Tribe L2L Jeru Day 6

Good morning London!

We are checking in at the airport. Here is the last diary entry about day 6 of our experience - Shabbat. Written by Max Steiner and Josh Kay.

Spending Fri night at the Kotel was a real experience, singing and dancing with Jews from all walks of life. After a relatively delicious meal at Yeshivat Netiv Aryeh spent in extremely good company, with (soft) drinks and banter flowing, we made our way down to the Kotel, sitting on the plaza overlooking the Kotel and taking part in our last Sikum (reflective summary session) asking and telling about what we had taken from our week in Jerusalem and our Friday night at the Kotel. We finally embarked on the hour long trek to the hotel, making it our sole aim to try and hug as many Jews as we could on the way home. Our ecstasy continued as we joined a group of teenage Chassidic boys in a round of dancing.

The experience is indescribable - to be able to walk up to anyone in the streets of Jerusalem and to dance with them and share their joy, to wish them a Shabbat shalom and hug them as if they were a family member, the power of Jerusalem is evident wherever you go on a Friday night.

Saturday morning set off with a sleepier and more relaxed atmosphere. Following a delicious Kiddush (shortly after waking up) we started praying mussaf completed by the blessing from three of our own Cohanim. Once we had completed seuda shlishit and a wonderful musical havdallah at the end of Shabbat we were given time to pack up our belongings in order to begin our long journey home. But before the trip was over there were still a few more things to be done.

After spending a short time eating at the Malcha Mall we were ready to do a final review of the whole trip. Sitting in a candle lit room many great stories were told by each of us about our budding and growing friendships, of favourite moments and aspects of the trip and all in all a conclusion to all the amazing experiences that had been greatly enjoyed by the whole group. Of course we looked at fabulous photos and 'selfies'  from throughout the trip. A perfect end to a perfect trip!