Kotel tunnels

Inside the Kotel Tunnels

Yesterday, we had our first ICC test and boy was it full of a lot of information and dates. So far in the ICC course we have learned about almost two thousand years of Jewish history. You can now imagine how much content was included in the test. Overall the test went well!  

After the test, we went to the 'Kotel Tunnels'. The Kotel Tunnel tour started off with an explanation of the Temple Mount, we then passed through some prayers places (which were probably the holiest places you can pray in). We also watched a short film on ancient construction in the Kotel context. There is a high tech model that whines, groans and shows how the area developed over the generations. In several places you walk over plate glass that give insights into even lower levels of history.  It was a great end to our first ICC unit. 

Our next unit is Christianity and Islam, which should be interesting to learn about.  We are visiting Christian and Islamic sites next week during ICC. 

I've decided to volunteer for 2-3 hours every Wednesday at Sharee Tzedek Hospital. Since I'm not taking many classes in Israel I have a lot of free time compared to others. Today, I went to volunteer after my first 2 classes. It was a great experience to see how the hospital works (although they didn't have much for me to do).  They gave me tasks, but I didn't get into the action. I was mostly assigned to take trays from patients rooms, deliver notes to doctors, and to bring the dirty (bloody) hospital coats to the laundry area and other non-action tasks. Next week, I will hopefully get into more of the 'action'.  I even got an official 'Sharee Tzedek' t-shirt and name tag. Overall, it was a great experience and I look forward to volunteering again next Wednesday. 

Mezuza in the cardiology unit that I was volunteering in (notice the heart for cardiology)

My name tag for volunteering at Sharee Tzedek

Official volunteer t-shirt 

It worked out that my cousin Hannah Ephraim volunteers with her program at Sharee Tzedek on Wednesdays as well. We planned to go for lunch after we were done volunteering, we went to 'Cafe Hillel'. It was a good break from the food back at the Chava (our campus).  It was so nice seeing Hannah today!!

                    Me and Hannah

(This is for my Dad who told me to mention this!)

Of course my computer had to give me problems just as I got to Israel. I brought it to the repair store today and it has to do with the overheating. I don't really understand the causes, but hopefully it will be fine. 

Tomorrow we are waking up bright and early to make our way down south to Kibbutz Ketura (near Eilat) for 5 days. Funnily enough, our family has actually stayed there before. It is a beautiful kibbutz with one spectacular view. We are going to be participating in regular kibbutz activities, bike, hike and swim.