had so many activities with Bnei Akiva along with planning all the Israeli remembrance day ceremonies. I haven't really had much time to just sit and write.

Yom Hazikaron ( Day we remember the fallen soldiers) outside of Israel was really different. I didn't hear the siren, I wasn't at the military cemetery (Har Hertzel) walking around with Dov in his uniform, or talking to a random mother crying by her sons grave. I was outside of Israel, less connected. I spoke at the community ceremony for over 150 people, and at school for the high school and middle school, I read a letter that my friend wrote to her brother who was killed during his army service. It was very meaningful. But not the same as being in Israel and feeling the pain, and the realness of the loss.

7 months of being in Cape Town is just around the corner, it is time to think about coming home. I was offered to stay till camp, which is in December. I had to say no because otherwise it will mess up my whole year next year, and I need to start school already. I would love to stay, I worked so hard I would do anything to be at camp and be able to see the end result of all our hard work. But I think it is time to finally start thinking about myself instead of other people. I am calling to sign up for school tomorrow, I am going to sign up at "Wingate" to learn Osteopathy- alternative medicine in the bones. It is a 4.5 year program so I need to stop pushing it off, and get started already.

Bnei Akiva, Thank God is in a really good place right now, at least for what it was before we got here. We had our shabbaton (weekend) from grades 3-6 with 60 kids, no one thought we were going to get more than 20, and it was the first time EVER that they did something like that in Cape Town. We had a shabbaton for grades 7-9 and had 15 kids, they haven't done a shabbaton for that age group in 5 years. The past few years they have had mixed shabbatonim and had maximum 10 kids from all ages. So you can see how far we have gotten!
Shani and I  planned the Calender so that from now until we leave there is an activity once a month for the elementary school grades 3-6, once a month for middle school grades 7-9,and Friday night mean once a Month for high school. This way even though we are leaving we will be busy till the minute we get on the plane.
It is weird to start thinking about the end. I miss home a lot, but I don't think I am ready to leave yet. 

Yom Hashoah- Holocaust remembrance day

As a child who never grew up with family stories from the holocaust it was always hard to connect. But 4 years ago as I walked through the death camps in Poland I realized that even though no one had the last name Solomont, these 6 million Jews were all my family.
It is now my responsibility to remember, to pass on, to live the life as a young Jewish girl for all those who could not.
To live the dream of 6 million Jews who only wished to live in Israel, dreamed of their first steps they would take in the Holy Land.
We live in a world of hate, no matter were we go we have to be careful because we are Jewish.
I AM PROUD TO BE A JEW, PROUD TO BE ISRAELI, PROUD TO SAY WE HAVE A JEWISH STATE.
Not being in Israel now just reminds me how disconnected our generation is becoming.
No one cares, no one realizes how our Jewish Identity is dying.
We can not give up! We are living proof that these horrible people failed, we are living proof that the Jewish people live on and will always live on.
As children we CAN NOT forget that. It is our time to take it in, to ask questions, to get answers about our Jewish roots, and our time to pass it on, without us it is all going to disappear.
This is a good day just to take a look and appreciate our heritage, it is our responsibility to keep it going.
I will remember, I will re-tell these stories, I will ask questions so will never forget. 

I hope you will too.

"AM YISROEL CHAI"

Israel apartheid week

This week in Cape Town, is Israel Apartheid Week, which means there are different anti-Israel protests going on at the University.

 

The pro Palestinians here in Cape Town and South Africa, in general, claim that Israel is an apartheid state. I believe they are uneducated and assume a lot of facts that are not true. When you compare Israel to the way South Africa was 20 years ago, when it was an apartheid state, you can see clearly that they are wrong and it is nothing close to apartheid. These people are close-minded and only want to listen to themselves.

 

This past Monday, I went to the University and was really so heartbroken to see what was going on. There were so many people there, who think they know everything, brainwashing others with lies. I had some good conversations with students who were so naive, and barely knew where Israel is on the map. I explained to them what was going on in Israel now, and how these people are filled with wrong facts. And how there is no way they can make the statement that Israel is an apartheid state when you know the truth.

 

I am not a politician, in fact I really dislike politics and anything that has to do with it, but one thing I do know is that Israel is far from being anything like apartheid.
 

Unfortunately things have to be done in Israel to ensure safety upon it's citizens. Anyone closed-minded will say right away that it is discrimination, but if you think about it for more than two minutes you don't even have an argument. Apartheid and maintaining the safety for a country, in my opinion, are two completely different things.

 

Every Friday the Christian Zionists in Cape Town, stand outside of the Parliament to show their support for Israel. This Friday they asked members of the Jewish community to join them because pro-Palestinians were going to be there too. I went with a group of high school students and Bnei Akiva. The turnout was amazing, about 50 Israeli flags and only 4 Palestinian flags. 

It was such a positive and inspiring experience. Standing with my flag, singing.

I felt so proud to be Israeli.

One of the Christian Zionists

"Avraham's tent"- open to anyone who wants to speak and hear about the Land of Israel.

The Pro-Palestinian wall built on campus

Proud to be Pro Israel!!!

Even with the Palestinian flags in the back-WE STAND FOR ISRAEL

5 Month Anniversary!

I can't believe that I have been in South Africa for 5 months, time really is going by so fast. 

Purim is over! I had a really great experience. Shani and I worked really hard, so it is nice to finally be able to cross Purim off the list! 

Thursday night we had an event for the middle school up to the high school, an Oscar themed party.

It was a really great event! The turn out wasn't as big as we had expected but the kids that did come had a really good time. Our hardest target here in Cape Town is the middle school. They don't like to be involved in anything, so when we have events for them we struggle to get a big crowd. The Madrichim (counselors) decorated with a red carpet, a place to take your picture, and set the table really nicely! It was really fun!
At Shul on Shabbat we had a treasure hunt for the little kids followed by a beautiful Havdalla (the blessing we say after Shabbat to separate between the holy Shabbat and week-day) and a fun parade in our costumes!
When Shani and I got to South Africa everyone called us Thing 1 and Thing 2. So we dressed up as them for Purim- Thing 1 and Thing 2 from Doctor Seuss- The Cat in the Hat! Everyone loved it! We had a nice little Purim party for our age group- cocktails and karaoke! Was a great party!! We really got all the ages covered this Purim! The preparation was a lot of work but so much fun!

It was hard to miss out on my amazing Purim Seuda at home. It is something we all look forward to every year. I did enjoy this new experience, I know I am here for a reason and I am making other people happy so in the end it was worth missing.

Our next big project is coming up in 2 weeks. Our first Shabbaton for grades 3-6!! We have an amazing turnout, no one imagined it being so big so I will update about that next time!!!

Shani and I with the 4 Israeli boys who are here learning with the Yeshiva of Cape Town.

Just having fun!

Group Oscar photo!

Thing 1 and Thing 2!!

Getting ready for the Purim play at school!

So much to do!

This past week I was in Johannesburg for Shabbat. We went up for the yearly conference for Bnei Akiva. It was very nice to be in the community for Shabbat. So many Jews!
It's weird how different Joburg is from Cape Town. Its not as beautiful and you can feel that it's a more "dangerous"area. The walls are much higher, more electric fences and much more security.
Besides that, there are Jews everywhere! Kosher supermarkets, kosher restaurants and just a bigger Jewish feeling all around. I got to see my campers from camp which was so much fun, most of them live in Joburg so I don't get to see them often, it was a nice visit!
I love that I can go visit Aunt Shari and Uncle Mathew and the kids! SO nice to have family so close.

Sunday was the conference, it really was just a long and boring day of talking. What I liked most about it was that you had a group of kids ages 18-24 who really care and are passionate about Bnei Akiva. It was nice to see them thinking of ways to improve and build up the movement. Was nice to see that the work I am doing here is for a group of people who care.

There is a lot going on now- we are working on "Mini Mach" which is a Shabbaton (weekend) in March for grades 3-6. So far we have more kids than we thought we would get and are moving to a bigger camp site. No one thought Bnei Akiva could get more than 30 kids and at the moment we are on 35!!!

Purim is coming up, we are having a few events that weekend. Pesach, Yom Hashoah (Holocaust remembrance day), Yom Hazikaron ( fallen soldier remembrance day), Yom Haatzmaut (independence day!) So many events happening around the same time.

We are busy and working very hard! Thank god we have a great team full of power!!

Wake up call!!

On Sunday, I had an experience that hopefully will be the first and last time it will ever happen.

An African man (to be politically correct) came to our door and asked to come in. Shani and I hesitated because usually we don't let strangers into our house, but the man said he needed to check something that had to do with the neighbors. In my head it was a legitimate story. The man also didn't look too sketchy, so we let him into the garden area and he checked what he needed.
His story was that he wanted to cut down the branches that were in between our houses so that the next day when his telephone company comes they can put up a cable... Doesn't that sound legit??
Then he asked to come into the house because he needed an extension cord so that he could plug in the machine in order to cut down the tree.
I walked to the back office to plug in the extension cord and put it through the window in order for him to be able to work, I told Shani to keep an eye on him.
As soon as the man asked us for our numbers in order to call and confirm about the neighbors, we decided we don't want to deal with him, told him to come back when our secretary is in, and she will decide what to do.
We escorted the man out of our house, but as he was leaving I saw my IPHONE in his back pocket!!!!!!!
From the very beginning of our stay here, we were told that if someone is trying to steal something from you, to let them. Otherwise you never know what could happen.
Without even thinking twice, and in the nicest, most innocent voice, I asked the man:
"Before you leave the house would you please give me back my phone?"
He looked at me and said:
"No, you see my phone is broken so I need yours to call for tomorrow"
So I said again, "No, please give me my phone."
I think I caught him off guard. The kind thief then handed me my phone and I escorted him out of my house.

Everyone here is SO surprised that I got my phone back!
Apparently that is what these guys do, they make up a story, come in, take the first thing they see, try to distract us, and run... But we had locked the gate behind him...He had nowhere to go.
Somehow Hashem made a miracle and I saw my phone in his back pocket.

I honestly am not sure what emotion I felt after?? Afraid, stupid, confused,stressed, happy, thankful, nervous, paranoid, SO many thoughts were going through my mind.
Thank God this story has a happy ending and I can tell it and laugh!!! Definitely was a smack in the face and a wake up call!
MORAL OF THE STORY N-E-V-E-R OPEN THE DOOR TO SOMEONE YOU DON'T KNOW!!!!!

Israeli elections

The elections are in Israel today and for the first time in my life I am involved. I actually understand and can even explain to people about the elections, which parties are running, how the voting works, and even how to build a government. Unfortunately shlichim outside of Israel don''t have the right to vote. It doesn't really make sense, we leave the country to teach about Israel but cant even support our country by voting. I am frustrated for the first time when it comes to politics. On the other hand I am thankful, I had the opportunity to learn about the government of my country. I am sure that if I was home I would have known much less and just voted because I can.
As the Israeli "mishlachat" (group) we taught about the elections in the high school. I am very good at many things but politics is definitely not my thing. I had to learn A LOT for these classes and I am happy I did. We taught about the elections, how they happen every 4 years, how we vote in Israel, what happens after we vote, how the government is built, a coalition, an opposition, all the seats in the knesset, which parties are running ect.
Each student from the high school had the opportunity to vote and we held a vote from the school.
It was interesting to see how many kids in each class really did care about what was going on and felt a connection to Israel.
After we taught about 210 students we had an assembly for all of them and showed the results of the school. We spoke to them a bit about the current polls in Israel and bit of history from the past elections.
The feedback we got was amazing, the students loved the opportunity to be involved.
Even though I didn't get to vote, I got to learn and understand instead which is almost as exciting! 

The Kalpi (voting box) and the cards the students used to vote.

Assembly for the whole High School

The girl here with me is Mor the shlicha for the reformed youth movement

Me explaining about the current polls of the elections.

It's a good thing I like to talk =)

Just before class....

Even though is doesn't count, I could pretend!

Nadav ben Yehuda

Tuesday night I heard a really inspiring talk by a man named Nadav ben Yehuda and I really want to share some parts of his story.
Nadav is 24, he climbed mount Everest last May. He is a proffesional ice climber and has climbed many difficult mountains.
His story is unbelievable. Nadav didn't make it to the top because at about 300meters from the peek he saw a body (every body he saw he would go over and check if the body was dead or alive), this body was alive. With about a minute of hesitation Nadav decided that if he were to climb up to the peek just to stand on the top take a picture by a flag and say he climbed to the the top of mount Everest he would risk this man's life even more. It was now or never to save this man's life.
Nadav explained how impossible it is to carry someone down the ridiculously dangerous route. And that at times he had to drag the man behind him.
There is a lot more to the story but it was so in detail I can't really write everything.
Nadav saved this Turkish man's life, if he wouldn't have stopped, decided to give up on his goal, turn away 300meters before the peek of his 3 months dangerous adventure, the man would still be frozen on that mountain. 
Nadav risked his own life in so many ways by carrying the man. He is a true hero.
All the Israelis went out for a cup of beer with him after his speech. We got to ask our own questions and he was able to speak to us in Hebrew which was easier for him. He told us that he is still going through therapy and taking pills for trauma. He wears a glove because he got frost bite coming down the mountain and his hand cannot get infected or be exposed to the sun.
It was just so amazing to sit and listen to him talk and tell his story. He is a true Israeli though, has been up 3 more mountains since Everest even with no feeling in his hand!

I learned so much from his speech.The power he had to do the impossible and save a man's life is so incredible.
We must all learn from this story, whether its about making decisions, doing the right thing, believing in yourself. SO much we can learn from such a hero.

My friend was tweeting during the speech and wrote down some great quotes that he said so I wanted to share them with you.....

Fish Braai

A braai in South Africa is a BBQ.....What an experience !!

This was actually one of the best experiences I have had. I went to a place called Muizenberg, it's on the water and there is a fish market there. I have never seen such fresh fish in my life.
One of the sales woman told me that the fish are so fresh that if I were to throw it back into the water it would swim back to its momma!
Laying on the ground were HUGE bunches of fish just waiting to be put onto the grill!
My three friends and I bought a big yellow tail and a smaller salmon.

After buying the fish you can pay a bit extra for these women to go to the side and clean the fish for you, scale it, wash it, cut off the head, take out the insides, all right in front of your eyes!
They wore boots while i was standing there in my flip flops with fish juice on my feet!

I honestly couldn't get over how cool the whole thing was!

This story gets better! There were seals in the bay.....seals....not an aquarium REAL SEALS!

I felt like such a tourist, but it was so amazing to watch!

After our fish was cleaned and rapped, we drove to the closest super market and bought a grill and spices and when to the beach!

After half an hour, a bit a margarine, an onion, green pepper, garlic, salt and pepper, we devoured the most amazing fish i have ever tasted!

I am loving these experiences and even more so- loving sharing them with you!!

It's been a while

It is harder than i thought to take the time to write. I need to figure out a way to make it into a weekly task. I definitely will work on it because i really want everyone to stay updated.

Somehow time flies by so fast, I honestly don't know how its possible that i have been in South Africa for almost 4 months already. Crazy how that happens!

Last post I wrote about my job and what i am doing here in Cape Town. Most of it will stay the same but because it is the beginning of the year here in South Africa a lot will change. We are no longer in camp mode, now that we can start from the new year we are looking to kick off with power!

So while it is snowing in Israel and probably as cold in America it is summer here! So beautiful, sunny, hot summer! School ended in December and right away Cape Town turned into vacation mode. Cape Town becomes packed with Jews in December-January because everyone from Joburg comes down to spend there "holiday"in the beautiful city!!

December 5th was camp departure day. It was crazy finally packing my trummel (kind of like what they pack in in Harry potter- is what i lived out of for a month) and getting onto the bus after so much preparation. The feeling of arriving at the camp site, which is located 6 hours outside of Cape Town in Mossel Bay was worth it, I finally felt so accomplished after so many months of hard work!

The preparation for camp was hard and tiring but very worth it. Camp was an unbelievable experience. After all the build up that we had before we left for camp, school visits, camp launches, and just so many activities in order to get kids to come, the feeling of stepping foot on the camp site was so fulfilling.

I truly believe that it is the quality and not the quantity, and this camp had so much quality. In Cape Town everyone is always worried about numbers, that not enough people are coming to events but I think that even if 10 kids show up to an event, those are the kids who want to be there and will make it worth every second.

Camp was amazing, I was a madricha ( counselor) for the oldest grade, going into 12th. 17-18 year old kids. I was a little nervous in the beginning because most of their counselors have been with them for years and then I just come in and join their last camp.
I was wrong. It was so amazing to be there and experience camp with them! In 3 weeks i got to know 80 kids, their stories, talk, chat, argue and just enjoy hanging out with them. Most of the time I forgot that I was a counselor and just felt like a friend.

Camp reminded me a bit of Shoresh, non religious kids crying while they sing Shema Yisroel, craving new ideas about Judaism and just loving the fact that they are Jewish and can be proud of it! 

The most amazing part of it all was the last night these kids new how to come and say thank you for impacting their lives, changing there camp experience, thanking me for being there with them. Was one of the most fulfilling 3 weeks of my life! I loved every second, barely slept, didn't stop moving but has the best time!

Now that camp is over we have a lot to do. It is going to be hard to get back into routine but I am excited and motivated to start the new year.

Our goal is to make Bnei Akiva into an active youth movement here in Cape Town, activities every Shabbat, once a month on a Sunday and a Friday night meal once a month as well.
We want to get as many people involved as we can.

We have a good team! The Older kids want to work hard to make it happen so i am excited to begin the process!

Hopefully i will keep updating weekly.

I miss everyone so much, sometimes it is hard to be away but i am having an amazing time, meeting unbelievable people along the way and really just loving the experience! The challenges are what makes it all worth it.