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Dear NCSY GIVE WEST Parents ,
We are approaching the final Shabbos here on NCSY GIVE WEST, and the positive and enthusiastic atmosphere on the bus is palpable. We have truly grown into a close family here on the West Coast! This week was blessed with lots of learning, AMAZING tourist attractions, breathtaking nature, and a lot of bus and bonding time. It’s crazy to think in just a few days we will have to say goodbye to one another.
Sunday started off our week with the Warner Brother’s Studio Tour. Our girls were driven around the WB sets and learned all about TV shows and movies in the making. Monday was a blast as we hiked through the beautiful Yosemite Falls together, taking in all of the stunning sights and views. We climbed into Tuesday where we traveled and explored the windy San Francisco! We started off at the Google Headquarters, then hung around Union Square, took the trolley to Ghirardeli Square, and ended at Fisherman’s Warf. Wednesday continued the San Francisco fun as we walked along the Golden Gate Bridge and toured the Jelly Belly Factory. We ended the night with a trip out to the local bowling alley for a competitive and crazy night activity. Thursday was the longest ride of the summer as we traveled north along the coast from San Francisco to Oregon. We used our time productively as we watched 'The Giver’ and ‘The Book Thief’ in preparation for Tisha Ba’av. We had a lot of learning opportunities, bathroom stops, and laughs along the way. We finally ended in Grants Pass, Oregon, to sleep over and rest from the long trip. What a road trip it has been — and will continue today!
We are looking forward to finally arriving in Seattle today for lunch and an exciting visit to Pikes Place Market. The Seattle community has graciously opened up their homes for NCSY GIVE WEST for this Shabbos and Tisha Ba’av. NCSY GIVE WEST will be joining together for all meals in BCMH, the beautiful Shul in Seattle, Washington. We are looking forward to hearing many Divrei Torah this Shabbos from the girls and joining together in unity for Shabbat Chazon. May the unity, love, and friendship built over Shabbos bring the Mashiach quickly.
When thinking and preparing for Tisha Ba’av, it reminds me that we are a blind nation. We cry on the floor over the destruction, weep through Kinnot, and remorse over what is no more. But we were born blind and in truth, we have no concept of how beautiful the world was when the Beit HaMikdash stood. We live in our world, but we have no idea what it would be to live in Hashem’s world. Tisha Ba’av is a day where we can see and feel what should be. It is a day where we can ask questions and learn about Hashem and His ways. Tisha Ba’av is a day where we can ask “why” and cry over all destruction. Tisha Ba’v is also a day where we open our eyes and aspire to learn the truth. Who created all of this? Who is responsible for this? These questions lead us to Hashem, that answer will lead us to holiness, and that holiness will help to bring the final redemption.
Since the first day of GIVE WEST, we have been learning daily about different forms of Ahavat Yisrael, loving all Jews. We have been on a ‘Unity Mission’ together. We know that baseless hatred destroyed the Beit Hamikdash and we are hoping that our baseless love of everyone will help rebuild the Third Beit Hamikdash!
Please check out our daily blogs and this week’s video here.
Wishing you all a beautiful Shabbos from Seattle and a meaningful fast.
Best,
Leah
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