The concluding weekend of the Boston Mifgash is an emotional time. Friendships that have just begun will soon have to adjust to a distanced reality. A new discovered land will turn into a memory. Newly welcomed house guests are slowly packing their suitcases. First – Shabbat, dinner, family time, are turning into last.

While trying to balance the time we spend together as a group, with the time we spend together as families, and together with friends, the weekend program included a joint Shabbat dinner and service at Kerem Shalom, led by the wonderful Rabbi Darby, a community Havdallah led by the inspiring Rabbi Polisson of Or Atid, teen concluding activity, and a farewell BBQ. The powers that are this year’s HiBuR have managed to create space and time for a bonfire and a sleepover as well. All within 48 hours.

Gathered in David’s back yard, as the airport bus patiently, yet presently awaits its role, we tried to verbalize and share our individual experiences from the mifgash. Words just weren’t enough. Another hug, another picture, another tear. A collection of teens, parents, siblings, teachers. A new community, only trying to say, Lehitraot.

Thank you.

The Boston Mifgash is a community driven event, which would not have been possible without the contribution, participation, and hard work of all the following people:

For mentoring, guiding, building bridges, and funding:

• Marla Olsberg, Pam Weil, and Iris Schor of the CJP

For inviting us into their synagogues, learning, sharing, and celebrating with us:

• Rabbi Josh Breindel, Cantor Lorel Zar-Kessler, Beth Schine, and Jane Johnston of Congregation Beth El
• Rabbi Lisa Eiduson and Orna Sonneschein of Congregation B’nai Torah
• Beth Goldstein of Congregation Beth Elohim
• Rabbi Louis Polisson, Orna Sonnenschein, and Lauren Kaplan of Congregation Or Atid
• Rabbi Darby Leigh and Nancy Kaplan of Kerem Shalom
• Geri Segel of Temple Beth Sholom
• Rabbi Andy Vogel, Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman, and Sam Blumberg of Temple Sinai

For relentlessly leading and amazing group of Israeli students:

• Hagit Greenberg
• Evyatar Guzner
• Inbal Gilad

For guiding the group and traveling by bus, foot, and ferry, in New York and in Boston:

• Rabbi Lisa Eiduson
• Scott Newman

And last, but definitely not least, for being a source of inspiration for the program, for guiding, inspiring, inviting us into our home, and making sure everyone have the best experience they could wish for – the amazing David Strauss.

Just before leaving NYC, we paid a visit to the popular High Line Park, an old railway converted into a boardwalk. The boardwalk is surrounded by shops and restaurants, including the famous Chelsea Market, home to a chef some of are Israelis were familiar with.

Arriving at Congregation Beth El in Sudbury, we were welcomed by a delicious potluck dinner prepared by our host families, which led us into one of the most exciting events of the Mifgash – Simchat Torah Celebration at Beth El. For the past decade, HiBuR groups have been the heart and soul of this celebration, and this year wasn’t any different. Our teens danced, sang, and two Israelis teens – Hila and Guy, were honored with reading from the Torah scroll which has been rolled out around the sanctuary. This year, Beth El had the privilege of hosting, in addition to the HiBuR group, a delegation of educators from Haifa, accompanied by their hosts from the CJP.

On Monday, the Israeli group received a traditional New England welcome. They started the day by having a hearty colonial breakfast at the historic Wayside Inn, the oldest running inn in the US, operating since 1716. The teens also had the chance to visit the inn’s grist mill, a true New England landmark.

The group continued with a tour in the town of Concord, where they traced the origins of the American Revolutionary War. Following the tour, our teens joined the Boston Gleaners, an organization that helps direct extra produce from farms to people in need. The Israeli teens and their teachers pulled up their sleeves and harvested a great amount of squash, which will be donated to different local food pantries and soup kitchens.

For the evening, the teens joined their American peers for their Hebrew School, at two of our partner synagogues – Kerem Shalom in Concord, and Beth El in Sudbury. The teens met up with both younger and older American students, and engaged in a variety of educational activities with them.

On Tuesday, the Israeli teens will be going to school with their hosts, and will get to experience an American high school. In the afternoon, the teens will explore Walden Pond and it’s rich history, will visit two more religious school, and will enjoy a very special treat in the evening…

The breakfast was so good! We ate waffles, eggs and potatoes. and the view there was beautiful.

– Mika N

Yesterday was long… I had much fun with Ethan and his family and I didn’t get to stay too long on simchat torah. Today was fun… Picking up squashes was nice and our activity with the Americans was good. So was the breakfast.

– Nadav C

Day three

Yesterday we walked on the High Line in the meatpacking district. The High Line used to be an elevated subway, and the tracks are still visible. It was also fascinating because that neighborhood used to be where meat was packaged and distributed, whereas today it is a very trendy neighborhood with restaurants and shops. We then had lunch and shopped in Chelsea Market before a five hour bus ride  back to Massachusetts. Finally, back at Beth El, we had a potluck and a celebration for Simchat Torah. Both Israeli and American students read from the Torah, and then we all danced. It was very cool to be able to expose the Israelis to what one aspect of American Reform Judaism looks like. Overall, Sunday was the perfect end to the weekend, and I am very excited for what is planned for the coming week!

– Sofia R

Yesterday was fun because we got to go to Chelsea market which I have never been before and it was a cool experience. Plus playing cards on the bus was really fun too.

– Ethan G

Yesterday was a fun day! We had a great walk on the highline!  And a amazing adventure at Chelsea market!

– Kristina D

The wait is finally over. After months of anticipation, and weeks communicating online, our teens finally met in person. It is hard to believe this was only 24 hours ago, as so much has happened since. For the naked eye, watching who the teens sit next to on the bus, who they talk to when we walk the streets, who they share a meal with, it would be impossible to tell these are two groups of practically strangers.

I’ve been thinking of ways to describe our first day together in NYC, but nothing nothing could compare to the words of the teens themselves, so without further ado.

On our first day in New York, we went to Ellis Island, Battery Park, and then to a Shabbat service at Romemu, a liberal synagogue on West 103rd Street. At Ellis Island, through various activities, we learned what what we have in common, both in terms of daily life as well as in regards to our histories. We then hung out at Battery Park for a while before going to a Shabbat service at Romemu. It was very interesting to see both the similarities and the differences in the ways other liberal Jews practice. Additionally, the Rabbi’s sermon was tremendously powerful; he talked about the importance of confronting truths one may be uncomfortable with, and connected it with Dr. Ford and the Kavanaugh hearings. Overall, it was a very intense and fascinating first day, and it makes me very excited for the rest of the trip.
– Sofia R

The first day was super fun, we got to spend time with our new friends at Ellis Island, and later had dinner at a cool mexican restaurant and had lots of fun.
– Ethan G

I enjoyed the first day, it was fun. I am glad that I’m happy with the person that I was put with.
– Eli T

The past day was really fun we got to meet the Israelis for the first time in person and we went to some really nice places with them, as well as getting to play pool and ping pong with them when we got back to the hostel.
– Alex S

It was so exciting to finally meet everyone yesterday! I loved going on the ferry to Ellis Island and the Mexican restaurant where they played music live! I can’t wait for the rest of the trip and to spend more time with everyone!
– Amanda S

Yesterday we went to Ellis Island and quickly passed by the Statue of Liberty. At Ellis Island we played games to get to know each other better.
– Alexa K

I had a amazing time meeting all the Israelis! We had a great time together on the bus and on Elis Island!
Kristina D

i enjoyed the first day it was really exhausting though. I’m glad I get along with Guy and I am really excited for the rest of the trip!
– Drew C

I loved meeting everyone and making a bunch of new friends on Ellis Island and going on the boat. It was also super fun to eat with everyone and celebrate Sophia’s birthday at the Mexican Restaurant that had live music.
– Julia P

We went on a ferry to Ellis Island and it was really exciting because I got to make a bunch of new friends I will have for a lifetime!
– Kate S

I enjoyed the first day. I was very tired for a little part of it because I woke up at 5. The dinner at the Mexican place was the activity I liked most. –
– Eli G

Yesterday was a fun day… I was really excited to meet my American host and had great time with him
– Nadav C

The Mexican restaurant was great. Everyone was so happy and I loved the songs and food.
– Danielle S

yesterday was very good day because we met the Amricans at the first time and it was very cool. And I really liked the statue of liberty.
– Elad A

Yesterday was a very fun day, I enjoyed going on the furry and traveling around town, liked the temple and the restaurant.
– Yarin H

My experience from yesterday was amazing. The synagogue was special. The Mexican food was good, the music was cool and all the time the customers in the other table always cheers.
– Mika G

It’s amazing. The Americans and us have a special bond, we’re all together and we’re having so much fun. This is definitely something I will never forget.
– Noam S

.I liked the food and the cold weather as well as the ferry and the walk around the city
– Guy S

We immediately connected. they’re amazing and the experiences we share together will stay with me for life.
– Noa K

On Monday, 4/30, families of current 9th graders from Kerem Shalom have gathered to hear about HiBuR and begin the application process. The families met with teens and parents who participated in this year’s program to learn first hand about the experience. It was a special honor to have Rabbi Leigh join us for the meeting, sharing his unique perspective on HiBuR, and inspiring the teens to participate in the program.

On Monday, 4/2, families of current 9th graders from Beth El and Or Atid have gathered to hear about HiBuR and begin the application process. The families met with teens and parents who participated in this year’s program to learn first hand about the experience. It was great to see that about half of the families who attended the meeting are “second-timers”, as they have already had a child (or two) participate in HiBuR in the past.