Going to the Scariest Place on Earth: Sderot

With less than 15 seconds to find the nearest shelter, Sderot is the scariest place on Earth. Sderot also has the most amount of shelters in the world. During my program, I had the opportunity to visit Sderot, along with a neighboring kibbutz of Sderot that is on the border of Gaza, and another neighboring community.

This is the wall that divides Israel from Gaza. 

This is a picture of a secondary wall and a security post on the Israeli side of the border.

The Israeli side of the border wants to show Gaza that they want peace.

Goldi's group in front of the secondary wall

Career Israel 19 in front of the secondary wall.

A group of ladies from Career Israel 19 talking as they walk to a lookout point to see Gaza from Israel.

A menorah made out of rockets in Sderot.

Itzik, one of my Madrichim, picking up an old and dead rocket that had fallen to Sderot from Gaza. The rocket could have been from Hamas or the Islamic State.

The sunset in Sderot.

The community of Gush Katif relocated from Gaza to Israel. Most of the community was shoved around from hotel to hotel until they ended up in temporary settlements like this one. 

A mural that most likely represents the community of Gush Katif.

While there were no rockets fired towards Sderot that day, a few days after we left, a rocket was launched from Gaza. Luckily it landed in an open field and there were no injures. Other times, they weren't so lucky. Kids as young as 2 have been killed from rocket fire. They never know when the next rocket will be launched, that is why I named it the most scariest place on Earth. Glad to know that Israel was an amazing defense system against rockets called the Iron Dome. :)

Hanukkah in Israel!

Shalom Y'all!

Hanukkah's story is similar to most of our Jewish holidays. Someone tried to kill us, we won, we eat! The Romans tried to kill the Maccabees. The temple was destroyed and the Maccabees found a vause with enough oil that should have lasted only one night. But to their surprise, the oil lasted 8 nights! That is why Hanukkah is celebrated for 8 nights and is called the Festival of Lights! 

This year I got to experience Hanukkah in Israel! Presents aren't a big thing here like in the states and other countries. Instead, they share love and laughter. I got to go on a Hanukkah tour through Jerusalem. 

Here are a few pictures from my Hanukkah experience:

It was really cool to see how much love and kindness that the people of Jerusalem had for us. 

Also, doughnuts here are so creative! One bakery had caramel corn on it! In case you don't already know, Hanukkah is a time where Jews love to eat fried food! So, we make doughnuts, fried dough, and potato pancakes or latkes. I love latkes! They are the best! 

In my family, we give a few gifts and my mom makes brisket and latkes. It's a fun time for all of us to get together and just enjoy each others company! Wish they were here with me this year!

Let me know your Hanukkah or Christmas traditions! Either leave a comment or email me at Haley.Brianne.Scherr@gmail.com! 

XOXO

-Haley

For The Foodie In All OF Us!

Shalom Y'all! Here is a short blog of all the yummy food I have encountered so far! Some of it is Israeli, some not so much! Enjoy!

**disclaimer: Chanah Schnoll sent me a few of these pics, so thank her please for being a foodie!**

Chinese Food 

I made Challah, a traditional Jewish bread

My Cappuccino 

Aroma: Israel's Starbucks

Chicken with half of a tomato

Tacos

Matzo Ball Soup I Made

Sushi

Shawarama and Falafel in Pita 

Melon Shake at my favorite spot

Rachel comparing the schnitzel to her head

Tuna sandwich

Fun drink

Challah with an Israeli flag

Kit Kat flavored chocolate milk in a bag

Apples, Honey, and Honey Bread for Rosh Hashanna

Thanksgiving Meal

Look at the yummy healthy food

Falafel in a salad

Belgian Waffle

Pizza

Soup

Another waffle

Hummus

Ramen 

Shashuka: Made with egg and tomato sauce

Doesn't everything look amazing???? I bet you are hungry just looking at it! Let me know if you would like to know more information on any of the food items!

XOXO
-Haley :)