Baking Cookies and Making New Friends

This past Sunday through Tuesday, Barrack students attended their usual classes and had the option to work out or sign out and explore Hod Hasharon. On Tuesday evening, campus was teeming with activities. One particular highlight was a madrichim (counselor) lead cookie-baking competition. It was a fun opportunity to spend time all together outside of regularly scheduled evening programming.

Wednesday brought a day of exploration and connection in Jerusalem. The morning began with a short hike in the surrounding area, where students enjoyed the beautiful trail and time outdoors. Afterwards, they visited the Hartman Institute to meet Israeli students participating in gap-year programs. Through meaningful conversations, they heard about their peers’ experiences and learned about their perspectives.

On Thursday, students visited the Arab village of Jaljulia, where they met local teenagers. Together, they shared experiences, talked about their different cultural backgrounds, and learned about one another. The visit also included a tour of a beautiful mosque in the village.

The group then traveled to Haifa to explore the Bahá’í Gardens—a destination that students had been looking forward to visiting for a long time. They were excited to finally experience the gardens and take in the beautiful scenery.

Looking ahead, the group is expected to spend Shabbat in Jerusalem. Students love spending time in the city, especially during Shabbat, when its unique atmosphere makes the experience particularly special. After a week of new connections and shared experiences, there is much to look forward to.