Shabbat shalom!

'Shabbat' derives from Hebrew and it means 'rest' or 'cessation'. In Judaism it is the day of rest and seventh day of the week during which Jewish people celebrate the Biblical creation of the heavens and the earth in six days. Yesterday we were lucky to participate in shabbat organised by our Israeli hosts. 

The celebration started with some traditional shabbat songs which we were listening to and then tried to sing. Afterwards one of our hosts Yahel Paleiov did the 'kiddush' blessing over a cup of wine. All of the people drank from it and then he continued with the 'challah' blessing which symbolizes manna that fell for the Jewish people on the day before shabbat. After the last blessing called 'havdalah' we started eating delicious dishes prepared by our friends. We could have tasted salads, baked potatoes, rice, kish and tahini sauce. Our bellies were full and filled with joy and appreciation.

Today we continue group work. Everyone is busy and focused on their job. In the evening we're going to Tel-Aviv for a concert of Tararam - an Israeli drum band. So looking forward to it! :)

Beata Jaranowska