Happy August and Free Weekend!

Today the MBIers woke up early and set off from Sde Boker for their free weekend. The buses set off and arrived successfully at Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv, Haifa and Nes Harim for those staying behind. While many of the MBIers were off with their family friends, a hearty group of MBIers stayed at Nes Harim where they had a fun and relaxing day.

To the excitement of the MBIers, they got most of the afternoon off to rest, sleep, and spend time with the group that stayed back. It was apparently a rejuvenating exprience as well as a chance for many of the MBIers to spend more time with participants they hadn't gotten more of a chance to bond with previously. Having had some relaxing time with some better known friends, the MBIers then commenced to take part in the familiar and appreciated Shabbat activities.

They had Mishpachot("family time") which was a nice chance to sit in smaller groups and reflect and sum up the wonderful and busy week they had. Afterwards Leon told an animated and enthralling "Rosh" story to a captive audience of MBIers. Kabbalat shabbat followed as well as a nice shabbat dinner in the Chadar Ochel(Dining Hall) in Nes Harim. After dinner the MBIers took part in some Rikud(Israeli Dancing) and or played soccer. To cap off the evening the MBIers had the option watch some movies as projector and screen was setup. Many of the MBIers brought sleeping bags and pillows and set up to take in any part of the movie lineup which included Evan Almighty, Dan in Real Life, and In the Valley of Elah.

The MBIers cheered to find out that they could actually sleep-in until lunch should they choose to tomorrow, and then take part in the rest of the planned Shabbat activities. So far free weekend seems to be a welcome break to rest, relax and re-energize to get set for the the great things the MBIers still have in store for them. See you all on Sunday! Shabbat Shalom!