Wednesday and Thursday

Sorry about last night, we had no Internet access....anyway t5o keep you posted, Wednesday Morning we left the hotel in Yerushalayim to travel to Chevron!! Along the way, we first stopped on Ben Yehuda St, and for those of you who know it, the women visited the HOLE IN THE WALL, or Chur BaKir. From our understanding, it was very sucessful. Then, procedded to visit Kever Rochel. Due to the security concerns, we were traveling in a bullet-proof bus, and were accompnied by a soldier, but b"h had no problems. Kever Rochel is outside of the borders of the State of Israel, so you must be in a bullet-proof vehicle to enter into the area. The entire place is bordered up locked at all times, soldiers come and unlock the huge doors when your bus pulls up. We spent ome time there davening by the kever, and also by the remains of Kever Yosef, which was destoyed when the Arabs were given control of Shechem, these remaions were brought to Kever Rochel. From Kever Rochel, we traveled to Chevron, were we led on a tour by Shliach Danny Cohen. He told us about the history of the area and of the extensive Lubavitch history in the city. He brought us to the Avrohom Avinu Shul and also the newly renovated Menucha Rochel Shul. We then visited the Chabad bais Hachaim and saw were she is buried. We also passed by the place where Avrohom Nachshon is buried, and the story behind his funeral.

We then traveled to our hotel in the Dead Sea, were we slept that night. Today, thursday, we got up in the Morning and the men took advantage of the spa. At 7:30, some of the group went to Masada to climb the side. With the temp. reaching 95 degrees, it took between 40 - 80 minutes for the group to climb. The rest of the group joined later by cable car, and we toured the Masada fotress for a hour. We then went to Ein Gedi, where we went on a walking tour, and saw three of the five waterfalls there, and a fighter jet roared overhead and over mach one speed. Two weeks ago, some of the forest burnt, so we were not able to see all of the waterfalls and walk to the spring. We then went to the Flour Caves, where there is sand so fine it is like flour. We passed by the supposed place of Lot's wifes salt ,monument, although the inside word from the topur guide is that it is about to fall and they are lookinf for a new statue to call Lot's wife. We then returned to the hotel where all trhe women mudded up, and after supper we went to the Dead Sea. Tommorrow, we are going back to Jeruselum for shabbos!!