The Eighth Grade just returned from its two-day visit to Washington, DC and its environs. After an early Shacharis, the boys boarded the bus and drove off. The first stop was Village Green Miniature Golf in scenic Strasburg, Pennsylvania.
The boys enjoyed the fresh air and played a competitive game of mini-golf before returning to the bus. It was a good break in the trip, as the next stop was a few hours later at Arlington National Cemetery where they were able to see the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Finally arriving in Washington, DC, they ate supper – a delicious sit-down meal at the Char Bar restaurant. After dinner, the boys had an opportunity to daven Minchah at the historic Kesher Israel Shul, whose former Rabbi, Rabbi Philip Rabinowitz, was the great-grandfather of our Eighth Grader, Chaim Rabinowitz.
The group toured the landmark monuments before heading to their hotel. They checked into the Holiday Inn College Park and enjoyed a swim before the day was over.
After a good night’s rest (or not), the boys davened Shacharis and enjoyed a hot buffet breakfast at the University of Maryland Hillel. Then it was on to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, where the boys watched an Imax about deep space exploration.
They traveled back to Washington, DC, where they had a pizza lunch aboard a cruise boat and viewed the DC landmarks from the vantage of the Potomac River. Back on land, the boys had the opportunity to see the Capitol and White House up close and take pictures. Of course, souvenir purchasing was an important part of the agenda. The day ended where it began: a delicious supper and Minchah at the Hillel.
Baruch Hashem, the boys had an amazing time and made a kiddush Hashem wherever they went! Thank you to Rabbi Pacht, Rabbi Becker, and Rabbi Sklar (and their families!) for chaperoning the trip.