USY on Wheels,
Mission: Mitzvah

*The pictures below are links; clicking on them will take you to a larger version of that picture.

Sunday, July 4th:
After a fantastic first Shabbat together full of rest and relaxation, Mission Mitzvah headed to Elvis Presley's home, Graceland, on their way out of Memphis. At his home they viewed instruments and costumes from his storied career and of course had a chance to pick up some of his music in the gift shop. Following the visit to the home of the "King" the group drove to Little Rock, AK where they visited the William J. Clinton Presidential Library. There they learned more about the former President of the United States. In the evening they had sichot, dinner and then headed to the Arkansas river front for music, fireworks and other July 4th festivities.

Monday, July 5th:
This morning Mission Mitzvah left Little Rock for Oklahoma City. On the ride the group decorated the bus and worked on their Tefillah Goals. When they got into Oklahoma City the group visited the Oklahoma City bombing memorial. There they saw the incredible memorial that is dedicated to all those who lost their lives on April 19, 1995, at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Afterwards the group headed to their hotel for mincha and dinner. Later on the group had a discussion about hunger. Then they were split into groups and given five dollars to go and try to buy a meal for a family of four at the local supermarket. The project helped the wheelniks better understand the struggles of the poor and hungry and all the food they purchased will be donated at the local food bank where they are volunteering tomorrow.

Tuesday, July 6th:
Today Bus H began their day by flexing their Mitzvah muscles! In the morning the group visited the Oklahoma City Regional Food Bank where they volunteered and helped sort and box food to be distributed to those in need. By the end of their time there they had packaged over 5,000 pounds of food which will be able to serve 7,500 meals. After their hard work the group got a chance to relax in the water and in the sun as they rode the slides and relaxed in the lazy river at a local water park. In the evening they returned to their hotel for mincha and dinner and then played a “get to know your staff” game.

    

    

    

    

Wednesday, July 7th:
Today Bus H drove to Amarillo. On the way the group continued to work on their tefillah goals. When they arrived the group visited Elkins Ranch in the Palo Duro canyon, America's second largest canyon. While in the canyon the group took a Jeep tour, a truly amazing experience! The group then had sichot, discussions taught by the staff and ate dinner. In the evening the group went to see the Texas Legacy show, a live show which includes fireworks, horses and cowboys and tells the history of the Lone Star State.

    

    

    

    

Thursday, July 8th:
Today Mission Mitzvah drove from Amarillo, Texas to Albuquerque, New Mexico. On the way the learned some new songs for Shabbat. Later they went to volunteer at a local school and helped the school set up computers, read to some children and played sports with them outdoors. The bus then went to a nearby synagogue for dinner. The group finished their day with some fun at the Hinkle Family Fun Center where they rode go carts and bumper cars and played laser tag and arcade games.

    

Friday, July 9th:
Today Bus H began their day by writing personal prayers during shacharit which they will share with the group, one each day for the rest of the summer. The group then visited two local elementary schools where they volunteered by helping out teachers around the classroom. The group the visited Old Town Albuquerque where they had free time to check out the shops and get ice cream. Later on the group went Shabbat shopping and picked up food and decorations for their “Dora the Explorer ” themed Shabbat. At the hotel the Shabbat committee will decorate the room they will use for dinner and later on the wheelniks will come together for their second Shabbat of Wheels. The group had another fun filled week and is looking forward to another spirited Shabbat together. Shabbat Shalom!