If I had had USY experiences like this, I would have done more USY.
Shabbat this weekend was simply amazing, and it was a much needed reminder that while the Nazis may have killed many of our children, Judaism and passion for Jewish music and t’fillah is not lost in this generation, but in fact it’s thriving.
We started shabbat with a spirited and harmony filled Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma’ariv, followed by a delicious dinner. After dinner, we moved into a circle and sang z’mirot, or Jewish songs for a solid half hour or more. This group of USYers love to sing, and do so at every possible opportunity.
Saturday morning, we attending synagogue at the Temple Shul, where the Jewish culture festival had brought in three cantors from Israel to lead services in this beautiful Shul. It was an interesting, orthodox style service, where there was little singing and much davening. A choir came out for Musaf, which was pretty cool and sounded great. You don’t get to daven at that old of a synagogue with that much history too often, so it was definitely worth the experience. After lunch, we walked back to the hotel and had extended minucha, or rest time.
We ended shabbos with some pirkei avot study, Mincha, dinner (where I told the story of Moshele Gut Shabbos), ruach singing, Ma’ariv, and a spirited havdallah.
It’s extremely refreshing after working with younger kids for so long, and with kids who may not be as knowledgeable Jewishly, to be with a group of young Jewish leaders. Week one is over, and I can’t wait for 4 more in Israel.
