Amazing Creatures!

Posted on 08/03/2012 @ 11:30 AM

An active touring experience to the cloud forest jungles, lava flowing volcanoes, and tropical beaches of Costa Rica. Teens will experience natural beauty with a focus on ecological protection, a Costa Rican approach to sustainable living, and connections with the local Jewish community of San Jose..

Hola familias y amigos,

So much has happened in just two short days here in Costa Rica! On Monday morning we started our journey to the pacific side of the country. On the way to Monte Verde we stopped at Selvatura Park where we went to the butterfly garden and got to see amazing butterflies up close.

After the butterfly garden it was time to zip line above the tree tops. We got suited up in our harnesses and helmets and zipped our way through thirteen platforms high above the ground. The views were unbelievable and the thrill was incredible. Some of us even took a turn on the Tarzan swing at the end of the course. It was definitely an experience we will remember forever. We ended the night with dinner and live music at our hotel.

On Tuesday the adventures continued. We finally made it to the pacific coast. Our first stop was the Tarcoles River where we took a river boat tour to see crocodiles. The amazing creatures came right up to our boat and our fearless guide fed them while we watched in awe; fortunately everyone in the group still has all 10 fingers and toes. We also got to see a baby crocodile that was 4 months old, falcons, hawks and howler monkeys!

After the tour we headed to the beach in Jaco. We enjoyed some time in the beautiful and warm Pacific Ocean and had some instructors who helped us learn to body surf. We also got to play soccer and frisbee on the sand. After the beach we made our way to Manuel Antonio where we will be spending the next two nights. It's hard to imagine we only have 5 days left here but we are all making the most of every minute we have here in Costa Rica.

In fair Verona, where we lay our scene...

Posted on 07/29/2012 @ 10:30 PM

Travel along the Mediterranean coast and explore the treasures of Italy in Milan, Rome, Venice, Florence and Verona on our Euro-Quest Mediterranean trip. Along the way, teens will hike in the Alps, go rafting in the backcountry of Slovenia, and explore the majesty of the Coliseum, the Pantheon, and the Vatican in Rome.

Our second day started by gazing up at Juliet's balcony. Down below, in the courtyard, there is a statue of Juliet that is meant to bring luck in love to those that touch her. So naturally, we all took a turn touching Juliette. After reciting some Shakespeare, we had some free time to explore the old main center of Verona. When we gathered back together as a group we walked past the 3rd largest amphitheater in Italy.

From there our travels continued, as we began making our way to Venice. Along the way we stopped at a local highway restaurant chain to grab some lunch. Everyone seemed pleased with their pizza, pasta and paninis. After our tummys were full, we got back on the road, and headed to the Mestre train station. Our adventure continued when we hopped on the train, with all our luggage, and rode to Venice. Since Venice does not have any main streets to drive on, we had a lovely stroll to our hotel. After freshening up a bit, we were ready to explore Venice. Our first stop was the Jewish Ghetto. A local guide gave us a tour of 2 synagogues. We also learned that there are less than 500 Jews living in Venice.

We then proceeded to the Grand Canal (the main Canal in Venice) for our gondola rides. It was a fun 45 minute ride that gave us a chance to see the city. Once we disembarked from our gondolas, we walked to LaPerla Pizzaria for dinner. We each had our own personal pizza, followed by some yummy tiramisu. For those of us that still had a little room left, we made a gelato stop on the way back to our hotel.

Day three, and we woke up to another extraordinary day in Italy. We started our day by heading back to the Grand Canal to catch our private boat to Murano Island. Upon our arrival we watched a glass blower work his magic to create a beautiful vase and a stunning glass horse. We also had the chance to pick up some souvenirs.

After, we got back on the boat and headed to Lido Island for some beach time fun in the sun (after we put on lots of sunscreen). The Adriatic Sea was a delightful way to cool off on such a warm day. We all had a lot of fun playing in the water. We then took a public boat back to Venice.

We hope that you are having as much fun reading about our adventures as we are having them. Shabbat Shalom from Venice!

Friendships That Will Last a Lifetime

Posted on 07/25/2012 @ 02:00 PM

Trek West USA Connect is an adventure touring experience in the American West. Teens will travel throughout Northern California and onto to the famous national parks of Yosemite, Zion, and the Grand Canyon, balancing their summer with challenging outdoors experiences and must-do touring.

Sadly our journey has come to an end. With tearful goodbyes we reminisce about the amazing experiences we've had over the past three weeks. After meeting as strangers in Phoenix we grew as a family and built friendships and connections that will last a lifetime.

We have traveled throughout the western United States seeing the sites. We started in Phoenix where we all met and spent an evening at Dave and Busters. Immediately we were on our way to Sedona and the Grand Canyon. We had a challenging hike but we worked together to make sure everyone accomplished the feat. We then journeyed onward to begin our 5 days on the Ponderosa Ranch in Utah. We had some amazing nights under the stars and days hiking, horse back riding, swimming, and other fun activities. From Utah we traveled to Las Vegas where we spent an afternoon on the strip followed by an exciting front row view of the Blue Man Group.

Next we began our stretch of time in California. We started in LA where we visited Hollywood Blvd, a comedy club and the Santa Monica Pier. We moved up the state of California to Yosemite. We enjoyed everything the national park had to offer including the beautiful waterfalls and majestic star gazing. Lake Tahoe included a fun relaxing day kayaking, paddle boarding, beach volleyball, and sunbathing. We finished our trip with four amazing days in San Francisco. We trekked through Muir Woods taking pictures beside trees that are hundreds of years old, experienced a somewhat scary tour of Alcatraz prison and ended with a special last dinner in Chinatown.

Although our adventure has come to an end, that does not mean we will not continue to grow as a family. We will take what we have learned from the experience and from our new friends, back with us to our homes. We will be sad that this journey has ended but we are excited to continue our lives knowing that we will always have this family to fall back on or turn to in times of need. We will never forget the amazing adventures we have had and the people we grew to love.

We Dig Israel!

Posted on 07/24/2012 @ 01:29 PM

Israel Journey is BBYO Passport’s flagship Israel experience with a focus on active touring, cross-cultural interactions, and an informal education approach. Teens will journey from the Galilee in the north to the tropical Red Sea in the south, and experience a Shabbat in Jerusalem, sunrise on Masada, and trendy Tel Aviv along the way.

Shalom!

We began our final week with a jam packed day. We started with an early wake up so that we were able to volunteer outside before the heat chased us back onto the bus! We worked with an organization called Table to Table, picking onions that eventually are dispensed to the needy. Our group alone picked over 3 tons of onions- that's over 6,000 pounds! All of those onions that we picked in the morning were then loaded onto trucks and by dinner time that same day were in soup kitchens and on the tables of over 800 families across the country.It was so much fun and inspirational and we really felt that we made a difference in our homeland.

We then headed to our archaeological dig hosted by the cleverly named organization We Dig Israel! Hadas (our Israeli guide) took us into a giant above ground cave and had costumes for us; several of our friends put on caps and robes and crowns and each represented major contributors to Jewish and Israeli history over time. We watched them do skits while explaining their role and how it pertains to present day. We then proceeded to a smaller, dirtier cave with our awesome, local archaeologist guide, Amy. We were able to be a part of a real archaeological dig! Among our group members, we found bones, shards of pottery and dug through rocks and other findings that hadn't been touched in over 2,000 years- It was completely amazing!

We stopped at Ben Gurion's grave and learned about his zest for life and and unshakable Zionism. He created the State of Israel and chose to be buried in the desert, overlooking the Ramon Crater. What a sight! We had never seen such a beautiful expanse in the desert, surrounded by trees and supporting the small campus of an ecological university. We ended with our first night in Eilat. Hot hot Eilat! Our hotel was so cool with modern decor mixed with art deco. The entire hotel was themed in different purples and when we arrived, we all spent the first 15 minutes running between each other's rooms to see the differences in design- surprisingly, we felt like kids in a candy shop!

There is so much more to update on and we are so sad that our trip will soon come to an end. We are having the time of our lives and can't wait to share our pictures with you all in person!

Onto another adventure... Israel Journey 4

Ciao! Ciao! Ciao!

Posted on 07/23/2012 @ 12:40 PM

Combine the Euro-Quest Mediterranean and Western experiences for a complete summer of European continental journeying in Holland, Belgium, France, England, and Italy. Teens will get the full flavor of Europe on this four-week transcontinental program.

Well we all parted ways only to take with us the sweet memories (and 50 kilos of Belgium chocolate). The last 4 weeks were quite an adventure for the whole group! 7 countries (don't forget the Vatican!), 28 days, 37 teens, 4 adults, a Blanka, and a Klemen, oh my! Collectively we ate 1378 Italian gelatos, 396 French crepes, 183 belgium waffles, and some schnitzel of course!

We traveled many kilometers and never turned back. The days felt like weeks and the weeks felt like days and we can't believe it's already in the past...

With love from the Euro Continental 2012 BBYOLOs: Ciao, ciao, ciao, ciao, ciao, CIAO!

Kibbutz Lotan

Posted on 07/20/2012 @ 09:28 AM

1 Month. 4 Countries. 33 Teens. Euro-Israel Journey Central is a week-long mission of remembrance and understanding in Poland followed with a tour of Prague and Budapest. Then we continue on to Israel for our three-week Israel Journey experience and celebrate the renewal of the Jewish People in the Land of Israel.

When we first stepped off the bus, literally in the middle of the desert, I recognized the T-shirts of the people living on the kibbutz. My brother, who visited Israel two years ago, bought one for me as a gift. Though it was cool to stand somewhere across the world where my brother stood two years ago, the fun was just getting started!

Kibbutz Lotan is one of the few remaining kibbutzim in Israel that functions traditionally. There were adobe sculptures everywhere and both the sculptures and buildings were painted and decorated with recycled items. After splitting into groups, the guide showed us how to make bricks out of water, mud, and straw. It was really cool to see that everything at the kibbutz was made from the adobe plaster. They even recycled tires to use as a skeleton for buildings and benches.

We used some already dried bricks to understand how to build archways and buttresses. The next station was organic gardening. The guide wanted us to name the Hebrew months, but no one could (hopefully now we can though!). We talked about the crop seasons and learned how the crops originally from Israel coincide with the Jewish holidays. They gave us fresh watermelon, and we put the scraps in one of their compost bins. Next we used some already mature compost to make seedling pots to grow arugula

We then went to the kibbutz pool and swam for over an hour. The shady hammocks, palm trees, kids playing sports...it really felt like paradise, not like we were at just some place in the middle of the desert. The whole atmosphere of the place was something amazing.

It wasn't just some half effort to recycle and take care of the land there-it was a fully functioning community where every aspect had the earth in mind. The homes also had the amazing adobe architecture in odd shapes and designs. Everything felt happy and in sync with Mother Nature (really!). After lunch, I looked at my plate, knowing the leftover scraps of food would be made into compost and in a few months, it would nurture a seedling. It was inspiring.

--Sarah Burack, Euro-Israel Journey Central Participant

BBYO Mourns the Loss of Israeli Citizens in Bulgaria

Posted on 07/19/2012 @ 12:00 AM

It is with heavy hearts that we extend our condolences to the families of those lost during a terrorist attack in Bulgaria earlier today. We are were horrified and deeply saddened to learn of today's act of hatred and bigotry, and our thoughts and prayers are unified in support for all of the people of Israel and Bulgaria. BBYO has a longstanding presence in Bulgaria and has developed a deep relationship with the Bulgarian Jewish community. In fact, nearly 40 teens from around the world returned home two weeks ago from BBYO Passport's Ambassador to Bulgaria program.  The Bulgarian and Israeli Alephs and BBGs currently have the support of the entire BBYO family during this difficult time.

We have many teens traveling through other parts of Europe and Israel with BBYO Passport.  They are all safe and as always we will continue to monitor events closely.  BBYO Passport will always act in good faith and make responsible decisions with security and safety being the guiding considerations.

The history of the Jewish people is a mosaic of moments filled with pride, tradition, and celebration. As we know too well, we also have our share of sorrow and mourning. Yet, through it all, our people remain strong, sustained by hope and always renewing our commitment to make the world a better place. Four thousand years later, we continue that narrative, united as one nation.

Kol Yisrael Aravim Zeh La Zeh – all of the nation of Israel is committed to one another. Inspired by this most sacred value, BBYO stands in solidarity with the entire people of Israel in this moment of pain and reflection.

The Difference We Are Making

Posted on 07/18/2012 @ 03:06 PM

IMPACT: Israel is a three-week service learning program designed primarily for teens looking to return to Israel for a deeper experience. Teens will leave Israel better than they found it through living and serving in an Israeli community. Along the way, they will get to know the issues facing Israeli society first hand and learn how to play a part in shaping the future of the Jewish State.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

We started off our day in Jerusalem by visiting Yad LeKashish, which is an organization for low income, elderly Israelis. There, the participants create beautiful pieces of artwork that are sold in Israel and America. This organization truly gives purpose and light to an elderly person's life. Our tour guide showed us almost every workshop and we got to see the artists in action.

The highlight of the trip was talking to the elderly that worked there. They were so friendly and it was great seeing how happy they are. And, of course, another highlight was taking advantage of the opportunity to purchase some of the artwork in their gift shop.

From there, we drove south into Ashkelon. We received the unique opportunity to visit a water desalination plant. There, we learned about the water issues that Israel faces on a daily basis, and the importance of drinkable water. The plant's PR Director shared information about possible solutions for the water in the future. We had a thorough tour of the plant and saw the entire desalination process. We even had the opportunity to taste the new "salt-free" water when we completed the tour.

Our next stop was Beit Canada, an immigration absorption center for Ethiopian Jews making aliyah. There we learned how Olim (newcomers) are absorbed into the Israeli culture. We toured the center and got to play with some of the young Ethiopian kids living there.

We ended our evening with a conversation with Nir Sarig, the founder and CEO of the Israel Social Model. He talked to us about many facets of non-profit organizations in Israel. We had a long day, but it was filled with lots of excitement and learning!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Today we began working with an organization called Livnot OLehibant (To build and be built). Through this organization we traveled to Bet Shemesh to paint stairwells in a low income housing development. It was great to get to visualize the physical impact we are having on Israel. When the families that lived there thanked us for all the hard work we put in, we were really able to feel the difference we had made.

Gabby Aharon, Cherry Hill, NJ

Falling Off My Luggage

Posted on 07/18/2012 @ 09:37 AM

Israel Journey Plus is our core Israel Journey experience with an extra week included. The first half of the week takes place at Gadna – a “basic training” style simulation experience organized by the IDF. The second half of the week is spent living in and serving a local community through a series of projects.

Shalom, my name is David Minster and I'm from Scarsdale, New York.. Having not been to Israel before, I was excited at the idea that I would be going to the Holy Land. I heard about this trip from my older sister, who was on this trip two years ago and told me to go on it. She made a lot of friends on the trip and I was hoping to do the same. Knowing only one other kid who was going on this trip, I knew I'd be paired with a bunch of new kids from all over the country. I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.

I walked to the area where my group was sitting and I saw the boys separated from the girls talking in little groups. I met up with my only friend on the trip and we talked for about 20 minutes and not one person talked to either of us #foreveralone. That's when I thought to myself “This may be the weirdest, most anti-social kids I've ever met.” After embarrassingly falling off of my luggage in front of everyone, I got to know everyone, started talking to them, and learned that these kids were pretty typical. We got through the flight and made it to the Promised Land. As soon as we went into a water cave, everyone got a lot closer (literally). We proceeded to go to the Old City of Jerusalem, and it was interesting to learn of Jerusalem's history.

Later that day my mind was blown: I ate schwarma and oy vey it was delicious. The schwarma was so good it seemed like it was sent down from heaven as a gift. Later that week we celebrated shabbat. With many activities following such as bowling, banana boating, swimming, hiking, and just hanging out, we turned a bunch of random strangers into a group of close friends. We managed to get in all the aspects of Jewish society, such as the way that they have bar mitzvahs in the streets, how all the different religions and people coexist with each other, and how Israel works inside and out.

The odd part is, I've only been here for two weeks and we've managed to get so much done. During these past two weeks, Israel has helped me to discover my Jewish identity. For example, I can probably count the amount of times I've celebrated shabbat on one hand. Now, even though I've only been here for two shabbats, I've learned the importance of working and resting. In addition, I'm not much of a spiritual person, but when we went to the Western Wall, it spoke to me on a deeper level than anything I've ever experienced. Without a Jewish identity, one cannot pass down these Jewish teachings for future generations.

In the next two weeks, I hope to learn more about myself as a Jew and about Israel as a whole. On a group level, all that our group can do now is just get closer, branch out to other BBYO groups, and meet new people. Now that I know Jews from all over the country, I've learned how similar our Jewish lifestyles are. These kids that I met two weeks ago are friends that I will have for the rest of my life, so cherish these moments together. It's been a fun two weeks and I can't wait to spend two more with everyone.

Horseback Riding & Square Dancing

Posted on 07/17/2012 @ 10:50 AM

Trek West USA Connect is an adventure touring experience in the American West for current 7th and 8th graders. Teens will travel throughout Northern California and onto to the famous national parks of Yosemite, Zion, and the Grand Canyon, balancing their summer with challenging outdoors experiences and must-do touring.

We all can't seem to believe that our summer adventure out west is actually winding down. We've all decided that we're going to make the best of our next few days together and seize the day the best we can! :)

We have an earlier post for you to read from our epic bus ride this past Thursday from Gaby Altman from New Rochelle, NY - " On Thursday, adter have a nice sleep in the cabents, we were woken up at 6am. We finished packing and then headedup to the dining hall for a nice buffet breakfast. We then boarded the bus and started our long trek through the west to Utah! While on the bus, I listened to music and talked to my friends. I think the best part was really being able to bond with everyone else. Even though it was a bit long, it was so much fun!"

After a trip and nature walk in Bryce National Park, we were able to enjoy everything Ponderosa Rance had to offer before dinner on Friday night.

Kevin Nyman of Stamford, CT said, " Today I went horseback riding with a few of my friends. It was a lot of fun. My horse's name was Nibbles. At first, the whole group seemed pretty nervous but after a little while we were really relaxed and enjoyed our rides. Towards the end of our trail, a thunderstorm occurred and the horses were all out of order. This made the ride much more thrilling! All in all, it was a great experience.

Kayla Gartenberg of NYC said, " Today was a great day. We started off with a beautiful nature walk through Bryce national Park. The mountains that we saw were breathtaking. After that we came back to Ponderosa Ranch and had activities to choose from. I chose horseback riding. I had a really fun time on the horse and we went on a really pretty trail. After riding, we all got ready for Shabbat and sang songs. To finish off the day, we a very nice Shabbat dinner and movie night since it was pouring down rain! Today was a really fun day!!"

Sam Scherl of S Orange, NJ said, "Today I went ziplining. It was really great. I also went swimming and went down the water slide a lot. I also played mini golf and went square dancing. It was a fun packed day and I had an awesome time. At the end we all had Havdallah together. I also went rock climbing and made it all the way to the top o the rockwall. It was an amazing day and I had a fantastic time."

Aaron Slann of Cooper City, FL said, "Today was one of the more relaxing days on the trip. We got to sleep in for an extra hour and then went to services. After services we had some free time which most of us used to go swimming. Swimming was a lot of fun and part of that was becuase of the waterslide. The rest of the day we spent mini-golfing or hanging out with friends until Havdallah. We then went square dancing until curfew."

Laughing, Cheering, and A Lot of Spirit!

Posted on 07/16/2012 @ 09:00 AM

Trek West USA is an adventure touring experience in the American West. Teens will travel throughout California and onto to the famous national parks of Yosemite, Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Canyon, balancing their summer with challenging outdoors experiences and must-do touring..

We have been having a great time in Los Angeles these past few days. On Friday, we started the day volunteering at the Food Bank of Los Angeles. It was a wonderful and rewarding experience. We enjoyed having the opportunity to help others and make a difference. We unloaded and sorted donations that would be distributed to people in need throughout the area. After our time volunteering we headed to Venice Beach. We got to enjoy the local shops on the boardwalk, street performers and the beach.

Then, we headed back to the American Jewish University to prepare for Shabbat. We were fortunate enough to attend Friday night services at the synagogue on campus, it was a unique experience that we will remember. We ended the evening by reflecting on our trip so far and thinking about our time to come.

On Saturday, a few of our participants attended Saturday morning services where they along with our staff member Brian, had an aliyah in front of the congregation. In the afternoon, we held the first annual Trek West Olympics. The participants separated into their team colors and enjoyed a fun afternoon of creating their own team name, chant and mascot as well as races and even a whipped cream eating contest. It was a fun afternoon filled with laughing, cheering and a lot of spirit. After Havdallah, we went to the Santa Monica Pier where we went on rides and played carnival games!

This morning, we started our drive to Yosemite. We stopped along the way at the Ronald Reagan Library where we took a tour of Air Force One and got to see the new Disney Exhibit. It was awesome and interesting! We continued onto Yosemite where we will be spending the next two nights in fixed tents enjoying the amazing views and scenery around us. We can't believe the trip is already halfway over but we are looking forward to the rest of our time together in California!

The Heart of the Rainforest

Posted on 07/15/2012 @ 12:30 PM

An active touring experience to the cloud forest jungles, lava flowing volcanoes, and tropical beaches of Costa Rica. Teens will experience natural beauty with a focus on ecological protection, a Costa Rican approach to sustainable living, and connections with the local Jewish community of San Jose..

This morning, we ate breakfast in San Jose, hopped on the bus, and began our drive through the rainforest to northern Costa Rica. The narrow, curving highway led us through the heart of the rainforest. Many of us were impressed by just how rainy the jungle is. The clouds are so low that it often looks more like fog than clouds.

We arrived at our destination, the Serapiqui River. Our adventure here was more intense and beautiful than any had expected. The guides split us up into six teams for a race that included rafting, hiking through the rainforest, planting trees, and more rafting. Some groups took the "race" part very seriously; others took a slower pace through the dense jungle. This was NOT a touristy locale--the guides had prepared the trail specially for us! As we were walking, we could hear howler monkeys and many other animals around us. Micaela even found a bullet ant, so named because its bite feels like you have been shot (no, no one got bitten by a bullet ant). The ambiance and sounds of the rainforest made up for how muddy the jungle is.

Out afternoon continued with 1.5 hours of white water rafting down class 2-3 rapids and a delicious lunch. Many enjoyed the freshly cut coconut and pineapples the most. Sarah and Ari entered into a hot sauce competition. We learned our lesson that Costa Rican salsa is spicy indeed. Ori is hoping to find a Ghost Pepper or equally debilitating pepper, but we're hoping he sticks to rice instead.

Our new hotel, Las Cabanitas, is so named because we are staying in small cabins. It's a big change from the Hampton Inn we started in. It's exciting to be progressively getting closer to Costa Rican culture and the "pura vida!" Tonight's dinner included fresh avocado, grilled plantains, beans, rice, mango juice, ice cream, and more. The food here is much healthier and fresher than American food. Tyler originally wanted to go to the Burger King instead of a Costa Rican restaurant, but he will see the error of his ways as we continue to develop our Costa Rican palates.

Tomorrow will be a busy day of swimming in waterfalls, hiking through a national park, and swimming in hot springs. It's hard to believe how much we're doing every day. The staff is encouraging all of the participants to enjoy their time here and appreciate the environment and culture as much as possible.

We send our love y amor, Costa Rica Staff Anna, Sam, and Ben

BBYO B'Yachad

Posted on 07/13/2012 @ 07:50 PM

Yesterday evening, approximately 450 teens on BBYO Passport experiences in Israel convened to celebrate their being together in the Jewish Homeland this summer. The name of the event, "BBYO B'Yachad", is Hebrew for the word "together". True to form, the event drew together an international community of Jewish teens from South Africa, Turkey, Bulgaria, France, Israel, and from 41 states and provinces in the USA and Canada.

BBYO B'Yachad began with a carnival-style atmosphere where teens enjoyed decorating ancient pottery shards, getting their hands painted by a professional henna artist, writing postcards home to friends, learning about important Israeli organizations, doing a scavenger hunt, taking photos for keep-sake gifts, and plenty of music.
 
Two BBYO teens on International Board, Ryan Ladd and Sarah Minion, welcomed their peers to the event. They spoke about the power of Israel as a life-changing experience, about making new friends within their trip community, and about embracing their summer as a journey.

Benji Lovitt, a stand up comedian who moved to Israel in 2006, shared his humorous perspectives on life in Israel with the group. From the experience of boarding an El Al plane to the trials and tribulations of counting off on the bus, Benji brought us together in laughter through his unique insights.

We concluded the evening by singing HaTikvah, Israel's national anthem, followed by a popular song called "Yachad". Watching a sea of 450 teens holding each other arm-and-arm while singing was truly a moving experience. The night ended with a dance party, where everyone could feel the exuberance.

Ultimately, the purpose of BBYO B'Yachad was to celebrate our teens choice to spend a summer in Israel. With the myriad of choices available today, we are so proud that they chose to come to Eretz Yisrael, the Land of Israel. Traveling to Israel is a dream shared with our ancestors for nearly 4,000 years, and that is a dream fulfilled anew each summer on BBYO Passport since 1957.

Check out photos from BBYO B'Yachad 2012.

Giving Back to the Local Community

Posted on 07/13/2012 @ 12:30 PM

Head deep into the southern hemisphere on an epic safari adventure. The South Africa Journey is a 3-week experience combining safari, community service, and programming with local Jewish teens from Cape Town. Along the way, teens will reflect on the legacy of the anti-apartheid movement, explore South Africa's stunning natural beauty, and come face-to-face with lions, elephants, giraffes and much, much more.

Hello again from South Africa! The time is flying by, and it is hard to believe we have been in this country more than a week now. Since our last update, we saw a few more sites in and around Cape Town that included learning about Apartheid at the District Six museum, as well as some up close and personal interaction with some beautiful birds and cheetahs!

Monday began our 5 day stint giving back to the local community, volunteering our time to a few different causes. We have begun a painting project at a school located in a nearby township. By the time we are done on Friday, we will have repainted a few classrooms that were in desperate need of a new paint job. We are also working with local children in these townships, doing activities and playing with them for a few hours each afternoon. It has been this part of the experience that has really left a lasting impression on everybody......here are a few testimonials of some of our teens and how this component of the trip has affected them:

"The look in the children's eyes when you see how you made their day by just spending a few hours playing with them is priceless. It truly changes your perspective on life and appreciation of the little things that we normally take for granted." Andrea Tishman, 17.

"When I wanted to go inside with a couple of the kids we were playing with, I noticed a group of more than 10 kids following me. The experience of having my own little posse of young African kids after only knowing them for a few hours was a memory I'll never forget." Bruce Margoshes, 15.

"After spending 2 hours playing soccer, we went inside to color, and one of the little boys wrote down on a piece of paper the words 'My Family: 1. Morgan' and then a few other names. Volunteering our time on this trip interacting and playing with local children made me feel that I had an impact on their life and I truly had become a part of their family." Morgan Benudiz, 16.

Our community service continues until the end of this week, but judging from everyone's feelings and emotions, it is certain nobody will want it to conclude.

Group Dynamics

Posted on 07/09/2012 @ 11:00 AM

Israel Journey is BBYO Passport’s flagship Israel experience with a focus on active touring, cross-cultural interactions, and an informal education approach. Teens will journey from the Galilee in the north to the tropical Red Sea in the south, and experience a Shabbat in Jerusalem, sunrise on Masada, and trendy Tel Aviv along the way.

July 6th-8th

Fresh off of our day in the Old City of Jerusalem, we headed north to Caesarea to see some amazing Roman ruins on a stunning beach. We learned about the city's history, and even reenacted some of the events that took place there two thousand years ago. We had a race in the gladiatorial arena and even had a race in the amphitheater, which was really cool. With the hot Israeli sun beating down on us, we gladly headed to the beach after completing the tour for a welcome bbq and swimming in the Mediterranean Sea.

Afterward, we headed up to Haifa where took a driving tour through the city, and made a stop at one of Haifa's most important and special sites, the Bahai Gardens. Built behind a gigantic Bahai Temple, the Bahai Gardens made an excellent stop for picture taking and getting to see Haifa! From there it was on to our hotel, where we enjoyed a much needed day of rest and an enjoyable shabbat service. We took the time to really come together as a group, and even caught up on some much needed sleep. The week ahead looks challenging and exciting, so we wanted to make sure we were ready! (Written by Laurel)

The next day, we began our tour of the Galilea with an amazing hike through Nahal Kziv to Montfort Crusader Castle. This was a very challenging experience, but it was also heartwarming to see us helping each other down the mountains and through the river. We felt this was an important group bonding experience, and a chance to see a beautiful change of scenery.

Later in the day was more relaxing, enjoying a cable car ride down to the ocean caves of Rosh Hanikra, and learning some background history of Israel's relationship with Lebanon. We also went to Acre, the famous crusader city, and enjoyed shopping in the Arab market there. We ended our day with a home cooked meal in a Druze village, which was really cool because we got to meet a culture we were not familiar with. Exhausted, we were happy to reach our next hotel and call it a night. (Written by Ben)

Viva Espana!

Posted on 07/04/2012 @ 12:00 AM

On Euro-Israel Journey Spain, teens go on a week-long exploration of southern Spain followed by the core three-week Israel Journey experience. Participants will re-trace Sephardic Jewish history, climb the Rock of Gibraltar, and soak up the sun on Spain's "Costa Del Sol". Then travel on to Israel for a once-in-a-lifetime journey in the Land of Milk & Honey..

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Our day began with our earliest wake-up to date, 6:30am.  After packing up and saying final goodbyes to Gibraltar, we loaded the buses and set off to the much anticipated beach at Costa del Sol.  Braving cold waters and local merchants who seemed to be drawn to our large group, we laughed, played, and enjoyed the beautiful sunny day.

With smiles and newly acquired tans, we got back on the bus for a 3 hour trek north to Granada.  There, we enjoyed a wonderful meal in the hotel, and got ready to go to a flamenco show, and afterward, a public viewing of the EuroCup Final.  However, we soon learned that the show had been moved to a later time so the dancers could watch the game.  Luckily, we were able to reschedule the show for tomorrow night.  We briefly walked around the city center, and then set off for the game.  Along the way we donned face paint and Spain fan gear in anticipation of the exciting game.  Unfortunately, we seemed to be unable to find the alleged public viewing, and we found ourselves spending the first half at a local ice cream shop.  Spain took a 2-0 lead over Italy.  With our heads down, we started walking back to the hotel to watch the game in our rooms.

All of a sudden, we saw a crowd of Spanish clad football fans heading to a viewing on the roof of a tall building.  We eagerly ascended the stairs and found ourselves at a high trendy rooftop party, where upon entering, we received horns shaped like coke bottles.  The atmosphere was electric.  Spain scored 2 more goals in route to a 4-0 victory.  As soon as the game ended, the rooftop erupted in celebrations , hugs, and cheers.   The roaring sounds of coca-cola horns filled the rooftop in a great crescendo leading up to a swarm of people running into the fountain on the roof!  We danced, sang, and took pictures among Spaniards, who at first seemed confused by the Americans celebrating alongside them.  They quickly accepted us and allowed us to take part in their culture.

We chanted all the way back to the hotel in our soaking wet clothes, celebrating with all who drove by.  It was a perfect end to an incredible day.  It is not everyday we have a once in a lifetime experience like that, and being able to have shared it as a group will further strengthen the friendships we have and will make with one another.  Viva Espana!!

~Matt Bresler and Daniel Allen, Euro-Israel Journey Spain participants

Life Goes On Given Time

Posted on 07/01/2012 @ 11:28 AM

1 Month. 4 Countries. 33 Teens. Euro-Israel Journey Central is a week-long mission of remembrance and understanding in Poland followed with a tour of Prague and Budapest. Then we continue on to Israel for our three-week Israel Journey experience and celebrate the renewal of the Jewish People in the Land of Israel.

7.1.2012 - Day 5: Auschwitz and Birkeneau, Poland

I was very scared to visit Auschwitz, the nightmare of the Jewish people and a shadow on my family history. Upon entering Auschwitz-Birkenau, my first thought was about the sheer size of the camp. We passed by what seemed like an endless stretch of barbed wire and barrack ruins. Finally we stopped at the place where Moran and the selection process began, left to the gas chambers and right for life. I began to cry and immediately felt someone’s arm around me. I tried to imagine this horrible place back then, but all I could see was a clear sky, a bright sun heating down on the cursed land. We visited the enormous remains. At one entrance visitors had covered the bunks with small stones. I said the mourner’s kaddish by one of the brick poles I thought would have been the chimney. The Nazis had blown up the four crematoriums to hide their crimes. Before this trip we had all read and learned about the Holocaust, but walking past green fields of grass, places where back then human ashes were used as fertilizers, I realized how they had held no regard whatsoever for human life.

We left Birkenau with our heads held high, proud to be bearing witness to this haunting yet important part of our identity. As Moran told us, we were proud to have the freedom to walk out of Auschwitz alive, and we left by following the railroad tracks that had led so many to their death.

At Auschwitz I we saw things from more of a museum perspective. The buildings were well-preserved and intact, and I was amazed by the range of nationalities and minorities, not only Jews, who went through the camp. We saw rooms stocked on either side with victims’ shoes, and our Auschwitz guide reminded us how this was only a fraction of what they found in warehouses following the liberation. So many shoes were tiny. The display of human hair truly disgusted me to know that the Nazis sold it to make more profits while dehumanizing millions of people.

Afterwards we thanked our guide and Maddie K asked her how she would give such tours every day without breaking down like we did. She replied how someone needs to do it and she has a responsibility to us to tell us what happened. Truly the wealth of evidence overwhelmed me, from placing candles at an execution wall to passing under Auschwitz’s famous main gate.

Praying at the nearby synagogue really cemented the experience for me. I thought of the millions who perished but also of the privileges and freedoms we have today. The synagogue contained panels of the town’s few survivors, their resulting lives and family, and their new home of Israel. In our small service we said a final kaddish then listened to a BBC recording of liberating prisoners holding the first Jewish service on the grounds there. Slowly but surely, through the crackled quality, we listened to them singing “Hatikvah.” I will never forget this.

Now, on to Budapest! As I write this, we are currently driving through Slovakia. Everything I see, from the green rolling hills to the picturesque villages, reminds me that life definitely goes on given time.

--Nicole, Euro-Israel Journey Central Participant

Ambassador to Bulgaria Update

Posted on 06/29/2012 @ 11:28 AM

A close-knit group of teens instilling hope in a Jewish community with a remarkable past. Teens take part in community service projects, build lasting friendships with local Jewish teens from Eastern Europe, and tour a hidden gem of Europe.

We've had some extraordinary experiences since our last update! We last left you on Friday afternoon, with our teens enjoying some R&R at our hotel in Plovdiv. When Friday evening rolled around, the group made our way to Plovdiv's synagogue to attend Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat services. The community welcomed us with open arms and was overjoyed that we joined them. Jenna Kress, from Washington, DC said, "It was incredible to be able to pray in one language as a Jewish people despite our language barrier." Afterward, we enjoyed a delicious Shabbat dinner at a traditional Bulgarian restaurant, joined by the Chief Rabbi of Bulgaria and his family. The waitresses were dressed in traditional Bulgarian garb, which made for an authentic and fun atmosphere.

On Saturday morning, some of the teens led a unique meditation Shabbat service for the group, which was a wonderful way to start a busy day in Plovdiv. After services, we walked to the Old City of Plovdiv and divided into small groups to explore sights like the amphitheater and have lunch. Then we walked to the JCC in Plovdiv where we were welcomed by the head of the Jewish community. We set up the room with tables, chairs, and decorative tablecloths for dinner, and we washed, peeled, and cut cucumbers and tomatoes (we have had a lot of cucumbers and tomatoes here!). We also ordered in a lot of delicious Bulgarian pizza!

That evening, we had the dinner that we prepared with Holocaust survivors from the Plovdiv Jewish community. Hannah Corman of Long Beach, California said, "Even though the survivors didn't speak English, the Bulgarians translated for us so that we could understand the story of the Bulgarian Jewish community" They told us their stories about life in Bulgaria over the last 80 or 90 years, about how they were not deported to death camps thanks to Bulgarian resistance to deporting their Jews, about life under communism, and about life in modern Bulgaria. It was an inspiring experience that many of the participants will take with them - and they will now be true ambassadors in America to share with you, with friends, and others the stories that they heard.

After havdalah on Saturday night, we traveled from Plovdiv to Sofia, Bulgaria's beautiful capital city. On Sunday, we visited an old Jewish cemetery, in which our teens spent the morning pulling weeds, cleaning walkways, and generally beautifying the area. After a hot morning of hard work and lunch at the cemetery, most of the group made their way back to the hotel for some free time before heading to downtown Sofia. However, many of our participants chose to stay for an extra hour to finish a special project of cleaning a Holocaust memorial within the cemetery. While cleaning, one of our Bulgarian teens found his grandmother's name on the memorial and discovered the moving story of her death, in which she sacrificed her life to save a group of Jewish children who were in danger during the Holocaust. Cara Levi from Memphis, Tennessee said of the experience, "It was moving to see one of our new friends discover such an incredible story about his family. We were so proud to call ourselves Jewish when we heard that story; It helped us come together as a big family."

Later in the day, the group made our way into downtown Sofia, where we were able to explore in small groups. After dinner at a restaurant set in a beautiful courtyard in the city, the group came back to the hotel for some evening activities, and then bed. Tomorrow we'll be doing some more sightseeing in Sofia, including visits to beautiful mosques, temples, and churches.

Euro-Israel Journey Central Update

Posted on 06/26/2012 @ 11:28 AM

1 Month. 4 Countries. 33 Teens. Euro-Israel Journey Central is a week-long mission of remembrance and understanding in Poland followed with a tour of Prague and Budapest. Then we continue on to Israel for our three-week Israel Journey experience and celebrate the renewal of the Jewish People in the Land of Israel.

6.28.2012 Majdanek (near Lublin, Poland) - Day 2

Today has been the most intense and overwhelming day of my life. Today, we went to Majdanek, a Jewish death camp. We traveled by bus for three hours from Warsaw to the camp. This is almost the exact route that the Jewish people took out of the Warsaw ghetto; the difference being of course that we were on an air conditioned bus with comfortable seats and space and food and water. They traveled in cattle cars and to say they were treated pitilessly would be an understatement.

I looked out the bus window at the thick forests and open fields with an occasional house and cows, and thought of how I knew exactly where I was going and that I would be safe. The fate that awaited these innocent people was but a mystery to them.

When we arrived at Majdanek it was cold and gloomy, which very much fit the scenery. Enclosed in barbed wire was the actual place where my ancestors most likely were killed. It is so different to just hear stories of the camps than to actually walk through one. I felt disgusting. My stomach twisted into knots. I could hear the cries of my ancestors and feel their pain.

After walking through their sleeping quarters, gas chambers, and crematories, I didn't think I could continue. It was all so much to take in at once. I could see the sun coming out and thought that a place like this didn't deserve sunlight.

But then I went into an exhibit called "the Shrine." I walked into a dark room with a wall covering what was inside. I couldn't see anything yet, but I heard the prayers and cries of many different people in multiple languages through a speaker.

I took a deep breath and slowly walked around the black wall. I expected to see bones or remains or pictures, but what I saw was very different.

I gasped and went numb. In front of me were about fifty bright lights, each surrounded by thin wooden strips in the form of circles in an otherwise black room. It was the most incredible memorial I'd ever seen. I felt as if whenever we are in the midst of darkness and sorrow, we can find light. I felt hope. We can make a change.

--Gillian Schumaker

Welcome to Summer 2012

Posted on 06/21/2012 @ 11:28 AM

Welcome to the Summer 2012 BBYO Passport blog! This blog will serve as your insiders’ look to a summer of international Jewish teen travel as experienced by the teens and staff themselves. We’re capturing the action and magic taking place across 17 countries this summer and streaming it straight to you. So recline your seats and keep your tray tables down, we hope you’ll enjoy the journeys ahead…

See the pictures from the road on our SmugMug page.

Thank you for joining us on this journey!