Dear Parents:

Baruch Hashem, NCSY Derech had another jam-packed week filled with Torah, touring, education, and recreation. I am pleased to report that our boys are safe, happy, and are strengthening their relationships with Hashem and Eretz Yisrael. 

This past Sunday, we visited "The Zomet Institute," in Alon Shevut, where we learned how technology can be used in certain situations on Shabbos in a way that complies with Halacha. An example of this is the Machon Tzomet electric wheelchair. NCSY Derech boys truly impressed the leaders of the organization as being a bright and motivated group.  After Machon Tzomet, NCSY Derech had the unique privilege of touring Chevron with the legendary Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum. 

On Monday morning, we visited "Seeach Sod," a special needs school in Ramat Shlomo. NCSY Derech boys did art projects and danced with the students. We were honored to be there with Ofir Sofer, minister of Aliya, and Rabbi Avi Berman, the Executive Director of OU Israel. Our trip then went on to tour the tunnels under the Kotel after some free time in the Old City.

On Tuesday, the tone of the program truly tapped into the spirit of the Nine Days as we visited the sights of the attacks of October 7th. It was truly an emotional experience. Earlier that morning, NCSY Derech volunteered in a field in Beit Shemesh, where we helped farmers plant, weed, and clean their produce. The farmers sincerely appreciated our help. 

On Wednesday, NCSY Derech impressed the tour guide at the Biblical Museum of Natural History as being "the brightest group he had ever seen." We learned about the animals mentioned in Tanach and got to hold them! We then went on to crawl through the caves assumed to be related to the Bar Kochva rebellion.

On Thursday, NCSY Derech made our own chocolate, which was awesome. We also enjoyed a meat lunch/siyum in Gan Sacher as boys enjoyed some football, frisbee, and ninja warrior. We then headed to the Nefesh B'Nefesh center, where we learned about aliya. The Head of Nefesh B'Nefesh Education said that "he had never met a group with so many thoughtful questions."

Just this morning, our boys toured Har Hertzl as we began to transition into Shabbat Chazon, and the tone of Tisha B'Av.

All in all, I cannot express in words how impressive this group of NCSY Derech boys really is. I am truly enjoying spending my summer with them! I cannot thank you enough for choosing NCSY Derech! Please feel free to text me with any questions or comments!

Have a restful Shabbos!!

Rav Yoni

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