In Israel, this week is the beginning of Passover Spring Break. Kids of all grades and ages are jumping up and down for joy as they prepare to take off on a day trip or hang out with friends locally. Our girls are blessed with a great pre-holiday program, specially designed to give them a combination of fun, education, and excitement.  Here's the itinerary that Bracha Runes, our Programs Director and her able staff arranged for our precious girls.

Retail Therapy: Shop, Buy and Snack

What girl doesn't like to shop? The girls at the Rubin-Zeffren Children's Home are no different than their counterparts around the world. According to their age, each of them will get a cash allowance and will go to a nearby IKEA store and find an item within their means, and then enjoy a snack at IKEA's cafeteria.

Girls to Tour Ornat Chocolate Factory near Ra'anana

You don't have to be a 'chocoholic' to enjoy visiting and sampling these luscious goodies – but who can resist a smooth chunk of chocolate? The Ornat Factory, founded in 1987, was the first manufacturer of handmade, hand-wrapped kosher Belgian chocolates in the country. Today it runs a visitor center and factory store in Gush Tel Mond and supplies chocolate to many hotels and the airport duty-free shop, and sells items in cities such as London, Paris and New York – especially before major Jewish holidays.

When the girls heard they were going to Ornat, they yelped with joy as their mouths began to water in anticipation of this chocolaty special treat!

Kadima Forest

Walking beneath the canopy of fresh budding trees in this lovely forest will be one of the most relaxing and enjoyable experiences for our girls. The strong heavy tree trunks, the fine lacy spring green leaves and the rich brown earth beneath their feet will provide a sense of calm that only nature can provide.

This community forest, in the full sense of the word, is nurtured by the people of the nearby towns - especially Kadima and Tzoran. Although the forest area is only 250 dunam (almost 62 acres) in size, it is quite beautiful and sufficient. In the center of the forest, the girls will enjoy the park with picnic tables and the playground area.  Later on, for those who want quiet time away from the crowds, the edges of the forest offer a peaceful getaway.

Kadima Forest's flora includes pine and eucalyptus trees. In Kadima's Nature Reserve, located near the forest, flowers and shrubs are most impressive. The girls will spend their day completely ensconced by the relaxing verdant views.

Park Alona/MeiKedem – Ancient Waters

Adding to the girls' array of Pre-Passover Day Camp activities is yet another nature site in Northern Israel near Binyamina. Walking paths, hiking trails, and waterfalls adorn Park Alona.

The Mei Kedem Water Tunnel  - built by the Romans, is a complex water system stretching from the Ein Tzabirin Springs to the aqueducts in Caesarea. A network of canals, tunnels, clay pipes and aqueducts transported the water from the springs (23 km. northeast of the city) to the city port. The girls will explore a 280-meter stretch of a 6-km. tunnel in Alona Park which is right near Binyamina and Zichron Yaakov. They will first view a short film beforehand, followed by a guided tour of the water tunnel – a kids' favorite adventure!

Day trip to Ramat Hanadiv

Yet another stimulating day trip for the girls will be at Ramat HaNadiv which lies at the southern end of Mount Carmel, between Zikhron Ya'akov and Binyamina. It's a natural gem of a location, dedicated to the memory of the wealthy philanthropist, Baron Edmond de Rothschild. Ramat Hanadiv's vision focuses on the creation of sustainable interactions between man, nature and the environment. In this context, great efforts have been invested in innovative management techniques, scientific research, environmental education, outdoor recreational activities, and tourism.

The girls will relish Ramat Hanadiv's Memorial Gardens, the Nature Park, and the Visitors Pavilion. Besides these sites, there are also circular hiking trails suited to walkers of all capabilities. The trails are studded with observation points that include Mediterranean scenery and the remnants of ancient human settlement. In view is also a spring hidden in greenery. Birds of prey are also kept in acclimatization cages and are prepared for their release back into nature, which is part of Ramat Hanadiv's efforts to re-establish and preserve the fauna of the land of Israel.

Without the unwavering support of our dear friends and donors, our girls would not be able to enjoy these magnificent sites that build wonderful childhood memories and help to eradicate some of the pain and suffering the girls have already undergone in their young lives.

To sponsor an educational and exciting field trip, click here!