TUESDAY:

On Tuesday we had a Shevet siyyur to see old synagogues in Tel Aviv. We went to three or four different synagogues. All were beautiful and only some were still in use on a day to day basis. one was only open for the high holidays. Afterwards a bunch of us got the best falafel in Tel Aviv, and it was amazing. It melted in your mouth. We made it back to Bat Yam in time for our siyyur with the sofim--volunteering at a special needs school, playing with the kids and doing different Tu B'shvat projects. I woke Boaz up in time and dragged him along with. Right before he left he got a phone call from his friend saying that his friends great grandfather had just died. Boaz was in shock. It was sad because Boaz had told me a couple of days ago how his friend was crying to him on the phone because he knew his great grandpa was going to pass away soon, but the army wouldn't let him go home. Anyway, so for most of the time Boaz was on the phone with his friend. The kids were adorable and it reminded me a lot of the Friendship Circle back home for different holiday events. After dancing for a little with them (the music was kanye and other rap--it makes the volunteering so much better with that fun music blasting) I helped different kids plant flowers. Towards the end, I just planted a lot alone. It was so relaxing--I desperately needed alone time.

Afterwards the sofim invited us to join them at their volunteering placement--a community center for at risk kids. We played soccer for a bit and then I left with Rach, Boaz, and Michal for the beach. Boaz got shwarma and my friend was working there!!!! We talked for a little :) After that we all just hung out and rested on the beach. I tried to nap, but my nose was so stuffy. So annoying. It was getting chilly out, so Rach and Michal left. Boaz and I walked home after the sun set. When we got home Rach was finishing up making dinner. Boaz and I were going to play Taki, but when we were about to play dinner was ready. Rach made good chicken and the dinner consisted of many funny low blows. Boaz and I played Taki for a little, but after he was killing me, I told him it had to be a tie because we had to go to tzofiem night. Haha.

Tzofiem night was IDF night! We watched a funny video and funny demonstrations done by the tzofiem of what it is like to go through registration. Some of the questions are so weird and the person interviewing you just doesn't care about your answers. They ask how many friends you have. After you answer they say "no, I mean how many really, really good friends do you have." They continue to say that until you are like down to 1 or 2 people. Then we learned about the different units guys and girls are in and the process. I am so happy I learned that because Boaz has tried many times to explain to me the process, but I just couldn't understand him. Boaz would correct what the tzofiem would say if they were wrong and would talk with them. Then 2 people that were on year course came who are currently in the army. They talked about some experiences and how quickly you pick up hebrew, how everyone around you admires you and are really nice and try to help you, etc. Then Rach, Boaz, and I went to the fountain where we met up with Cara. After hanging out there for a bit, when we came home we hung out with Shir and Maya. Three people ended up sleeping over that night! (Maya, Boaz, and James)