By Avital Abir ('08)

This past week, Jessica Friedman ('08), Leah Wiznitzer ('08), Ben Scheiner ('09) and I, along with students from Donna Klein and other local public high schools were privileged go on the 5768 Jewish Roots trip to Kiryat Bialik, the Israeli sister city of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County.

We were warmly greeted early Monday morning by the students of Kiryat Bialik, some of whom visited us earlier this year on Chanukah and some whom we recognized from video conferences. As soon as we got on the bus, our Israeli hosts gave us a friendship bracelet, signifying the strong relationships which would blossom over the course of the students' stay in Israel.

It was an extremely special and unique opportunity to spend the week in Israel with Students from different religious backgrounds. As we toured many places such as Jaffa, Hall of Independence in Tel Aviv, Haifa, a Military base in Ramat-David, Kibutz Yifat, a Druze village, Akko, Tzfat, Rav Shimon Bar Yochai's tomb, the Golan, and Jerusalem, each of us, regardless of our background, were in awe of the beauty and history of our country. Furthermore, as a result of the Israelis sharing with us their unconditional love for the land, we were inspired to strengthen our love and connection to the land and its people.

In addition to touring the land, we were able to see the way in which the Israelis live in Kiryat Bialik. We went to visit them in school and even sat in on some of their classes. On Purim, every student came to school with extremely unique costumes.

The absolute highlight of the trip was our spending Shabbat in Jerusalem. We went to the kotel for Kabbalat Shabbat. While boys joined a minyan, the girls joined a large group of Seminary girls who beautifully welcomed Shabbat. Throughout Shabbat, we taught each other Shabbat Zmirot and other Israeli songs.

At the end of Shabbat we interpreted different pictures of Israel and how they represent what Israel means to us and what our week with each other in Israel taught us. Almost everyone spoke about the special bonds and friendships which flourished over the course of the week and the stronger connection each of us feels with Israel and Judaism. Despite our cultural and religious differences, all of us shared a similar love for the land of Israel which ultimately brought us all closer together.

By Sofia Peimani ('09)

Two Shabbatot ago, the girls were privileged to attend the WoMad Shabbaton in Boca. It was a wonderful opportunity for the girls of WYHS to spend Shabbat Zachor with faculty and friends.

Friday night, teachers opened their homes to students for dinner and a traditional tish-singing and snacks. It was a great experience for each grade to get together in such a beautiful atmosphere.

All the girls and faculty members joined together for Shabbat lunch followed by truly inspiring Divrei Torah. After a relaxing break, the girls joined together again for Shalosh Seudot and games created by students. The Shabbaton conveyed powerful and serious messages through fun activities such as skits and games, which incorporated influential women in the Tanach.

During the last moments of Shabbat, the girls enjoyed a WYHS-style kumzitz and sang beautiful z'mirot together. All were deeply touched, especially by Tehilah Weiss' ('08) heartfelt D'var Torah in which she gave an emotional account of what she herself learned from the tragic shooting at Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav: to put everything in her own life into perspective.

The highlight of the weekend was the fact that it brought all the girls together and unified the students and the faculty of the school. The Shabbaton was a big hit, filled with inspiration, growth, and fantastic memories.