TL-BR-52-149 UPDATE 1

Writing to you from the bus- aka our second home of the trip, tired, but energized for the second half of our trip as we head down south today. We started up north where we spent a peaceful Shabbat surrounded by nature — it was a beautiful pause to take in where we are and why we’re here together. We also channeled our inner adventurers by tearing through the scenic Golan Heights on ATVs (don’t worry, we were seat belted …and only some of us got covered in dust head to toe).

We wandered through the mystical streets of Tsfat the city of Kabbalah, blue doors, art galleries, and spiritual vibes strong enough to make your phone battery last longer (almost). Then it was off to Tel Aviv, where we dove into vibrant market food (shout-out to iced coffee and fresh shawarma!), danced and sang like no one was watching at night, and cooled off in the Mediterranean after a blazing hot day. Tel Aviv really is the city that never sleeps — and don’t worry, neither are we. We’ve got eye bags and inside jokes to prove it.

Today we’re heading south to meet our Israeli peers we’re incredibly grateful for the chance to connect and learn from them. We’ll be exploring life in the desert and hearing firsthand stories of resilience and hope during this challenging time. It’s both humbling and inspiring to witness the strength and spirit that persist here.

Tonight, we’re sleeping in Bedouin tents (yes, real tents in the actual desert) and experiencing their legendary hospitality — open arms, sweet tea, and probably a few camel sightings.
Sending love, dusty hugs, and a ton of pictures I promise to upload once I have more than 2 bars of WiFi 🙂