בית ספר אורט כרמים

This morning in Israel brought new connections during a visit to בית ספר אורט כרמים, a school in the Karmiel-Misgav area, Pittsburgh’s Partnership2Gether sister region in Israel. We were led in ice-breaker games with 8th Grade Israeli students by the four new Shinshinim (18-year-old Israeli emissaries) who will be spending the coming year in Pittsburgh. The CDS and Karmiel students “met” each other earlier in the year through as virtual pen-pals, so it was exciting to come together in person. We also were greeted by former Shinshinim Tamar and Sivon! We toured the school’s campus in an “Amazing Race” and joined in Israeli dancing in the gym with Devorah, who visited CDS earlier this year. Tomorrow we continue to put our Hebrew skills to the test as we meet up again with our Karmiel friends for more adventures. Thank you to the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh for building and nurturing our relationship with the Partnership region and for their continued support of our trip.

Tel Aviv Ya Habibi

We then made our way to Tel Aviv, where we landed in the one-of-a-kind Shuk HaCarmel to spend the afternoon shopping for gifts and other tchotchkes, loading up on fruit smoothies and candy, and soaking up the atmosphere. In a joyful reunion, Ariella met her sister Ilana (see CDS Israel Trip blog, Class of 2017), who is here in Israel for the Onward Israel program. After settling in our hotel, we enjoyed a pizza picnic and a quiet evening the hotel to rest up for our last full day in Israel tomorrow!