This week at Shvilei included a chag, a tiyul, and a lot of chessed.

On Monday, the Yeshiva participated in its annual sojourn to East Jerusalem and the Muslim Quarter which was conducted by the Ateret Kohanim organization. This organization helps develop the former Jewish areas of the city whose residents were forced out during the War of Independence. The tiyul was lead by Daniel Luria, the Director of Ateret Cohanim. We visited Abu Tor, and an isolated spot near the security fence opposite Abu Dis called Kidmat Zion. We also visited Jewish homes inside the Muslim Quarter and saw with our own eyes how these residents are modern day pioneers who are restoring a Jewish presence throughout all of Jerusalem. We had the privilege of davening mincha on the roof of one of these houses which overlooked Har Habayit.

Tuesday evening was Shavuot and the guys were up all night learning with shiurim from Rav Blau, Rav Shimon, Rav Mann, and Rav Weisman as well as filling up cheesecake and other goodies. In the morning, after reading Megilat Ruth, we walked to the Kotel to daven vatikin in our own room at the Kollel Chabad soup kitchen. It was unseasonably cold during Shavuot, which made the walk to and from the Old City rather pleasant.

On Thursday, isru chag here in Israel, we had an unofficial Yom Chessed instead of our normal classes. We started off with a visit from Ben Druce from Gift of Life, a foundation which registers potential donors into a bone marrow database. Afterwards, the Yeshiva traveled to the Hazon Yeshaya Soup Kitchen to volunteer there for a few hours. The talmidim packed hundreds of food packages, peeled potatoes, cut vegetables, and served lunch to the hungry. Great job guys! The rest of Thursday was spent at our individual chessed projects which rounded out our Yom Chessed.

This Shabbat is the last out Shabbat of the year – and as such – the Talmidim are all using the time to visit friends, and family and to explore Eretz Yisrael.

Shabbat Shalom!