Shabbat Reflections

Morgan: Participating in the different ways synagogues pray during Shabbat services was an amazing experience.

Abbey: Praying and writing notes at the Kotel made me feel deeply connected to my Jewish identity.

Orli: Experiencing the Kotel with my peers brought us closer together as a community.

Stella G.: Witnessing the love, inclusion, and pride of the Jewish people at the Western Wall was truly illuminating.

Henry: Going up to the Kotel with my friends was incredibly special.

Max: Seeing everyone at the Western Wall during Shabbat was deeply moving.

Asher: I loved experiencing Shabbat at the Kotel and singing songs with the rabbis.

AJ: Going to the Kotel at night was even more inspiring than the photos ever showed.

Grady: I enjoyed having Shabbat dinner with the other groups at the hotel.

Ethan: I loved seeing everyone come together at the Kotel.

Soli: Experiencing the Kotel and seeing so many people unite was really meaningful.

Jonah: I liked going to the Kotel—it truly connected me to Judaism.

Sebastian: Being with Jews I didn’t even know, all coming together, was life-changing and gave me a new perspective on who I am.

Chase: I enjoyed putting on tefillin at the Kotel and being in such a special and sacred place for our religion.

Rafi: I loved cherishing my Jewish identity by putting on tefillin and experiencing the Kotel.

Rocky: Sharing Shabbat dinner with my friends and others staying at the hotel was such a unique and special experience.

Avi: Shabbat was a meaningful experience I’ve been waiting for my whole life. Finally sharing it as a grade made it even more beautiful.

Henna: After my time at BZ, finally getting to experience Shabbat at the Kotel with my grade is something I’m extremely grateful for and will never forget.

Noa V.: Eating dinner with my community and other Jewish teens was lively and joyous. I’ll never take that moment for granted.

Owen: Going to the Kotel was incredibly meaningful. It was one of the first times I had a real, personal moment to pray. I usually have to pray in private, so this was an amazing experience.

Jack S.: Praying at the Kotel was so special because I didn’t feel like just one Jew—I felt part of a much bigger Jewish community. Every moment of that Shabbat night will stay with me forever.

Eden: There’s nothing like praying at the Kotel. Everyone is filled with passion and kindness for Israel. A moment I’ll always remember is when strangers I’d never met started singing with me like I was family.

Abby: Having Shabbat dinner not only with my community but also with others was unforgettable. Shabbat in Israel is unlike anything else, and singing with my friends was magical.

Sophie: I never expected the Kotel on Shabbat night to be so incredible. Seeing people come together to pray with total strangers made the experience even more meaningful.

Stella G.: Experiencing Shabbat at the Kotel helped me connect with those around me and feel like part of one big family.

Zoe: Singing with my friends in front of the Kotel brought us together. It felt so special to share that moment and deepen my Jewish connection.

Jack: Going to the Kotel and seeing all my fellow Jews praying was powerful. I had so much fun, I didn’t want it to end.

Avriel: Spending Shabbat at the Western Wall was amazing. We witnessed so much tradition and even danced with others around us.

Ari: On Saturday morning, I was invited to hold the Torah at the end of services. It was fun to be included in another synagogue’s experience.

Hannah: Experiencing Shabbat in Israel for the first time surprised me. It made me reflect on the religious side of my Judaism and helped me see it as a bigger part of who I am. I’ll remember this with my classmates forever.

Ella: On Shabbat, we began at the Kotel. I felt so connected to God as I prayed about high school, my friends, and family. I asked God to give them luck and love, and I let Him know I’m trying to grow as a person. That will be the highlight not just of Shabbat—but of the whole trip.

Yad Vashem & Har Herzl Reflections

Noa V.: Visiting Yad Vashem brought my Holocaust education to life. A highlight for me was the Children’s Memorial—a dark room where two candles reflect endlessly in mirrors. The lights represent the children who perished and the generations that were lost. This memorial is a reminder of why we stand here today.

Jack: Earlier today we went to Yad Vashem, and it really impacted me. We visited many sections and heard powerful Holocaust stories. What touched me most was learning about the Children’s Memorial, funded by Abe and Edita Spiegel in memory of their son, Uziel. They wanted to honor all the victims, but since that would have been too large, they chose to create a space just for the children. That really stayed with me.