Time Continues to Fly By!

Shalom, friends!

Well, another week has somehow already passed! This past week has not been the happiest of weeks as it began with Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) and continued with intensive learning about the Holocaust. I was on the Yom Hashoah Vad (committee), and we organized a ceremony Sunday evening that followed the whole campus' ceremony. While it was neat to be with all the kids, the ceremony was all in Hebrew so I didn't get much out of it. During the "TRY" ceremony several kids told stories of their grandparents and other relatives who were in the Holocaust. On Monday we walked to a busy intersection to experience the siren that lasts for two minutes during which time everyone stops and gets out of their cars to commemorate the Holocaust. It was really powerful to see the whole country pause from their busy lives. On Tuesday we had a Holocaust seminar with our ICC class and watched a very disturbing documentary. On Thursday we spent the entire day at Yad Vashem. First we met with a Holocaust survivor, then went through the museum. I have been to Yad Vashem before, but had never heard from a survivor before. To say the least it was an emotional week, but I learned a lot more about the Holocaust and recognize even more how important it is to remember the Holocaust and "Never Forget".

This past Shabbat I was supposed to go to my Dad's friend Zvi's house, but I ended up getting sick and had to stay on the chava. I never get sick at home, but I have been sick several times already here. So many kids are sick all the time here and the dorms aren't the cleanest places in the world.

This upcoming week is filled with Yom Hazikaron (memorial day for fallen soldiers and those who died in terrorist attacks) and Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day). I will say more about these two days next week!

Have a great week!

Shalom,
Hannah