Friday on GIVE USA was a crazy-fun day filled with color war activities and competitions! The three teams impressed the judges with their amazing dvar torahs, creative songs, awesome dances, and their overall ruach and fun! We also had a variety of competitive sports, swim races and a brachot bee! Congratulations to the winning team, the red team! We then headed to the Pico-Robertson community of LA where we split into groups to spend Shabbos at different homes in the community. Thank you to all of our hosts for so graciously housing us. We davened mincha and maariv together at Adas Torah and then ate Friday night dinner at our host’s homes. Shabbos morning we regrouped for shacharis at Adas Torah. Following davening and a Kiddush, we had an informal learning session where we split into groups and went over a discussion-style chaburah about loving our fellow Jews. We then played a spirited game of family feud – GIVE USA West style! We then had lunch all together in the shul, and then some Shabbos relaxation time. Girls hung out at their hosts’s homes, visited friends, walked around the neighborhood, played games, or learned. We gathered together at the Abramczik’s (Aunt and Uncle of our very own camper, Bina Weiss!) home for a beautiful shaloshudes. After hearing some divrei torah from R’ Abramczik, we ebbed Shabbos away with song. After Havdallah we set off to the third street Promenade in downtown Santa Monica. It was an exciting area and we spent some time shopping, getting coffee, and hanging out. We then returned back to our host’s homes for the evening.
Sunday morning we met up at the shul for davening and breakfast. We then boarded the busses and headed to the Reagan Museum. It was very interesting and informative, and we even got to tour the inside of Ronald Reagan’s personal plane! It was then time for our big road trip of the week! We set off to Fresno, where we are now. LA was amazing, and we were sad to leave but are looking forward to so many more awesome places that are coming up! We had dinner in Fresno at the chabad house, led by Rabbi and Mrs Zirkin. Mrs. Zirkin cooked us a delicious dinner, and we were all fascinated to learn about their life here in Fresno, and the work that they do. Back at our hotel we had a late-night chaburah learning session and then optional night swim in the hotel pool! After such a long day we all headed off to bed, ready to catch some sleep. Looking forward to a great week ahead!!