This morning the MBIers woke up before the sun rose, and hopped on the buses to make their way to one of the most amazing and historical sites in Israel - Masada. The MBIers trudged up a path known as the snake trail - a winding staircase that leads the way up to the peak of the mountain. The group arrived just in time for one of the most beautiful sites one can see - the sun rising above the Moab mountains, reflecting down onto the Dead Sea. The MBIers were given an in-depth tour of the site, and the madrichim also put on some role plays as some of the most famous historical personalities linked to Masada, including King Herod, the last Hasmonean king, and Elazar Ben Yair, the leader of the Rebel Zealots against the Romans at Masada in 73 AD. Masada is one of the most unique and remarkable architectural structures in the world - sitting atop a mountain that, at it's highest points, reaches almost 400 metres above the floor below. Masada has the ruins of Herod's temple, as well as all the signs of Jewish communal life, from the synagogue, to the mikvah, to the houses.
As the temperature started to rise, the MBIers headed down from Masada the easy way - on the sites state-of-the-art cable cars! While the group panted and huffed their way up to the top in the morning, they barely broke a sweat on the way down, with the Dead Sea right in front of their eyes.
The MBIers then headed into the hostel at Masada where they enjoyed a hearty and well-earned breakfast. They then headed out to the Dead Sea, both the lowest and the saltiest area on the earth's surface. The Dead Sea is currently in a hotly-contested competition for the world's '7 natural wonders'. The MBIers got a chance to float around for a while, before the heat of the sun set in and they headed indoors - to the Ein Gedi hostel. There the MBIers got the chance to nap right through the afternoon, after a long morning of hiking and soaking up the sun.
After dinner, the MBIers did an educational activity to prepare them for the coming days, where they will be spending some time with our sister movement, Hanoar Haoved Vehalomed (working and learning youth) at Machane Tnua Achot (Sister movement camp). The MBIers will be leaving the serene and tranquil surrounds of the Judean Desert tomorrow to head off to the machane, where they will be doing educational activities with 16 year old members of Hanoar Haoved from all over the country. It gives the MBIers a great opportunity to hear what it is like for young Israelis growing up in a youth movement, and in Israeli society. And, like every year, there will definitely be some strong friendships made, that will last well beyond the machane itself.
