July 25

Hello!

Today was Israeli Defense Forces Day, otherwise known as the Gadna Experience. We enjoyed a breakfast at our new hotel and headed off to an army base. We split into two groups, got into official IDF uniforms and canteens, and learned all the formations we would use throughout the day. These formations, such as the Chet, are used in the army to keep soldiers organized and alert.

Lunch consisted of a delicious tuna (from the can) and other canned goods. This was a mock meal of what soldiers eat during war as Hanan informed us. Unfortunately, because of the heat, we were forced to stay in an air-conditioned classroom instead of army training outside. We learned all about the life of a soldier and what it means to be a part of the IDF. Our guides taught us about “the purity of the weapon,” the code of conduct used by the IDF regarding the use of weapons. They explained about the different sections of the IDF and how each one is important in its own way. The two IDF soldiers who taught us only spoke Hebrew, so our fantastic friends, Evie Rosenberg and Sophia Gluskin-Braun translated for us the entire day. It was very helpful!

Tired, hot, and sweaty, we returned to the bus to go to a supermarket, where we would get a more edible taste of Israeli culture. 

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