YTT Senior Trip to Eretz Yisrael

Part of what makes YTT such a special high school experience is the 10-day Senior Trip to Israel. During this much anticipated trip, the students are treated to unforgettable moments that many people never experience.

After weeks of preparation, it is now Sunday, February 3, and the YTT Seniors and staff are in JFK ready to take off to Eretz Yisrael on a new EL-AL Dreamliner! They arrive on Monday and straight from the airport they visit the Tziyun of Reb Asher Freund Zy”a and head to the Kotel for Mincha and Arvit and to tour the vicinity, followed by dinner in the Old City and check-in at the King Solomon Hotel. Tuesday was spent visiting Gedolim - including the Rishon LeTzion HaRav Yitzchak Yosef Shlit”a - and visiting prospective Yeshivas within Jerusalem. Visiting Me’arat HaMachpela in Chevron and Kever Rachel is some of the most inspiring moments of the entire trip. On Wednesday, they visit the South, where they climbed Masada for a sunrise Shachrit, go camel riding in Eretz Beresheet, swim in the Dead Sea and have a waterfall hike in Ein Gedi. Upon return to the hotel, many students visit with relatives, while the others go out for a special dinner. Thursday is another day of visiting Yeshivas and alumni, followed by a visit to Machon Ayalon, a tour of the Old City, and a sound and light show in Migdal David. Thursday evening found everyone in Bnei Brak and visiting HaRav Gershon Edelstein Shlit”a in Yeshivat Ponovezh and a face to face audience with HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlit”a. On Erev Shabbat, they join Rav Yaakov Hillel Shlit”a for Shachrit, followed by an exhilarating day at Eretz Ha’ayalim where they go zip-lining through the mountains and actual mountain rappelling!

The Alumni Shabbat is truly inspiring. The Senior class along with the first- and second-year Alumni learning in Israel, staff, and family come together for an amazing Shabbat filled with spirited singing, a special Oneg Shabbat, fine cuisine, and true achdut. On Motzaei Shabbat, they are treated to a lavish Melavah Malkah hosted by Yeshivat Yesod HaTorah, where YTT Senior David Saiedian makes a siyum on Mesechet Berachot!

On Sunday morning they travel up to the north and stayed at the popular Kinar Resort. They visited Rosh Hanikrah and of course, Kever Rashb”i. The next few days are filled with much kedushah and fun. They visited the old city of Tzfat and the many Kivrei Tzadikim, including a visit to the Mikvah of the Arizal. There are Jeep rides, ATVs, hands-on encounter with snakes and a special night cruise on the Kinneret as well as a visit to the famed Har Bental and the tanks on the old battlefield! Gan HaShelosha is especially awesome, with many beautiful sights and waterfalls. The weather is great and they are able to jump right in the waterfalls and hot springs, where fish nibble at their feet! They have a grand BBQ Israeli style with all the fixings and head back to Jerusalem for the final day of the trip and souvenir shopping. On Wednesday night, all of the alumni and staff gather for a farewell banquet at the famed Tzipora restaurant and head once more to the Tziyun and back to the airport.

The group arrives back on Thursday, February 14, inspired and ready to make the most of their remaining few months as YTT Seniors. 

Special thanks to the Menahel of YTT, Rabbi Moshe Aharonov. Thank you as well to Rabbi Shimon Shain, 12th Grade Rebbe, and Rabbi Binyomin Privalsky, 11th Grade Rebbe, both of whom were on the trip. Yeshiva Tiferet Tzion High School is located at 66-35 108th Street in Forest Hills. They can be reached at 718-544-2727 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..