Day 35 - Netzach - Maya Swartz
While Sydney was rushing to buy from the mass sales due to Boxing Day, Netzach was awoken at a much earlier start compared to our fellow lehava companions at 6:45 to the sound of pouring rain. As we woke up, We could feel the inevitable dread of the last day of IST but it was quickly overcome with the excitement of the activities the day had in store.
After breakfast and prayers, where the location was a like a maze, we all proceeded to board the buses that would take us to the day’s first destination.
We began the day by tapping into our more adventurous side with rock climbing which was much more of a challenge than it appeared at first glance. Our cores and forearms were collectively aching after the fun, yet excruciatingly hard attempt to reach the top with many people peacefully falling down, supported by their harness, after failing to step in the right place.
We were than granted free time at our beloved hotel as we all made shocking discoveries as to just how much more our suitcases weighed compared to the begining of the trip, whereas some of us realised just how much was missing from our suitcases with little or no idea of the item’s current whereabouts.
Thn an hour and a half later, back on the bus to the Malcha mall, where we all indulged ourselves in delicous cuisines of food at the food market, as well as boost the economy for the 1000th time by buying the entire supermarket worth of snacks for the long plane ride ahead of us. Visiting this mall for the second time on this trip, (the first being in the first few days we arrived in Israel) provided a sense of deja vu as it allowed us to look back on our former selves and how much we have grown from those 5 weeks ago when we first eagerly set foot in our first Israeli mall.
The next stop was the ZDVO Beit Halochem, advanced rehabilitation centre dedicated to improving both the physical and mental well-being of those who were wounded while serving for their country as well as those who were heavily affected by the terror inflicted upon Israel. We were first shown a soldiers inspiring story after he tragically lost his eyesight in an explosion exucuted by Hamas and how he went onto impressively swimming in a marathon. We then proceeded to participate in many fun physical activities such as playing wheelchair basketball with two individuals who are professional in the sport. Then onto very competitive rounds of ping pong, with only one attempt with a gun at the shooting range much to our disappointment.
Beit Halochem taught us that there are many life lessons to be taken out of our visit such as the power of resilience and perseverance as well as the ability to gain a more positive and understanding perspective of those within the ZDVA community.
The energy was soaring through the roof of the buses as we made our way to the highly anticipated basketball game!! At the beginning we werent really sure who we were cheering for, due to the colour splashes of red coming from both teams. The game was filled with twists and turns, with our team Jerusalem catching up hot on Tel Aviv’s winning trail on multiple occasions, making the game even more intense in the final quarter. But the crowds spirit and energy for their supporting teams was really what made the game special with the entire stadium roaring chants, singing, dancing and clapping in unison. We really felt like sporting locals and this was certainly an event we will never forget.
After Tel Aviv narrowly won the game, we were lucky enough to meet some of the very talented players in which both the boys and especially the girls were ecstatic to meet for various reasons. We then ran from the stadium to the bus in the pouring rain to arrive to the highly awaited party of the last night, Bedouin tent edition. The combination of the mud smeared along the matresses that we brought in from the rain with the delicious authentic Israeli food was the perfect way to start the festivities along with Adam and Tamlyn’s witty speech that had a dig at more than a few people. We then had our incredible Richie and Jobes give us a few thoughts and words of wisdom we can take for the rest of our lives and how we can incorporate what we have learnt on this trip into them for the future ahead. Then it was party time!! We all were herded together like cattle, singing and dancing our hearts out to both Israeli and well-known popular music coming from the amazing beats of the coolest jewish DJ we know (sorry DJ Lewko and Jono). Sydney nightlife has some upcoming rivalry because we single-handedly turned the ultimate club.
Although the DJ set had been packed up, The party wasn’t just over yet. We all gathered together in a circle to sing a final rendition of the iconic ist song ‘Adon Olam’ with tears of rejoice and pride shed as we all united as one to sing a song displaying our love and appreciation to one last time.
We then rushed to our buses, most of us stumbling across the slimy mud on the way. The bus rides home were ones we will certainly never forget filled with chants, songs, jokes and affection for the people we have basically spent every minute of the last five weeks with. We screamed so loud that we sincerely felt bad for our bus drivers who had to put up with the noise of Jews who couldnt get enough ruach.
A late arrival at the hotel deceived us into thinking there would be a prolonged night which would last until sunrise, in other words we thought there would be a repeat of Counterpoint, Ramada-style and have an all nighter. But somehow the teachers picked up on our sleep depriving desires and made sure everyone was in their rooms the minute we got back to the hotel. In retrospect it was probably a smart decision to go to bed otherwise we all wouldn’t be functioning the next morning.
This last day was filled with activities, adventure and bittersweet memories of singing laughing, crying and just being together with my entire year, who I now consider family. This has not only broadened my nuanced perspective and love for Israel, it has also allowed an opportunity to reassess and re-evaluate what I cherish in life the most, and how its the moments like the remarkable last day of this once in a lifetime that really summarise the shared experiences of pure joy and fulfilment we now accumulated from the Holy Land. It is something I will forever be grateful for and will never forget even as our IST journey comes to an end.
Maya Swartz
