Just another Thursday on Birthright....

Today we visited the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled.  We had the opportunity to play a few rounds of basketball while sitting in wheelchairs, which was a lot of fun.  Reuben spoke to us about the organization's mission and gave us a tour of the facilities, describing how the Center Is not meant to create ghetto of people with disabilities, but rather cultivate confidence and strength.  He was very specific to describe that the facility was created to provide an opportunity for children of all abilities to play and grow.  We also heard from Simi, whose legs are paralyzed.  He currently works at the Center and had previously in sports at the Center for years as a child.  Playing basketball while in wheelchairs and hearing Simi's story certainly made us all think about how lucky we are and about how much in our lives to take for granted.  I think we all left with a great deal of respect and admiration for the commitment to inclusivity of everyone at the Center.

Later in the day we visited Independence Hall in Tel Aviv. We saw the portrait of Theodore Hertzel on the wall and learned about the sequence of events on May 14th 1948.  I found this is experience extremely powerful especially considering out experience the other day at Har Hertzel visiting many graves, including Hertzel's.  To hear snippets of the declaration of Israel as a state, and to understand that the declaration was pronounced in the midst of the War of Independence helped all of us understand just a little bit better how important the State of Israel is to everyone who lives here and how important it is to us as Jews.

We also spent some time shopping in the Old City and at the beach in Tel Aviv.  Unfortunately, at the end of the day, we had to say goodbye to the soldiers who joined our trip for the last few days.  We have really enjoyed spending time with each and every one of them - the rest of our trip won't be the same without them.  We'll just have to come back and visit!

- Hannah