By Eliana Oshinsky:
Tuesday morning we woke up in Eilat with the sun shining through the windows and the palm trees blowing with the breeze. We started off the day with extreme water sports. From zooming through the sea on a tube, to riding on a banana boat, the Eilat waters kept us nice and cool. After that, we took a boat far into the bright blue waters and went snorkeling with the beautiful fish surrounding us. The boat ride itself was an adventure with the blasting music and the stunning view of the Red Sea. After lunch at Burgers Bar, we took a bus ride to scuba-diving. Scuba-diving was the most amazing experience! We swam through the blue waters surrounded by the beautiful coral reefs and exotic fish. Among those were eels, lion fish, and crabs. It was truly incredible, I highly recommend going. Our day in Eilat was very memorable and I will definitely be back for more! 🙂

Written by Lee Kaylie

Our last Thursday of the program began with our first wake-up, davening, and breakfast at our new hotel on the Kineret shores, The Ohalo Manor. Soon, however, nearly all of us journeyed to the eastern shores of the Galilee Sea to partake in something few, if any, of us have ever done: raft building. This consisted of building an 8-10 man raft out of bamboo, barrels, wooden pallets, and a lot of rope. After splitting into two teams, we each helped build our respective rafts, and then raced to the sea to recover one of our fellow campers from the sea and take apart our rafts. Our next amazing activity was a hike through a river. We had a blast trying to take each other down under water by means of deception and raw brute strength. Lastly, we ventured onto a party boat, listening and dancing to amazing songs by the likes of Miley Cyrus and Post Malone. However, the person who stole the show was our very own advisor Shabtai Peesin with his fluid and graceful moves to the “Cha Cha Slide. “

Today was such an amazing day! First of all, we were all so excited to be together again after our off weekends. The off time was fun and relaxing but we missed each other so much! We’ve really become a family here so it was hard to be away from everyone for even just a few days! 

This morning we learned about a city called Yerucham. It is a city in the middle of the desert. We also visited a robotics center and learned that Yerucham is the most advanced in robotics in the country and has even beaten America in competitions. 

Next, we visited David Ben Gurions home! This was so cool because we were learning about the first Israeli prime minister! To see where he lived and learn how he started this country was extremely meaningful. We learned how he began to make huge changes to the world at the young age of 20! We can do anything of we put our minds to it!

we then went camel riding which was a really cool experience. And then had a drill/hike at night which was nice because it wasn’t hot because of the night time. 

We settled our stuff in the Beduin tents because we will be sleeping there tonight. So cool to have this camping like experience in the middle of the desert! Can’t wait to see what the night brings! 

written by sam kolber

With early wake up, day 16 of Rescue Israel began. After davening and a quick breakfast we all climbed on the bus and promptly fell asleep for the hour drive to the Blind Museum in Tel Aviv. Spending an hour “blind” was an eye opener to many of us to the difficulties that blind and visually impaired people go through and how they have to adjust to a harsh situation. During the Q & A session, we got to ask questions to our guide with the best being “how are blind people able to drive”. After coming out of the museum we made our way to Jaffa were we took a walking tour of the old city in 90 degree sun, obviously with water and hats! Our guide, Yoni showed us the history of the city and how new and old buildings combined to create what we saw in from of us. After the tour we went to the Tel Aviv mall to get some lunch and relax. When we were done with that we got on the bus expecting to head back to Yerushiliam to get picked up for our off Shabbat but instead got told we were going to a surprise activity which turned out to be a scavenger hunt around Tel Aviv. Although we were exhausted from the day the competition between groups excited us giving us a boost of energy. Finally as things were slowing down on the ride back to Yerushiliam, we all managed to take a much needed nap. As our off Shabbat began we knew we were gonna sleep well that weekend.

Written by Ella Shapiro

Today I had a realization, the past, present and future all rely in ourselves and you may wonder how can that be, to see my point of view I will take you back into the past of the day. we first traveled to the maarat hamachpelah in chevron where Jewish history began and where our ancestors lived and died, we walked around and really took in the ideas of our partriarchs and matriarchs we then moved on to gush etzion were we learned about the people who fought for and died on Israeli land in order to take back the land that was rightfully theirs. We also experienced a drill where if there was a terrorist attack how we can respond medically to the victims. We also trained and really experienced the skills soldiers have in order to protect the country by learning krav umaga, the israeli style of defense. And of course we got to see some puppies training to become rescue dogs in the process! and finally we had a drill with rescue atvs which was so much fun, as we left the drill we witnessed the end to the day by watching a beautiful Israeli sunset. Explaining my point before we witnessed all of the stages of this world , we learned about our past which made us feel a connection in the present then leading us to be inspired and passionate to spread the amazing history of our country to future generations. Today was really an amazing and inspiring day and I feel that everyone really got something out of at least one activity if not all!

Written by Rachael Frisch

WOW what a crazy day! We finally graduated our EMR training course and had an amazing realistic training drill late last night. Even though a cool part was graduating the course, an even more awesome part was getting the hatzala ID cards and bright orange vests. The course definitely prepared us with all the information we need to know.
The advisors surprised us with a huge drill and had us go out into the field and save lives. We got a call on the radio after we got back to the hotel, saying that a terror attack had happened in a park and we were to report to the front of the building immediately. We soon rode off in ambulances and got to the scene of the crime. There were actors (who were really ncsy kids on another trip) crying and yelling with fake blood all over them. It was so overwhelming and it was hard to know what to do first. The training definitely helped though because I would probably start crying and throwing up if I didn’t know that we had to organize and treat the patients immediately . My first patient was a girl who was screaming in agony. I approached her and soon saw a pile of fake guts and blood spill out of her stomach. It was so real looking! We treated them and sent them off in ambulances as quickly as we could. After the drill we had a BBQ and just hung out in the park. That was definitely one of the best nights of the whole trip.

Written by Reuben Stein

Today rescue Israel had wonderful opportunities. We learned how to make a splint and how to make a spling. We learned how to take care of real messy situations by applying pressure and bandages to the wound we got a real hands on experience. After training we had the honor to hear and meet the mayor of Jerusalem. We ordered some delicious pizza and had a relaxing time which was used to become closer to people. Later we went rock climbing. These challenging walls led to us encouraging other people to accomplish things they didn’t think they could. We can’t wait to see what our next adventure will hold.

Written by Tikvah Goldberg

Today on rescue we started off the day with davening and of course some yummy breakfast. After that we got on the bus and headed to day three of learning how to become a first responder. It was super cool to learn how to take other peoples blood pressure. In addition we learned about sizers and hyper and hypoglycemia. For me personally having hypoglycemia it was super meaningful to learn how to help someone else who also has it. Aside from learning a lot today we got too meet the founder of Hatzalah Eli Bear this was truly an honer. In addition we got to meet the ambassador of Panama. It was inspiring to meet huge leaders who have both done a lot for Isreal. After learning we were surprised with ice cream on the roof of the Hatzalah building where we enjoyed the beautiful view.  Then we spent the evening on ben yehuda shopping, eating and spending time with advisers and friends. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Written by Eliana Oshinsky

Wow! What an amazing first Shabbat in Israel! Shabbat was ushered in with the beautiful melody of Friday night prayer. It was truly incredible having the opportunity to daven with important members of Hatzalah and other inspiring people. Later in the evening we had “circle time” where we shared personal reasons why each of use came on this incredible program. Some of us want to be doctors when we are older and some of us want to learn the amazing skills but the main theme that was mentioned throughout was the will to save lives. On Shabbat day we had the opportunity to hear from a head of Haztalla in Israel. He spoke to us about the reason he wanted to become an EMT and why it was important for him to save lives. He had witnessed a young girl hit by a bus and no one around was able to help. At that time he was not medically trained but after that moment he knew he wanted to become an EMT so he would never be a by stander again. This was such an inspiring story to all of us and showed us why we truly are meant to be on this program. Later in the day we were split into groups to hear some inspiring words from our advisors. In my group we learned the importance of teshuva- repentance. G-d is so forgiving and even if we sin, it is never too late to repent. I think this idea ties in nicely with the purpose of this program. Just as G-d gives us a second chance, we as future EMT’s will hopefully give people a second chance to live. G-d “saves” us and brings us back each day and we have the chance to save other people as well. Saturday night we took a trip to Mamilla mall for food and shopping. It was beautiful to see the string lights hanging above our heads as we walked down the road. From zemirot- song, to learning, and a few fun games the Rescue Israel team definitely bonded a lot this Shabbat. I can not wait to continue on this journey and have the opportunity to save lives.