Old Family & New Friends (Friday and Shabbos)

You mothers might not believe this but your daughters actually chose to wake up Friday at 4:30 in the morning!  After consuming many cups of coffee we piled into a van to take us to two of Israel's holiest places-Kever Rachel (the burial site of Rachel our Mother) and the Maarat HaMachpalah (the burial site of the matriarchs and patriarchs).  Rachel's tomb has been a place where Jewish people throughout the generations have stopped to pray and pour out their hearts; from the Jews who were leaving the land of Israel on their way to exile to a group of girls from UMD.  Then on to celebrate a new member joining the tribe!  We were lucky enough to visit the Maaras Hamachpalah on the morning of a brit milah (circumcision) and we joined the family in singing and dancing.  As soon as we got back home we all took a nap so we would be able to fully enjoy Shabbos...Love from Bayla and now here is Jenna!

Greetings from Eretz Yisrael!
 

We just arrived back at the apartment from an incredible Shabbaton in Ramat Bet Shemesh. I, Jenna Bazelon, and my dear friend Sydnee Chavis, spent a FANTASTIC Shabbat with the Boxer family. We could not have asked for a better host family, we really left feeling like part of the family. Shout out to...Hadas (you're amazing), Yaakov (also amazing), Kahatya, Rina, Avraham Yosef, Eliyahu, Chana, Elisheva...WE LOVE YOU GUYS!! I can't speak to the amazingness of the other host families but I've only heard awesome things. Also shout out to Chani Fulda and her family (i.e. adorable son, Avi) for hosting our Oneg Shabbos, the incredibly welcoming Ross and Adam families, and all the rest of the great host families. You all made our Shabbaton experience unforgettable.
Our Shabbaton experience included: food. Oh, and some great Torah portion talk, life story sharing, and of course, priceless time with beautiful children.

On a personal note:
I just have to tell all our loyal minions followers that I am having the most incredible adventure here in Israel. As cliche as it sounds, it really has been a life-changing journey of self-discovery and bonding with amazing women that I otherwise would probably not have connected with, BARUCH HASHEM. We have endless meaningful conversations about life, and I couldn't have asked for a better group to share this experience with. I really feel that I am meant to be here.

Love, Jenna Bazelon