To prepare us for shabbos, we had our first Mishmar of the summer on Thursday night. Led by our GIVE Rabbi, Rabbi Baruch Felberman of Shaalavim for Women, we had over 50 GIVErs show up to the optional learning session to get them into the proper mindset for the upcoming shabbos and for a summer of chessed. It was both uplifting and inspiring.

On Friday, Bus 1 traveled to Aleh, an organization that provides services for the extremely disabled. Through song and dance, the girls brought smiles to the faces of people who had not exhibited emotion in weeks. The organization could not stop complimenting our girls on their tremendous ruach, spirit, and sensitivity. Bus 2 visited a local hospital and gave out shabbos notes and candies to local residents. It really made their day!

It was then time to have the Friday Afternoon Shuk Experience, where we joined with thousands of Jewish people making last minute shabbos purchases, searching for the best rugelach and buying all their needed odds and ends... and of course did all while particiapting in an exciting scavnenger hunt!  

And then it was... SHABBOS!

We welcomed in Shabbos with a beautiful Kabbalas Shabbos on the roof of our home base, Yeshivat Shaarai Mevaseret Zion. The spectacular view overlooks all of Yerushalayim and the surrounding hills carried our joyous teffilos, prayers. We then had a delicious shabbos dinner with random seating so that the girls would get to meet new people and together, filled the room with zemios and dancing. We finished off the night with a wild and crazy... tisch! Our GIVErs with their boundless ruach, sang the night away with fast songs, slow songs, cheers and chants. Aside from the tasty treats provided (such as MARZIPAN RUGELACH!), the night was filled with endless energy, stories and fun! 

After davening on Shabbos morning, we came together into our chaburahs to learn a session on the significance of chessed. The girls were totally engaged in the discussion, both gaining and contributing to the conversations led by their advisors. We then had a wonderful lunch filled with zemiros, took some time to relax, and came back together for a Rocks-Paper-Scissors Tournament (your girls will explain), mincha, our chevrusah program and seudah shlishis. Shabbos concluded in the manner of any good NCSY event, with ebbing (slow shirah) and a melodic havadalah. Let's just say the ruach is high and the girls are hooked! This shabbos was JUST what we needed to recharge our batteries, re-energize for the awesome week ahead and get to know one another even better!

And if that weren't enough, tonight we went cosmic bowling! The staff was decked out in costume and the GIVErs were thrilled to show off their masterful bowling skills... and dance moves. It was beyond awesome.