Thursday August 2nd

Today the MBIers took part in a variety of activities in the Jerusalem area. In the morning they went to the Museum on the Seam which is an interesting, progressive museum where they viewed an exhibit on equality. The exhibit explored the issue on a local and global level and looking at the issues involved in the creation of inequalities in the society and the world and the challenges to creating equality.

The buses at various points took part in the different aspects with some starting with the Sataf hike which is an hour or so hike that hikes through some of the hills of Jerusalem and involves a few small springs. It had some beautiful vantage points of the areas surrounding Jerusalem and was a great hike for them. Afterwards they went to the Mishkenot Sheananim neighborhood outside of of the old city of Jerusalem. There they got a tour there and learned more about the city of Jerusalem's history and the neighborhoods place in the incredibly diverse city that is Jerusalem.

The MBIers also went to the Shiloah Pool which is the location of one of the oldest Aqueducts in the world. It was fascinating for the MBIers to see a water tunnel system that dates as far back being built by King David. Of course learning about its importance to the city and its health add to the awe of such an old water system.

To cap off all their travelling and seeing different parts of the city and surrounding area the MBIers stopped in Abu Ghosh for some delicious local fare. Abu Ghosh is acclaimed for being the site of some of the best hummus in the country though of course Israelis will fight and disagree on which place or city actually has the best. Abu Ghosh is also a fascinating Arab village in Israel that has been at the forefront of a lot of coexistence efforts as well as being one of the only villages that fought with Israel during the War of Independence. There the MBIers got to have some delicious hummus, pita, and knafe which are the wonderful and uniquely bright orange pastries found in arab bakeries. The warm, syrupy pastries filled with a sweet goat cheese filling is just delicious and shouldn't be missed. They ended the evening with a peula back at Nes Harim.

Tomorrow the MBIers will depart for free weekend but those staying back have a fun day ahead as well. In the morning the MBIers will go to the Hulda forest where Beit(house) Berl is located. They will also go to Nitzanim which is where one of the first Kibbutzim from the 2nd aliyah is located and has quite a story in relation to the Independence war and the losses they sustained there. For lunch they will go to the Harel Mall in Mevassert Tzion where they will receive some money and get a chance to buy whatever they please for lunch there. We had to cancel going swimming as their is a lifeguard strike going on Israel. Bye for now!